The best piece of advice I got over ten years ago, in regards to weeds in my garden came from a friend of my mom who always has the most pristine garden. Each row between his plants were always clean, and never seemed to have sprouts or bugs. I assumed he must be hand-weeding, but when I asked he told me “nope, I just go out every day with a hoe and turn the soil—haven’t had to bend over to pick a weed or mulch a day in my life.”
When we bought our house, my favorite thing in the backyard was the hundred-year-old Ash tree smack dab in the center of the yard. She was statuesque, gorgeous, sturdy, and shadier than a Real Housewife at a Reunion Show Special.
I’m not even sure where to start with today’s story, “The Tulip Thief,” by Carmen De Vito. It’s a story about being robbed while working at The Horticultural Society of New York, which in and of itself is wild. I mean, if I was going to rob a place, a part-garden-store-part-library is not the first […]
There are many reasons to consider growing fruit trees indoors. For me, it all boils down to control. With container fruit trees, like container vegetable gardens, you have total control over watering, pruning, sunlight and location, can make all the difference in a fruit tree’s yield. While it’s certainly possible to grow a fruit tree from seed, you’ll have better luck and a faster yield of fruit by purchasing a seedling.
What’s the right size for raised garden beds? That’s a great question! The answer? Well, it’s not complicated, but it does take some consideration. Of the many wonderful aspects of a raised bed garden, one of the things I love most is that they can accommodate a variety of gardeners. While some of us are […]
I’ll be the first to say that every time I dig in my garden, I always hope I’ll come across some buried treasure. Maybe it will be a lost ring or a wheat penny or an antique toy long forgotten and hidden beneath the soil. It would be my very own garden of lost secrets […]
Cocoa powder is the velvety essence of chocolate magic—born from roasted cocoa beans, finely ground, and stripped of most cocoa butter. It originates from tropical regions, where the cacao tree has been cultivated for centuries. The Aztecs and Mayans used it for divine beverages, and today, it’s a staple in American kitchens, bringing a taste […]
There’s something about a hanging vegetable arbor that turns a garden into a magical hideaway where you can breathe deep and enjoy nature. In a way, I suppose that’s true, too. Once the season is underway, you can stand underneath your arbor and be surrounded by lush greenery and dappled sunshine. I’ve even seen a […]
It starts innocently enough. A seed-starter tray sitting in a sunny spot on your counter. Until you realize that you forgot to label them and now have to wait until the seedlings sprout to play Guess That Herb. I’ve been there, my friend. I’ve also been in my garden, mid-season, pacing around in circles looking for the chives that I know I planted earlier that spring.
Did you know that there are entire books written for dogs in the garden? They call it dogscaping! This past spring we lost our pup suddenly at the youthful age of 10—practically middle-aged for a Goldendoodle. And while today’s story is about a lovely dog and the garden she loved, my story is a little […]
