Hi, I’m Robin Gardner. I garden in Southern Illinois (Zone 6b/7a), building a pollinator-friendly cottage garden one season at a time. What began as a way to document what I was learning has slowly grown into a space where structure, observation, and intention guide every decision. This garden has come together one season at a time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Working Cottage Garden in Zone 6b/7a
 

Raised Vego beds connected by a trellis form the backbone. Perennial borders like the Barnside Border and the Dapple Patch are layered gradually — adjusted for clay soil, shifting Midwest weather, and the steady work of watching what thrives. Roses climb, salvia hums with bees, and experiments in design unfold season by season.

I don’t see the garden as something to perfect, but something to pay attention to. Most of what I learn comes from watching how plants respond over time — noticing what holds up, what falters, and how small adjustments shape the overall rhythm. The pauses matter just as much as the planting.

 

Here, you’ll find seasonal seed-starting plans for Zone 6b/7a, raised bed experiments, perennial combinations, and practical lessons learned in real time.

 

I share what works, what surprises me, and what I would do differently next year. This isn’t a show garden. It’s a working one — built slowly, with structure beneath the wildness.

If you’re growing thoughtfully, designing with pollinators in mind, and allowing your garden to come together over time, you’re in the right place.