Relished Garden

12: Winter Garden Reflections: Rhythms That Anchor Us Through Time

There's something really grounding about returning to the same rhythms year after year. Showing up for the season. Showing up for yourself and the people around you. We set out to talk about seasonal rhythms in the garden, but what we ended up exploring is how those rhythms actually inform life, how repetition becomes ritual, and how those rituals anchor us through time.
In this episode, Nicole (my podcast producer and Relish Gardens marketing extraordinaire) joins me to share how she uses nature-based activities to help her kids connect to the season. 
Winter is a good moment to reflect on which activities you keep in your life, which ones you prioritize, and why you value them. Because it's those small things, the ones you return to again and again, that create real connection.
In this episode, I cover:
How traditions and seasonal rhythms ground us through the passage of time and connect us across years
The mindset shift from seeing storm debris as a chore to getting excited about materials for winter pots and bonfires
Nicole's approach to "microdosing anticipation" for her kids through nature-based advent calendar activities
How putting the garden to bed creates space for both reflection on the past year and anticipation for what's coming
Resources
Free Winter Gardening Guide
Frog Pond Farm (Oregon)
Connect with Us
Relish Gardens Website
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If you loved this episode, subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next. And if you know a gardening friend who'd appreciate this conversation, send it their way. Sharing the show helps grow our little garden-loving community.
Until next time, I hope you find something in your garden to truly relish.

11: Winter Solstice in the Garden: Celebrating the Return of Light

Living in the Pacific Northwest has taught me to pay attention to the light, or really, the lack of it. Growing up in California, I had no idea how intensely the seasons could shift until I moved to Seattle, where dusk feels like it hits at 3:30 and some days the sun barely seems to come up at all. It took me years to adjust to the rhythm of it. As a gardener, so much of what we do is tied to the light. The winter solstice has become one of my favorite turning points of the year. It's the shortest day, yes, but it's also the moment when everything shifts. We stop moving away from summer and start building toward spring again. There is something celebratory about realizing that from here, the light starts coming back, even if it's just a few minutes at a time. 
This week, I'm talking about how I mark the winter solstice as a gardener and why I love these seasonal rhythms and the changing of seasons.
In this episode, I cover:
Why the winter solstice is such a turning point for gardeners, marking the shift back toward spring
Simple ways to celebrate solstice, from community walks to keeping your lights up a little longer than usual
The connection between holiday lights, cultural traditions, and our need for brightness during the darkest time of year
Why the change of seasons is my favorite, and how I like to slow down enough to really notice the changes
Resources:
St. Edward State Park, Kenmore, WA
Connect with Us:
Relish Gardens Website
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If you loved this episode, make sure to subscribe and share it with a gardening friend. Until next time, I hope you find something in your garden to truly relish.

10 - The Curator's Mindset: Clarifying Your Space Through Editing

Have you ever had the feeling that you love your plants, but your garden doesn't quite reflect the story you were trying to tell? We collect plants we love, we're gifted things, we bring home treasures from the nursery, and over time, the garden can start to feel muddled. That's where editing comes in. It's the missing piece we don't talk about enough in garden design. Just like any creative work, a garden is only as strong as the edit you bring to it. In this episode, I'm talking about how to observe your space, identify what's working (and what's not), and refine your garden into something that feels intentional, clear, and truly yours.
In this episode, I cover:
Why gardens can start to feel muddled over time
Why editing is the overlooked skill in garden design
How editing creates stronger, more intentional spaces
Strategies for clarifying your garden's story
Connect with Us:
Relish Gardens Website
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on YouTube
Free Fall Gardening Guide
If you loved this episode, make sure to subscribe. We've got new episodes every week. And if you know a gardening friend who'd appreciate this conversation, send it their way. Sharing the show helps grow our little garden-loving community.

9: The Curator's Mindset: How Design Parameters Shape Every Garden I Design

Mature gardens become collections over time. Pots, plants, benches, impulse buys, inherited pieces, and at some point, that collection either feels magical or it just feels muddled. In this episode, I walk through how I use design parameters to guide every garden I design, why limitations actually make gardens better, and how they can reduce decision fatigue.
In this episode, I cover:
How strong design parameters help you move between gardens, make faster decisions, and avoid creative fatigue
Why mature gardens can often feel muddled instead of magical, and how design parameters fix that
The difference between a collector's mindset and a curator's mindset when building a garden
What immersive experiences like Meow Wolf and Disneyland can teach us about garden design, storytelling, and creating intentional spaces
Real examples from my award-winning Northwest Flower and Garden Show gardens, and how completely different parameters created two totally distinct spaces
Why limitations, when developed ahead of time, contribute to stronger and more well-defined gardens
Resources and Links:
Meow Wolf
Relish Gardens 2025 NWFGS Show Garden
Relish Gardens 2024 NWFGS Garden
Download our FREE Fall Gardening Guide
Connect with Us:
Relish Gardens Website
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on YouTube
If you loved this episode, make sure to subscribe—we've got new episodes every week. And if you know a gardening friend who'd benefit from thinking about their garden through a curator's lens, send this their way. Sharing the show helps grow our little garden-loving community.
Until next time, I hope you find something in your garden to truly relish.

