Welcome to the

Middle Garden

The Middle Garden is a patch of earth nestled in Evanston, IL. Here, the gardener (Ellen) chronicles the lives of seedlings, garden experiments, the ways plants thrive, and making the most of a garden. Settle in for the love of plants, bugs, birds, soil, and every small discovery waiting in our backyard ecosystems.

Ellen Kilmer 12/8/25 Ellen Kilmer 12/8/25

Hardscaping for Fantasy Fiction Lovers

So when I sized up the Privet, I felt like I was staring down a hedgerow of Orcs. But I was well-hydrated, well-booted, and Lady Galadriel had just handed me some dry bread. Axe (loppers) in one hand, shield (shovel) in the other, I blew the horn of Gondor and charged.

Ellen Kilmer 11/28/25 Ellen Kilmer 11/28/25

Seedling ID #3: Nigella (Love in a Mist) Sowing Difficulty Meter: 2/10

Nigella is also commonly known as Love in a Mist, which has to be in the top five best names for a plant. How apt and whimsical.

Ellen Kilmer 11/13/25 Ellen Kilmer 11/13/25

Garden Experiment #1: Sowing perennial seeds nature’s way, well, close to it.

The sheer thrill of perennial seeds popping up is not easily surpassed. It means I got everything right: enough water, enough light, just-right temperate, right timing, right planting depth, etc.