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<rss version="2.0" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/"><channel><title><![CDATA[ Garden Gate: In the Weeds ]]></title><description><![CDATA[ Jamie Seitz takes a look at the light-hearted side of gardening. Garden Humor. Vegetable Gardening ]]></description><link>https://www.gardengatemagazine.com</link><image><url>https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/static/img/favicon.png</url><title><![CDATA[ Garden Gate ]]></title><link>https://www.gardengatemagazine.com</link></image><generator>Django</generator><lastBuildDate>Sun, 15 Feb 2026 13:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate><pubDate>Sun, 12 Apr 2026 17:02:19 GMT</pubDate><atom:link href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/.rss/latest/in-the-weeds/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /><copyright><![CDATA[ Active Interest Media Holdco, Inc. &copy; Copyright 2026. All rights reserved. ]]></copyright><language><![CDATA[ en ]]></language><category><![CDATA[ In the Weeds ]]></category><item><title><![CDATA[The Evolution of a Garden Journal]]></title><description><![CDATA[From keeping track of plants to new ideas, a garden journal is the perfect way to record what you grow and dream about next season.]]></description><link>https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/the-evolution-of-a-garden-journal/</link><guid>https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/the-evolution-of-a-garden-journal/</guid><category><![CDATA[ Vegetables ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ In the Weeds ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ fall ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ in the weeds ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ spring ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ summer ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ winter ]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[ Jamie Seitz ]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 15 Feb 2026 13:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/4jZrtL8dy68AJUNPFILSWQ/0d2893f70a946fad56366555deeb1a80/Garden-Journal_ITW_186pv.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[
                <p><img alt="In the Weeds logo " src="https://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/ODYNyVpSJaeVFJhcLOUJx/dc4c3b76fb2918388a71183c8e0f391f/In-the-weeds-Danielle-Lowery-illustration-PV.gif" /></p><h3>Help track and admire your garden in a journal</h3><p>Sometimes you start something for one reason, and several years later, you do it for another. In my first years of gardening, I enjoyed making a color-coded garden drawing of what I
was planting in different areas and beds simply for funsies. I have an affinity for colorful craft supplies, especially <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sharpie-1949558-Permanent-Assorted-24-Count/dp/B019QBPDS2?crid=15DDGWQ6MEN24&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.oNbe-Xnq-gHxvvmyA6h3nN0qvq3GDWZRpxfNg9M1X5OvjpYW7o12Q_wa7nQPs8FS2Qobc7w2EO3GXpSz2kgnwETHL9lqwE8BsufDrXdhRXAOcqaUNFhEPDOe4L20giqTB-V6aluSbgBQkdbOrK6lb1Bj1k8sXgr2_y3KNDJg_udHSFeeICJwwKovFez1-PD_6EGtZN4O6xYVfemrbK8AOEkfHbfdw6kanmPaDJjJqrvU-0iqbK-wOJLL-4gEeSMIkzo7CKu92WaXfj4_GrlqmYof4DNFppxTm0MO6EilmHk.RWj4fdcLhLFD_BhficGBK3BZPYd36NblimQFcrMH7kE&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=sharpie+set+assorted+colors+fine+point&amp;qid=1771001808&amp;sprefix=sharpie+set+assorted+colors+fine+poin%2Caps%2C154&amp;sr=8-1&amp;linkCode=ll2&amp;tag=aim-gg-w-20&amp;linkId=1795cc7a05976f205a43a24ac72db4f4&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl" title="Sharpie Color Burst Permanent Marker Set, Ultra-Fine Tip Markers on Amazon">Sharpies<sup>™</sup></a>, which was part of it. I also like to rotate my garden beds; this was an easy way to check to see if I was rotating everything evenly each year. </p><p>Now that I’m a wee bit older, I find that if I don’t map out and document my entire garden and list exactly what I grew and where, there is practically zero chance I will remember. <a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/learning-how-to-grow-dahlias/" title="How I Started Growing Dahlias | The the Weeds">Growing dahlias</a> has meant I have another thing I have to track carefully because once a tuber is planted in the ground, you have no way of knowing what variety it is unless you find a way to mark it.</p><figure><img alt="Garden Journal ITW illustration by Danielle Lowery-Ruscher" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/62yCMR5MTtTxayk5J0RbEW/5fad2d7430c19006fadfc7bfc1a9523e/Garden-Journal_ITW_186.jpg" /><figcaption>Illustration by Danielle Lowery-Ruscher</figcaption></figure><h3>Garden journals are practical + fun</h3><p>I teach a quarterly crafty class at my local library, and last year I had the idea to help participants create garden journals. I used it specifically to show what I was planting in each garden bed and the varieties of dahlias I’d grown so I could remember what each was when I dug them up in the fall. </p><p>Other ideas I encouraged the class to include in the journal pages were different groups of <a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/how-to/deal-with-pests/companion-plantings-that-really-work/" title="Companion Plantings that Really Work!">companion plants</a> and lists of plants to avoid placing together.I’ll be honest, this was more for me because sometimes that information just leaves my brain even though I’ve researched it one thousand times. </p><p>Over the winter, I started learning to paint with watercolor. While I stared out over my cold, dead backyard garden, I set up in the dining room and painted small 3x3-inch squares of my garden in full bloom. They didn’t turn out half bad, and I pasted a few of them into my journal as well. </p><p><strong>You Might Also Like:</strong><br><a href="https://store.gardengatemagazine.com/discount/JOURNAL20?redirect=%2Fcollections%2Fspiral-notebooks" title="Shop Floral Print Garden Notebooks | The Garden Gate Store">Take 20% OFF Floral Print Garden Notebooks with Code: JOURNAL20</a><br><a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/how-to/plant/how-to-start-a-garden-journal/" title="How to Start a Garden Journal">How to Start a Garden Journal</a><br><a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/diy-projects/garden-crafts/flower-pounding-on-fabric/" title="DIY Project: Flower Pounding on Fabric">DIY Project: Flower Pounding on Fabric</a></p><h4>A new creative outlet</h4><p>I have a list of ideas I plan to include next year. For example, I recently watched a lovely video about how to press tiny flowers, and I think they would be a perfect addition for my garden journal next spring. I also thought about making a fun collage from the seed packets I use, especially if I try a few new heirloom seeds. </p><p>And now that my honey and I have our new sitting area and fire pit in the garden completed and our children are mostly out of the house, I plan to sit out back with a cocktail and do some journal writing because what the heck else am I going to do with all this free time? <strong><a href="https://store.gardengatemagazine.com/discount/JOURNAL20?redirect=%2Fcollections%2Fspiral-notebooks" title="Spiral Garden Notebooks | The Garden Gate Store Online">Grab a notebook and join me!</a></strong></p><hr><p><em><strong>True or false?</strong> Jamie loves to collect journals and special notebooks almost as much as she loves to write in them. True... but I don’t see how that is any of your business!</em></p><hr><p><a href="https://store.gardengatemagazine.com/collections/garden-themed-mugs/products/in-the-weeds-can-shaped-glass" target="_blank"><img alt="In the Weeds Reusable Cup Lifestyle 2" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/2e888hcsnUfYUJZ3oRmpmp/ea692b34523868ef87594e7ab1c536f5/In_the_Weeds_Reusable_Cup_Lifestyle_2.jpg" /></a></p><p><strong>You Might Also Like:</strong><br><a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/" title="In the Weeds Garden Humor Column by Jamie Seitz">Read More <em>In the Weeds</em></a><br><a href="https://store.gardengatemagazine.com/search?q=in+the+weeds" title="In the Weeds Swag | The Garden Gate Store">Shop <em>In the Weeds</em> Swag</a><br><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JamieSeitzWriter" title="Jamie Seitz Writer page on Facebook">Follow @JamieSeitzWriter on Facebook</a><br><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jamieseitzauthor" title="jamie Seitz Author page on Instagram">Follow @JamieSeitzAuthor on Instagram</a><br></p>
                
