Midwest Garden Gal

09/04/2026

🍂 Cedar Rapids area homeowners — thinking about a fall refresh for your yard or garden?

Fall is a great time to plant trees, shrubs, perennials and pollinator favorites. Warm soil and cooler temperatures give plants time to settle in before winter — and can put you ahead of the game next spring.

I’ve opened a limited number of fall garden consult spots through mid-October, and spaces are filling fast.

We can walk your yard together, talk through what’s working, what isn’t and what you’d like to change, then I can help you figure out your next steps.

🌱 Garden consults are available within about 30 miles of Cedar Rapids.

👉 Book your fall garden consult:
https://www.midwestgardengal.com/consult/

Custom yard and garden consultations tailored to your wishes and dreams. Let's walk together in your yard and create your ideal space.

08/26/2026

A great crowd, a great setting and a whole lot of gardening talk! 🌱

Thanks to Josh and In The Country Garden & Gifts for having me this past weekend. I had such a fun time sharing garden tips, answering questions and visiting with everyone who came out.

I’m now booking speaking engagements for the rest of 2026 and into 2027 — in the Midwest and beyond! Discounted speaking rates are available for nonprofit organizations and garden clubs.

Interested in bringing Midwest Garden Gal to your event? Let’s connect:

https://www.midwestgardengal.com/teach/

08/23/2026

What a fun time at In The Country Garden & Gifts this morning with a full house of gardening enthusiasts. Thanks, Josh and Sue for the invite! 💚

What a fantastic morning! Huge thank you to the Midwest Garden Gal for joining us and sharing so many fun ideas, clever tips, and budget-friendly garden hacks with such a wonderful crowd!

If you missed today, don't worry - the celebration continues tomorrow for the final day of our Summer Succulence Celebration (9:00 AM – 6:00 PM)!

We still have JUST 3 SPOTS LEFT for tomorrow’s Papercrete Workshop at 1:30 PM!

Come get your hands dirty and learn how to turn recycled paper into a rustic, stone-like trough planter that will last for years.

There’s still time to snag one of those final seats, grab some free popcorn, and explore our greenhouse full of succulents!

Reserve your spot on our website now:
https://www.inthecountrygardenandgifts.com/succulent-celebration.php

08/21/2026

Looking forward to tomorrow morning at In The Country Garden & Gifts!🌱

I’ll be sharing some of my favorite Cheap Tricks Gardening ideas at 10:30 a.m., followed by a book signing.

If you’re looking for a fun Saturday morning outing and some top notch plant shopping, come join us. I’d love to see you there! 💚

Proof that fabulous gardening doesn't have to cost a fortune! Upcycled tin cans tied with a bit of jute make the sweetest, budget-friendly succulent planters.

Speaking of budget-friendly inspiration... The Midwest Garden Gal is presenting TOMORROW MORNING!

Join us Saturday, August 22 at 10:30 AM for her exclusive presentation: “Cheap Tricks Gardening: ‘Cause You Don’t Need to Spend a Fortune for Fabulous.” She’ll be sharing her top secrets for getting a high-end look without breaking the bank, plus sticking around afterward for a book signing!

Here’s what else is happening this weekend during our Summer Succulence Celebration:

Sunday, Aug 23 @ 1:30 PM: Papercrete Workshop - turn recycled paper into rustic stone-like planter troughs!

Enjoy free, freshly popped popcorn all weekend while you explore our succulent greenhouse and everything else we have to offer at In The Country!

There’s still time to reserve your seat for the weekend festivities! RSVP on our website:
https://www.inthecountrygardenandgifts.com/succulent-celebration.php

08/21/2026

Summer may be winding down, but the garden keeps going. 🌱

My spiral planting of seed-grown Pumila Mix zinnias — also known as Cut and Come Again — is still putting on a show, and there’s plenty happening in the garden as we move through late summer.

I rounded up some timely garden tips to help you make the most of the season.

Bonus points if you spot my garden supervisor in the background. 🐾

Read it here:
https://www.midwestgardengal.com/august-timely-tips/

08/19/2026

Can we give a big cheer for 11-year-old Emma? 🦋👏

Emma captured this beautiful female black swallowtail butterfly, earning a purple ribbon in photography at the Johnson County Fair and selection for the Iowa State Fair — where her photo earned a blue ribbon! 🏅💙 Her winning photograph is on display at the Iowa State Fair through Sunday.

Black swallowtails happen to be my favorite butterfly — and the inspiration behind my upcoming children’s book, Brylee’s Big Adventure™ — which makes it even more fun to celebrate Emma’s wonderful eye for nature.

Congratulations, Emma! What an awesome accomplishment. 🦋📸

08/18/2026

What could be better than a weekend of plant shopping, gardening programs and free popcorn?! 🌱🍿🤩

Thanks so much to In The Country Garden & Gifts for inviting me to join the fun! I’m honored to be speaking at this special event and can’t wait to see my fellow Eastern Iowa plant lovers and those coming from afar! 💚🌱📚✍️

08/16/2026

No special occasion required. Grab your snips, wander through the garden and gather whatever makes you smile. A few fresh-cut blooms can turn an ordinary afternoon into a small celebration. 🌸

Today’s bouquet includes zinnias, yellow coneflowers and turtlehead. For filler, I used the blue-green foliage from my baptisia plants. I’ve used baptisia foliage in cut bouquets for years—it’s gorgeous, abundant and one of my favorite filler plants.

To help garden bouquets last longer, here’s the homemade cut-flower food recipe from page 131 of my book, Cheap Tricks Gardening:

🌸 1 quart lukewarm water
🌸 1 teaspoon sugar
🌸 1 teaspoon regular, unscented household bleach
🌸 2 teaspoons lemon or lime juice

Add each ingredient separately to the full quart of water and mix well.

You’ll find this and plenty more practical, budget-friendly garden tips in Cheap Tricks Gardening:

https://www.midwestgardengal.com/books/cheap-tricks-gardening/

Plant joy. 🌱