Today is one of those gloomy, drizzling rain days. Barely 50 degrees, gray skies, and definitely not a day to be out in the garden. But honestly? My mind is already on next spring and next year’s garden. This time of year, there’s not a lot we can do outside — but winter is perfect…
Grow Kale This Fall + Make This Easy Kale Crunch Salad with Citrus Dressing
Kale is one of the easiest and most rewarding vegetables to grow in the fall garden. It loves cooler weather, which actually makes the leaves sweeter, and it keeps producing long after the other vegetables have called it quits for the season. My favorite is the baby or curly kale. I’m not a fan of…
Grandparents Day Activities: Fun Garden and Nature Ideas for Kids and Grandparents
Grandparents Day is coming up on September 7, and what better way to celebrate than by spending time outdoors together? The best part of these activities isn’t the garden harvest or the crafts you make—it’s the time spent together. Gardens and nature provide the perfect backdrop for slowing down, sharing stories, and building memories. As a…
Top Garden Tech for 2025: Smart Sprinklers, Robot Mowers, and More
While I’m not the best person to talk about tech (I have trouble hosting a zoom meeting!), I do appreciate the convenience that modern technology brings. Technology has really come a long way over the years, and nowadays, there’s something new coming out almost every day that solves problems we didn’t even know we had….
Grow Your Own Potatoes: Easy Steps for Beginners
Thinking about growing your own potatoes? It’s easier than you think, and there’s nothing better than digging up fresh, homegrown potatoes for dinner. When to Plant Potatoes like cool weather, so plant them 2-4 weeks before your last expected frost. The soil should be at least 45°F, or they’ll just sit there and not grow…
Grow and Celebrate: How to Plant Black-Eyed Peas for Next Year’s New Year’s Dinner
Start the New Year with Black-Eyed Peas: Good Luck and Great Gardens! When I was a little girl, every New Year’s Eve meant one thing: my grandfather, Pap, taking over the kitchen to cook black-eyed peas. My grandmother was the family cook, but this one tradition was all his. I’ll be honest—I never really liked…
Is a Soil Test Necessary for Your Vegetable Garden?
Should I test the soil in my vegetable garden before planning my spring garden? A healthy garden starts with healthy soil. By incorporating organic matter like compost and worm castings, you can create a rich and fertile environment for your plants to thrive. Every season, before planting a new garden, I routinely add these amendments…
Christmas Herbs: Rosemary
Herbs have been valued for thousands of years, with depictions even found in prehistoric cave paintings. It’s no surprise they were commonly used during the time of Jesus, as they were common in Mediterranean landscapes. While reading about the significance of rosemary at Christmas, I was fascinated to learn about its connection to the Nativity…
Easy Tips to Help You Attract Butterflies to Your Garden
When planning your vegetable garden this year, don’t forget to invite in the butterflies. Butterflies are great pollinators for those squash and cucumber plants you are planting. I started reading about what I needed to not only attract butterflies to my garden, but to keep them there to lay their eggs, and raise their…
Landscaping: Creating Art with Plants
Landscaping is an art form. When most people think of landscaping, they envision a homeowner hiring someone to come in and plant some flowers or shrubs. While this is certainly one aspect of landscaping, it is by no means the only thing that landscapers do. In fact, many landscapers see their work as a form…