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 12/15/25 Ellen Kilmer 12/15/25

2025 Garden Recap: Prairie Beds, Purple Rain, and Plenty of Rabbits

The Biggest Transformation. Best Laid Plan That Didn’t Quite Pan Out. Best Deal of the Year. Biggest Frustration. Biggest Joy.

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 12/1/25 Ellen Kilmer 12/1/25

Plant Spotlight: Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)

And so, my first impression of Blanket Flower was gratitude, and a budding appreciation not unlike the first watch of a cult classic film.