I don’t remember exactly when I first found GardenRant as a reader, but I remember the post was one of Susan’s, and the comments stood out. Her controversial thoughts had elicited hundreds of them. And, unlike a lot of blog sites at the time, the commenters weren’t there to performatively add backlinks for their own blogs; or indeed to troll; but instead, were partners in discussion, knowing they’d be answered in good faith, and that perhaps others would add something else to make us all think a little deeper about the issue.
In a gardening media landscape that was — and largely still is — relentlessly cheerful and heavily sponsored, GardenRant was something else entirely. Elizabeth Licata, Susan Harris, Amy Stewart, and Michelle Owens launched it in 2006 with the radical premise that gardeners were smart enough to handle an argument. Twenty years and hundreds of thousands of words later, I think they were right.
The writers have changed over the years. The tone has evolved. The Rants have grown longer and the website, more attractive. And we now use an ad service that keeps the bills paid and independence maintained. But the core of it — informed, opinionated, unsponsored, occasionally cranky — has held. In an era when so much garden content exists to sell you something, that’s not nothing. That’s actually quite a lot. I joined in 2019, and ‘Contributing Editor, GardenRant’ is one of the titles I’m proudest of.
And I’m not alone — Scott Beuerlein wants everyone to know what he does.
GardenRant turns twenty next month, and we want to mark it properly. Which means we want to hear from you.
If GardenRant has ever made you laugh, changed your mind, sent you down a rabbit hole, or simply made you feel less alone in your garden — we want to know. Leave a comment below. We’re putting together a reader memory page for the anniversary, and your words are the ones that matter most.
What has GardenRant meant to you? -MW
I can’t remember when I first read it or what I read. But I remember feeling very miffed that I hadn’t been asked to join!
I’ve been reading for a year or so, attracted by the word “Rant”. I like the author variety, almost everything you post, and how consistently you do it. (More Scott Beuerlein always welcome.) Hardly notice the ads, glad there’s a way to keep it running.
I can’t remember exactly when (or how) I came across the GardenRant blog for the first time, maybe three to four years ago? Definitely long enough ago that, by now, I can normally guess who the author is by the rant’s title alone. Especially if the rant is by Ben Probert, whose calm and reflective contributions I really appreciate. It was a truly ranty piece by Elizabeth Licata, however, that I remember best. It was about her not wanting to be told what to do with the fallen leaves in her garden and how the “leave the leaves” approach does not work for everyone or apply in all situations so please do put a sock in it. Hallelujah! I loved the series of posts and old photos from Anne about the making of her garden and I got a real chuckle out of the recent photos you posted, Marianne, of the messy corners in your garden which we of course all have. Your writing is so strong too and I can always sense the amount of time and care you devote to your posts. Thank you GardenRant ranters for your dedication to this blog. It’s always a pleasure to have a new post pop up in my mailbox. Here’s to 20 more years. Cheers.
Being a “disciple” of Amy Stewart I have been a follower of the Rant since its inception. In recent months I’ve become bedridden and no longer do much gardening. In order to keep my Master Gardener hours up to date I read “Garden Rant,” Margaret Roach and Amy Stewart “religiously.”
Fletcher Harvey in Birmingham
Loved all you ranters for years! The varied writers has enchanted me and challenged me. I sit on my little island in the Pacific Northwest and travel mentally to where you all write from and feel always that I am in good company. Thank you for sharing your rants. Favorite rant over the years was the one about Yellow Island native wildflowers, for it was my grandparents island! Color me surprised Yellow found a way into garden rant. My grandmother would have been as thrilled as me! What are the chances! Carry on!
I love reading Garden Rant and I don’t even have a garden anymore; but I help others in my family so I still feel I need to know what to do and not do to keep a garden healthy. And of course I am still interested in gardens…I love the variety of gardens the Ranters tend and especially love Susan Harris and her posts on getting the most out of your garden regardless of all the problems related to being good neighbors, or having a tiny plot.
Thanks much for sharing your joy in gardening. I hope you keep going forever!
I found Garden Rant a few months ago and love it. I’m a new gardener, having recently gotten a place with outdoor space to garden, and am discovering a real passion for it. The articles on this site are full of useful information and perspective, fun to read, and I really appreciate the alternative to “relentlessly cheerful and heavily sponsored”. Still working my way through the archive. I’m so grateful to all the authors who contribute to this site. Thank you!
