Blog

The Impatient Gardener blog was started in 2009 and its library of posts includes practical how-tos, plant guides, favorite garden gear, successes and failures and much more. If you’re looking for something specific, the search function at the top of the page can help.

  • All
  • Containers
  • Cottage
  • DIY
  • Edibles
  • Friday Finds
  • Garden
  • Garden design
  • Latest
  • Other
  • Plants
Friday Finds

FRIDAY FINDS: CELEBRITY GARDENS EDITION

I don’t want to talk about how it’s almost the middle of August, or how the back-to-school ads are incredibly annoying to me (not because I have any stake in anyone going to back to school, but such ads signal a certain time of year). Instead I’d rather revel in the fact that last night for dinner I ate a …

Read More
Garden

AN UNWELCOME VISITOR

For years I’ve read horror story about Japanese beetles invading gardens. I’d even talked to local gardeners who have been plagued by the irridescent buggers. But until this year I’d never even laid eyes on one. I read an article that suggested that our springs are too cold here (and particularly at my house near Lake Michigan) for them to …

Read More
GardenPlants

THIS VINE IS NO THUG (NO MATTER WHAT THEY SAY)

Vines can be misunderstood members of the plant world. We want them to grow quickly but not too quickly. We want them to grow in places where nothing else will grow, except there’s usually a really good reason nothing else will grow there. We want them to boldy grow up structures but to respect those structures. In other words, gardeners …

Read More
Friday Finds

FRIDAY FINDS

Even if I don’t always get to them, I still love a good Friday Finds post. First though, you will look at the very arty photo I took on a walk the other day. I believe I took this approximately five minutes before the dog got giant hogweed sap on his back which has led to a very ugly and …

Read More
Garden

SURPRISES IN THE GARDEN

A few years ago I gave up even pretending that I would remember where I planted something or what I planted in a specific spot if I didn’t use a plant marker. For years before that I insisted I would remember but either age or experience has taught me to give up even dreaming these things will stick in my …

Read More
Garden

TAMING THE JUNGLE: HOW A GARDEN FARES ON ITS OWN

On Monday I shared with you a few photos of what my garden looked like before I left for 10 days. I mentioned that I did my best to cut as many flowers as I could so the plants would keep producing flowers without needing deadheading while I was gone. By and large that was a worthwhile effort. Lots of …

Read More
Garden

GETTING THE GARDEN VACATION READY

So I’m alive. I feel like I should probably clarify that since I just totally disappeared on you. Once again I got behind on things before I headed out of town to go sailing and then the posts I had scheduled to go up didn’t and well, I figured you’d all hang in there and wait for me. I snapped …

Read More
Garden

THE VALUE OF SEEING YOUR GARDEN THROUGH SOMEONE ELSE’S EYES

I’ve extolled the virtues of garden tours many times here. I believe there is nothing more inspiring than experiencing a garden other than your own. It’s hard for me to think of a time I’ve toured a garden and not left with a design idea I would like to incorporate into my garden or a plant I absolutely had to …

Read More