With over three million followers on social media, Brian Brignatti is a powerhouse in the world of horticulture content. Through his platform, he aims to inspire people across the country to embrace a lifestyle more deeply rooted in nature. He advocates for trading overly processed foods — so deeply embedded in American culture — for a more homegrown approach. His content showcases the joy and beauty that come from growing fresh plants and vegetables, while also highlighting gardening as a spiritual experience that nurtures the soul.
Brignatti believes that slowing down and spending time in nature is grounding, especially for those living in busy urban or suburban areas. Getting back to a lifestyle closer to the earth, he argues, is a vital part of the human experience.
His journey toward a more natural life began in 2019 when he left the hustle and bustle of New York City to live with his partner, Domonick, in the Tennessee countryside. There he began to really see how beautiful this sort of life can be. The nature and slower pace took some time to adjust to but ultimately became something he now is so grateful for. Shortly after the move, they transformed a plot of land into Red Leaf Ranch, a homestead that has become central to their lives — and ultimately sparked Brian’s rise as an influencer.
This career path was never part of his plan. What started as a personal hobby — filming their homesteading adventures for fun — soon evolved into a passion that resonated with online audiences. Brian discovered that people genuinely enjoyed glimpsing his gardening journey. Today, he has become one of the most prominent queer horticulture influencers on TikTok. He blends his lively personality and passion for gardening to create engaging content.
Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with him. In our conversation, we discussed the unexpected beauty of countryside living, his newly released book, and a vacation destination he recommends for those seeking the planet’s most breathtaking sights.
What would be your best piece of advice to someone who is new to gardening and may be feeling a bit overwhelmed about how to get started?
Brian Brignatti: I started gardening in 2020 actually so I am pretty new too. I grew up in Chicago then moved to New York City so I did not have much inspiration near me. Once I moved to Tennessee I really started growing out of necessity because of the pandemic. That is really what kick-started this whole thing. There is a lot left to learn still so I feel the content I end up creating is really geared to the beginner.
Each day I am still discovering stuff. I feel like that seeps into a lot of the things I post. The one best piece of advice I would give to someone who is new would be to really do whatever you can to keep that sense of whimsy and discovery. Like, if you fail or mess up do not let it discourage you. Use it as an opportunity to learn. Also, start with easier stuff. Kale is definitely a more simple plant to grow so that is great for beginners.
What in particular do you think makes the social media of TikTok a great place for gardening and natural living content?
BB: Before gardening I was actually a professional photographer. So my main platform with that sort of work was Instagram. I would focus on getting really polished photos to share so it is different from what I do now. With being on TikTok, I see what makes it so alluring is that it is not polished, it is truly authentic. I was posting the content I created previously on Facebook and I was trying to make it look so refined. It did not feel like the real me.
I actually had a friend reach out who suggested that I start posting on TikTok saying I could do well on there. What made switching over to it so much fun was I was not using my professional camera, just my phone. It felt more like Face Timing a friend. It felt more accessible and just allowed me to capture moments more freely. With nature content in particular it works really well. Each day things in the garden just change and it’s great to share that joy when something new happens.
So last year you released your book Gardening for Abundance: Your Guide to Cultivating a Beautiful Veggie Garden & Happier Life. What made you want to create this and dive into the writing world?
BB: I have always found joy in teaching. Sharing inspiration and giving people tools to grasp knowledge and use it is something I find so important. I actually did not feel the need to write a book. I had this great platform already and I was content with it. But a publisher actually reached out and wanted to know if I would be interested. I always had a love for writing. English was one of my favorite subjects growing up.
I have noticed with having a following this big that you get so many of the same questions. I then realized it would be great to take the questions I get asked so frequently and be able to answer them in a book. To be able to share so much information with my audience it’s like a gift. They have the tools they need to grow things. It was an amazing idea.
How has the reaction been from readers and has there been any memorable ones that stick out?
BB: A common piece of feedback I get that sticks out is that they were not expecting me to speak on the spiritual benefits when you grow and connect to the natural world. The book goes beyond just being a guide to how to grow successfully. I really dived into that aspect in some chapters. There is a mental health aspect to gardening. Gardens reflect back to us the ways we need to care for ourselves. The book has messages about living in abundance rather than just expecting everything to be perfect. It has been really special to see readers truly connect to this aspect.
You have been quite open about how you traded the busy life of New York City for a more peaceful countryside life in Tennessee. What has been the most beautiful thing about country life but also the most challenging aspect you had to adjust to?
BB: The challenge also is one of the most beautiful things, if I am being honest. Cities really are such cool places for self discovery and there is so much opportunity but in that same regard it can be so noisy. It is such a busy lifestyle that makes it so easy to get swept up in so many different things. It can become easier to lose yourself because you get stuck in this hustle culture.
Once I finally moved down to Tennessee I really started to appreciate how beautiful it is, like all the greenery and how you can hear the birds sing. But, by the same token, that was a bit challenging because I was so indoctrinated into the busy life of the city. It was hard to switch into a more quiet mode and focus less on just being on the go all the time. It has been beautiful though, living in a rural [area], to be able to take control and not focus so much on the hustle because you have to do that a lot less when you do not live in a city.
A lot of people in our community do prefer the city but what is one benefit you think queer people can experience from living in the country side?
BB: Queer country culture is very different from city life. It truly is a different environment. I think I would want to ask the readers, “What drives you from city life?” I think this really depends from person to person.
I think a lot of what detours queer people from moving to the countryside is that sense of safety. I personally have lived in three different cities and was so ready for a more quiet life. I wanted to connect with nature and myself more. After learning so many valuable things from living in more urban areas it felt like it could really be a powerful adjustment for my life.
If you are someone who grew up in a small town, then get out. Go to a city, have that chance to learn more about who you are, see what you like, and meet new people. I would say the greatest benefit is getting to connect with something bigger than ourselves. Nature is such a powerful force that can teach us so much especially in a society that is so capitalistic.
What are some simple things we can do in our day to day life to take better care of the earth?
I love Costa Rica. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.
BB: If you live in a city, actively seek out natural places. Go to a community garden or support a local farmer. Understand how our food system works. For me that was such a big awakening when I started farming. The food system is just way more complex than it needs to be. Capitalism has really ruined it. I think learning how to grow food is one of the most important things we can do because it makes us a more conscious consumer. It really gives you a look at how food is grown and know about the natural process. Caring for the food system and farmers really is such an important thing we need more people to do.
With summer travel season now here, what place would you recommend others to travel to for a great experience of the natural world?
BB: I love Costa Rica. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. In so many ways, naturally, spiritually, and socially, It is just an utterly gorgeous place. It is also one of the most bio-diverse places on earth and actually pretty affordable compared to some other places. It is also super queer friendly. When we go we just get a rental car and see where the experience takes us. We do not stay in a city and it really feels like such an adventure.
What is your favorite thing to grow now? Do you have any tips to grow it well?
BB: It would definitely be squash. It is such a fun plant to grow, it really grows in such a wild way. Squash is just so abundant and really just gives you so much food. It truly is a great survival crop. Because of how wild it is though I would recommend you get some sort of support system in place with the soil to help it to grow properly.
What is the one most important thing you hope people will take away from your content?
BB: Abundance! Really what that word encapsulates it. At the end of the day, it is just joy. Having so much happiness in our life is so important. If you do not have it in your life, go find it! You cannot expect it to just show up on your doorstep. Actively create moments or seek out stuff that will allow you to experience joy. The world is so wild right now so the greatest thing we have in our life is to create beautiful moments filled with happiness.
