Have you ever had the feeling that you love your plants, but your garden doesn't quite reflect the story you were trying to tell? We collect plants we love, we're gifted things, we bring home treasures from the nursery, and over time, the garden can start to feel muddled. That's where editing comes in. It's the missing piece we don't talk about enough in garden design. Just like any creative work, a garden is only as strong as the edit you bring to it. In this episode, I'm talking about how to observe your space, identify what's working (and what's not), and refine your garden into something that feels intentional, clear, and truly yours.

In this episode, I cover:

• Why gardens can start to feel muddled over time
• Why editing is the overlooked skill in garden design
• How editing creates stronger, more intentional spaces
• Strategies for clarifying your garden's story

Connect with Us:

• Relish Gardens Website
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on YouTube
• Free Fall Gardening Guide

If you loved this episode, make sure to subscribe. We've got new episodes every week. And if you know a gardening friend who'd appreciate this conversation, send it their way. Sharing the show helps grow our little garden-loving community.

Mature gardens become collections over time. Pots, plants, benches, impulse buys, inherited pieces, and at some point, that collection either feels magical or it just feels muddled. In this episode, I walk through how I use design parameters to guide every garden I design, why limitations actually make gardens better, and how they can reduce decision fatigue.

In this episode, I cover:

• How strong design parameters help you move between gardens, make faster decisions, and avoid creative fatigue
• Why mature gardens can often feel muddled instead of magical, and how design parameters fix that
• The difference between a collector's mindset and a curator's mindset when building a garden
• What immersive experiences like Meow Wolf and Disneyland can teach us about garden design, storytelling, and creating intentional spaces
• Real examples from my award-winning Northwest Flower and Garden Show gardens, and how completely different parameters created two totally distinct spaces
• Why limitations, when developed ahead of time, contribute to stronger and more well-defined gardens

Resources and Links:

• Meow Wolf
• Relish Gardens 2025 NWFGS Show Garden
• Relish Gardens 2024 NWFGS Garden
• Download our FREE Fall Gardening Guide

Connect with Us:

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

If you loved this episode, make sure to subscribe—we've got new episodes every week. And if you know a gardening friend who'd benefit from thinking about their garden through a curator's lens, send this 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.

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
  • Follow us on Instagram
  • Follow us on YouTube

If you enjoyed this episode, send it to a garden-loving friend who loves learning about weird edible plants in the garden.