8: No Bad Weather: The Gardening Tools and Gear That Keep Us Comfortable all Winter

Winter gardening doesn’t have to be miserable—or overwhelming. In this episode, Stevie and I share what gear we rely on to help maintain our clients’ gardens year-round.
We will share how creating an essential gear kit doesn't have to take up your entire house, and what gear makes cold-weather gardening not just doable, but genuinely enjoyable. 
We dig into the stuff we actually use, the habits that make winter gardening feel less like a chore, and how a little fresh air can go a long way in keeping your spring garden (and your mood) in better shape.
In this episode, we cover:
The benefits of just one day in the garden each week for both your garden and you.
Why gardening in a light mist might be our actual favorite time of the year to garden.
The mental and physical benefits of getting outside, even when it's cold and grey.
The specific clothing and tools that make outdoor work bearable (and yes, comfortable)
The one item Stevie keeps giving, and why it's a total game-changer
Why you don’t need to own everything, and why we love the idea of borrowing and sharing tools with your community.
Small-space-friendly tools that earn their keep in our kit
Why more gear isn’t better, and can actually reduce your efficiency and lead to overwhelm.
Our Favorite Cold-Weather Gardening Gear We Actually Use
Helly Hansen Storm Weatherproof Rain Jacket
Helly Hansen Storm Waterproof Rain Bib Pants
Boot Dryer
Japanese Hand Hoe
Ryobi Electric Leaf Blower
Brute 10-Gallon Bucket
Stoggles
Hori Hori
Some of the links are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. We only share products we genuinely love, use, and trust in our day-to-day garden work. We encourage you to shop local and directly from the retailer.
Connect with Us
Relish Gardens Website
Follow us on Instagram
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If you enjoyed this episode, send it to a garden-loving friend who loves learning about weird edible plants in the garden.
Until next time, I hope you find something in your garden to truly relish.

7: Preserving a Season: Medlars, Quince, and the Joy of Uncommon Fruits with Maggie Rutherford

In this episode, I’m joined by horticulturist Maggie Rutherford, someone who shares my obsession with the weird, wonderful world of uncommon edible plants. We talk about blending ornamental and edible plants in the garden, the joy of preserving to capture each individual season, and how small-batch preserving can be a source of creativity and delight.
Maggie shares why she can't stop talking about her Quince tree, and we dive into the weird and wonderful world of Medlars.
In this episode, we discuss:
How moving into a blank-slate yard sparked Maggie’s love of growing and eventually led her to return to school to study horticulture
Our shared love of jamming weird little fruits, and preserving as a creative, artistic expression
Why we love blending edible and ornamental plants in the garden instead of separating them.
Resources and Links
Plants Mentioned in This Episode:
Quince (Cydonia oblonga)
Medlar (Mespilus germanica)
Sloes (Prunus spinosa)
Luma (Luma apiculata)
Szechuan Pepper (Zanthoxylum simulans)
If you are looking for unique edible plants, we highly recommend Raintree Nursery
Books Mentioned in This Episode:
Saving the Season: A Cook’s Guide to Home Canning, Pickling, and Preserving by Kevin WestJam Bake: Inspired Recipes for Creating and Baking with Preserves by Camilla Wynne
Connect with Us
Relish Gardens Website
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on YouTube
Follow Maggie on Instagram
Visit Maggie's Art Website
If you enjoyed this episode, send it to a garden-loving friend who loves learning about weird edible plants in the garden.
Until next time, I hope you find something in your garden to truly relish.

6: Fall Plant Propagation: Dividing Perennials to Expand Your Garden

This week, Stevie and I are talking about one of my all-time favorite low-effort, high-reward garden moves: dividing and transplanting perennials in the fall. Whether you're trying to fill out a new bed, edit what’s not working, or just want more of that one plant that always thrives—this episode is all about using what you already have to grow the garden you want.
If you’ve ever wondered when to divide, how to do it, or why it’s worth the effort, you’re in the right place.
In this episode, I cover:
Why fall is an ideal time to divide most perennials
Simple cues to know when a plant is ready to be divided
How transplanting helps you edit and expand your garden with intention
The satisfaction of “shopping your own garden” instead of buying new
Connect with Us
Relish Gardens Website
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Resources and Links
Plants Mentioned:
Hakonechloa macra: Japanese Forest Grass
Cyclamen coum: Persian Violet
Miscanthus sinensis: Dwarf Maiden Grass
Araucaria Araucana: Monkey Puzzle Tree
Resources mentioned:
University of Minnesota: Diving 125 Most Common Perennials 
Hardy Fern Foundation
American Fern Society
History of the Monkey Puzzle Tree in Seattle
Connect with Us
Relish Gardens Website
Follow us on Instagram
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Until next time, I hope you find something in your garden to truly relish.

