Jennifer Wheeler
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gettingdirtyinthegarden.substack.com
Jennifer Wheeler
@gettingdirtyinthegarden.substack.com
Plant-based entrepreneur, former Fed, existentialism fancier. Gritty and Grateful, midlife matriarch. New gig @ --> Botanybabe.com
🍁My new orb weaving front yard friend is a cat-faced spider (Araneus gemmoides.) These spiders mature in the fall and become active for mating season. They are non-toxic to people and quite beautiful in the long, waning rays of day. 🍁
September 17, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Sometimes the simplest arrangement stops me in my tracks and reminds me to take a deep breath, remember who I am, that all I really need or most want I already have, and anything beyond that, is just grace showering flower petals all over me.
August 30, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Fresh cherry 🍒 oatmeal. ❤️
July 22, 2025 at 5:44 PM
This evening’s gold 💛

brings light love 💛 lifting us up

to store until morn’.☀️
July 21, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Today’s JUNGLE. 🌿
July 20, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Botanybabe brings my garden to your lips. It’s a labor of love, an integration of my talents and values, and a huge leap of faith. I’m finally my own boss, but the staff meetings are ridiculous! I’ve really got to get myself in line. Curious? Search “Botanybabe”.🌿🧡🌿
July 20, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Another day full of possibility ❤️
July 13, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Mine is on the way!
July 13, 2025 at 7:38 PM
This mornings handful to accompany breakfast. I NEVER EVER tire of the fact that on ANY given day I can walk into my yard and return with at least a handful of fruit that is in season, or at least still edible once stored.
July 11, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Sometimes, ya just gotta tackle the bouquet and high grade out the catnip. I get it. I feel ya Neptune Sugarbear.
July 11, 2025 at 7:00 PM
My blooming kiwi flower is perfect - meaning it is bisexual. It has male and female parts in the same flower. It can self-fertilize.
Nature is pretty creative. I’m pretty sure I’m gonna get a kiwi, no matter what. 🫶🏻🥝🫶🏻
June 27, 2025 at 1:23 AM
…to another day we bid adieu. ❤️
June 25, 2025 at 4:05 AM
…and then at a celebration of life, I found myself, again, more broadly celebrating LIFE!🌿🩷🖤🧡💛🌿 Proteas are already a favorite and I just met a new one. 🤯 Native to South Africa, the ‘pink mink protea’ (Protea neriifolia) flowers’ bracts mimic feathers 🦜to attract birds for pollination.
June 23, 2025 at 3:59 PM
The radish relationship. I should LOVE them, but I think they’re ‘okay.’ Their quick crop readiness before most others can be annoying, unless you love eating dozens of spicy radishes straight up. I don’t. I usually just want a few to ½ dozen at a time. Anyhow, I like options. Crop 2 going in.
June 20, 2025 at 5:10 PM
A garden bouquet picked today because today is a good day to send flowers.
June 14, 2025 at 5:43 PM
David Austin ‘Princess Anne’ tree roses. Worth every penny. Oh wait… every nickel. 🫤
June 11, 2025 at 6:56 PM
This sentient, canine, toddler-being forces me to practice patience I thought I’d mastered, forgiveness at return intervals I didn’t think I’d need, & kindness when my primitive reaction is anger. The old living room couch is part of the family… just like this very guilty dog. ❤️
June 9, 2025 at 4:57 AM
Back from vacation and our hens welcomed us home.
🐓❤️🥚🍳🥚❤️🐓
June 4, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) belong to the morning glory family and I am definitely a fan of glorious mornings! ☀️🙌🏻💛😉
Sorry potato… you’re just nightshade.🌚🥔
I would love to hear backyard farming success strategies from anyone in coastal California. Please regale me with your sweet potato lore!
June 1, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Perspective is what’s up. Same tree.
May 31, 2025 at 10:49 AM
There I was, in one of the seven valleys of the kings, the Pololū Valley and childhood homeland of King Kamehameha, when in the distance I spied with thine own eyes the elusive and even mythical Hawaiian terrestrial leaf flounder. (Indian almond - Terminalia catappa)
May 31, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Backyard chickens offer:
1) food independence/daily, superior tasting eggs

2) animated & humorous entertainment

4) bucolic crowing of rooster that most neighbors like!

5) soil building provisions

6) snail and slug reductions

7) beauty, perspective

8) coop cleaning exercise

9) egg $
May 31, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Now six weeks liberated from full-time public service, the lack of habitual structure is an uncomfortable challenge and also a transformative freedom and opportunity. Anyone else out there experiencing a mid-life sabbatical?
May 31, 2025 at 5:54 AM
May 21, 2025 at 10:27 PM