This week’s newsletter is all about finding joy in the little things.
Collecting vintage pottery, planting seeds for next year, and learning unexpected gardening lessons. There’s always something new to learn, even from the simplest acts.
I hope you enjoy these stories and find inspiration to try something new, and maybe stumble upon a happy accident or two along the way!
Collecting Vintage Pottery The Real McCoy
I started collecting green McCoy planters almost by accident. I found a green basket weave planter tucked away on a dusty shelf at one of those antique consignment malls.
I turned the pot over and saw the name "McCoy" which immediately made me think of "the real McCoy". I quickly learned that has nothing to do with this pottery 😂.
McCoy insignia on the bottom of the planter
The shopkeeper mentioned that McCoy pottery was made in the Zanesville and Roseville area of Ohio, just a few hours from where I live and garden.
It struck me then how this simple, beautifully crafted piece had traveled decades to land in my hands. I bought it on the spot. The perfect home for a ruffly fern.
My first McCoy planter on the right side of the image
My collection isn’t about amassing as many as possible—it’s about curating a meaningful group of pieces that speak to my love of gardening, history, and my Midwest home.
Arrow pointing to my first McCoy planter
Every planter I find feels like a little piece of Midwest history, bringing the past to life in my home and garden. A sweet reminder of the beauty to be found in the ordinary.
A Stunning Peony Poppy
I just bought a pack of the prettiest poppy seeds. Check out this black Papaver paeoniflorum from Southern seeds.
The seeds are currently on sale for $2.49 for a pack of 100 seeds. I am in love with the color.
I made a fun gardening discovery with dusty miller (Jacobaea maritima syn. Senecio cinerana variety 'New Look'). Like all great lessons, this one happened purely by accident.
At the end of the season, I cut some dusty miller stems to use in a simple arrangement. I didn’t think much of it until a couple of weeks later, when I noticed tiny roots sprouting from the base of the cuttings.
Jacobaea maritima syn.Senecio cinerana 'New Look'
To my surprise, the dusty miller was rooting itself right there in the water! It’s a small reminder that sometimes the best gardening lessons come from just "doing" stuff.
I'd Love To Hear What You Think
What do you think about this week’s gardening finds and surprises? Reply to this email - I’d love to hear your thoughts and connect with you! Happy gardening!
If you're looking for help creating your garden, here's how I can help:
Garden Design Winter Book Club: Join my Winter book club to learn new design skills and connect with fellow gardening enthusiasts! Together, we'll explore 5 classic Garden Design books so you can a create more beautiful garden this spring
Garden Moxie Blog: Where Midwest gardeners discover simple, region-specific design ideas and inspiring resources to transform their yard into a beautiful, relaxing retreat.
Garden Coaching: I offer virtual garden coaching to help you design and manage your garden. Garden Coaching is perfect if you’re looking to start a garden, but don’t know where to start. Or perhaps you want to improve your existing garden, but feel stuck on the next steps.
I inspire Midwest women to transform their ordinary yards into charming retreats. Through practical advice, creative ideas, and historical garden wisdom, I share ideas to inspire you to create a beautiful garden.
