My Cottage Garden:

My cottage garden is — a patchwork of petals, produce and peaceful chaos.
What started as a teaching garden for my kids has grown into a heartfelt way of life. At canadian-gardening.ca I grow fruits and vegetables among flowers and herbs, sharing the harvest with birds, pollinators and the odd squirrel who thinks he owns the place. Cottage gardening to me isn't about perfection — it's about abundance, curiosity and letting nature participate. If you've ever felt joy watching bees nap on sunflowers or harvesting strawberries next to a blooming rose, you might already be a cottage gardener too.

The interesting part to my garden style is that I didn't know I had one.
First I planted what the kids like to eat and planting flowers and then I looked around many years later and I go "what style of garden do I have?" Answer: "One that makes me happy! The rest doesn't matter".
Sometimes the wildlife shares with me and that's still enough to feed my family and some of my neighbours. I feel so blessed to have a garden and be able to share my experience with you!

ðŸŒŋ What's Your Garden Personality?

Are you a Romantic Cottage Gardener, a Practical Grower, or a Wildflower Dreamer? Discover your unique gardening style — and get ideas that feel *just right* for your space.

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Cottage Garden Starter Checklist

Full sun preferred, but cottage charm can grow anywhere.
Add compost or organic matter for loose, fertile soil.
Use perennials, herbs, veggetables and a few self-seeders.
Plant lavender, borage, cosmos, yarrow, etc.
Tall in back (hollyhocks), edges in front (thyme).
Mix foliage types, bloom shapes and colours.
Let plants mingle, self-seed, soften edges.
Use trellises, arbors, chairs, or upcycled items.
Tuck strawberries, lettuces and kale among blooms.
Include feeders, baths and sheltered corners.
Use signs, stepping stones, garden art — make it yours.

Cottage Garden Maintenance Checklist

Season Tasks
Spring Clear debris, divide perennials, sow hardy annuals, mulch.
Summer Deadhead blooms, water in dry spells, harvest edibles.
🍂 Fall Let some plants go to seed, plant spring bulbs, light tidy-up.
Winter Leave seed heads, enjoy the birds, plan next year.

Garden Style Comparison

Feature Formal Garden Cottage Garden Rock Garden Xeriscape Garden
Design Style Symmetrical, geometric, planned Romantic, informal, abundant Naturalistic, rugged, low-profile Minimalist, drought-tolerant
Planting Style Structured rows, often clipped hedges Layered, self-seeding, colorful mix Low-growing alpines and succulents Water-wise natives and perennials
Maintenance High Moderate to high Low to moderate Very low
Common Plants Boxwood, roses, topiary Foxgloves, cosmos, herbs Sedum, thyme, conifers Lavender, sage, yucca
Hardscaping Gravel paths, fountains Winding paths, arbors, trellises Stones, gravel, dry-stacked walls Gravel mulch, stone paths
Water Needs Medium to high Medium to high Low Very low
Wildlife Friendly Rarely Very Somewhat Yes, if using native plants
Best For Front entrances, estate settings Backyards, artistic or relaxed homes Slopes, dry corners, rocky areas Hot, dry climates or water restrictions
Visual Aesthetic Tidy, elegant, controlled Whimsical, lush, layered Textured, minimalist, earthy Simple, open, adapted
Personality Match Type-A with clippers (secateurs) Romantic chaos in bloom Realist who respects rocks Low-key conservationist

What Is Your Garden Personality?
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