            ]]></content:encoded><media:thumbnail url="https://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/4jZrtL8dy68AJUNPFILSWQ/0d2893f70a946fad56366555deeb1a80/Garden-Journal_ITW_186pv.jpg"/><media:content url="https://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/4jZrtL8dy68AJUNPFILSWQ/0d2893f70a946fad56366555deeb1a80/Garden-Journal_ITW_186pv.jpg" medium="image" type="image/jpeg"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Lettuce Might Be Magical]]></title><description><![CDATA[For an easy-care vegetable that keeps on giving, try growing leaf lettuce—it’s a simple crop with amazing returns.]]></description><link>https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/lettuce-might-be-magical/</link><guid>https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/lettuce-might-be-magical/</guid><category><![CDATA[ Vegetables ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ In the Weeds ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ budget friendly ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ easy to grow ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ edible plants ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ fall ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ home grown ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ in the weeds ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ spring ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ summer ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ vegetables ]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[ Jamie Seitz ]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 13 Jan 2026 11:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/7hKkliNnXzPirBjJ20UPjw/4329121b202523352f3af814b69f85cb/185_lettuce-illustration_pv.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[
                <h2>Add easy-care lettuce to your garden this year</h2><p>I find it fascinating that each vegetable has its own unique way of growing. For example, as baby eggplants grow, it seems impossible that the rather spindly plant can support the weight of multiple eggplants. But Mother Nature somehow allows it to work, even though it basically defies the laws of gravity. </p><p>One vegetable blows my mind year after year. It’s almost comical how effortless it is to grow. In fact, the rapid speed at which the leaves come back thicker and fuller after you cut them weirdly reminds me of the old wives’ tale my mom told me in seventh grade when I begged to start shaving my legs. </p><p><img alt="185 lettuce-illustration lead" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/4SQOWuQxqrqktWblRW7Z2b/0c38a63a6486850804a08dde58fe8d15/185_lettuce-illustration_lead.jpg" /></p><h4>Can we talk about leaf lettuce for a hot second?</h4><p>I love growing leaf lettuce because we eat a lot of it, and having less organic produce to buy for a few months makes a decent difference on my grocery bill. Plus, homegrown just tastes better. </p><p>Lettuce is a plant that boosts your confidence as a gardener. It grows relatively quickly, which is always a bonus after a long winter when you’re excited to get your hands dirty and see the fruits of your labor in just a few short weeks. When those first minuscule leaves pop up in the perfect lines you sowed them in (unless like me, you have a <a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/chipmunks-in-the-garden/" title="Chipmunks vs. Garden | In the Weeds">punk chipmunk</a> who lives in your yard and likes to jack up your neatly planted beds), it almost brings a tear of pride and joy to your eyeballs. </p><p><strong>You Might Also Like:</strong><br><a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/getting-started/handy-vegetable-harvesting-guide/" title="Your Handy Vegetable Harvesting Guide">Your Handy Vegetable Harvesting Guide</a><br><a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/edible-plant-guide/how-to-grow-spinach/" title="How to Grow Spinach">How to Grow Spinach </a><br><a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/salad-with-a-side-of-slug/" title="Salad with a Side of Slug">Salad With a Side of Slug</a></p><p>And the leaves really start to grow. So, you cut and eat lettuce. But you only cut enough for dinner because you don’t want to cut it all at once. You want to save some for dinner tomorrow night too. This, friends, is where it starts to get hilarious. Because somehow, some way, every single time you cut yourself a big harvest of lettuce, before you know it, there is it again… fully grown in all its green lettuce glory!</p><p>Now, maybe you’re like me and look around for the neighbor who is replanting grown lettuce in the night to pull the prank of all pranks. But no. It’s just how quickly lettuce grows. You eat it today, and tomorrow there is more. Heck, it’s probably grown back before your dinner is even over. </p><h4>The lettuce magic fades...</h4><p>This is cute and adorable until you’ve eaten salad for 47 straight days and given away a bale of lettuce daily to each of your neighbors, and the lettuce is still growing. It gets a little less funny and magical at this point, so you finally let it go to seed and thank Mother Nature for the hot temperatures that will make it harder for lettuce to grow. </p><p>Until fall, of course. By then, you’ve forgotten how lettuce works, and you get excited about never-ending lettuce again. Bless our hearts. </p><hr><p><em>Give Jamie the biggest chef’s salad with all the veggies, homemade croutons and ranch dressing in a lovely antique mixing bowl with a pickle on the side, and she’s a happy camper. 
Check out her salads and more about her garden on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jamieseitzauthor" title="jamie Seitz Author page on Instagram">@JamieSeitzAuthor</a>.</em></p><hr><p><strong>You Might Also Like:</strong><br><a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/" title="In the Weeds Garden Humor Column by Jamie Seitz">Read More In the Weeds!</a><br><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JamieSeitzWriter" title="Jamie Seitz Writer page on Facebook">@JamieSeitzWriter on Facebook</a><br><a href="https://store.gardengatemagazine.com/search?q=in+the+weeds" title="In the Weeds Swag | The Garden Gate Store">Shop In the Weeds Swag</a></p>
                
            ]]></content:encoded><media:thumbnail url="https://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/7hKkliNnXzPirBjJ20UPjw/4329121b202523352f3af814b69f85cb/185_lettuce-illustration_pv.jpg"/><media:content url="https://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/7hKkliNnXzPirBjJ20UPjw/4329121b202523352f3af814b69f85cb/185_lettuce-illustration_pv.jpg" medium="image" type="image/jpeg"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[50 Ways to Repurpose Your Christmas Tree]]></title><description><![CDATA[Think you’ve tried every way to reuse a holiday tree? This witty riff on a classic song might just inspire your most creative repurposing yet.]]></description><link>https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/creative-ways-to-repurpose-your-christmas-tree-after-the-holidays/</link><guid>https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/creative-ways-to-repurpose-your-christmas-tree-after-the-holidays/</guid><category><![CDATA[ Vegetables ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ In the Weeds ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ budget friendly ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ fall ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ in the weeds ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ trees ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ upcycle ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ winter ]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[ Jamie Seitz ]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 7 Dec 2025 13:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/ODYNyVpSJaeVFJhcLOUJx/dc4c3b76fb2918388a71183c8e0f391f/In-the-weeds-Danielle-Lowery-illustration-PV.gif" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[
