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The Impatient Gardener

fresh turmeric
Garden, Plants

The beautiful oddball: Growing turmeric

November 4, 2021

Growing oddball plants—those plants that aren’t commonly grown in the area—is almost always rewarding. Since there is no real way to measure success, any sign of a plant doing what it’s supposed to do is… [Continue Reading]

by Erin @ The Impatient Gardener 
11 Comments
Large Brandyfred tomato in hand
Edibles, Garden

The success or failure of this garden comes down to one tomato

August 25, 2020

It all depends on this tomato. Whether this year’s vegetable garden is declared a success or a failure depends entirely on this lone tomato. It’s the first big slicer that I’ve picked this year, brought… [Continue Reading]

by Erin @ The Impatient Gardener 
16 Comments
onions
Edibles, Garden

A great onion harvest proves taking chances can pay off

September 11, 2019

These are the onions I grew this year.  I harvested them this weekend and they may be the single best argument for trying new things in the garden.I can’t give you poundage because I just… [Continue Reading]

by Erin @ The Impatient Gardener 
3 Comments
resdesigned garden
Edibles, Garden

Midsummer garden check-in

July 25, 2019

If you’ve been reading this blog for a number of years you know what’s been up. If you’re newer you may think I fell off the face of the Earth. So this post begins with… [Continue Reading]

by Erin @ The Impatient Gardener 
6 Comments
evergreen espalier
Garden, Garden design, Plants

Espalier everywhere

July 11, 2019

I admit I’m an espalier novice. When I first saw an espalier tree (I’m guessing on “Gardener’s World” or in a British gardening magazine), I thought I had stumbled upon some great European secret. Silly… [Continue Reading]

by Erin @ The Impatient Gardener 
13 Comments
Edibles, Garden, Garden design

The vegetable garden comes to life

May 23, 2019

It feels odd to “reveal” a space that’s been unfolding in front of your eyes on this blog for a year now, but the vegetable garden is finally at a place where almost everything but… [Continue Reading]

by Erin @ The Impatient Gardener 
50 Comments
Gates in all colors
Garden

Asking the world what color a special garden gate should be

April 5, 2019

Crowdsourcing aspects of a garden is an enlightening experience.  Last weekend I picked up the gate for the vegetable garden. This is a big deal in this very lengthy project. I am an admirer of… [Continue Reading]

by Erin @ The Impatient Gardener 
16 Comments
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About

The Impatient Gardener

Do you love gardening? Me too! I'm Erin and I garden in Southeastern Wisconsin, zone 5. The Impatient Gardener is all about real-life gardening: the good parts, the bad bits and even the funny stuff. It's part information, part inspiration and a little bit commiseration. Thanks for visiting.

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Erin Schanen 🌿 The Impatient Gardener
Get your dahlia engines running. All the dahlia th Get your dahlia engines running. All the dahlia things are happening very soon. I actually started dividing my dahlias last weekend, about two weeks earlier than I usually do because the weather kept me cooped up inside. I’m glad I did it because I had some (not unexpected) losses that I’ll have to adjust some plans for. So stay tuned: we’ll be talking lots about dahlias soon. 😀
Want to give a gift to your future self? This fall Want to give a gift to your future self? This fall plant snowdrops and winter aconites and I guarantee you that it will bring you happiness the next spring. They are tiny blooms of joy.
A favorite groundcover and a favorite reseeder. Fi A favorite groundcover and a favorite reseeder. First off, you should know that I really love groundcovers. I would rather see a plant than bark mulch any time. Ajuga is a favorite because there are several forms (my favorites are ‘Black Scallop’, shown here, and ‘Chocolate Chip’) and because they can handle most conditions from sun to shade. Popping up next to it is Talinum paniculatum ‘Limon’ (Jewels of Opar). It reseeds around the garden and I just move it around where I want the chartreuse, succulent foliage. Tiny flowers in red and pink bobble on with stems, looking a bit like peppercorns. Then they drop their seed and come back the next year.
Make this the year that you grow a plant you know Make this the year that you grow a plant you know very little about. If you love your garden that’s all that matters. BUT I promise you’ll find even more joy it it when you broaden your horizons. I feel like I’m starting to see the same plants in gardens over and over again. By all means appreciate and love those plants, but also add something you have to learn about. There is great reward in getting to know new-to-you plants. 

Here are two good candidates you might consider: Athyrium niponicum (Japanese painted fern) ‘Crested Surf’ and Persicaria (or Bistorta, thanks to the taxonomists) amplexicaulis ‘Golden Arrow’.
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