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.
Revenge or fair play? That’s what my garden story is about today. Are you ready to be the judge in a case of a garden crime? We all have that favorite plant. You know the one that you’ve tried to grow for years and is finally thriving? That’s the plant I’m talking about here. It […]
I’ve been growing a garden for years, and have always heard the tales of other gardeners’ cross-pollination woes, but it’s never happened to me. I was always so careful to keep my plants separate, and to only grow heirloom varieties. But then there was this year, where something went terribly wrong. I noticed it first […]
You can learn a lot about a person just by reading what they write. Some folks come off kind, others terse, some brilliant, and some—well, a bit outrageous. But Mike McGrath? He’s a category all his own. Outrageously kind, comically smart, enthusiastically chaotic, and definitely not stoopid. No sir, not our Mike. Reading Mike’s work […]
In a world that seems bent on moving faster and faster, it’s easy to overlook and forget about the healing power of gardens. I probably don’t need to remind you of this. After all, you’re here reading these beautiful stories about gardening. What you might find interesting, however, is that the restorative and health benefits […]
Do you have a little dirt under your nails? Maybe you have a bit of green on your hands from pulling weeds? Do you keep a stack of seed catalogs on your bedside table? Do you dream of seedlings and flower buds? Do you have what could only be called a plant obsession? You, my […]
When people are feeling overwhelmed, they sometimes need to take a break in nature. I know I do. For some, this might mean going to the garden or the woods. They may sit under a tree and feel the sun on their face, listen to the birds singing, and feel the earth below them. Nature […]
My favorite thing about being a part of this community is the shared gardening wisdom. Today’s piece, “10 Things I Learned from Gardening” is a fun and quirky list of exactly that, so to kick it off, I thought I’d share two things I’ve learned over the years as a gardener. The first is not […]
I’m not saying German food changed my life—but let’s just say, after enough schnitzel, sauerkraut, and German chocolate cake, I started questioning my ancestry, my destiny, and my pants size. Yes, it’s true. For most of my life, I strutted around under the delusion that I had German roots. With surnames like Holt and Kissel […]
I like to think of my family as a gardening family. I love spending an afternoon with my daughter and husband planting seeds, pulling weeds, and enjoying the smell of fresh herbs while we watch the bees busily moving from flower to flower. However, I sometimes forget that not everyone enjoys gardening. I don’t blame […]
Garden pest control is a hot topic in gardening conversations. Whether in person or online, everybody has an opinion on this. The thing is, there are so many different pests and so many approaches to garden pest control that it’s hard to say one method is better or worse than another. Personally, I prefer a […]
