The Journal
A seasonal record of growing, making, and living — documenting gardens in progress, skills learned through practice, and the philosophy behind why any of it matters.
What I'd Buy Again If I Were Starting Seeds From Scratch
Every year I grow more than 1,000 seedlings at Hilltop, from tiny foxgloves to pumpkins. If I had to start over tomorrow, these are the seed-starting supplies I'd buy again—and the tools I think are truly worth the investment.
The Courtyard Garden, Phase One: Clearing, Removing, and Beginning
The courtyard was the first space at Hilltop to be completely reimagined. This post documents the earliest decisions, removals, and revisions — not as a finished reveal, but as the beginning of a garden designed to be lived in, worked in, and returned to daily.
A Dedicated Tea Garden Is Just the Beginning
Discover why I planted a dedicated tea garden and how growing herbs for tea naturally connects the garden, kitchen, and everyday life.
Planting Bare Root Peonies: A Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to plant bare root peonies step-by-step for strong roots and abundant blooms. Duchess de Nemours was the first peony I ever smelled from across a room — and she remains the fragrant centerpiece of my white garden. Here’s exactly how to plant them correctly so yours thrive for decades.
Making Sour Cream (and Reclaiming the Ordinary)
Discovering how easy it is to make sour cream at home shifted something for me. This is a reflection on forgotten kitchen skills, simple food, and reclaiming the ordinary.
The Annual Seeds I Return to Every Year
Every year, I return to the same handful of seeds. Not because they’re flashy or new, but because they’ve earned my trust. These are the plants that perform, adapt, and quietly shape the rhythm of my garden season after season.
Building a White Garden: Perennials First, Seeds Second
A white garden isn’t built all at once. It’s layered over time, beginning with perennials that establish structure, rhythm, and return — and only later filled in with seed-grown abundance. This is how I’ve learned to build a garden that feels settled, generous, and meant to last.
From Raised Beds to Potager
What began as a handful of raised beds slowly grew into something more intentional—a potager designed for daily use, food production, and beauty. This entry traces the evolution from practical beginnings to a garden that became central to how we live at Hilltop.
The Courtyard Garden: Learning to Make a Place You Want to Be
When we moved to Hilltop, the courtyard was beautiful—but it wasn’t a place you entered. This entry traces the first phase of learning how to turn a landscaped space into a garden meant to be lived in.
Why I Chose a White Garden
A white garden wasn’t a trend choice for me — it was a way to create calm, continuity, and restraint. This piece explores why I was drawn to a limited palette, how white can be expressive rather than stark, and what a white garden makes possible across seasons, light, and daily life.
Seeds Are Scary
Seeds aren’t actually scary — but they can feel that way. This is about why that fear exists, and how a little understanding (and grace) can change everything.
Failure Is the Curriculum
Failure isn’t a detour from learning — it is the learning. In gardening, and in life at home, progress comes through repetition, missteps, and trying again with more care than certainty.
