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Unpopular gardening opinion:
You don’t need a huge yard, a greenhouse, or a picture-perfect setup to start growing food—and you certainly don’t need to grow everything all at once. Sustainable gardening is less about having it all up front, and more about growing over time and adding things little by little. In fact, it’s often better that way: Starting small keeps things manageable, minimizes waste, and helps you build a relationship with your space and the land. Grow what you can, where you are, with what you have, and let that be enough.
Gardening or design trend that needs to go:
Gardens designed solely for human pleasure. If our gardens are not feeding an organism or contributing to something greater than aesthetics, then there’s room to grow. Beauty is important, of course, but it can coexist with purpose, ecology, and stewardship.
Old wives’ tale gardening trick that actually works:
A trick my grandfather taught me that works is to hold off on watering your watermelon vines once the fruit begins to mature. It forces the plant to focus its energy inward and draws sugars into the fruit. It’s one of those practices that sounds like folklore but actually has some science behind it.
Favorite way to bring the outdoors in:
I like to create little green pockets throughout my home whether it’s a philodendron trailing from a shelf, a vibrant peace lily in a sunlit corner, or a handful of cut culinary herbs in a jar by the sink. The herbs not only release a wonderful aroma, but they also remind me of what’s thriving just outside in the garden.
Every garden needs a…
A compost system. Whether it’s a three-bin setup, a simple pile, or a tucked-away tumbler. Composting is a reminder that nothing in nature is ever truly wasted. All the scraps, clippings, and garden remnants eventually become nourishment.
Favorite hardscaping material:
My favorite material is wood chips from local oak, pine, and cedar trees. I usually get them from a nearby arborist, and I love this material because this helps retain moisture and adds a rich yet grounding texture to the garden paths. Plus, over time, as they break down, they nourish the soil (and microbial life) while also improving soil structure.
Tool you can’t live without:
My hori hori knife, which digs, cuts, weeds, and measures. It’s truly an all in one tool. If it’s not in my hand, it’s definitely somewhere close by.
Go-to gardening outfit:
Soft, breathable overalls or sometimes a loose, flowey dress paired with rubber boots and a wide-brimmed hat. I like to feel cute yet comfortable and ready to dig, haul, or harvest when needed.
On your wishlist:
A large greenhouse or high tunnel for our new garden would be an absolute game-changer. It would allow me to extend our growing season, protect our crops from harsh weather, and create a space for seed starting, propagation, and greater food production. But more than that, it would serve as a learning space where community members, children, or guests could step inside and learn how food is cultivated.
Not-to-be-missed public garden/park/botanical garden:
The North Carolina Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill. It’s a lovely space that honors native plants and ecological stewardship in a way that is accessible and engaging.
The REAL reason you garden:
For reconnection and reclamation. To return to the land, to my roots, and to a way of living that nourishes more than just my body. I don’t just want wellness for myself; I want it for my family, my community, and the generations to come. I believe gardening is one of the most powerful ways to bring that vision to life.
Thanks so much, Ashlie! (You can follow her on Instagram @the.mocha.gardener)
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