Goldenrod volunteers in my front garden every year and I keep it — partly because it's Nebraska's state flower and partly because it's earned its spot. I also sneeze every fall. Turns out those two things probably aren't connected.

Mint took over my Nebraska garden and I let it. Here's what I actually use it for — tea, sunburn baths, tinctures, and yes, mojitos — and the science behind why it works.

French tarragon is fussy, frost-sensitive, and absolutely worth it. Here's why it goes sparse in year two, what actually helps (heavy mulch, south bed), and how it ends up in my Garden Glow cold process soap every fall.