Table of Contents: The Handywoman

If you’re a woman and a gardener, there’s a good chance you wouldn’t mind being called a “handywoman.” In fact, you’d like that. It implies that you’re capable, good at building and fixing things, and not afraid to get down and dirty if it’s called for. This week we celebrate all the handywomen among us, especially–in honor of Mother’s Day–the moms.

We’ll offer some brilliant ideas for what could be the perfect Mother’s Day gift: a DIY home spa. We’ll visit London garden writer Isabelle Palmer at home to get fresh tips for squeezing plants onto tiny balconies. And if a floral gift is part of next weekend’s plans (once again: Mother’s Day? May 11?), we have a bouquetful of flower-arranging tricks.

Monday

• British garden writer Isabelle Palmer is inspired, not daunted, by tiny spaces. In this week’s Ask the Expert column, we drop by her London balconies to see how her garden grows.

Tuesday

• At the new house she designed on Cape Cod, architect Sheila Bonnell planted an edible garden. During our Garden Visit, we admire the way she keeps it simple.

Wednesday

• Not all garden tools are created equal. Meet the HERShovel, designed just for women by two savvy farmers, in sizes that fit.

Thursday

• For this week’s Hardscaping 101, intrepid researcher Ellen Jenkins found out everything you need to know about brick patios. Love moss? Here’s how to encourage it.

Friday

• British collector and jewelry designer Artemis Russell isn’t ashamed to call herself a junkaholique–in fact, that’s the name of her online shop, where she sells her vintage finds. And her garden shed, featured in this week’s Outbuilding of the Week, is anything but junky.

For more Handywoman design tips and inspiration, check out Remodelista.