It’s Officially Toad Girl Summer

I saw online recently that this Summer was dubbed Martha Stewart Summer which highlights dinner parties, veggie gardens, and crafting. This was from her official Instagram, so I’ll assume she was practicing her manifestation techniques. I hate to say it, but our supreme might have misread the room on this one. With 2 weeks of intense humidity in the forecast and a worse geopolitical forecast I’m officially dubbing this as Toad Girl Summer because I’ll be waiting it out under a rock.

My challenge for you this week is to create a toad abode, which is a small shelter you can put in your garden to give our amphibious friends a refuge from the heat during the day.

Toads are incredible little garden allies—each one can eat dozens of pests a night. And in this weather, they’re looking for cool, shady spots to ride out the heat.

How to make a toad abode:

1. Flip a terracotta pot on it’s side and bury half of it in the soil.

2. Place it in a shady damp area, or near a downspout.

3. Place a shallow dish of water nearby.

4. *Optional: Plant some native plant seeds nearby for shelter.

It’s that easy, but you can decorate it with moss, bark, or pebbles to help it blend in. the toads will use this dark and cool area to rest during the day and eat your garden pests at night. If you end up trying this please send me a photograph or tag me on Instagram. The next section differs this week, instead of a weekly task list I’m going to suggest some plants that can be sown by seed still.

Plants to Sow for Your Toad Spa

Now that you have a house for your toad, you can keep going and give it the full White Lotus spa package. The plants are all natives and can be sown now in mid June to provide cover around the toad abode. The benefit of natives is that they also support more plant life, which will keep your guest fed and happy.

Virginia Wild Rye (Elymus virginicus)

• Native to Wisconsin and the broader Midwest

• Moist to average soils, full sun to part shade

• Quick to germinate, soft grass for shelter

Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata)

• Widespread Midwest native, including Wisconsin

• Moist to wet soils, full sun

• Germinates in summer heat; good height with leafy base

Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata)

• Native to much of the eastern and central U.S., including Wisconsin

• Prefers sunny, well-drained to moist soils

• Annual that supports pollinators and adds lacy cover

Nodding Bur Marigold (Bidens cernua)

• Native to Wisconsin and much of the Midwest

• Loves wet soils, often found along ponds or ditches

• Annual; flowers and reseeds easily

The Plot Thickens

My garden is enjoying the rain and filling in. I’m being patient and happy we were able to start three garden beds this year. I also tossed some Ostrich Ferns and a Jack-in-the-Pulpit on the North side of our house. Fully confident that the ferns will spread and fill to their rhizomatous heart’s delight.

I love to walk in nature for design inspiration, and this photo was taken at the Cherokee Marsh near my house. I love the way that this Cow Parsnip (aka Satan Celery - haha) caught the sunset through the trees.

What I Loved This Week

• Watch: Make a Toad House

• Connect: My friend Patrick takes the best nature photos 🐸

Written for 10 beautiful readers. Think you can help me get to 11 by next week?💌

Until next Thursday,
Ken Welch

About the Author

Ken Welch is a horticulturist and research professional at UW–Madison. He’s drawn to native ecosystems, community gardens, and helping others grow confidence in their craft.

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