Edel Howlin grew up watching her mom cultivate a garden in County Kildare, Ireland.
But she didn’t really pick up the hobby herself until 2020.
Howlin then decided to enroll in the ‘Master Gardener’ program with Penn State, logging hours of education and volunteerism.
But she felt the name ‘Mediocre Gardener’ was more appropriate for her mission.
As the ‘Mediocre Gardener,’ Howlin aims to grow a network of educators, gardeners, garden centers, and every day people to lower the barrier to entry.
She started close to home, or rather, in her front lawn.
Howlin created a garden of native plants centered around several ‘fairy garden’ installations such as the ‘Pollinator Pit Stop,’ ‘Caterpillar Cafe,’ and ‘Bird Buffet.’
Each is a miniature diorama with figurines of birds and insects eating dessert or relaxing on beach chairs. They notably have signs displaying the types of plants growing in that area of the garden.
Howlin hoped that passersby would stop, learn about the plants, and maybe take that knowledge back to their own home gardens.
And that dream has already come true.
She also installed a little library where neighbors leave notes and pick up books and stickers.
Watch the video above to see the magical moments created in the Mediocre Gardener’s front lawn.
To learn more or get involved with her mission, visit her website.
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