{"id":4120,"date":"2025-08-14T13:50:12","date_gmt":"2025-08-14T20:50:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/14\/jennifers-new-gardening-journey-in-minnesota\/"},"modified":"2025-08-14T13:50:15","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T20:50:15","slug":"jennifers-new-gardening-journey-in-minnesota","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/14\/jennifers-new-gardening-journey-in-minnesota\/","title":{"rendered":"Jennifer’s New Gardening Journey in Minnesota"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Hi GPODers!<\/p>\n

Few can pick up a paintbrush for the first time and recreate a Picasso in the same afternoon. Even fewer could try piano as a beginner and finish their first session with a perfect rendition of Beethoven. However, many can pot up some pretty plants and instantly create something spectacular where there once was nothing. This is not to downplay the amount of work that goes into gardening but to emphasize how a low barrier to entry makes this pastime accessible and easy to get hooked on. With a little research, trial, and error, you\u2019re on the fast track to building beautiful beds that you\u2019re constantly tweaking and upgrading. This is exactly the case for Jennifer Furan in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. She is a newer gardener, really getting into it after moving to her current home in 2021. In that short amount of time, she has done a lot of work to create an incredible garden with some seriously beautiful plants, as if this were a hobby she has been mastering for decades.<\/p>\n

Hi GPODers! I\u2019m a relatively new gardener, having moved to our current home in Eden Prairie, Minnesota in 2021. I garden in Zone 4b\/5a on a suburban lot that\u2019s about one-third of an acre. Our first task was to remove overgrown and unkempt junipers that surrounded the property at the borders, much to the neighbors\u2019 delight. Then the tough part began: what to do with all of the suddenly empty garden beds. Year one was spent just doing my best to manage the weeds. Year two, I filled the space in with easy-care annuals, while I figured out this whole gardening thing. After hours of researching and listening to podcasts, of course, including <\/em>Let\u2019s Argue About Plants<\/a>, I finally felt confident enough to start putting in perennials and shrubs. I\u2019m sharing some pictures of my progress in the last two years.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/a>The part-shade area of the back garden is a garden bed we share with the neighbors behind us. \u2018Sun King\u2019 aralia<\/em> (<\/em>Aralia<\/a> cordata \u2018Sun King\u2019, Zones 4\u20138) has grown significantly in two years, with a \u2018Euphoria Ruby\u2019<\/em> Joe Pye weed<\/em> (<\/em>Eutrochium purpureum \u2018FLOREUPRE1\u2019<\/em>, Zones 5\u20139)<\/em> in front of it, which is in bud for the upcoming fall weather. To the right is \u2018Brilliance\u2019 autumn fern<\/em> (<\/em>Dryopteris<\/a> erythrosora \u2018Brilliance\u2019<\/em>, Zones 4\u20139)<\/em> with heart-leaved golden Alexanders (<\/em>Zizia<\/a> aptera, Zones 3\u20138)<\/em> from a local native plant nursery. The \u2018Sun King\u2019 aralia always catches my attention as I glance out the kitchen window while washing dishes, and never fails to put a smile on my face.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"butterfly<\/a>The best part of improving the garden spaces in our yard is the many visitors we are graced with each day. This swallowtail butterfly loved the \u2018Jeana\u2019 garden phlox<\/a><\/em> (<\/em>Phlox paniculata \u2018Jeana\u2019<\/em>, Zones 4\u20138)<\/em> that recently started blooming this season.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"small<\/a>I\u2019ve quickly found the need to spontaneously create new garden spaces because I\u2019ve run out of places to put new plants. And while I wait for plants to bulk up, this year I added annual verbena<\/em> (<\/em>Verbena<\/a> bonariensis, Zones 7\u201311 or as an annual)<\/em> to help fill in the space. The monarchs and bumblebees have particularly loved this addition.<\/em><\/p>\n

From back to front and left to right: \u2018Summer Wine\u2019 ninebark<\/em> (<\/em>Physocarpus<\/a> opulifolius \u2018Seward\u2019<\/em>, Zones 3\u20137)<\/em>, \u2018Blackhawks\u2019 big bluestem<\/em> (<\/em>Andropogon<\/a> gerardii \u2018Blackhawks\u2019<\/em>, Zones 3\u20139),<\/em> Verbena bonariensis, Rock \u2019N Grow\u00ae<\/sup> \u2018Midnight Velvet\u2019 sedum<\/em> (<\/em>Sedum \u2018Midnight Velvet\u2019<\/em>, Zones 3\u20139),<\/em> and \u2018Ogon\u2019 spirea<\/em> (<\/em>Spiraea<\/a> thunbergii \u2018Ogon\u2019<\/em>, Zones 4\u20138)<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\"garden<\/a>Last spring I took on the perhaps ill-advised task of converting a 60-foot-long and 20-foot-deep area of grass along the road into a new garden space. The impetus for this was that I was tired of repairing this area each spring and trying to grow grass that never took in this full-sun space with the radiant heat from the black pavement street. I put in a mix of plants native to my area and ornamentals. It has been fun to see the pollinator activity. Gardening in the front yard resulted in a lot of questions from neighbors who didn\u2019t necessarily understand what I was doing. In this second year, those same neighbors have transitioned to complimenting how the garden is looking.<\/em><\/p>\n

