Finally Drying Out

I know everything is relative, but boy have we had a lot of precipitation this past week. It started with a snowy April weekend, which I thankfully missed by being up north in Door County. Came home to spring plants that were no worse for the wear. Then it kept raining, bringing the weeks total … Continue reading Finally Drying Out

Many Hands in the Garden

It's finally starting to look like spring! The daffodils and tulips are blooming. The Star Magnolia, focus of My Magnolia Saga, is showing signs of life and trying to bloom... ...although around town they are in full bloom. And the hostas, daylillies, astilbe and peonies are all bursting out from the ground. In the house, … Continue reading Many Hands in the Garden

This Crazy Winter

The winter of 2019 is definitely one for the books. We've been through snow, rain, crazy temperatures swings, a winter thunderstorm, the polar vortex...and now another ice storm has hit the Chicago area. As temperatures hovered around freezing, the precipitation has rotated between rain, sleet, freezing rain and snow. Aside from the treacherous driving and … Continue reading This Crazy Winter

Burpee Home Garden 2019 Gardeners of the Month-I’m July!

Yep, that's me! Last fall on Instagram, Burpee Home Gardens asked gardeners to enter themselves or a friend to be one of BHG's 2019 Gardeners of the Month. I shamelessly submitted my name with the following description: "I would love to be one of your featured gardeners. I may not have the most perfect garden, … Continue reading Burpee Home Garden 2019 Gardeners of the Month-I’m July!

Most Visited Posts of 2018 on StephiGardens.com

Happy New Year! Its always fun the end of the years to see what was the most interesting posts to my readers. Sometime it's posts from previous years, sometimes this year. Here's the top 10 most viewed posts in 2018:                      

2018 Stephi Gardens Holiday Gift Ideas

Struggling with what to get that special someone for Christmas? Here's some ideas from the things that I love! Birding: Do you enjoy feeding the birds, but dislike feeding the squirrels? I tested out a number of squirrel-proof feeders and can report that they actually all work as advertised. The squirrels don't even waste their … Continue reading 2018 Stephi Gardens Holiday Gift Ideas

Weeds, Weeds, Weeds

Just when I finally got the garden under control, I go on vacation and leave it to its own devices for a few days. I came home to an explosion of weeds. Where do they come from? I think I get the Preen down early enough, but that never seems to be the case. I … Continue reading Weeds, Weeds, Weeds

Happy New Year 2018!

Happy New Year! I hope this post finds you healthy and happy. I've been on a bit of a hiatus with my writing, but hopefully the new year will get me back on track. While I was still attentive to my garden all fall, I do most of my writing in the evenings and I got … Continue reading Happy New Year 2018!