                <h2>Clever ways to repurpose an evergreen Christmas tree after the holidays</h2><p><strong>You know the song “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” by Paul Simon?</strong> Just slip out the back, Jack. Make a new plan, Stan. No need to be coy, Roy. It’s a catchy ditty! </p><p>What if we wrote <strong>50 Ways to Repurpose Your Christmas Tree</strong> because we’re all too sad to let it go after December comes and goes? Honestly, there may not be exactly 50 ways to <a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/diy-projects/upcycling-projects/3-ways-to-recycle-christmas-trees-in-the-garden/" title="3 Ways to Recycle Christmas Trees in the Garden">repurpose that lovely pine</a>, but then again, Paul Simon only gave us 5 ways to leave a lover.</p><h3>Sing it with me, friends.</h3><p>Drag it outside for a natural bird feeder, strung with nuts and berries, Gary. Plain popcorn is good, too! Lop off branches and use as décor, Lenore. Put those empty summer planters to good use on your front porch. Save and stake garden plants with a branch, Blanche. Use it in your garden for a <a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/the-grand-bird-apest-hotel/" title="The Grand Bird-apest Hotel | In the Weeds">bird and critter habitat</a>, Uncle Pat.</p><h4>We’re having fun now! <em>Verse two coming up…</em></h4><p>Add pine sprigs, cranberries, cinnamon, and orange slices to water in a winter boiling pot, Scott. I promise these make excellent holiday gifts if you put them in a pretty bag with a ribbon. Steep yourself <a href="https://store.gardengatemagazine.com/collections/garden-themed-mugs" title="Garden-Themed Mugs | The Garden Gate Store">a mug</a> of pine needle tea, Bea. Or dry out some pine needle potpourri, Lori. Use the dry branches as an outside fire pit starter, Carter. (Be careful, though! Dry branches have a real spark to them!)</p><h4>We’re on a roll…</h4><p>Edge your garden with the trunk, Hunk. Burn the logs in the fireplace, Grace. Who doesn’t love the smell of Christmas for months afterward? And save those ashes because pine tree ashes make healthy feed for your garden bed, Ted. Use the trimmed boughs for a wreath, Heath. Make a bonfire outside, Clyde. (not for the city folks!)</p><h4>Bring it home now!</h4><p>Mulch outside using the needles of pine, Mr. Klein. Slice the trunk into discs for coasters or Christmas tree decoration <a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/diy-projects/garden-crafts/diy-garden-gift-ideas/" title="DIY Garden Gift Ideas">gifts</a>, Griff. I can personally recommend this one! The Seitz family saves a disk of our tree trunk every year to become an ornament for next year. Just drill a hole in the top, and add the date with a marker and a festive ribbon. Voila! Sentimental and adorable! Cut into <a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/how-to/plant/can-i-use-wood-chip-mulch-from-a-tree-service/" title="Can I Use Wood Chip Mulch from a Tree Service?">wood chips</a>, Phillip. Donate it to a wildlife sanctuary, Larry. </p><p>Friends, should I follow my oldest child’s path and become a singer/songwriter with this gem? If writing books doesn’t pan out, I may have options. <strong>Happy Holidays!</strong></p><hr><p><em>Jamie and her family have been saving their Christmas trees for seven years and have tried many of these ideas. One she hasn’t tried is pine needle tea. Maybe this winter, Jamie will brew a cup?</em></p><hr><p><strong>You Might Also Like:</strong><br><a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/" title="In the Weeds Garden Humor Column by Jamie Seitz">Read More “In the Weeds”</a><br><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JamieSeitzWriter" title="Jamie Seitz Writer page on Facebook">@JamieSeitzWriter on Facebook</a><br><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jamieseitzauthor" title="jamie Seitz Author page on Instagram">@JamieSeitzAuthor on Instagram</a><br><a href="https://store.gardengatemagazine.com/search?q=in+the+weeds" title="In the Weeds Swag | The Garden Gate Store">Shop "In the Weeds" Swag</a></p>
                
            ]]></content:encoded><media:thumbnail url="https://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/ODYNyVpSJaeVFJhcLOUJx/dc4c3b76fb2918388a71183c8e0f391f/In-the-weeds-Danielle-Lowery-illustration-PV.gif"/><media:content url="https://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/ODYNyVpSJaeVFJhcLOUJx/dc4c3b76fb2918388a71183c8e0f391f/In-the-weeds-Danielle-Lowery-illustration-PV.gif" medium="image" type="image/jpeg"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Garden That Keeps Growing]]></title><description><![CDATA[Every year, I get excited to add a new tree, garden bed, or hardscaping element to my garden. This year, I received my long-awaited garden arbor!]]></description><link>https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/a-garden-that-keeps-growing/</link><guid>https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/a-garden-that-keeps-growing/</guid><category><![CDATA[ Vegetables ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ In the Weeds ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ cutting flower ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ fall ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ garden design ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ in the weeds ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ spring ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ summer ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ winter ]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[ Jamie Seitz ]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 11 Nov 2025 11:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/ODYNyVpSJaeVFJhcLOUJx/dc4c3b76fb2918388a71183c8e0f391f/In-the-weeds-Danielle-Lowery-illustration-PV.gif" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[
                <h3>Annual additions to the garden</h3><p>Since I’m not a millionaire and cannot afford to create the garden of my dreams in one fell swoop, I have to abide by the “a little at a time” rule. Every year I add just one (or three) more thing(s) to my garden. Some years, it’s fresh mulch or a slightly expanded flower bed. Other years, I’ve added a flowering bush or a fruit tree. </p><p>The newest additions last spring were two wildflower beds filled with a beautiful mix of <a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/flowers-plants/plant-guide/cosmos-flower-growing-tips/" title="How to Grow Cosmos">cosmos</a> and <a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/flowers-plants/plant-guide/zinnia-flower-growing-guide/" title="Zinnia Growing Guide">zinnias</a>, marking my first time growing either flower. But my family surprised me with another wonderful garden surprise for Mother’s Day, a lovely cedar arbor to grace the entrance of my garden. She sits between our perfectly imperfect, chipped white picket fence — which keeps the rhubarb and hibiscus from infringing too far into the yard — and the new stone patio and fire pit area we put in last fall. </p><p>An arbor has been on my wish list for a while now, but I was slightly particular about it. It needed to be wood, preferably, and not too ornate. The simpler, the better, but it had to be sturdy enough to last. I wanted it to have a similar vibe to the <a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/garden-design/design-tips-inspiration/raised-garden-beds/" title="Everything You Want to Know About Raised Garden Beds">raised garden beds</a>, but not so matchy-matchy that I would be tired of it in a year. Sounds simple . . . right? No. My honey had his work cut out for him to find the exact right arbor, but he found the ideal one!</p><p><strong>You Might Also Like:</strong><br><a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/diy-projects/garden-structures-hardscaping/how-to-build-a-wood-raised-garden-bed/" title="How to Build a Simple Wood Raised Garden Bed">How to Build a Simple Wood Raised Garden Bed</a><br><a href="https://store.gardengatemagazine.com/products/garden-arbor-wood-project" title="Garden Arbor Woodworking Plan | The Garden Gate Store">Arbor Woodworking Project Plan</a><br><a href="https://store.gardengatemagazine.com/products/classic-garden-projects-superbundle" title="Classic Garden Project Plans SuperBundle | The Garden Gate Store">Classic Garden Project Plans SuperBundle</a></p><figure><img alt="Garden Arbor views from Jamie Seitz" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/472wveZS3DiZKpeVE8wMlX/26f91b9b65a93993ee65ad2bd7cc04fd/in-the-weeds_Nov25_backyard-arbor-lead.jpg" /><figcaption>Admiring my new garden arbor through the seasons.</figcaption></figure><h4>Designing around my new arbor</h4><p>Just before my third kid graduated from high school, we installed it. That naturally led to staining the cedar on the garden beds to match the arbor and beautifying with fresh mulch. Now it just needed a gorgeous something climbing up and over it. I may or may not have an obsession with recreating an <a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/garden-design/garden-tours/english-garden-ideas-lisa-graff-fall-garden-tour-oregon/" title="English Garden Ideas from a Pro">English garden</a> in my backyard, so I did some research on what I could theoretically adorn my new arbor with in my growing zone. Wisteria? Clematis? What I settled on was a hardy climbing rose that I shouldn’t have to winterize here in Iowa. It was the perfect growing season for this rose, and within three months, it had already tripled in size and climbed three-quarters of the way up the arbor. </p><p>July in the garden was simply stunning this year. The veggies and herbs were plentiful, and the wildflowers at the back of the garden took center stage while we waited for the first dahlias to bloom. The climbing rose produced tiny fuchsia buds the size of raspberries that matched the color of the hibiscus on the opposite side of the arbor. Coneflower, salvia and lemon balm filled the garden with color, delicious smells and pollinators galore. </p><p>Next year’s new addition is a buttery yellow hibiscus, already planted, so it can get an early start in spring! </p><hr><p><em>Jamie’s love for English gardens is so strong that she even wrote it into her book, </em>Weight of Water<em>, released in 2024. If she ever manages to add a greenhouse to her existing garden space, she may never come back indoors again.