Who?

Who is The Garden Maiden?

I’m a gardener by heart, a horticulturist by profession, with two green thumbs and a lot of bad luck in the garden. Garden Motto: “Do as I say, not as I do.”

I have gardened in Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, South Florida, Oklahoma and Mississippi.
Currently residing in AHS Plant Heat Zone 9 and USDA 2012 Plant Hardiness Zone 8b, on the edge of 9a.

Straight Talk:

• University of Arkansas Bachelor of Science in Landscape Design and Urban Horticulture (BSA)
• University of Arkansas Master of Science in Horticulture (MS)
• ASHS Certified Professional Horticulturist
• ISA Certified Arborist SO-7200A
• Garden Writer since 2006
• Member of ASHS, AHS, Garden Writer’s Association, Gamma Sigma Delta
• Completed the Landscape for Life trainer program spring 2013
• Undergraduate summer internship: Memphis Botanic Garden

Plant-related interests:

• organic gardening
• sustainable landscapes
• composting
• native plants
• wildlife gardening
• beach ecosystems
• rain gardens
• heirloom plants
• saving seed
• traditional plant breeding
• cocktail gardening
• garden design for entertainment

A few casual details:

I am an organic gardener in nearly every way I possibly can be since the late 80’s.

I never have enough time in my own garden, which I often find more of an embarrassment or rather a scientific study in what can and will go wrong in the garden or landscape.

Pumpkins are my favorite crop and I have been growing them since I was a wee thing.

My feet are frequently dirty and calloused from romping barefoot outdoors.

Minor details: 

I am into southern gardens, mystery, macabre, garden cocktails,  and two of my favorite cities are New Orleans and Savannah. I garden around and with my miniature dachshunds.

I’m an Arkansas Razorback woooooo pig soooooieeeeee! Go Hawgs.

Any gardening I do is on a strict budget! I try to recycle, reduce and reuse wherever I can. I am not an engineer, nor do I have endless pots of money to purchase the latest and greatest gadgets, equipment and supplies for my garden. My garden will never win a prize, but I love it just the same.

The Garden Maiden

All images and text copyright The Garden Maiden, 2021