Char and Marv, the gardening duo behind @plantedinthegarden, are devoted gardeners from Toronto on a mission to inspire others to grow their own food—no matter the space or experience level. They share their journey on social media, offering a glimpse into their thriving urban garden, filled with seasonal produce and beautiful blooms. For Char and Marv, gardening is about more than just fresh, homegrown food; it’s about cultivating a deeper connection to their food, sharing that joy with their community, and embracing simple, wholehearted living.

Their gardening journey has taken them from balcony gardens and window sill pots to a thriving backyard plot. The key to their growth has been an unwavering curiosity and a willingness to experiment. Char and Marv have always believed in “just starting”—planting something, no matter where they are. Their urban backyard, during peak season, becomes an oasis with over 500 plants, demonstrating that anyone, anywhere, can grow their own food.

Recently, they’ve begun integrating roses into their vegetable garden. Their introduction to growing roses wasn’t without challenges. “We completely failed at our first rose,” they admit. “We planted it in pots in late fall, and it never came back after a long winter season.” But instead of letting the setback discourage them, they took it as a learning opportunity. “We now know how to protect our plants during winter thanks to great advice from Heirloom Roses experts.”

Now, Char and Marv are embracing their newfound passion for roses and seamlessly integrating them into their garden. Their goal is to create a balanced garden ecosystem where flowers grow alongside their vegetables, benefiting pollinators and enhancing biodiversity. They appreciate how roses can be functional additions to the garden. Their favorite is Rosa Rugosa: “We love how functional roses can be in the garden. Rosa Rugosa attracts so many pollinators, and we can also harvest rose hips at the end of the blooms.”

Their second favorite, Twilight Zone, is a showstopper with its rich purple blooms. “It produces vibrant purple color and in bunches,” they share enthusiastically. “It’s just such a beautiful addition to the garden.” They also love Mister Lincoln, a classic red rose with fragrant long stems, ideal for cutting and bringing indoors.

Overwintering roses has been a challenge for them in their Zone 5b garden, especially with the unpredictability of Canadian winters. “This year, we’re prepared with more knowledge on how to properly protect our roses in containers,” they say confidently. Through learning and adapting, Char and Marv are turning obstacles into success stories.

Their enthusiasm for gardening is not just about the harvest but also about the experience and the added benefits it brings. This year, they’ve begun using organically grown rose petals from their garden to make rose water and tea. “The vibrant color and fragrance of the roses this year have significantly uplifted our mood,” they share, adding that it has helped create a calming garden environment. The roses have also improved garden biodiversity by attracting more pollinators—an unexpected bonus that has led to better yields from their vegetable crops.

For anyone considering adding roses to their garden, Char and Marv recommend doing a little homework. “For any plant that you incorporate in the garden, we always recommend researching the specific variety,” they advise. Understanding how tall they can grow, what climate they thrive in, and their growth habits can make a significant difference in choosing the right rose and the right spot for it. They emphasize that some varieties are well-suited to containers, while others need space to sprawl or require trellises.

Their message is simple: “Just start and don't be afraid to ask for advice.” Roses may seem delicate, but with a little knowledge and the right care, they will reward you with an abundance of beautiful blooms. As Char and Marv continue to expand their garden, their love for experimenting and learning remains at the heart of what they do, inspiring others to cultivate their own garden havens—one plant at a time.