</em></p><hr><p><strong>You Might Also Like:</strong><br><a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/" title="In the Weeds Garden Humor Column by Jamie Seitz">Read More "In the Weeds"!</a><br><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JamieSeitzWriter" title="Jamie Seitz Writer page on Facebook">@JamieSeitzWriter on Facebook</a><br><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jamieseitzauthor" title="jamie Seitz Author page on Instagram">@JamieSeitzAuthor on Instagram</a><br><a href="https://store.gardengatemagazine.com/search?q=in+the+weeds" title="In the Weeds Swag | The Garden Gate Store">Shop "In the Weeds" Swag</a></p>
                
            ]]></content:encoded><media:thumbnail url="https://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/ODYNyVpSJaeVFJhcLOUJx/dc4c3b76fb2918388a71183c8e0f391f/In-the-weeds-Danielle-Lowery-illustration-PV.gif"/><media:content url="https://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/ODYNyVpSJaeVFJhcLOUJx/dc4c3b76fb2918388a71183c8e0f391f/In-the-weeds-Danielle-Lowery-illustration-PV.gif" medium="image" type="image/jpeg"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Debugging Outdoor Plants Before Overwintering]]></title><description><![CDATA[Every fall, I have to remind myself to prep my outdoor plants before bringing them back inside—no one wants bug hitchhikers moving in too!]]></description><link>https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/debug-outdoor-plants-before-bringing-them-indoors-for-winter/</link><guid>https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/debug-outdoor-plants-before-bringing-them-indoors-for-winter/</guid><category><![CDATA[ Vegetables ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ In the Weeds ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ container gardening ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ fall ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ in the weeds ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ winter ]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[ Jamie Seitz ]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 12 Oct 2025 13:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/3VouVvcbowHpaWUx0A8hZd/747211863a72c6ce82093f67db6809f0/Debugging-plants-illustration-Generated-with-Adobe-Firefly_pv.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[
                <h3>Moving plants indoors to overwinter</h3><p>After a long, luxurious summer season on the patio, the saddest day in a house plant’s life is when it is <a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/container-gardening/container-garden-tips/how-to-prevent-leaf-drop-transitioning-outdoor-plants-indoors/" title="How to Transition Outdoor Plants Indoors with Minimal Leaf Drop">dragged back indoors</a> before the first frost. I imagine it’s similar to how I feel when forced to return from vacation. All I want to do is lounge under a beach umbrella and live my best life, like the indirect-sun-loving monstera that I am, when all that’s waiting at home for me is laundry and dinner chores. (And my kids, of course.) </p><p>I’m empathetic to each house plant’s inevitable winter depression. After all, even the sunniest spot in your home is still substantially darker than the shadiest spot outdoors. So, when they wilt in spirit, I wilt. I understand that when their soil dries out more quickly, it’s because the furnace is on. (The amount of lotion I use in winter is embarrassing.) But I have less compassion when it comes to one thing: <a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/how-to/deal-with-pests/common-houseplant-bugs/" title="Common Houseplant Bugs">the bugs</a>.</p><h3>Are bugs inevitable?</h3><p>Although I know in my heart that insects are a part of nature and life, I despise the creepy-crawly pests that come in each fall. Every summer, I promise myself I will be proactive about debugging the house plants. But the first frost almost always sneaks up on me, and I call my entire family to line up like a fire brigade to help me get the plants indoors before they die.</p><p><strong>You Might Also Like:</strong><br><a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/container-gardening/container-garden-tips/how-to-prevent-leaf-drop-transitioning-outdoor-plants-indoors/" title="Q&amp;A: How to Prevent Leaf Drop When Bringing Outdoor Plants Indoors">Q&amp;A: How to Prevent Leaf Drop When Bringing Outdoor Plants Indoors</a><br><a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/container-gardening/container-garden-tips/how-to-save-your-container-plants-over-winter/" title="How to Save Container Plants Overwinter">How to Save Container Plants Over Winter</a><br><a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/container-gardening/container-garden-tips/vintage-urban-garden-or-my-houseplants-are-vacationing/" title="My Houseplants Are Vacationing | Vintage Urban Garden">My Houseplants Are Vacationing</a></p><p><img alt="Debugging monstera plants in a tub of water illustration" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/4R45uGplMHqvePkjFLFpm8/42b6ea02d89ef04cacc874f161ffe058/Debugging-plants-illustration-Generated-with-Adobe-Firefly.jpg" /></p><h3>A new approach to debugging plants</h3><p>But last fall, I was on it. First, I filled a large tub with 9 parts water and 1 part gentle dish soap. Then I dunked each plant in the tub one by one, soaking the entire pot and as many of the leaves as would fit. After all the plants had been dunked, I sprayed them well with water, carefully rinsing the leaves’ undersides to remove any excess soap or well-hidden critters. Later, after they had dried, I sprayed each house plant down with neem oil before bringing them into the sunroom to acclimate. What a responsible plant owner I am!</p><p>I’ll be honest: <a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/houseplant-jungle/" title="Houseplant Jungle">With the ridiculous number of house plants</a> I have, this process took a bit of time. But I had far fewer insects making a break for it in my house than in years past, and every plant was happy to get a good soak and bath after a long summer outside. Maybe next year I’ll invite some friends and make a party out of it. Who wants to join me?</p><hr><p><em>One of Jamie’s biggest flexes is that her two adult children have become proud plant parents. Nothing is more satisfying than chatting about propagation stations and hitting up a new plant store with your kids while visiting them.</em></p><hr><p><strong>You Might Also Like:</strong><br><a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/" title="In the Weeds Garden Humor Column by Jamie Seitz">Read More "In the Weeds"</a><br><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Weight-Water-Jamie-Seitz/dp/B0DM9CJZFQ?crid=2MCMCUXEEKW9D&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IDkMP7o3-tvKYVwpYyAQW6d_poPnmFeybqnF87w-iCU.t4Q70G0J-UEm1WaGO9Pa9cEok3SnSOF9dTCpvqpodmU&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=jamie+seitz&amp;qid=1733502506&amp;sprefix=jamie+seitz%2Caps%2C142&amp;sr=8-1&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=ggm_1001-20&amp;linkId=35e97a936ba1b208be43e4a140c9213a&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl" title="Weight of Water by Jamie Seitz">Read Jamie's New Book: "Weight of Water"</a><br><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JamieSeitzWriter" title="Jamie Seitz Writer page on Facebook">@JamieSeitzWriter on Facebook</a><br><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jamieseitzauthor" title="jamie Seitz Author page on Instagram">@JamieSeitzAuthor on Instagram</a><br><a href="https://store.gardengatemagazine.com/search?q=in+the+weeds" title="In the Weeds Swag | The Garden Gate Store">Shop "In the Weeds" Swag</a></p><p><em>Illustration generated with Adobe Firefly from the prompt, “a monstera house plant soaking in a galvanized washtub"</em></p>
                
