🌿 Dear gardening friends,

Last week I wrote about embodied knowing — that quiet, bone-deep trust you build through seasons of paying attention in the garden. A lot of you wrote back. 💚 Thank you for that — truly. A few of you also had questions about the retreat, so I want to make sure to answer all of those.

But first — a little garden wisdom.

One of my favorite practices in ecological gardening is companion planting: the practice of growing plants together that help each other thrive. Tomatoes and carrots. The Three Sisters — corn, beans, and squash. Marigolds and just about anything. Plants in intentional community do better than plants in isolation. They deter pests, fix nitrogen, provide shade, attract beneficial insects. The whole is so much greater than the sum of its parts. When we garden ecologically, we are not just planting plants, we are building an ecosystem.

Companion planting is all about building reciprocal RELATIONSHIPS.

A retreat is a great place to do the same. 🙃

We're gathering at Ecovillage Ithaca, August 14-16th for 3 days of gardening workshops, gardening crafts, and some summer relaxation with good company in Nature.

​Learn more here.

Okay, your retreat questions:

🌱 "I'm a beginner. Will I be in over my head?" Nope. I designed the retreat mini-workshops for gardeners of all experience levels. Beginners get foundational skills that take the work out of gardening. Experienced gardeners get to go deeper and geek out with me. You belong here.

🌿 "I don't know anyone who's going. Will it be awkward?" That's exactly what companion planting is for. 😄 Most people arrive not knowing a soul and leave with a gardening group chat that goes far beyond the gardening season. Some of my deepest friendships started in the garden. The shared-meals, hands-in-the-dirt, campfire setting does something magical for connection. We already have some amazing humans signed up to come. Come be in the garden with us!

💚 "The cost feels like a stretch right now." I hear you. That's why there's a $100 deposit option — you can hold your spot now and pay the $550 remainder by July 1st (note: the deposit applies to the $650 standard price). And when you break down what's included — all your meals from Friday dinner through Sunday lunch, three full days of workshops, garden gifts to take home, and the kind of rest that you simply cannot manufacture at home — it's genuinely extraordinary value. Consider it a long weekend of nourishment you cannot give yourself alone. And of course, register by May 31st and save $75.

⛺️ "I'm not sure about camping." You don't have to camp! Camping at Ecovillage is available and quite lovely, but Ithaca has tons of wonderful accommodations — inns, Airbnbs, B&Bs — all within easy distance. Come however you'll be most comfortable.

🥗 "What if I have dietary restrictions?" All special diets can be accommodated. Just let us know when you register.

Early bird pricing ($575) closes May 31st — a week from now. If you've been waiting for a sign, consider this a friendly nudge from your gardening friend Jennie. You belong here! Come play in the garden with me this summer. 🌷

→ Reserve your spot here​

As always, hit reply if you have more questions. I love hearing from you!

Happy gardening,

Jennie 🌱💚