About The Odd Garden

A Pacific Northwest Gardening Guide — Rooted in Curiosity and Quiet Joy

The Odd Garden began as a simple place to record what was happening in my small backyard here in the Pacific Northwest — what I planted, what survived, and what absolutely did not. Over time, those notes grew into something bigger: a space for gardeners who want clear, friendly guidance tailored to our region’s unique climate.

Here in the PNW, gardening has its own rhythm. Moss takes over if you blink. Rain arrives sideways. Slugs consider themselves permanent tenants. But there’s also magic — hummingbirds on the fuchsias, bees drunk on oregano flowers, robins following you like you’re a celebrity.

This site is for anyone who wants to lean into that magic.

Who I Am

I’m not a trained horticulturist — just someone who has spent years planting, pruning, experimenting, and occasionally failing spectacularly. I’ve learned at least as much from the stubborn plants as from the thriving ones.

I created The Odd Garden to share those lessons, in the hope they help you avoid the same pitfalls (and maybe enjoy a few of the simple joys I’ve found along the way).

My garden may be small, but it’s full of life — bees, birds, volunteer seedlings, the occasional neighborhood cat — and all of it continues to teach me how to grow slowly, season by season.

What You’ll Find Here

Practical advice. Regional guidance. A touch of whimsy.

Everything is written specifically for PNW gardeners — from Bellingham to Portland and everywhere in between.

On The Odd Garden you’ll find:

• Plant-by-plant guides
  Clear profiles covering sun, water, soil, spacing, and PNW-specific care.
• Seasonal checklists
  What to plant, prune, prep, or protect each month.
• Wildlife gardening tips
  Ideas for supporting birds, bees, butterflies, and other tiny neighbors.
• Illustrated pieces & stories
  A bit of whimsy inspired by Beatrix Potter and mossy forests.
• Real-world experiments
  The wins and the failures — no perfection or gatekeeping here.

Why “The Odd Garden”?

Because real gardens are odd.
Plants volunteer where they please. Weather misbehaves. A dahlia grows sideways for no reason. And somehow, those little oddities are what make gardening beautiful.

This site celebrates that — the imperfect, the unexpected, the charmingly wild.

If you’re gardening in the Pacific Northwest… you’re in the right place.

Welcome to The Odd Garden. Pull up a muddy pair of boots and stay awhile.