I’m sharing my most frequented and beloved plant shops, greenhouses, garden centers and nurseries in the Twin Cities. As we approach the gardening season, it’s the perfect time to start planning your visits to your favorite garden stops. Each place has its unique charm and is a must-see for any gardening enthusiast, or local plant lover whether you’re a Minnesota resident or a visitor.

My must-grow plants for the home garden. Over the years of vegetable gardening in Minnesota, I’ve grown and experimented with many different plants. I’ve compiled a list of my all-time favorite vegetable and flower varieties from my backyard garden. These are the plants I love and grow season after season because of their flavor, productivity, disease resilience, and, of course, beauty and charm in the garden. My kitchen garden wouldn’t be complete without these staple plants.