Edition #23 | My garden picks for May

Hello friends,

I just got back from visiting a friend in Ohio who has really gotten in to native gardening since moving there from Chicago during the pandemic. Seeing what she's done with her space, and learning more about the plants she loves got me curious about ways to bring more native species into my own garden. Native plants are actually the easiest to grow because they already know how to thrive in the local soil and climate. They need less water, less fussing over, and they support the insects and birds that keep everything around them balanced.

May in Kansas City is when everything starts happening fast. The soil is warm, the nurseries are stocked, and if you're anything like me, you're standing in your yard with a coffee figuring out where to start. This year I’m aiming to be more intentional with more upfront planning so it will be easier throughout the summer.

I put together a collection of things I love or discovered through the hili community. Some are practical tools I use all the time, some are new finds, and a few resources that have helped me on my journey. If you’ve got a great gardening rec, please add it to hili! I need all the help I can get.

Let's grow something good.

🌱,

Karli

This week I'm sharing 6 of my favorite gardening picks, from hand-forged tools to a 3D-printed watering can made right here in Kansas City.

Native Perennial Wildflower Mix Tin | $13
“I bought these for a friend as a gift. I love the idea of sprinkling these in a garden bed and see what comes up. The list of included seeds is on the back of the tin and is perfect for the Midwest region.”

Stainless Steel Garden Hose with Premium Brass Nozzle | from $90
“We just got this hose and it is seriously life changing for any gardener carting a hose around. Lightweight, does not kink - its incredible!”

Indoor/outdoor "Nari" Watering Can | $15
“This is 3D printed by a local Kansas City couple. Comes in several sizes and holds a decent amount of water without being too big!”

The Living Landscape | $40
“Rick Darke & Doug Tallamy teamed up to write this book which brings together Tallamy's ecological thinking and Darke's landscape design thinking. Absolutely gorgeous photos and lots of easily readable ecological science.”

Hand Forged Trowel | $48
“I have bought too many cheap trowels and had them all bend or fall apart. I was finally gifted this one and it is AMAZING! I use it all the time and it has never let me down.”

17" Tall Jumbo Modular Metal Raised Garden Bed Kit | $199
“I love this company! Endless customizations and add-ons to get the exact configuration you need for your garden. Easy-to-assemble plus the material is rust resistant while still being completely recyclable when you are ready to replace it.”

View the full collection and save your favorites

We just launched something we're really excited about. The hili homepage is now a Discover page. You'll now be greeted with a dynamic feed of recommendations, community Asks, and (soon!) curated collections from across the hili community.

You are able to quickly filter between categories like beauty and gardening, and sort by newest, trending topics, or a surprise assortment. Whether you're looking for a new book, a dinner spot, or the best sunscreen for your kids, Discover puts all of that in one place.

As always, we want to make this the best experience possible so please let us know if you encounter an issues or have an idea for something we should build next.

Check it out the new Discover page → app.gethili.com

You guys have the best taste! Help out the community—if you've got an answer, share it!

Here are a few things that have caught my attention this week:

🌿 Check out Homegrown National Park, a project co-founded by Doug Tallamy (the same Tallamy from The Living Landscape book above). The idea is simple: what if we treated our own yards as part of a national park? Over 170,000 acres of private land have been logged on their biodiversity map so far, and you can add your own yard on their website.

🛍️ I love when a brand is laser-focused on making one thing REALLY well. My latest find is Olauto. This little company makes car air fresheners. But they do it so well, with natural fragrances that are nuanced and pleasing. Plus, the design is spot on. I just ordered the “Wash Me” scent, but am thinking about going back for “Formula Sun” as well.

🧶 Nicole Nikolich is a textile artist whose current focus is making crochet artworks that reference old school technology. Considering how old-fashioned some of this tech feels, crochet seems like a fitting representation.