Rachel Hartley

Gardening Writer & Plant Enthusiast

I've been growing plants for over a decade—starting with struggling houseplants in a dim apartment and now maintaining a mixed garden across two zones. I'm genuinely obsessed with matching the right plant to the right spot, whether that's a sun-starved office corner or a full-sun Texas balcony. I grow vegetables, herbs, and ornamentals for the practical joy of it: fresh basil on my kitchen counter, heirloom tomatoes in summer, and yes, a few medicinal plants too. My golden retriever spends most afternoons napping in the garden, and my partner jokes that I've turned our raised beds into a seasonal science experiment. I write because I remember how overwhelming it felt to start, and I want to help other growers find clarity in the chaos of choice.