Butterfly weed<\/a> (<\/em>Asclepias tuberosa, Zones 3\u20139, <\/em>left), \u2018Montrose White\u2019 calamint<\/em> (<\/em>Calamintha<\/a> nepeta \u2018Montrose White\u2019<\/em>, Zones 5\u20139, <\/em>right), with purple poppy mallow<\/em> (<\/em>Callirhoe<\/a> involucrata, Zones 4\u20138,<\/em>\u00a0in front)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"white<\/a>Also in this new front yard garden: \u2018White Swan\u2019 coneflower<\/em> (<\/em>Echinacea<\/a> purpurea \u2018White Swan\u2019<\/em>, Zones 3\u20138)<\/em> with our native pearly everlasting<\/em> (<\/em>Anaphalis margaritacea, Zones 3\u20138)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"flower-filled<\/a>Another view of this front garden: \u2018White Swan\u2019 coneflower backed up with old field goldenrod<\/em> (<\/em>Solidago<\/a> nemoralis, Zones 3\u20139)<\/em>, New Jersey tea<\/em> (<\/em>Ceanothus<\/a> americanus, Zones 3\u20138)<\/em>, \u2018Summer Romance\u2019 and \u2018Pink Cotton\u2019 Candy\u2019 betony<\/em> (<\/em>Stachys<\/a> officinalis \u2018Summer Romance\u2019 and \u2018Pink Cotton\u2019<\/em>, Zones 4\u20138),<\/em> butterfly weed, \u2018Montrose White\u2019 calamint, and purple poppy mallow<\/em><\/p>\n

\"chair<\/a>All of the gardening work has led to me wanting to find ways to relax in the shade. This is a favorite spot under a \u2018Whitespire\u2019 birch<\/em> (<\/em>Betula populifolia \u2018Whitespire\u2019<\/em>, Zones 3\u20136)<\/em> with a new glider bench. I\u2019ve put together a small fountain consisting of a cement outdoor pot filled with large rocks to act as landing perches for birds and pollinators, and adding a solar water pump. It creates the perfect space to relax, especially after a long day working in the garden.<\/em><\/p>\n

Front: \u2018Lemon Zest\u2019 Japanese forest grass<\/em> (<\/em>Hakonechloa<\/a> macra \u2018HakBri1\u2019<\/em>, Zones 5\u20139),<\/em> hellebores, and FlowerFull smooth hydrangea<\/a> (<\/em>Hydrangea arborescens \u2018Baiful\u2019<\/em>, Zones 3\u20138)<\/em><\/p>\n

Thank you so much for sharing your impressive plantings with us, Jen! It\u2019s clear to see the research you did before purchasing your plants; you\u2019ve amassed some superb specimens that will undoubtably mature into an incredible garden oasis.<\/p>\n

Just as gardening has a low barrier to entry, Garden Photo of the Day does not have any entry requirements! No matter how much experience you have, what kinds of plants you grow, or what your goals with this hobby are, we would love to highlight your garden. Follow the directions below to submit photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram:\u00a0@agirlherdogandtheroad<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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We want to see YOUR garden!<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Have photos to share? We\u2019d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!<\/p>\n

To submit, send 5\u201310 photos to\u00a0[email\u00a0protected]<\/span><\/a>\u00a0along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We\u2019d love to hear where you are located, how long you\u2019ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.<\/p>\n

Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on\u00a0Facebook,<\/a>\u00a0Instagram,<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0with #FineGardening!<\/p>\n

Do you receive the GPOD by email yet?\u00a0Sign up here<\/a><\/p>\n

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Fine Gardening Recommended Products<\/p>\n

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Nelson Multi-Pattern Stationary Sprinkler<\/p>\n

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.<\/p>\n

– 8 Pre-Set Watering Patterns
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\n– Soft grip on multi-pattern head<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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SHOWA Atlas 370B Nitrile Palm Coating Gloves, Black, Medium (Pack of 12 Pairs)<\/p>\n

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.<\/p>\n

Lightweight and close-fitting for excellent dexterity. Machine washable. Breathable back of hand to reduce perspiration. Designed for easy movement and continuous wear. Ideal for aerospace, assembly, automotive, construction, final fix, gardening, manufacturing, operating machinery, packaging, precision handling, tiling, warehousing.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo<\/p>\n

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.<\/p>\n

MULTITASKING DUAL EDGES: a deep serrated edge and a tapered slicing edge ideal for tough or delicate cuts. DURABLE 6-inch stainless steel blade withstands 300 lbs of pressure. TWINE CUTTING NOTCH, DEPTH GAUGE MARKINGS & spear point – no need to switch tools when using this garden knife. LEATHER SHEATH: heavy duty, protective, clip on sheath to keep your knife convenient and secure. LIFETIME WARRANTY.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n