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.
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.
About This Journal
This journal documents gardening, making, and learning at my home in East Tennessee—shared slowly, seasonally, and honestly, with room for mistakes, revisions, and growth.