Ellen Smith

Ellen Smith is a novelist, freelance education writer, and a writer for Minneopa Orchards.

While quarantined during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ellen and her family started gardening. They are now in their third year of maintaining a vegetable garden, two flower gardens, and several thriving house plants.

With a bachelor's degree in English and Psychology and a master's in education, Ellen is no stranger to researching and sharing what she's learned. Ellen especially enjoys learning and writing about sustainable gardening practices and native plants.

Where to Catch the Best Maryland Fall Foliage

Maryland is a small state with a wide range of spectacular terrain. From the Blue Ridge mountains in the west to the Eastern Shore, there’s …

Orange mums and pumpkins for Halloween garden decorating.

Halloween Plants: 13 Plants That Fit in Spooktacularly

October means spooky season! For gardeners, that means finding the perfect Halloween plants. The real question is, how much time do you have to prepare? …

10 Winter Gardening Ideas You Do During the Cold Season

It’s never easy to watch your outdoor garden succumb to the cold temperatures. However, with a few winter gardening ideas, you can keep growing throughout the cold season!

15 Backyard Fire Pit Ideas to Create a Cozy Outdoor Space

Fire pits are popular among homeowners who love a relaxed, cozy backyard. There’s nothing quite like gathering around a crackling fire! Make the most of …

Propagating Ferns: A Guide to Cultivating Ancient Greenery

Dating back more than 380 million years, ferns are one of the oldest plant groups. For centuries they’ve been popular among indoor and outdoor gardeners …

Greening Your Space: 20 Easy And Attractive Backyard Plant Ideas

Whether it’s large or small, sunny or shady, there’s nothing like relaxing in your own backyard. Low-maintenance backyard plant ideas allow you to spend less …

15 Companion Plants For Roses

There’s a secret formula for choosing beautiful companion plants for roses. Your garden should have a combination of thrillers, fillers, and spillers. Thrillers are tall, …

Why Do Mushrooms Grow in My Yard? The Surprising Reason Why

Have you ever wondered, “Why do mushrooms grow in my yard?” A little precipitation can be all that’s needed to wash away pollen, refresh wilting …

Windows opened for ventilation in a backyard garden greenhouse.

Greenhouse Gardening 101: Getting Started With Indoor Growing

For avid gardeners, passing the long months between the first frost and the spring thaw is hard. No wonder many gardeners have embraced greenhouse gardening.

All About Growing and Enjoying the Delicious Persimmon Tomato

Looking for a tomato variety that will turn heads in the garden and at the table? If you have the space, grow a hearty Persimmon …