            ]]></content:encoded><media:thumbnail url="https://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/3VouVvcbowHpaWUx0A8hZd/747211863a72c6ce82093f67db6809f0/Debugging-plants-illustration-Generated-with-Adobe-Firefly_pv.jpg"/><media:content url="https://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/3VouVvcbowHpaWUx0A8hZd/747211863a72c6ce82093f67db6809f0/Debugging-plants-illustration-Generated-with-Adobe-Firefly_pv.jpg" medium="image" type="image/jpeg"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[My Dahlia Journey: Learning to Overwinter Tubers]]></title><description><![CDATA[The dahlia-growing saga continues. In this installment, I share the secrets to successfully digging up dahlia tubers in the fall and storing them for next year.]]></description><link>https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/tips-for-overwintering-dahlia-tubers-for-next-season/</link><guid>https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/tips-for-overwintering-dahlia-tubers-for-next-season/</guid><category><![CDATA[ Vegetables ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ In the Weeds ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ cutting flower ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ fall ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ in the weeds ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ special techniques ]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[ Jamie Seitz ]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 9 Sep 2025 14:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/3vINNYOHg2synhKQqun7Xq/179d65b1ad2722e0197691cefb90376d/dahlia-pv.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[
                <p>I’m so terribly sorry if you’re sick to death of me writing about <a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/learning-how-to-grow-dahlias/" title="Learning How to Grow Dahlias | In the Weeds">my dahlia journey</a>, but I just have one more thing to tell you, and then I’ll be quiet. Probably. Most likely. I swear I’ll try.</p><p>Last year, I planted, grew, harvested, dug up, organized, wintered, woke up and replanted more than a dozen varieties of dahlias. At each step of the process, I was mentored, but I was so nervous that I would mess it up, especially learning how to separate and winterize dahlia tubers. What if I ruined them all when I tried to separate them? Or what if I went to all the trouble of winterizing and none of the tubers survived in my basement? The stress was real! <em>But if I can do it, so can you.</em></p><h4>Tips for saving dahlia tubers over winter</h4><p>First, my dahlias were blooming well into November, which for zone 5 is very late — bonkers, really. As much as I wanted to have just one more bouquet, I reluctantly chopped them down and left them for a week before digging them up. </p><p>Then, I spent the better part of two days <a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/how-to/all/how-to-save-tender-bulbs-for-next-season/" title="How to Save Tender Bulbs for Next Season">carefully and diligently snipping them apart</a>. Each tuber clump could have as many as 10 tubers, but not all would make viable plants next year. I checked each for an intact neck, a solid body and what I hoped would become an eye. </p><p>Next came the painstaking process of keeping them all organized and separated by dahlia variety so I didn’t mix them up. This was my favorite part because creating an organized system is my love language. I stored them in plastic shoebox containers filled with vermiculite, neatly labeled. </p><p>Finally, I had to decide where to store them to keep them at a steady temperature and where none of my rascal cats would try to get into them. A cool, dark spot that doesn’t freeze but doesn’t get too warm either isn’t the easiest thing to come by in a 113-year-old house. The closet shelves under the basement steps ended up being the best bet, and they stayed there, out of sight and out of mind, until it was time to wake them.</p><p><strong>You Might Also Like:</strong><br><a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/terrified-of-topping-dahlias/" title="Terrified of Topping Dahlias | In the Weeds">Terrified of Topping Dahlias</a><br><a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/flowers-plants/plant-guide/how-to-grow-dahlias/" title="How to Grow Dahlias">How to Grow Dahlias </a><br><a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/how-to/all/how-to-save-tender-bulbs-for-next-season/" title="How to Save Tender Bulbs for Next Season">How to Overwinter Tender Cannas, Dahlias &amp; Glads</a></p><h4>Anticipation for spring</h4><p>I can’t tell you how nervous I was to open those boxes in the spring. But lo and behold, most tubers survived and showed signs of new growth! I lovingly switched out the vermiculite for potting soil for a few weeks until they were ready to plant. </p><p>Friends, we did it. We’re true dahlia farmers now! I can’t wait to hear about your success stories.</p><hr><p><em>Jamie successfully grew and harvested 8 varieties of dahlias the first year. She replanted those and added 10 new varieties in her second year. Photos to come!</em></p><hr><p><strong>You Might Also Like:</strong><br><a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/" title="In the Weeds Garden Humor Column by Jamie Seitz">Read More "In the Weeds"</a><br><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Weight-Water-Jamie-Seitz/dp/B0DM9CJZFQ?crid=2MCMCUXEEKW9D&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IDkMP7o3-tvKYVwpYyAQW6d_poPnmFeybqnF87w-iCU.t4Q70G0J-UEm1WaGO9Pa9cEok3SnSOF9dTCpvqpodmU&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=jamie+seitz&amp;qid=1733502506&amp;sprefix=jamie+seitz%2Caps%2C142&amp;sr=8-1&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=ggm_1001-20&amp;linkId=35e97a936ba1b208be43e4a140c9213a&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl" title="Weight of Water by Jamie Seitz">Read Jamie's New Book: <em>Weight of Water</em></a><br><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JamieSeitzWriter" title="Jamie Seitz Writer page on Facebook">@JamieSeitzWriter on Facebook</a><br><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jamieseitzauthor" title="jamie Seitz Author page on Instagram">@JamieSeitzAuthor on Instagram</a><br><a href="https://store.gardengatemagazine.com/search?q=in+the+weeds" title="In the Weeds Swag | The Garden Gate Store">Shop "In the Weeds" Swag</a></p>
                
            ]]></content:encoded><media:thumbnail url="https://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/3vINNYOHg2synhKQqun7Xq/179d65b1ad2722e0197691cefb90376d/dahlia-pv.jpg"/><media:content url="https://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/3vINNYOHg2synhKQqun7Xq/179d65b1ad2722e0197691cefb90376d/dahlia-pv.jpg" medium="image" type="image/jpeg"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[My Summer Gardening Playlist]]></title><description><![CDATA[Summer&#x27;s all about me, my Bluetooth speaker, dirty hands and the sun on my shoulders with my favorite playlist blasting. ]]></description><link>https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/my-garden-playlist/</link><guid>https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/my-garden-playlist/</guid><category><![CDATA[ Vegetables ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ In the Weeds ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ in the weeds ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ summer ]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[ Jamie Seitz ]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 10 Aug 2025 12:11:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/ODYNyVpSJaeVFJhcLOUJx/dc4c3b76fb2918388a71183c8e0f391f/In-the-weeds-Danielle-Lowery-illustration-PV.gif" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[
