Hi Jo, I hope you’re able to find some ideas, too! For the sun vs shade, are they extremes? Or do both sides get a bit of each? If so, I would look for plants that don’t mind a balance of both – full sun to part shade, etc.

Hi Angie, I’d love to sign your book. And I look forward to seeing photos of your garden progress, once you get started. See you at Blooms!

As one who has gradually converted my front lawn, a few thoughts come to mind. I wish I’d been more deliberate with my vertical plantings – these take a while to grow and if you can plan your plants sooner than later, it will help you avoid a lot of digging up & replanting. I’ve saved so much money by growing perennial plants from seeds, and these plants are often better acclimatized to one’s own microclimate. My lavender I grew from seed has survived; the purchased plant died (I’m zone 4). I have fruit trees and shrubs (apples, cherries), strawberries, rhubarb, and annuals (tomatoes, bright lights Swiss chard) scattered throughout the perennials and herbs, and they look lovely as well as providing food. I find different neighbours like to talk flowers or produce, so having both means more conversations.

This year I’m looking to add a rock swale for the rainwater on one side of the house (the other has rain barrels) and I’m curious if I could play with adding heights to the groundscape (otherwise it’s flat prairie). I’ve got some more native seeds I’m starting and I’m curious to see where they will be happiest, and what additional fauna I may attract because of them!