Well hey there Garden Gabbers! Love is in the air in this episode. With all the ice and emotionally distressing temperatures Molly and Tessa hath been enduring in the South, they pretty much jump straight into the reason we are all here... GAMES! *Botanical* dating games to be exact.

Molly the *Botanical* Game Master has conjured up some horticultural love exercises starting with Plant Matchmaking. Each host pitches a plant and the other marinates on the best match. Will it be a power couple, a toxic relationship, all the above?? You'll have to listen to find out. Next up... SPEED DATING!!! Molly and Tessa come to the speed dating table both completely taking on the persona of their chosen mystery plant, forcing the other to ask the right things to uncover their identity. Naturally they are asking questions like, how tall are you after 10 years? Do you have any notable features in spring? Do you like things boggy (you’ll have to listen for context here)... There might also be a little unpacking of plant childhood trauma as well and preferred pruning methods. Butttt are we a match? You will have to listen!

The girls also dive into their deepest most philosophical thoughts on pink and red, in honor of Valentines. Did you know who the pink girls were in your elementary classes growing up? How do we thoughtfully wield deep bold colors like pink and red in the garden?? They finish out the episode discussing the glory of stick on nails, bathtub caulk, and a magical shower lamp.

Thanks for joining the Gab! Subscribe to the show Substack HERE and drop us a comment. What are you in love with in your garden this Valentines season??

Show Notes:

+ Here is a link to Samin Nosrat's Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat. And remember folks, COOKING IS GARDENING!

+ Here is a link to where you can sign up to receive the video on Floret's potting mix experiment as well as her recipe!

+ If you want to be twinsies with Tessa and Molly, here is the link to the Olive and June press on nails!

+ And if you want to shower in style like Molly, she highly recommends this waterproof shower lamp for ambiance...

What's up Garden Gabbers?? Were you expecting the normal Out and About update?? Well, in today's episode you will learn that Molly and Tessa are leaning hard into hibernation this January, so Out and About is getting the ole boot! But never fear, there is lots of gab about what you can be doing Down Home in your garden this winter! Does pruning feel like a daunting task?! Think again! Dreaming of the warmer brighter months?? Channel that into a seed order!! Want to really become one with this colder weather?? Then by golly you have some mulching to do!! The girls also chat through what is inspiring them... who knew reading goals and wellness challenges could instigate so many pensive thoughts! Tessa and Molly also bring back Garden Brag (Tessa is well on her way to being a willow wizard) and Garden Busts (Molly is well on her way to consistently making you feel better about being behind on garden to do's!).

Sit back, relax, and hibernate with us this January... perhaps with some new house shoes like Molly?! Thanks for joining the gab! To stay in the know with all things Garden Gab, be sure to subscribe to our Substack HERE!

Show Notes:

+ Tessa's seed resources, get your horticultural hormones ready to shop!

Select Seeds, Johnny's Seeds, Rare Seeds, High Mowing Seeds, 3 Porch Farm

+ Tessa purchased her willow whips from Living Willow Farm if you want to join in the coppiced fun!

+ Molly is currently deep in thought after reading Fredrik Backman's My Friends

+ If you are a lover of Floret like Tessa and Molly, you will love this recap of their year on the farm! Be sure to catch Erin's cork board wall that has us green with envy!

+ Today's closing quote comes from a book Tessa recommended called A Pattern Language, by Christopher Alexander and Mike Fraser, and it is currently on Molly's to buy list!

The Garden Gab girlies are back in action baby! In this episode Tessa kicks us off with a porch chicken update (murder mystery style) and lessons are learned about *protection.* Then it is time to swing straight into Out and About because Molly is back from her Kiwi Christmas adventure with stars in her eyes and tales of magical mossy hikes, Fjordland tromps, and anecdotes from two weeks driving on the wrong side of the road. Let’s just say, New Zealand doesn’t really care for railings on sheer cliff faces. Before launching into their New Year gab, Tessa and Molly decide to pop the confetti on things they are proud of from the year before. They also discuss things that are better left on the compost pile heading into the new year. The girls turn the corner into 2026 with some *intentions* rather than concrete resolutions, because while we have a rule breaker and a rule follower on our hands, it’s all about PROCESS people!! Here's to a new year with all the messiness of things in motion! You will leave this episode ready to pop the confetti on your own accomplishments in 2025 with a gentle embrace for what 2026 can hold. Thanks for joining in on another year of the gab!

Show Notes:

+ Visit the show substack HERE to see pictures of Molly's Kiwi Christmas Adventure, Tessa's family outing to the Carl Sandburg House, and other holiday musings!

+ Molly hath inspired Tessa to murder board her New Year, and you should do the same with this sticky chart paper! And while you are at it, indulge in some fun markers (like these!)

+ If you, like Molly, foster a deep love for sheep... you might be interested in this book she discovered in her Shepherds Hut airbnb in NZ!