JulieAnn Gardens

10/31/2026

The Urban Potager Kitchen Garden is a little different from my other showcase gardens because this one is my own!

Inspired by classic French potager gardens, I wanted to create a space that was as beautiful as it was productive, where growing food could become a natural part of our family's everyday life.

L-shaped corten steel beds bring a modern, structured look to the garden, while arches and vertical growing spaces make the most of every inch. It's a garden designed for abundant harvests without requiring endless hours of maintenance.

As a family that loves to cook from scratch, we grow everything from everyday vegetables and fresh herbs to ingredients we can preserve and enjoy throughout the winter. It's incredibly rewarding to step outside, gather what we need for dinner, and know that some of those summer harvests will still be feeding us months later.

Beyond the harvest, this garden has become a place to slow down, observe nature, and share the experience of growing food with our children.

For me, it's a reflection of what I love most about kitchen gardening: creating a beautiful, productive space that fits naturally into the way we live.

If garden-to-table living is something you want to bring into your own life, join my newsletter through the link in my bio for local gardening tips and seasonal inspiration.

10/25/2026

If your vegetable garden didn't thrive this year, your setup might be part of the reason.

Healthy soil, consistent watering, and enough space for your plants to grow can make all the difference between a garden that struggles and one that thrives.

The good news? You don't have to wait until spring to start making improvements!

Fall is a great time to reflect on what worked, what didn't, and what you can change to make gardening easier and more productive next year.

Want more practical, seasonal gardening tips? Join my newsletter through the link in my bio.

Ready to create a garden that works for you? Schedule a garden consultation, and let's start planning!

10/04/2026

The Growing Together Garden was created for a growing family ready to move beyond a few tomato plants and make growing food a more meaningful part of life at home.

Four substantial custom cedar beds provide plenty of room for the tomatoes and basil they love, along with an expanding mix of seasonal vegetables and herbs. A matching pair of metal arches forms an inviting garden tunnel while giving climbing plants room to grow vertically.

Nearby pollinator plantings welcome beneficial insects, add beauty, and bring the family closer to the nature unfolding just outside their door.

This garden was designed for more than abundant harvests. It’s a place to gather tomatoes for dinner, fill the kitchen with fresh basil, and create family memories from one growing season to the next—a garden where the harvests and the family can grow together.

If garden-to-table living is something you want to bring into your own life, join my newsletter through the link in my bio for local gardening tips and seasonal inspiration.

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09/19/2026

My formula for a fall garden salad you’ll actually crave. 🥗🌿

Mix your favorite fall greens, romaine, Buttercrunch, leaf lettuce and spinach, then add whatever vegetables your garden is giving you.

Include nuts or beans for protein and texture. I added green onions and lupini beans to mine.

What really brings it together is this simple fresh-herb dressing:

**Fresh Herb Vinaigrette**

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon apple c***r vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1–2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh oregano
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste

Add everything to a jar, cover and shake until combined. Toss with your salad just before serving.

The best garden meals aren’t complicated, start with what’s growing and make it delicious.

Save this dressing for your next garden harvest.

09/13/2026

The Urban Lifestyle Garden was designed for first-time gardeners who wanted a simple, approachable setup where they could grow all the basics.

Set within their Arlington Heights backyard, warm cedar beds complement the surrounding outdoor retreat, while a central arch supports climbing cucumbers and beans and creates a distinctive focal point. Tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, and a variety of herbs fill the beds with the fresh ingredients they use most often.

Just beyond what’s pictured, a dedicated flower garden filled with zinnias, sunflowers, and dill provides blooms for cutting while welcoming pollinators into the space.

What began as a starter garden quickly became a character-filled extension of their outdoor lifestyle—a place to gather something fresh for dinner, enjoy flowers from the backyard, and experience the satisfaction of growing food at home.

A reminder that your first garden doesn’t need to be large or complicated. With the right setup, a simple garden can feel personal, productive, and beautifully connected to the way you live.

