YEARS AGO, Gretchen Rubin of “The Happiness Project” fame and I were on an author panel together, when we both had new books out. Turns out we have friends in common as well, and so using those or any other tiny wedges possible, I’ve kept trying peskily since to convince her that gardening=serious happiness.

My latest attempt to spread the garden gospel was to accept an invitation for a Q&A with Gretchen, who kindly celebrated the release of my latest book by interviewing me.

Now, not about gardening; admittedly, I still haven’t got her out there digging, so she didn’t ask about exceptional rhizomatous begonias or how and when to prune Hydrangea paniculata. I’ll keep after her, I promise. Instead she wanted to talk about things like what I know now that the 18-year-old Margaret didn’t, or what tactics I could share for making healthy habits (or breaking unwanted ones). She asked about books that have changed my life, and whether I have a mantra or personal motto, and more.

And of course, being the happiness person, she asked about what makes me happy. (Yup, that’s where I got my gardening promo in, promise.)

Thanks, Gretchen. You can read our conversation here.