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.

• 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.

• 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.

• • Relish Gardens Website
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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.

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.

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 West Jam Bake: Inspired Recipes for Creating and Baking with Preserves by Camilla Wynne

• Relish Gardens Website
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• 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.

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.

• 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

• Relish Gardens Website
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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

• Relish Gardens Website
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