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These Garden Stories Defined Our Year

A year of garden stories, interviews, and DIY tips.

Author

Ken Welch
December 25, 2025

The Plot Newsletter

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Dear Reader,

Merry Christmas 🎄

Your readership this year has been a true gift. Really, I can’t thank you enough! We’ve connected each week to celebrate a shared passion for gardening and honestly, some weeks were better than others. Looking back, I wondered what were the best articles of the year? I’ve curated a list of some that I consider the best, but first I want to reflect a bit on this year of writing, and tell you how I selected the best stories.

The fact that you are reading this still amazes me. I’m so grateful to get to send you a love letter each week about the world of American gardens. I wrote the first issue on May 12th this year for an audience of none in a quiet room, but when I hit send I swear I heard the sound of a gun and the quick stampede of running shoes on pavement. Every week since then has been a full on race to pull together the best story possible by Thursday.

During this hectic race, I interviewed expert gardeners, shared the instructions for DIY projects, and wrote narrative stories from my life with plants. Many of you have replied to the emails with your own garden origin stories, and they have been a treat to read. When selecting the articles for this roundup–wait, that’s a really unfortunate word for gardeners. Let’s just call them the champions of the year. The champs below got the most opens in the inbox, took the longest to write, or struck a personal chord for me that I wanted to share. After the roundup–I mean champ showcase, I have a wish for you.

Lessons From a Native Plant Expert at the UW Arboretum

Insightful interview & advocacy in the garden

the-plotnewsletter.com/p/interview-susan-carpenter-with-the-uw-arboretum-b6f9b85ca6899bbe

How to Make Leaf Mulch

Make your own DIY compost bin

the-plotnewsletter.com/p/how-to-make-leaf-mulch

The Little Garden that Grew a Community

A short memoir of building a community garden together with a passionate group of people.

the-plotnewsletter.com/p/the-little-garden-that-grew-a-community

The Monstera in the Dark

Houseplants & Gambling

the-plotnewsletter.com/p/the-monstera-in-the-dark

I Took a Bath in the Middle of Big Basin Redwoods State Park

and it changed me.

the-plotnewsletter.com/p/have-you-ever-taken-a-bath-in-a-forest-cf5b5fc457740497

How to Kill Your Lawn

You'll never look back.

the-plotnewsletter.com/p/how-to-kill-your-lawn

Building a Native Plant Nursery in Madison Wisconsin

An interview with Athena Salzer

the-plotnewsletter.com/p/inside-two-ferns-nursery-a-conversation-with-athena-salzer

The Wreathmaker

How I lied to get a florist job.

the-plotnewsletter.com/p/the-wreathmaker

I don’t make any money writing, but I gift wrap a piece of my soul into each of our letters. Actually, I lose money writing this. If you’ve read Monstera in the Dark above, then you’ll know why. Writing this is worth the time and money because I know you are on the other end reading this. However, I could really use some help building this newsletter. If you want to be the first to support The Plot, to help build a stand out garden publication next year, then just click the link below.

Community Board

Robin, one of our readers, wrote in last week with the suggestion for anyone in or near Wisconsin to visit the Mitchell Park Domes in Milwaukee. They have a holiday show that runs until January 4th. The Mitchell Park Domes sit on the site of the former Milwaukee conservatory that was built in 1898, but was replaced by the domes in the 60’s. That’s about 127 years of horticultural practice on the site, and it’s definitely worth a visit!

The Mitchell Park Domes in Milwaukee, WI

Written for 241 the fastest readers I know. 🥇
Forward this issue to a friend! It’s a good one to send with the best stories.

Until next Thursday,
Ken Welch

About the Author

Ken Welch is a horticulturist by training and research professional in Madison, Wisconsin. He’s drawn to native ecosystems, community gardens, and helping others grow confidence in their craft.