Martinis & Marigolds | Refreshingly Simple Garden Tips
Creating a Low Maintenance Garden - Step by Step
May 15, 2025

We all want to have beautiful gardens in the summer. But who wants to spend hours and hours tending plants that are high maintenance or just don't do well? Not me.
I love to garden but I also like to 'set it and forget it'. Meaning, I want to plant something and have it look great with very little maintenance. Impossible, you say? Not really.
Read on for my secrets to a low maintenance garden.
Gardening in the Shade: 7 Perennials You Can Count On
May 01, 2025

Got shade? Gardening in the shade can be tricky. I’m always looking for plants that do well in the shade and I'm especially fond of perennials because they come back every year. Many also spread or grow large enough to be dug up and divided, giving me more value for my money.
Read on to learn about a few shade loving perennials that have worked well for me. I've included their hardiness zones so you can see if they will be perennial for you, too.
Mulch Your Way To a Happier Healthier Garden
Apr 24, 2025

I love a freshly mulched garden bed in the spring. While it can be a lot of work, I love the tidy look when we've finished. Besides the aesthetics, mulch provides a few more benefits.
Read on to find out how to get the most out mulching your flower beds and make your gardening life easier.
Spring Planting Guide: 7 Hardy Perennials That Love the Sun
Apr 17, 2025

Perennials are a great way to add color and seasonal interest to your flower beds. They have the advantage of coming back every year and many spread to fill in spaces, giving you more value for the money spent on them.
Read on to explore 7 sun-loving easy to grow perennials to plant this spring
How To Prune Liriope This Spring
Apr 10, 2025

One of my favorite perennials is Variegated Liriope. The bright green and white foliage looks great from late spring into fall. Liriope does not need much maintenance - except in the spring. In spring, it needs a good haircut.
Read on to find out how a spring haircut helps this plant look great all summer long
Spring Is Finally Here! What Can I Plant Now?
Apr 03, 2025

It looks like Spring is finally here!!!
One of the questions people ask me most often as the temperatures get warmer is when can I start planting??? The answer is, it depends on where you live and what you want to plant.
Read on to find out how to know what you can plant now!
5 Tips for Easy and Successful Garden Planning
Jan 09, 2025

As the cold temperatures are here for many parts of the country, it might seem a strange time to think about what to plant this spring. But this time of year is a great time to work on planning your garden.
Good garden design starts with thinking before digging.
Read on for my 5 Tips for Successful Garden Planning.
Then curl up by the fire with a few plant and seed catalogs, pen and paper and your favorite beverage and start dreaming of spring.