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.

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 Follow us on Instagram Follow us on YouTube 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 Follow us on YouTube Until next time, I hope you find something in your garden to truly relish.

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 Follow us on YouTube 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.

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.  

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.

Today I’m joined by Stevie, my right hand and a horticulturalist at Relish Gardens, as we talk about why fall isn’t the end of the gardening season, and is actually the start of next year’s garden. We’re sharing insights from the gardens we care for, how we approach seasonal transitions, and what you can do now to shape your garden for next spring. Think of this as your nudge to not head inside just yet. Fall is the time to assess your space while it’s still fresh and make changes that will set you up for a garden you love next year.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing the path that led me to start Relish Gardens, where we build and maintain beautiful gardens in the Seattle region. In this episode, I reflect on how early creative obsessions like building Barbie dream houses, rearranging my bedroom, and watching Martha Stewart shaped what it means to create a beautiful life. I walk through how beauty, food, and community shaped my philosophy of living a garden-centered life, and why gardening still feels like a form of play.

Your garden should feel like a joyful, intentional part of your life, not just another task. Hosted by Claire Lidell Hanna award-winning designer and Founder of Relish Gardens, this podcast explores garden design, seasonal maintenance, food preservation, and how to create a space that supports your actual lifestyle. Featuring real stories, practical tips, and no pressure. Just real people growing real gardens, with confidence, creativity, and ease.