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.
Favorite Flora: Succulents
Succulent – in the food world it means delectable; luscious. In the plant world, the same adjectives may come to mind as you gaze on succulents’ richly textured and subtly colored forms. Thick leaves that store water, leathery surfaces that reduce moisture loss and...
Good Eats: Currant Jam
By Debra Knapke We are now enjoying the currant jam that we made in July. This is a hands-on, work-with-it recipe…. in other words, you need to be flexible and work with the amount of fruit that you pick. Also, be aware that different moisture levels in the soil will...
Trendspotting: Upcycling in the Garden
By Teresa Woodard Upcycle. It’s my favorite new word and such a positive twist on recycling. Instead of recycling or (or “downcycling”) which recreates something of lesser value, upcycling turns disposables into something of higher value. According to a recent...
Favorite Flora: Snowdrops
By Debra Knapke Snowdrops are usually the first breath of spring in the late winter garden. The distinctive leaves often emerge through the snow and are quickly followed by the nodding white flowers that are marked with kelly green on the inner petals. In the...
Favorite Flora: Drift Roses
Roses as ground covers? That's one of the things we saw at the Willoway Nurseries display at the recent CENTS trade show and Ohio State University Short Course in Columbus. Wholesaler Willoway Nurseries highlighted Drift Roses as a tough adaptable rose for gardens and...
Good Eats: Pesto Scuffins
By Debra Knapke July, through October is the time to make and freeze pesto so that you can savor the taste of summer in the middle of winter. While basil pesto is a favorite, there are many types for this burst of flavor. This past year, sage, celery, and garlic...
Good Eats: Sweet Pickles
By Debra Knapke Pickles… the vegetable preserve that we put up in July to October. Plunked on hamburgers, added to our potato salad or just eaten because they taste so good, cucumber pickles are reminders of the taste of high summer. For those of you who like exact...
The Dirt on Roots: Wintertime
By Michael Leach Roots don't sleep during the winter. They continue doing their job of absorbing water and other essentials albeit at a slower rate. But most important for small flora -- they hold the plant in place during the raucous season. Because roots continue...
Happy Valentine’s Day
If I had a flower for every time I thought of you, I could walk in my garden forever. -- Alfred Lord Tennyson