About Mary Jane Duford

Mary Jane Duford is a gardening content creator known for her in-depth articles and video tutorials aimed at helping beginner gardeners. Her articles have been viewed hundreds of thousands of times on her gardening blog and on syndicated digital publications. Mary Jane has been featured online and in print by publications such as Heirloom Gardener Magazine and Mother Earth News. She lives in the Okanagan Valley with her family.

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Mary Jane Duford: My Home & Garden Story

I grew up in a beautiful old character home with a big old maple tree in the front yard. It was a bit run-down, but my parents spent hours every week slowly sprucing the place up. It wasn’t until I left for university that I realized what a beautiful little home they had created for me and my brother.

In 2007, I moved to the big city. I moved from college dorms to run-down apartments to dilapidated basement suites. Each time I moved I did my best to turn my little space into a cozy home base (with limited success!).

Then in 2012, I graduated from engineering school. I moved WAY up north (I mean way way way north) to start a new job. By the end of 2012 I had bought my very first place – a tiny one-bedroom condo in the suburbs. I’m not sure I could have been happier.

There was a place for everything, and everything was in its place. I even set about re-creating the container gardens I’d loved during school. Soon my patio was covered with little plants and my kitchen counter had trays of wheatgrass and microgreens.

Eventually, it became time to move closer to my family. I missed them dearly! My fiancee and I were able to buy the house I grew up in (crazy, right!?). And now, I could plant anything I wanted to lol! At this point I upgraded my little Tumblr blog to a proper home & garden website. I knew there would be lots to write about now that I had a real yard!

Every year I spend the warmer months in the garden and enjoy organizing things indoors while its chilly outside (it is Canada after all…). I share what I learn here on Home for the Harvest. My goal is to help you create a cozy home space where you can relax and recharge – just like I tried to do while I lived in all manner of slightly-sketchy urban housing!

Cheers, Mary Jane Duford

Snapshot of Experience