A Guide To Chic Gardening
Our Gardening Journey
As it so often goes, our introduction to something meaningful begins with the influence of those closest to us. My love for gardening can be traced back to my grandparents.
On their Virginia property tucked into the countryside, they kept cows in the pasture, tended an abundant blueberry patch, planted trees, and filled the landscape with countless flowers. I remember my grandmother bringing us heaping bowls of blueberries during the summer months. Even now, at her advanced age, her entry garden still overflows with colorful blooms. She has always loved being outside. It’s how she was raised — in the country, on her family’s farm in Germany.
After Carson and I were married, we found ourselves in a slower season of life, waiting for Meriwether to arrive. We stayed home more, savoring the simple rhythms of our days. During that time, Carson built a standing planter box for our townhouse patio, and together we planted our very first kitchen garden.
Growing herbs and vegetables was something I had never done before — it was captivating for me.
Carson handled most of the heavy lifting in those early days, but I cherished the daily watering and the quiet anticipation of watching seeds push through the soil each spring and summer. What began as a small habit has now become a grounding part of my morning routine. Before the day begins, before the noise and responsibilities, I step outside to tend to whatever it is I’m growing. There is something deeply rewarding about nurturing a seed and witnessing its steady transformation. It feels miraculous, and it makes you appreciate food — and growth — in an entirely new way.
In that little townhouse garden, we grew corn, carrots, lettuce, green beans, strawberries, and a handful of herbs.
Just a little of each.
Around that same time, Carson gifted me a climbing rose. We later transplanted it at the entryway of our current home, and over the years I’ve grown surprisingly attached to its rambling branches. I’m not quite sure what I’ll do when we move again. Watching it prepare to burst into bloom each spring season is a yearly treat for us.
Carson recently finished building a garden house — a dream I was able to help design. Now that it’s finished, our garden is the place I most love to be in the spring, especially when the bulbs begin to emerge after a long winter. I love watching the girls run through the woods, lost in imagination. I love having a dedicated, orderly space for pots, tools, and baskets.
If I’ve learned anything about gardening, it’s this: grow what you truly love.
Even if it’s just one thing — grow plenty of it. Let it bring you joy.
And if I’m honest, I also find beauty in the tools themselves. There’s something timeless about aged terracotta pots, sturdy clogs, a well-loved watering can, and a woven garden hat.
Below, I’ve gathered a few of the pieces I use and love most.
As always, please reach out if you have questions! I'm always happy to answer in the comments below or on Direct Message via Instagram.