                <h3>There is nothing like gardening to my favorite music</h3><p>If you ever wander over to my backyard while I am outside gardening, you will most certainly hear music playing and me singing along at the top of my lungs. Gardening, yard work and music all go together like popcorn and butter and peanut M&amp;M's. In fact, I’m not even sure I would still enjoy gardening if there was no music to play in the background. There is no better feeling than dirty hands, the sun on your shoulders, bare feet (<a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/gardening-in-flip-flops/" title="Gardening in Flip-Flops">although you know I can’t do this anymore</a>, and I’ve put on sandals) and some tunes playing loudly nearby.</p><p>I’ve got a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Waterproof-Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B07QK2SPP7?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.NnbIKiqFTU28wAKcdYLf1WK12omDkXffF5ZJYSZUslk3zq2ZQQUGveHQUsCl7y16usde-enOg2U-pcEN1k0KuUT_lQPYgW2N_qDUEfGYy6A28SixEOUmYBiRi0ss-zVtWXyOIn9jrqQ1j2OSco2Hi8Riv6CN51c4WEknxj1B1UdZYjIqmV1O4sMc5fyCoWn01ThBZnJM1oSknx4NZ-fn5pV708AZcVHn9c1P4MAlCqw.dBeb9dn2rflDWdIburACbvWTYkdb5mrOqrEP3fAltu8&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=bluetooth%2Bspeaker&amp;qid=1754332493&amp;sr=8-5&amp;th=1&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=aim-gg-w-20&amp;linkId=34d223baef5a4ac066540560f6441696&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl" title="JBL FLIP 5, Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker on Amazon">Bluetooth speaker</a> that connects to my phone and plays whatever I feel in the mood for that day. Fleetwood Mac or Billy Joel are always good choices if I’m looking for something classic. Taylor Swift was my number-one artist on Spotify last year, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. Whatever my heart desires can be blaring from the speaker with the tap of a finger on my phone.</p><h4>Going old-school</h4><p>But if I’m feeling particularly noncommittal, my favorite thing is to drag the ancient silver boom box from the garage that looks EXACTLY like the one Lloyd Dobler held above his head in <em>Say Anything</em>. All I have to do is prop it up on the edge of the garden bed and spend five precarious minutes adjusting the finicky dial to my favorite oldies station on the radio. I’ll be honest, the “oldies” station regularly plays the tunes of the 80s and 90s, which feels a little rude because I’m not THAT old. However, they are my jams from high school and college, and it’s always a treat to take a walk down memory lane.  </p><p>Weeding, pruning and replanting (because the chipmunks and <a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/baby-bunnies-in-the-garden/" title="The Birds and The Bees (and Bunnies...)">rabbits</a> have eaten what I planted the weeks before) to the nostalgic tunes of my very first concert, Boyz II Men, or “Life is a Highway” by Tom Cochrane, the theme song of my senior year of high school, makes it all worth it. It’s like musical roulette. Who knows what I’ll hear next while I thin out the carrots?</p><h4>Motivational tunes</h4><p>I’m sure my neighbors heard me singing along to Van Morrison last fall while I dug my dahlia tubers out of the ground. Hall and Oates, James Taylor, and the Indigo Girls make excellent sing-along companions for pruning back tomato plants and weeding spring lettuce and spinach. I prefer the late 80s power ballads of Richard Marx and Bryan Adams for heavier jobs like mulching, <a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/garden-design/design-tips-inspiration/garden-edging-techniques-tips-from-the-pros/" title="Garden edging techniques from the pros">edging beds</a>, or transplanting hostas. A good pop mix goes a long way for the days I have a random bunch of jobs to do, like cleaning out the shed. The upbeat music keeps me moving and motivated. </p><h4>Music bribery</h4><p>When I make my kids come outside to help in the yard, it’s often part of the bribe that I let them choose the music. Thankfully, my kids have good taste, and I enjoy at least 75 percent of the bands they make me listen to. If you wander past my yard in the fall, when it’s time to <a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/fall-raking/" title="What's Your Fall Raking Style?">rake the leaves</a>, you’ll definitely hear more Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, and The 1975. </p><h4>Listen to my garden playlist!</h4><p>My gift to you this year is a link to one of my many Spotify Gardening Playlists! <strong>Check it out here:</strong><a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3M7U7RwRbcVSw38278c7EE?si=7bf02698436c4c96" title="Jamie Seitz Gardening Playlist on Spotify">Jamie’s Gardening Playlist on Spotify.</a></p><hr><p><em>Does Jamie mind the audience while she’s singing and gardening? Nah. She loves a good karaoke night and is overly confident in her ability to hold a tune.</em></p><hr><p><strong>You Might Also Like:</strong><br><a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/" title="In the Weeds Garden Humor Column by Jamie Seitz">Read More In the Weeds</a><br><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Weight-Water-Jamie-Seitz/dp/B0DM9CJZFQ?crid=2MCMCUXEEKW9D&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IDkMP7o3-tvKYVwpYyAQW6d_poPnmFeybqnF87w-iCU.t4Q70G0J-UEm1WaGO9Pa9cEok3SnSOF9dTCpvqpodmU&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=jamie+seitz&amp;qid=1733502506&amp;sprefix=jamie+seitz%2Caps%2C142&amp;sr=8-1&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=ggm_1001-20&amp;linkId=35e97a936ba1b208be43e4a140c9213a&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl" title="Weight of Water by Jamie Seitz">Read Jamie's New Book: Weight of Water</a><br><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JamieSeitzWriter" title="Jamie Seitz Writer page on Facebook">@JamieSeitzWriter on Facebook</a><br><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jamieseitzauthor" title="jamie Seitz Author page on Instagram">@JamieSeitzAuthor on Instagram</a><br><a href="https://store.gardengatemagazine.com/search?q=in+the+weeds" title="In the Weeds Swag | The Garden Gate Store">Shop In the Weeds Swag</a></p><p><a href="https://store.gardengatemagazine.com/collections/garden-themed-mugs/products/in-the-weeds-can-shaped-glass" target="_blank"><img alt="In the Weeds Reusable Cup with Lid and straw" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/7JZwsD0if6gm7yGFDAUsiY/94928113cb569495ceb74bd22b3d1821/In-the-Weeds_Reusable-Cup_Lifestyle_600x450-inline-ad.jpg" /></a></p>
                
            ]]></content:encoded><media:thumbnail url="https://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/ODYNyVpSJaeVFJhcLOUJx/dc4c3b76fb2918388a71183c8e0f391f/In-the-weeds-Danielle-Lowery-illustration-PV.gif"/><media:content url="https://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/ODYNyVpSJaeVFJhcLOUJx/dc4c3b76fb2918388a71183c8e0f391f/In-the-weeds-Danielle-Lowery-illustration-PV.gif" medium="image" type="image/jpeg"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[I Dream of Greenhouses]]></title><description><![CDATA[My dream greenhouse is out of budget—for now—but this handy wish list keeps me ready just in case the perfect sale pops up...]]></description><link>https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/dream-greenhouse/</link><guid>https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/dream-greenhouse/</guid><category><![CDATA[ Vegetables ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ In the Weeds ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ fall ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ garden design ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ garden ornament ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ in the weeds ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ spring ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ summer ]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[ Jamie Seitz ]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 8 Jul 2025 12:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/ODYNyVpSJaeVFJhcLOUJx/dc4c3b76fb2918388a71183c8e0f391f/In-the-weeds-Danielle-Lowery-illustration-PV.gif" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[
                <h3>The long-time dream of most gardener: a backyard greenhouse</h3><p>I have dreamed of building a small backyard greenhouse for the last decade. I bounce between two ideas: gradually collecting chippy old <a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/diy-projects/backyard-projects/quarantine-garden-projects/" title="DIY Garden Projects from Our Readers">windows and doors to create a DIY dreamscape</a> or keeping it real and ordering a kit that we can put together over one stressful weekend just so I can have it right now.</p><p>Last spring, I pulled into my favorite plant nursery, and at the entrance stood a stunning black wrought-iron greenhouse with a crank that opened the roof tiles. She was gorgeous, and later that afternoon, I found myself tumbling down a new rabbit hole of greenhouse designs on the internet. The price tag on that beauty nearly gave me heart palpitations, but it reignited all my big feelings about needing a greenhouse sooner rather than later. I could immediately imagine myself doing all the greenhousey activities I ever wanted in a space like that.  </p><h4>Planning Ahead</h4><p>The greenhouse was entirely out of my price range, but I decided that making a list of greenhouse features I couldn’t live without so I could be ready to pull the trigger when the time was right was the wisest plan. I mean, you can never know when your dream greenhouse will go on a clearance sale... </p><p><strong>You Might Also Like:</strong><br><a href="https://youtu.be/b2TT1TbV3nM?si=oceA2rNcGSLrBEPj" title="Tour Erin Clark's Cottage Garden in Maine | Garden Gate YouTube Channel">Check out This Dreamy Chapel Greenhouse in Maine </a><br><a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/diy-projects/backyard-projects/quarantine-garden-projects/" title="DIY Garden Projects from Our Readers">DIY Garden Projects from Our Readers</a><br><a href="https://store.gardengatemagazine.com/collections/plans/wood-projects" title="Woodworking Garden Project Plants | The Garden Gate Store">Woodworking Plans for the Garden </a></p><h4>Greenhouse Wish List</h4><p>So, what would I really want in a greenhouse?</p><ul><li>For starters, a long counter that runs the length of the greenhouse. What a perfect place to start seeds on one of the first warm days in March (windows closed, of course) or for cutting and arranging flowers on a gorgeous July evening (windows open). </li><li>I’ll require shelves for the succulents I can’t help but overwater when they’re in my house. Maybe I’ll be able to get the amount of water right out in the greenhouse. </li><li>I’ll want a few hooks for hanging plants. The lipstick plant who lives in my bathroom would love to spend a holiday outside the house, and the poor pothos can come too to save it from my naughty cat Toby. Even though it’s incredibly poisonous and out of his reach for his safety, he makes it his weekly mission to try and pull down a few leaves. </li><li>I’ll need space below the counter to <a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/how-to/all/fall-garden-checklist/" title="Fall Garden Checklist">stack empty pots in the fall</a> and to store my gardening baskets because there is nothing better than an organized greenhouse.</li><li>A disco ball would be darling. And of course a comfy chair or hammock, where I can enjoy a book and cup of coffee and read the day away. I’d even bring the kitties out for an afternoon snooze in my slice of Eden. Maybe a little writing desk in there where I could write my next novel.</li></ul><p>Honestly, the possibilities are endless. Maybe my naughty cat and I will be hosting guided tours of my Greenhouse Paradise someday. I’ll keep you posted.</p><hr><p><em>When Jamie isn’t dreaming of greenhouses, she’s planning trips to parts of the world she’s never been.</em></p><hr><p><strong>You Might Also Like:</strong><br><a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/" title="In the Weeds Garden Humor Column by Jamie Seitz">Read More In the Weeds</a><br><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Weight-Water-Jamie-Seitz/dp/B0DM9CJZFQ?crid=2MCMCUXEEKW9D&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IDkMP7o3-tvKYVwpYyAQW6d_poPnmFeybqnF87w-iCU.t4Q70G0J-UEm1WaGO9Pa9cEok3SnSOF9dTCpvqpodmU&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=jamie+seitz&amp;qid=1733502506&amp;sprefix=jamie+seitz%2Caps%2C142&amp;sr=8-1&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=ggm_1001-20&amp;linkId=35e97a936ba1b208be43e4a140c9213a&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl" title="Weight of Water by Jamie Seitz">Read Jamie's New Book: Weight of Water</a><br><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JamieSeitzWriter" title="Jamie Seitz Writer page on Facebook">@JamieSeitzWriter on Facebook</a><br><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jamieseitzauthor" title="jamie Seitz Author page on Instagram">@JamieSeitzAuthor on Instagram</a><br></p><p><a href="https://store.gardengatemagazine.com/search?q=in+the+weeds" target="_blank"><img alt="In the Weeds Reusable Cup with Lid and straw" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/7JZwsD0if6gm7yGFDAUsiY/94928113cb569495ceb74bd22b3d1821/In-the-Weeds_Reusable-Cup_Lifestyle_600x450-inline-ad.jpg" /></a></p>
                
            ]]></content:encoded><media:thumbnail url="https://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/ODYNyVpSJaeVFJhcLOUJx/dc4c3b76fb2918388a71183c8e0f391f/In-the-weeds-Danielle-Lowery-illustration-PV.gif"/><media:content url="https://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/ODYNyVpSJaeVFJhcLOUJx/dc4c3b76fb2918388a71183c8e0f391f/In-the-weeds-Danielle-Lowery-illustration-PV.gif" medium="image" type="image/jpeg"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Terrified of Topping Dahlias]]></title><description><![CDATA[Learning how to grow dahlias can be intimidating, especially when it comes to &quot;topping&quot; plants!]]></description><link>https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/terrified-of-topping-dahlias/</link><guid>https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/terrified-of-topping-dahlias/</guid><category><![CDATA[ Vegetables ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ In the Weeds ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ cutting flower ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ in the weeds ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ pruning ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ special techniques ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ summer ]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[ Jamie Seitz ]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 8 Jun 2025 11:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/5tqA1gG62botnVSZsM4Im9/60f445c66c89ac4ab48615655844075b/In-the-Weeds_Dahlia-topping_pv.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[
                <p><img alt="In the Weeds logo " src="https://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/ODYNyVpSJaeVFJhcLOUJx/dc4c3b76fb2918388a71183c8e0f391f/In-the-weeds-Danielle-Lowery-illustration-PV.gif" /></p><h2>The scariest part of growing dahlias</h2><p>When you’re a first-time <a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/learning-how-to-grow-dahlias/" title="How I Started Growing Dahlias">dahlia</a> farmer (like me), few things are as terrifying as snipping off the center bloom — or “topping” — your dahlias. </p><p>In early spring, you check every tuber for signs of growth while they are waking up. Then, you plant them carefully in the soil, praying there is no damage to the neck of the tuber. Next, you wait patiently (or not so patiently) for the first signs that the dahlia made it through the winter and could become a gorgeous, strong flower. By the time the first teeny green shoot pops through the soil, all you want to do is surround it with bubble wrap and spend the month of June in a sleeping bag next to your highest accomplishment.</p><h4>Tough love is stressful</h4><p>When my friend and dahlia mentor told me it was time to top my teenage dahlia plants, I wanted to cover my ears and yell, “I can’t hear you because that feels crazy!” I didn’t care that they were a foot tall and had at least four sets of leaves on the stem. She promised me this is the perfect time to top flowers so they grow fuller and have more blooms. But what if I made a mistake and killed the plants I had spent so much time and effort tending? </p><p>Though I trusted my friend completely because the proof was row after row of gorgeous blooms in her garden, I still needed internet reinforcement. So I dragged my laptop outside and watched no fewer than 20 videos, clippers in hand hovering over each dahlia to ensure I wouldn’t mess it up. Someone definitely needed a glass of wine or three after that stressful day of snipping!</p><p><strong>Related Links:</strong><br><a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/flowers-plants/plant-guide/how-to-grow-dahlias/" title="How to Grow Dahlias">Dahlia Growing Tips</a><br><a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/flowers-plants/plant-guide/find-the-right-dahlia-for-your-garden/" title="Find the Right Dahlia for Your Garden">Find the Right Dahlia for Your Garden</a><br><a href="https://store.gardengatemagazine.com/search?q=dahlia" title="Dahlia Phone Cases, Notebooks &amp; Laptop Cases | The Garden Gate Store">Dahlia Flower Phone Cases &amp; Stationary</a></p><h4>The payoff</h4><p>In the end, my friend (and the internet) was right. I topped all but two of my dahlias and was rewarded later in the growing season with more robust, bushier plants and more blooms than I could fashion into summer and fall bouquets. The two I skipped were pretty wimpy and not nearly as bloom-filled. </p><p>Now that I’ve done it once, I won’t be as nervous to top the dahlias this year. And I’ve realized something important about why I adore the gardening community. There are many ways to grow things, and chances are, I can learn something from someone else’s experiences. Listen to the experts, even if it seems like topping a perfectly healthy plant is a recipe for disaster and will ruin your garden forever. Turns out, they’re right: Topping does make dahlias have more blooms! </p><p><img alt="In the Weeds Dahlia topping illustration by Danielle Lowery-Ruscher" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/5WqW4hz8tPpeL7on7YjZIn/316e304a35bf07e2482165b24c1fcb73/183_In-the-Weeds_Dahlia-topping_quote.jpg" /></p><hr><p><em>Aside from dahlias, Jamie’s favorite flowers to grow are peonies and lilacs. Neither lasts long for bouquets, but a world with lilacs is simply better. Aside from dahlias, Jamie’s favorite flowers to grow are peonies and lilacs. Neither lasts long for bouquets, but a world with lilacs is simply better.