I’ve been hearing from a mix of gardeners in my inbox this week. Some of you are already thinking about layouts, seed orders, and what you want to grow this year. Others are very much still in winter mode, enjoying slower days, indoor projects, and not quite ready to think about the garden yet. Both are completely normal. January tends to be an in-between month. The garden isn’t asking much of us yet, but our minds start drifting there anyway. Sometimes that shows up as planning. Other times...
13 days ago • 1 min read
I don’t know about you, but my mailbox has been filling up with seed catalogs lately. I’m getting a little excited for what’s ahead! My granddaughter, Ellie, and I have been flipping through them together, circling our favorites and talking about what we might like to grow this year. No big decisions yet, but lots of dreaming and circling with Crayola markers. This time of year always does that to me. After the holidays, I’m usually itching to get outside and get my hands in the soil again,...
17 days ago • 1 min read
I’ve been doing a lot of fall garden consultations lately, and one question keeps coming up again and again: “What do I cut down in fall, what do I leave, and should I be doing it now or wait until spring?” The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Like so many things in gardening, it really depends on your preferences. Cutting things back in fall can help remove pest and disease problems that overwinter and cause trouble in spring. It also keeps your garden looking tidy through...
4 months ago • 1 min read
Happy October 1st!! In the words of Anne of Green Gables, “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” Yes, even though the garden is winding down, and the season is coming to an end, I get so EXCITED for October!! Cider mills and crunchy leaves and fiery red maples tree? Crisp autumn air? *happy sigh* Plus, October is still an important month in the garden! I’ll have a full “October Garden Tasks” blog post for you soon, including a printable to do list. But while I finish that...
4 months ago • 1 min read
How has your garden season been this year? 🌱 This has been a whirlwind of a summer for me personally. We moved into our new home at the end of May, and between settling in and caring for my client's gardens, my own beds kept getting pushed to the back burner. You know that saying about the shoemaker's kids having no shoes? That was me this year! But the good news is, it's not too late for a few quick-growing vegetables! And don’t forget, fall is also garlic planting season. If you haven’t...
4 months ago • 1 min read
It’s officially that time of year…spring energy is in full swing, and if you’re anything like me, you’re probably itching to plant all the things. The seed packets are calling. The garden center looks magical. And suddenly that one little bed turns into a 10-bed garden in your imagination. But before you go all in, I want to share the #1 tip I give every new gardener. Start small. Always. I know that might sound boring or even limiting, but hear me out. Starting small gives you the space to...
9 months ago • 2 min read
I wanted to drop by your inbox today to talk about something super simple that can make a huge difference in how well your plants grow this season... I'm talking about rootbound plants. You know when you take a seedling or perennial out of it's pot and the roots are all packed tight in a swirl at the bottom? That's a rootbound plant. If you plant it like that, it can actually struggle to grow, no matter how well you care for it. When roots are stuck in a tight little circle, they keep growing...
10 months ago • 1 min read