katereadsplants

03/28/2025

Still finding wonderful surprises as we are exploring our new neighborhood!

Master Gardners landscape this area around the statue in front of the local Seniors Center.

08/02/2024

New blooms in our yard! We just moved to this house in Arkansas 8 months ago, so I'm not sure what all the plants are yet. Google says it's a 🌺, but I'm not sure.

Any or care to weigh in?

05/28/2024

Woolly Hollow State Park, Greenbrier AR...

Steve and I took a road trip north to Woolly Hollow State Park this afternoon, our first Arkansas state park adventure! ☀️ Even with some lingering sniffles (allergies, maybe?), a day in nature was just what the doctor ordered.

Woolly Hollow itself was a delightful surprise. Smaller than expected, but bursting with beauty. A peaceful lake, trails for exploring, and even a historic cabin - it had something for everyone. (Bonus, we learned there are no entrance fees for !)

The highlight for this plant nerd? Seeing all the GREEN! After decades in the dryer parts of Texas, this was exciting. Not to mention so many wild and native flowers in bloom. Unfortunately, the visitor center didn't have an in-depth field guide to Arkansas flora and fauna that I was hoping for, but they did have some fantastic resources. We snagged a guide to all 52 Arkansas state parks (Mount Magazine with that upscale lodge is already on our wish list!), and some info on Woolly Hollow's specific spring wonders and conservation efforts.

We finished the day with a stroll by the lake and a peek at the historic Woolly family cabin. Fresh air, sunshine, and a little dose of history - the perfect way to recharge! ☀️ Who knows, maybe our next adventure will be inspired by one of those other state parks in the guide...

1 down, 51 to go.

05/21/2024

Learning about Native plants in Arkansas as we continue to get settled in our new community. Big thanks to Madison Srebalus of for teaching this class at on the importance of local native plants and the pollinators they support.

We ended the class learning about scarifying seeds and got a few goodies to take home.

04/03/2024

April is ! What garden project are you working on this month?

I'm repotting houseplants, searching for herbs for my outdoor container tea garden, and trying to talk Hubby into starting a new compost or vermicompost system.

Need a resource? Check out

Learn how to garden and grow plants successfully from the National Gardening Association. Read articles about vegetables, flowers, and herb and much more.

04/02/2024

We have a logo!

Big thanks to for taking my basic inspiration pieces and creating this and more!

I've been sharing this new project with friends, and have received a number of questions from them. I will be turning those questions into Reels and posts over the next couple weeks.

If you have questions regarding sustainable organic gardening, houseplants, book reviews & recommendations, tools/supplies, or suggestions for planty field trips around Arkansas, please let me know.

Happy Growing!

03/30/2024

Photos are a flash back to March 2023 and the "World of Orchids" exhibit at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden.
🌿🪴💐🌿🪴💐

Hi, I'm Kate 👋. I've loved plants and growing things as long as I can remember.

My grandparents in Wisconsin had an orchard - the best jungle gym for a kid. My grandma shared her love of houseplants and sharing cuttings with friends. Each plant served to tell me stories about her friends and the event she brought the cuttings home from. She would tell me of their native habitats, and we'd look it up on the map, which would lead to praying for her missionary friends serving there.

My other grandma in Louisiana had taught Dad how to grow vegetables and compost, and we had a huge garden and compost of our own in Wisconsin. I loved planting, checking, and harvesting. The weeding, not so much. I was given tasks through each step, from picking out seeds to the final canning and freezing. I remember Dad coordinating with neighbors to grow different veggies or varieties so we could trade produce. Mom displayed her talents in getting all the produce cleaned, processed, cooked ahead, and canned or frozen before it spoiled. Now I wish I'd paid more attention.

I started my own organic backyard garden in Texas with my husband and two sons. I remembered how little I enjoyed weeding and found a better way: French Intensive Gardening. No rows, lots of compost, lots of produce out of relatively small beds. We ate well, and the entire family pitched in. I put a lot in the freezer, but also gave away a lot to family and friends and even sold enough to fund some nice vacations. I even posted some YouTube videos about sustainable backyard gardening in Texas over a decade ago.

We sold that house in 2013, and I've focused on houseplants since. We moved a couple more times with Hubby's job and just settled in Arkansas a few months ago. We are still renting until we decide where we want to purchase a home. I'm ready to have my garden and flower beds back.

I look forward to sharing my houseplant and gardening journey. Oh, and I love reading in the garden, so I'll be sharing some book reviews and recommendations here, too.