Heartland Gardening bloggers
(left to right: Michael Leach, Debra Knapke and Teresa Woodard)
Michael Leach, Teresa Woodard, and I were in Indianapolis in 2011 attending a GWA – The Association of Garden Communicators – conference. After a garden writers workshop we went out to dinner. Not an easy thing to do in a city where three other conferences were also in session. Over the second bottle of wine, while waiting for our table, we decided to create a blog together. We not only launched the blog, Heartland Gardening, but developed deep friendships.
In June, 2021, Michael passed, Teresa became more involved with her writing – please look for her book American Roots and her next book, Garden to the Max which will be published in March 2025. And I became involved with projects that focus on care for the Earth and and all who live on it. Teresa and I felt that it was time to let our blog settle into an archive as a beautiful testament to three gardeners who shared their passion for plants, people, and collaboration.
Enjoy.
Remembering Michael
By Teresa Woodard and Debra Knapke Dear Gardening Friends, It is with sad hearts that we share the news of Michael’s recent passing. He was a dear friend, talented writer, faithful Christian and consummate gardener. For 10 years, we have been writing this blog...
Garden party for native plants
Trilliums are among Ohio's many spring wildflowers. By Michael Leach While garden shopping this spring, plan on adding plants that evolved in your part of the world. Besides being decorative, they may have historic connections to local ancient peoples as food,...
Discoveries Await in the Garden
By Michael Leach As the incredible NASA rover seeks signs of extinct life on Mars, I don jacket, gloves and boots to discover life in the garden. My quest lacks any scientific or other significance, but it’s exciting for me. To behold snowdrop blossoms, crocus shoots...
Squirrelly Weather Predicted
By Michael Leach Photo by Aaron J Hill on Pexels.com Gardeners apparently weren’t consulted when groundhogs were chosen as prognosticators of winter’s duration. At least not this gardener. Personal experience with these creatures is all negative. From chewing up the...
Best Rx: Real Gardening
A $4 bunch of alstroemeria, plus a few green branches of kerria japonica and evergreen Japanese yew, combine to make a breath of fresh air in midwinter. By Micheal Leach It’s that time of winter when cheap thrills are necessary to survive until planting time....
Garden Trends 2021
Photo by Simon Matzinger on Pexels.com A Promising Year For Gardeners By Teresa Woodard Goodbye, 2020, and hello 2021! Thankfully, the new year is shaping up to be a bright one for the gardening world. Here are a few highlights of what’s to come. More Gardeners...
Garden Resolutions
In 2021, we collectively hope to be meeting once again in person and sharing ideas for future blog posts. As we kick off our 10th year for Heartland Gardening, we are grateful for all who have joined us and continue to encourage us on this blogging journey. Happy New...
Happy Gardening to Me!
Deb gifts herself some power tools -- battery-powered chainsaw and blower. By Debra Knapke First, I have to confess that chainsaws scare the bejeepers out of me. They are loud and incredibly dangerous, and I never thought I would own one. I always figured that If I...
Spare Me the “S” Word
By Michael LeachAlas! Once again it’s the season when weather predictions often include the four-letter “s” word. But there’s no cause for undue delight or despair.This wee word, representing countless minute bits of frozen, white precipitation, is a subject...