About

Joanna VonBergen in one of her gardens.

Hello, I’m Joanna. I’m so happy you stopped by Gingham Gardens.  I’m a Master Gardener and live and garden in the southwest suburbs of the Twin Cities in Minnesota. Better known to a gardener as Zone 4b. I’m passionate about gardening, mostly flowers, but I also grow edibles.

I’ve been gardening for as long as I can remember. Growing up in a large family, one of my chores was to design and plant flower beds. I had to talk over my plans with my Dad and then we would buy the seeds. I wish I had some pictures of those flower beds.

We moved into our current home, a 1960s fixer-upper, rambler (that’s Minnesota speak for a ranch style home), in late summer 2016. The gardens and yard needed fixing up just as much, if not more, than the inside of the house. So join me as I showcase my gardens. I’ll share lots of garden tips and tutorials, garden makeovers, garden tours, garden decor ideas, and DIY projects along the way. It’s all grassroots here – there’s no hired gardener, no professional landscaper or designer. We’re just ordinary people, creating beauty in our little corner of the world. 

During the fall and winter months, we’ll keep right on with garden planning, garden learning and a DIY project here and there. Feel free to hang out in the gardens and take a few tours.  Enjoy your visit and stop by again soon!

Happy gardening,
Joanna