About Heather’s Suburban Garden Lifestyle

Hello and welcome! I’m Heather, the heart and hands behind this blog. For over 25 years, I’ve experimented with plants in my suburban Chicago garden, removing plenty of grass and designing new spaces every year. What began as a hobby morphed into work for Better Homes and Gardens, Country Gardens and many, many more regional and national publications. I’ve scouted, produced, styled, written and photographed (sometimes wearing all the hats) to bring a garden story to print. Funny how passion and the search for knowledge leads you down a path you never dreamed of until suddenly you see your byline.

For me, gardening is just a way of life. So when our youngest daughter became very ill several years ago, I stepped away from deadlines to focus on her health. It was the hardest time of my life. There’s a helplessness that comes with not being able to “fix” your child. I felt it daily. But the garden sustained me, even in the winter months. Garden books, seed catalogs, blogs. All were a distraction that kept my mind and spirit healthy. The garden lifted me up when I had been brought to my knees. It took a few years, but she’s made a full recovery and will graduate college next year. During this time, I discovered I wanted to share my garden with the hope that what I was doing in this suburban Chicago space would inspire others to grow where ever you are. That’s how Here She Grows came to be.

But it goes deeper than that. I believe the garden impacted our daughters in the most positive way. In fact, it was integral to their childhood. Because of this garden, they have a deep awareness and regard for the creatures that flock here. It’s made them good humans which is all I’ve ever wanted them to be. They also know what a homegrown tomato tastes like and how store-bought will never compare. My husband teases I’ve raised food snobs. I’m proud of that. Because of the garden, they know how to eat well.

They can identify all the birds that visit the garden and still thrill at the first appearance of the ruby throated hummingbird each spring. At the ages of 21 and 23, I think their enthusiasm is more for my benefit, but they still take notice and that’s what matters.

Here She Grows is a window into my world – a place where I share my experiences, triumphs and challenges in the garden. Hopefully, you’ll come away from a post or two feeling inspired to get your hands dirty.