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.
Gardens to Drive: Derby Town Winners
By Michael Leach Red roses, frosty mint juleps and broad-brimmed garden party hats are all part of the scene in Louisville this weekend. Gardeners, however, find more than race hoopla to appeal whenever they visit this Ohio River metro area. And for those willing to...
Snapshots: Daffodil for American Idol
Midwest gardeners could have easily helped out American Idol candidate Joshua Ledet when the judges asked him what flower he was wearing on his lapel during last night’s show. The 20-year-old gospel singer from Louisiana was sporting a bright yellow daffodil on his...
Snapshots: Happy May Day!
Wishing you all a Happy May Day! Here's a snapshot of what's blooming in Debra's rock garden. We'd love to hear what's blooming in your garden, too.
Garden Happenings: Plant Sales
By Teresa Woodard The plant-buying frenzy is about to begin, and there’s no better place for one-of-a-kind plants and great gardening advice than a public garden’s plant sale. Besides, the sales generate significant income for botanic gardens, arboreta and plant...
Favorite Tools: Edging iron
By Michael Leach Those who share my desire for an organized, orderly environment -- some dismiss us as mere control freaks -- should consider investing in an edging iron. Edging is the landscape equivalent of tucking in a shirttail, pinning back stray hairs and...
Favorite Tools: Perennial knife
By Debra Knapke Teresa’s favorite tool is my second favorite. The tool that goes with me everywhere in the garden is my trusty, multi-purpose perennial knife. It plants bulbs, busts up soil, renews the edge on a garden and weeds with a vengeance. My first one had a...
Favorite Tools: Okatsune shears
By Teresa Woodard Spring gardening chores can be daunting, but the right tools help make the work more enjoyable. Today, I share my hedge shears by Okatsune as we start a mini blog series on our Favorite Tools. This Japanese-crafted set of blades is my go-to tool...
Trendspotting: Tangerine Tango
By Teresa Woodard Bring runway style to your gardens with this season’s hot new color – Tangerine Tango. Pantone, the creative industry’s color authority, has designated this daring reddish-orange color as the 2012 color of the year in its Fashion Color Report....
Book Notes: Gardener’s Weather Bible
The Gardener’s Weather Bible: How to Predict and Prepare for Garden Success in Any Kind of Weather - Sally Roth, Rodale Press, 2003 Reviewed by Debra Knapke Winter, what we had of it, is now a memory. In an effort to figure out how to deal with a too early Spring...