I was lucky enough to find it early. In those days, I was creating a web site for my garden club– garden clubs often don’t have a great schedule for people who work, but I was able to do that on my own hours– and that was one of the first links I put on it. Loved the tone, and of the four original bloggers, Elizabeth Licata’s blog “Gardening While Intoxicated” made me smile. True to my current gardening brand, of being half of The Garden Mixer with ranter Marianne Willburn.
I’ve been enjoying Garden Rant for a couple of years now. I love the rants that make me laugh. At the moment I can’t remember who’s rants they were, but I always enjoy reading the Garden Rant emails I receive. I’ve got to check out that rant “Gardening while intoxicated” That sounds like a very funny one! We use to do some gardening at night, because we were moving to our new home and transplanting some plants from our old garden, At the time there was a good song called “Gardening at night” I have a large collection of “Green Prints” magazine and loved the Mike Mcgrath stories. He is hysterical! I enjoy reading about gardens and plants and I love gardening in my own gardens. It’s getting a bit harder now that I’m older with aches and pains, but i still love the fruits of my labor. Please keep ranting!
I love Garden Rant and I joined around the time when Scott did a tribute to Steve Foltz, Director of Horticulture at The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Keep up the great work.
I started following Garden Rant about 10 years ago when Erica Glasener stopped her blog. I was so happy to find a group of gardeners who knew stuff but were funny as well! I retired a year ago and stopped following for a while because I didn’t touch my computer but I’m back and sent my first comment a couple months ago. You keep me connected to a community of smart, interesting people who garden. Now, I have to get outside and work on my new blank-slate back yard. Thanks for being there for me!
Garden Rant has given words to my pre occupation with gardening. I am an avid reader because the authors are inspiring and provoke unique discussions amoung the commenters on a very diverse array of topics. The writers never lack enthusiasm and unique perspectives from their personal experiences, home gardens and research. If I had a second home, and it was on the internet, Garden Rant would be it. Thank you all, and may Garden Rant continue to enlighten future gardeners for many generations to come. We are in a constantly changing environment but hopefully, in the world to come, there will always be a plant, soil and a place for the gardener to plant it in.
I’ve been a follower since almost the beginning. I’ve written a gardening column on behalf of my country Master Gardeners for several local newspapers for over 25 years. Garden Rant has given me many ideas for topics.
Things I like most are the book reviews and recommendations. Anne’s continuing posts about creating their garden. Every time James VanSweden is mentioned because he was my cousin. Bob’s way of looking at almost everything. The factual and scientific basis behind information.
Keep up the good writing.
Kindred Souls. I found GardenRant a number of years back and I have even been allowed to Guest Rant a few times. Sometimes, as a gardener, you just have to vent the frustrations of plants, critters, and gardens that refuse to behave. And when GardenRant isn’t venting, it is teaching, and I’m always open to learn.
I, like Jill, have enjoyed guessing which Ranter is posting, simply by reading the title and theme. I’ve gotten pretty good at it. Of course I have my faves, but you all rock!
I have been reading and sharing Rants with friends for many years now. Always fun to see one popping up in my mailbox.
I have particularly enjoyed seeing how many of the Ranter’s personal gardens have evolved and often wish I could transport myself to their gardens, as well as wishing I could share pictures of my garden with the Ranters. Thank you for your expertise and wit, each and every one of you.
I’ve been reading Garden Rant’s passionate discourse since the Amy and Michelle days. I’ve learned a trick or two and had more belly laughs than I can quantify, from this motley crew of opinionated gardeners . I consider Garden Rant to be the panacea to all Facebook garden groups with anonymous commenters. Put that in your compost and smoke it @drunkenkoala856!
I think I discovered Garden Rant 8-9 years ago. Although I’m technically a millennial, I dislike short form videos, I don’t use social media, and I’m thrilled to Garden Rant has kept the article format. I love the variety of topics. Gardening history, gardens at various campuses and museums, local neighborhood tours, and the Anne’s history of building a garden are so interesting compared to endless how-to articles. Not every author or topic is for me, but I’m okay with that. There’s enough content that I keep coming back.
Thank you, commentators – there’s real encouragement there. Keep reading!