Picture this: a family secret passed down from my father, to me, and now to my sons, both of whom are kitchen maestros. It’s not a recipe for a mind-blowing lasagna or a revolutionary method for baking the perfect cake. No, it’s the mystical art of how to slice an onion without shedding a single […]
Category: Gardening Life
Welcome to the enchanting world of gardening life, where the simple act of nurturing plants becomes a profound connection to our roots, our ancestors, and the very essence of our lives.
In this corner of our blog, we delve into the vibrant tapestry of gardening, exploring how it transcends the boundaries of mere hobby or sustenance, and instead, becomes an integral part of who we are.
For many of us, our forebears were hardworking farmers who toiled the land, and as time passed, we transformed into gardeners, keeping the age-old tradition alive. It’s a connection that has shaped our spirit and our soul for centuries, grounding us in the earth beneath our feet and the stories written in the soil.
The tales you’ll discover here are as diverse as the petals in a summer garden, yet they share a common thread: the belief that the gardening life is about so much more than just the practical aspects of planting, growing, and harvesting. It’s a vibrant, living art that intertwines with our lives, enriching the experiences of our families, friends, and neighbors. It’s a cultural touchstone that weaves its way into the very fabric of our society.
This section of our website features a collection of talented authors, each a member of our Food Gardening Network, and collectively, they bring you a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. Their stories are not just educational; they are a source of inspiration and, above all, they are fun.
So, whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a curious novice, we invite you to explore the wisdom, creativity, and joy that emanate from our gardening life category. Join us as we dig deeper into the rich soil of our collective heritage, sowing seeds of knowledge, nurturing connections, and harvesting inspiration along the way. Welcome to a world where gardening is more than just a pastime; it’s a way of life.
I don’t know about you, but for me, although February is the shortest month days-wise, it always seems to take the longest for me. Being a leap year, with an extra day, just makes it feel like torture. February, to me, feels like a time of endless winter. The sun struggles each day to just […]
Parker the Protector
Ah, Parker the Protector, that’s what I’ve come to affectionately call our plucky pug with a heart of gold. You see, Parker’s journey as the guardian of our inkberry bushes began shortly after Gail and I moved to picturesque Plymouth a few years ago. Nestled between our yard and our friendly neighbor’s property, a row […]
I am a creature of habit. I like having the same rituals and traditions year after year. My town has a cute New Year’s Eve tradition called “Starry Starry Night.” This has been my family’s New Year’s Eve tradition for years now. This is an event that the local businesses all get together to sponsor. […]
When I first started gardening, I had this idea that grocery store produce was safer than my own. I suppose I knew that birds pooped on blueberries in the fields too, and lettuces were likely thrown in large bushels much less carefully than I’d hack down my own, but for some reason, I imagined some […]
Today is the perfect time for fruit and vegetable gardeners to reflect on the past year and look ahead to the next growing season. The journey of nurturing plants from seed to harvest is a profound one, filled with lessons, surprises, and a deep connection to nature. Let’s take a moment to cherish the memories […]
From Battlefields to Botany
I have great admiration for plant hunters, each one a botanical Indiana Jones. They sailed with Captain Cook on his first great voyage in 1768 and still today they are exploring remote corners of the world, seeking out rare plants. Back in 1892 one casual explorer was Baron Walter von St. Paul. Walter, full name […]
Next week as we welcome the dawn of a new year, fruit and vegetable gardeners have the perfect opportunity to set meaningful resolutions that will not only enhance their gardening skills but also yield a more bountiful and sustainable harvest. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, these ten New Year’s resolutions will […]
The holiday season is upon us, and I am flooded with memories. My children are grown and on their own now, but all I can think about is their years of growing up and the lovely traditions we created. My favorite one is leaving cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve. Not because I got to […]
In the heart of America’s heartland, where endless fields of corn still stretch as far as the eye can see, there is a quiet revolution taking root. It is a story that began with a simple statistic – the number of American households cultivating their own fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices had swelled by a […]