A version of this article appeared in the Spring 2025 issue of Northern Gardener magazine. Recent changes in the U.S. Department of Agriculture cold hardiness zone map left many gardeners confused. About half the United States had shifted a half zone warmer between maps released in 2012 and late 2023, making a significant part of Minnesota now a USDA Zone…
Read More
Located on 96 acres not far from the University of Memphis and about a 15-minute drive from blues-y, bustling downtown Memphis, the Memphis Botanic Garden offers something for every plant and garden lover. Towering magnolias? Of course! Beautifully arranged collections of daylilies, roses and conifers? Certainly. A Japanese garden and a 2.5 acre children’s garden are also among the 30…
Read More
Since moving to a townhouse in 2022, my deck has become an important part of my garden. It’s where I sit and admire my plants, savor a morning cup of coffee, watch for hummingbirds, meditate and grow many of my favorite annuals and herbs. (Fortunately, I also have a community garden plus a few volunteer garden opportunities to keep me…
Read More
A version of this article originally appeared in the Summer 2024 issue of Northern Gardener magazine. Texture is tactile, right? It’s the way plants feel when we touch them, like the sharp tip of a thorn or the fuzziness of a lamb’s ears leaf. In garden design, though, texture is a visual element as well. Garden texture influences how we…
Read More
I just finished my second season as a community gardener, and I’m hoping my third will be the best yet. Through trial and error (mostly error), I’ve learned a few things that might work for you if you are growing food or flowers in a community garden. Set these aside for spring — and have a great season! Know the…
Read More