5: How to Choose the Right Tree for Your Garden

Fall is an ideal time to consider adding trees to your garden. It also happens to be one of the best planting windows, giving roots a head start before summer heat kicks in.
I can’t tell you the perfect tree for every site, but I can offer the kinds of questions and considerations that lead to better decisions, both aesthetically and horticulturally.
In this episode, I walk through the criteria I use to select and place trees in a design, and I encourage you to look beyond the usual suspects.
We’ll explore how to assess your site, lean on design principles, and think through four-season performance so that your tree supports the bigger picture of your garden for years to come.
If you’re feeling unsure about where to begin, this episode will give you a solid starting place.
What You'll Learn
Why fall is a great time to purchase and plant trees
How to evaluate site conditions like sun, soil, and space before making a selection
Common tree-picking mistakes and how to avoid them
Why we keep seeing the same trees everywhere and how to choose something better
Using line, repetition, and texture to support your garden's design
How to borrow from the larger landscape to create a sense of place
Questions to ask about what you want your tree to do and how the right tree can simplify your maintenance load
Trees and plants mentioned:
Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia)
Persian Ironwood (Parrotia persica)
Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas)
Japanese Umbrella Pine (Sciadopitys verticillata) 
Helpful links:
Raintree Nursery
Great Plant Picks
OSU Department of Horticulture Plant Finder
Dirr's Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs
Connect with Us
Relish Gardens Website
Follow us on Instagram
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If this episode helped you think differently about how to choose a tree, share it with someone who’s planning their next garden move.
Until next time, I hope you find something in your garden to truly relish.

4: Garden Maintenance Without the Overwhelm: Simple shifts to reduce work and make space for joy

If you’ve ever found yourself dreading garden maintenance or wondering why it’s starting to feel like a burden, you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m talking about what happens when we shift the way we think about maintenance and why it doesn’t have to feel like a never-ending to-do list.
Instead of aiming for perfection or pretending you’ll suddenly have hours every weekend, I want to help you build a garden that works with your life as it is now. We’ll talk about setting a maintenance budget, how to limit high-maintenance plants, and why focusing your energy in just a few high-impact areas can free you up to enjoy the rest. With a few smart swaps and honest expectations, you really can reduce the overwhelm and still love what you see outside your window.
In this episode, I cover:
How to shift your mindset around garden maintenance so it feels less like a chore
What a maintenance budget really means and how to plan your garden around the time you actually have
Smart plant choices and placement strategies that help reduce ongoing upkeep
How to prioritize high-impact or high-traffic areas for the most impactful use of your time
The role of editing in garden design and why removing what’s not working creates more ease
Why only 10 percent of your plants should be high-maintenance divas, and smart swaps to hold a space with less work
Connect with Us
Relish Gardens Website
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on YouTube
If you loved this conversation, make sure to subscribe. We’ve got new episodes every week.
And if you know a gardening friend who’d love this, send it their way. Sharing the show helps grow our little garden-loving community.
Until next time, I hope you find something in your garden to truly relish.
 

3: Not Loving Your Garden? How Observation and Data Can Help Fix What Feels Off

Have you ever stood in your garden and thought, “Something feels off" or "This just isn’t working anymore”? Whether it’s subtle discontent or full-on frustration, that nagging feeling is often a sign that something needs to shift. In this episode, we’re diving into how to observe your space more critically, using both aesthetic cues and horticultural data, to understand what’s not serving you and what to do about it.
You’ll also hear from Stevie, one of our longtime Relish horticulturists, about how we assess gardens in the field, from overgrown chaos to subtle color clashes. Together, we’ll walk through how to look with intention, ask the right questions, and start making meaningful, doable changes.
In this episode, we cover:
How stepping back and observing can shift your perspective and make more analytical decisions in your garden.
Practical ways to evaluate plant health, layout, and color palette so you can make confident choices in your garden
How life transitions often trigger the need for a garden reassessment
How we use data and observation in the gardens we care for.
Connect with Us
Relish Gardens Website
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on Youtube
If you loved this conversation, make sure to subscribe—we’ve got new episodes every week. 
And if you know a gardening friend who’d love this, send it their way. Sharing the show helps grow our little garden-loving community.
Until next time, I hope you find something in your garden to truly relish.