</em></p><hr><p><strong>You Might Also Like:</strong><br><a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/" title="In the Weeds Garden Humor Column by Jamie Seitz">Read More In the Weeds</a><br><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Weight-Water-Jamie-Seitz/dp/B0DM9CJZFQ?crid=2MCMCUXEEKW9D&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IDkMP7o3-tvKYVwpYyAQW6d_poPnmFeybqnF87w-iCU.t4Q70G0J-UEm1WaGO9Pa9cEok3SnSOF9dTCpvqpodmU&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=jamie+seitz&amp;qid=1733502506&amp;sprefix=jamie+seitz%2Caps%2C142&amp;sr=8-1&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=ggm_1001-20&amp;linkId=35e97a936ba1b208be43e4a140c9213a&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl" title="Weight of Water by Jamie Seitz">Read Jamie's New Book: Weight of Water</a><br><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JamieSeitzWriter" title="Jamie Seitz Writer page on Facebook">@JamieSeitzWriter on Facebook</a><br><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jamieseitzauthor" title="jamie Seitz Author page on Instagram">@JamieSeitzAuthor on Instagram</a><br><a href="https://store.gardengatemagazine.com/search?q=in+the+weeds" title="In the Weeds Swag | The Garden Gate Store">Shop In the Weeds Swag</a></p>
                
            ]]></content:encoded><media:thumbnail url="https://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/5tqA1gG62botnVSZsM4Im9/60f445c66c89ac4ab48615655844075b/In-the-Weeds_Dahlia-topping_pv.jpg"/><media:content url="https://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/5tqA1gG62botnVSZsM4Im9/60f445c66c89ac4ab48615655844075b/In-the-Weeds_Dahlia-topping_pv.jpg" medium="image" type="image/jpeg"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Should I Become a Master Gardener?]]></title><description><![CDATA[With my passion for gardening, constant curiosity, and love for sharing what I learn, becoming a Master Gardener feels like a natural next step.]]></description><link>https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/should-i-become-a-master-gardener/</link><guid>https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/should-i-become-a-master-gardener/</guid><category><![CDATA[ Vegetables ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ In the Weeds ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ annuals tender perennials ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ in the weeds ]]></category><category><![CDATA[ vegetables ]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[ Jamie Seitz ]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 13 May 2025 12:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/ODYNyVpSJaeVFJhcLOUJx/dc4c3b76fb2918388a71183c8e0f391f/In-the-weeds-Danielle-Lowery-illustration-PV.gif" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[
                <h2>Time to level-up my gardening skills</h2><p>Someone asked me this year if I was a Master Gardener. I answered truthfully, no, I was not, but if I’m honest, part of me wanted to shrug my shoulders and say, “Who can know these things for sure? Maybe I am?” </p><p>One thing you should know about me is that I enjoy a title and a tiny bit of prestige. Of course, I want to earn the title — no free rides or faux degrees wanted here. And I don’t need to be crowned the Queen of Something or receive a key to the city, but I’ll happily take a quick flash of wide-eyed surprise or a “Good for you!”</p><p>For example, I am a recycler. I take it seriously and recycle often and a lot. Several years ago, I spied a yellow lid on my neighbor’s blue recycling bin. Odd. Out of curiosity, I did some digging and found that one can become a <strong>Gold Level Recycler</strong> in my city. All you need to do is fill out a form to state your intentions, have your recycling bin monitored for a few weeks to ensure that you are, in fact, worthy of a gold lid, and voila…the city swings by and puts a new lid on your bin. The secret oath about always doing my very best to recycle for the rest of my life that I said in my heart on the day mine was replaced was to make it a little extra special, but you wouldn’t have to do that.</p><h4>Master gardener requirements</h4><p>So, the question begs to be asked. If I love gardening, write about gardening, and love to learn new things about gardening…is my lifelong destiny to become a Master Gardener?
According to my research, I would first need to declare my intent. Done. Of course, I intend. Next, I would need to do a little paperwork and pay my fee. <em>No big whoop.</em></p><p>Then comes the good stuff. Complete the <a href="https://www.extension.iastate.edu/mastergardener/" title="Master Gardener Program ISU">ISU Extension and Outreach Master Gardener</a> training in 10 weeks. Lucky for me, I am an excellent student, and I even regularly miss the good old college days of taking notes and preparing for quizzes. There’s even a class at my alma mater, Iowa State University. At the end of 10 weeks, I will have learned extensive knowledge about vegetables, insects, houseplants, flowers, fruits, native plants, propagation, wildlife, and more, and will receive a certificate that says I’m a Master Gardener. I bet in the memo line, it might also say: <em>Jamie is the best Master Gardener to have ever graduated from our 10-week course</em>. Again, I can’t be sure of this, but it feels right. Please tell me where the downside is in this plan for my life?</p><h4>All about timing</h4><p>The volunteer commitment is the one thing holding me back from signing up immediately. And not because I don’t want to, but with busy kids, schedules, and jobs, extra time is hard to come by. But guess what? The last Seitz kid leaves for college in 2½ short years. Just think of how much free time I will have to become the very best Master Gardener that Iowa has ever seen!</p><hr><p><em>True or False: Jamie has the Master Gardener application page bookmarked on her computer and looks at it at least once a week to ensure the requirements haven’t changed. <strong>False…it’s once a month. She’s not a maniac.</strong></em></p><hr><p><strong>You Might Also Like:</strong><br><a href="https://ahsgardening.org/master-gardeners/" title="Master Gardeners Programs, American Horticultural Society website">Find a Master Gardeners Program in Your State</a><br><a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/getting-started/" title="Getting Started with Vegetable Gardening">Learn the Basics of Vegetable Gardening
</a><br></p><hr><p><strong>More From Jamie:</strong><br><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Weight-Water-Jamie-Seitz/dp/B0DM9CJZFQ?crid=2MCMCUXEEKW9D&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IDkMP7o3-tvKYVwpYyAQW6d_poPnmFeybqnF87w-iCU.t4Q70G0J-UEm1WaGO9Pa9cEok3SnSOF9dTCpvqpodmU&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=jamie+seitz&amp;qid=1733502506&amp;sprefix=jamie+seitz%2Caps%2C142&amp;sr=8-1&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=ggm_1001-20&amp;linkId=35e97a936ba1b208be43e4a140c9213a&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl" title="Weight of Water by Jamie Seitz">New Book! Weight of Water</a><br><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JamieSeitzWriter" title="Jamie Seitz Writer page on Facebook">@JamieSeitzWriter on Facebook</a><br><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jamieseitzauthor" title="jamie Seitz Author page on Instagram">@JamieSeitzAuthor on Instagram</a><br></p><hr><p><a href="https://store.gardengatemagazine.com/collections/garden-themed-mugs" target="_blank" "In the Weeds Can-shaped glass from the Garden Gate store"><img alt="In the Weeds Reusable Cup with Lid and straw" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/zma7thmmcinb/7JZwsD0if6gm7yGFDAUsiY/94928113cb569495ceb74bd22b3d1821/In-the-Weeds_Reusable-Cup_Lifestyle_600x450-inline-ad.jpg" /></a></p><p><strong>Related Links:</strong><br><a href="https://store.gardengatemagazine.com/search?q=in+the+weeds" title="In the Weeds Swag | The Garden Gate Store">Shop In the Weeds Swag</a><br><a href="https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/vegetables/in-the-weeds/" title="In the Weeds Garden Humor Column by Jamie Seitz">Read More In the Weeds
</a><br></p>
                
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