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
• 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.

• 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
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on YouTube

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
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on YouTube

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

• Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia)
• Persian Ironwood (Parrotia persica)
• Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas)
• Japanese Umbrella Pine (Sciadopitys verticillata)

• Raintree Nursery
• Great Plant Picks
• OSU Department of Horticulture Plant Finder
• Dirr's Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs

• Relish Gardens Website
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on YouTube