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In this episode, I’m joined by horticulturist Maggie Rutherford, someone who shares my obsession with the weird, wonderful world of uncommon edible plants. We talk about blending ornamental and edible plants in the garden, the joy of preserving to capture each season, and how small-batch preserving can be a source of creativity and delight.

Maggie shares why she can’t stop talking about her Quince tree, and we dive into the weird and wonderful world of Medlars.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why we love blending edible and ornamental plants in the garden instead of separating them.
• How moving into a blank-slate yard sparked Maggie’s love of growing and eventually led her to return to school to study horticulture
• Our shared love of jamming weird little fruits
• Preserving as a creative, artistic expression

Trees and plants mentioned:

• Quince (Cydonia oblonga)
• Medlar (Crataegus germanica)
• Sloe (Prunus spinosa)
• Luma (Luma apiculata)
• Szechuan Pepper (Zanthoxylum simulans)

Books Mentioned in This Episode:

• Saving the Season: A Cook’s Guide to Home Canning, Pickling, and Preserving by Kevin West
• Jam Bake: Inspired Recipes for Creating and Baking with Preserves by Camilla Wynne

Helpful links:

• Raintree Nursery
• Great Plant Picks
• OSU Department of Horticulture Plant Finder

Connect with Us

• Relish Gardens Website
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on YouTube

If this episode helped you think differently about how to choose a tree, share it with someone who’s planning their next garden move.

Until next time, I hope you find something in your garden to truly relish.

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