If garden-to-table living is something you want to bring into your own life, join my newsletter through the link in my bio for local gardening tips and seasonal inspiration.

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09/05/2026

The Wild Harvest Garden, set on five acres in Barrington Hills, reflects its owner’s creative and free-spirited approach to growing.

Metal raised beds and simple cattle-panel arches provide practical structure while giving vegetables, herbs, and flowers room to flourish. Since its original installation, the garden has continued to evolve with two additional beds and a dedicated pumpkin patch.

The harvest inspires creative cooking, while herbs and other plants are grown with natural wellness in mind. It’s a space for nourishment, experimentation, and following the owner’s curiosity from one season to the next.

More than a place to grow food, this ever-evolving garden creates a deeper connection to the land and the many ways a harvest can be enjoyed.

If garden-to-table living is something you want to bring into your own life, join my newsletter through the link in my bio for local gardening tips and seasonal inspiration.

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08/30/2026

Designed for a couple of experienced gardeners, the abundant kitchen garden brings beauty and organization to a space created for growing plenty while keeping maintenance manageable.

Classic cedar beds provide a warm, timeless foundation, while arches, obelisks, and panel trellises support climbing tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, and miniature watermelons. Dedicated in-ground areas make room for garlic, onions, asparagus, and pollinator plantings.

Thoughtful pathways keep every plant easy to reach and make tending and harvesting more comfortable. It’s a beautiful, productive retreat where the couple can grow vegetables for everyday meals and preserving, without the garden feeling overwhelming.

If garden-to-table living is something you want to bring into your own life, join my newsletter through the link in my bio for local gardening tips and seasonal inspiration in the Chicagoland area.

07/09/2026

For those who harvest in abundance and want to find simple ways to preserve your harvest, this workshop is for you.

In my family we are busy and we need delicious and quick ways to preserve what we've grown so that we can enjoy it all throughout the year.

This is one of my favorite workshops and I hope to see you there.

🌿🥕 Don't let your garden harvest go to waste! 🍅🥒

You've worked hard to grow beautiful vegetables—now learn how to preserve them with confidence! Join our class and discover easy, time-saving ways to preserve common garden vegetables so you can enjoy your harvest long after the growing season ends.

Reserve your spot today:
https://www.palatineparks.org/event/simple-garden-preservation/

We can't wait to help you make the most of your harvest! 💚

06/24/2026

Let's make this your best tomato-growing year yet. 🍅

Tomatoes are one of the most popular things to grow, but they can also be one of the most confusing.

If you've had inconsistent results from year to year, run into challenges you can't quite figure out, or you're tired of spending hours Googling different opinions and advice, this workshop is for you.

In Grow Your Best Tomatoes, you'll learn how tomatoes grow, what they need to thrive, how to address common challenges, and how to support them successfully from planting through harvest.

My goal is simple: to help you stop guessing and start understanding what your tomato plants need and when they need it.

You'll walk away with a better understanding of the tomatoes you're growing, more confidence in caring for them, and the knowledge to level up your tomato game this season.

📅 Sunday, June 28
⏰ 7:00 PM CST
💻 Virtual Workshop (recording included)

I'd love to have you join us.

Registration Link: https://julieanngardens.myflodesk.com/kmmx61ro05

06/20/2026

One of my favorite things about this time of year is seeing gardens begin to settle in.

The planning is done. The seeds are sprouting. The tomatoes are finding their footing. And gardeners are beginning to see the first signs of all their hard work taking shape.

It's also the time of year when questions start popping up.

Why are my leaves turning yellow?

Should I be pruning this?

Is this normal?

What should I plant next?

The truth is, a productive garden isn't built in a single weekend. It's built through small decisions made throughout the season.

Whether you need help troubleshooting an existing garden, maintaining your space, learning new skills, or planning a future garden project, I've shared my current availability in this carousel.

Thank you to everyone who has trusted me with their garden this season. It is a privilege to be part of your gardening journey and to watch your confidence grow alongside your plants.

Swipe through to see how we can work together this summer.

Link in bio or send me a DM.