My daughter is two, and one of my favorite things to do with her is arts and crafts. As you might understand, being patient with a two-nager is a necessary skill in itself. Mine can go from wanting to glue and cut paper, to wanting to play with play-doh and then pulling out the paints in about 60 seconds. Making DIY plant pots at home, versus buying them at the store is not only cheaper, but a really good way to entertain a busybody toddler (and even moreso older kids!)  READ MORE 

When I had the genius idea to fill in my new raised bed surrounds with crushed stone, I must have forgotten that I spend 99% of my summer in bare feet. Or maybe I thought that my bare-footedness would prepare me for walking on little daggers all summer long, but it did not. Some people like making DIY concrete stepping stones for aesthetics, but for me, it wasn't just for the look of it, it was by necessity. I mean sure, I could dig up my flip-flops to go into the garden, but stepping stones would help too!  READ MORE 

The success of our gardens is owed in huge part to the pollinators and predator bugs that inhabit the area. Some estimates say that one in every three bites of food we eat needs pollination by bees, butterflies, birds, bats, beetles, and other insects. One of the ways gardeners like to encourage pollinators to spend…  READ MORE 

I have a vivid memory of standing on a stool next to my parents at a newspaper-lined table, hands covered in pumpkin guts as we carved them to get ready for Halloween. My job was to sift through the pulp separating the seeds so my father could roast them. But that’s not the only option! When carving a pumpkin you can choose to eat the pumpkin seeds or you can save them for your spring planting. Here’s how to do both. You really can have it all!  READ MORE 

Have you ever wondered why so much packaging these days proudly says that they are dye-free and why so many children's products only use natural dyes? It's because commercial dyes used to dye foods have a proven track-record for ill effects on humans.  READ MORE 

Pickling is so much fun, but there's a lot of confusion around it, so many people are a little afraid to do it! I totally get that too, because fermented pickles are a science show all on their own. But that's not the only way you can pickle, and in fact, there are many ways to do it.  READ MORE 

If you were to ask me what part of my garden I love most, I'd emphatically tell you it's my herb garden. When people visit my backyard, it's the first thing I love to show off, and I've planted it on the pathway to the back door so that anyone coming to visit will get a little infusion in the air as they walk by.  READ MORE 

I spent all summer in my garden, delighting in my fresh vegetables and generously seasoning delicious recipes with an abundance of fresh herbs. My herb garden is right along the pathway to my home, so I love smelling the mint, then the basil, then the thyme, as I walk toward the house. But now with winter looming over us and the first frost ready to murder them all, I’m switching gears to harvest mode, and getting creative with ways to keep my home-grown herbs part of my daily cooking throughout the winter. I’m excited to share with you how to harvest fresh herbs in the fall to use all winter long.  READ MORE 

A good old-fashioned spray with the hose is my favorite way to rid my veggie garden of leaf-eating pests, especially the Japanese beetles who love to munch on my basil. But you know as well as I do that waterboarding insects only goes so far, because whatever bugs are chowing down, will eventually come back.  READ MORE 

Making chicken stock at home is as easy as it gets if you already cook whole chickens at home, but the trick that makes it really easy is what you do to prepare.  READ MORE 

When I updated my garden from in-ground to raised beds, one thing became apparent very quickly—that I'd need to come up with a DIY irrigation system, which is something I know most gardeners realize, at some point. The 'ol timed sprinkler is a good trick that I've used for many years, but raised beds are a whole new ballgame and they can dry out more quickly, just like other containers.  READ MORE 

Pole beans are my favorite things to grow. If I had to choose only 3 things to grow, it would be tomatoes, peppers, and pole beans. I harvest them all, cook with them constantly, and while some gardeners get overwhelmed, I say "bring it on!"  READ MORE 

There's an anonymous quote out there about gardening that says, "gardening is cheaper than therapy, and you get tomatoes." I don't know about you, but gardening is definitely my most expensive hobby (except maybe skiing). Sure, I could save all my seeds, work harder to make as much compost as I need so I don't…  READ MORE 

If anyone ever said that a Type A personality and gardening didn't mix, they never heard of seed tape. Have you heard of it? This tool is the best way to feed your neuroses of perfectly spaced vegetables like carrots, lettuce, radishes, beans, and other seeds you tend to plant in bulk. It's a bit hard to find in stores, but that's fine because it's totally easy to make DIY seed tape.  READ MORE 

Rosemary is one of my absolute favorite herbs. I use it all the time for cooking and medicinal purposes. Plus, I love how it’s easy to propagate and grow indoors. If you’ve been meaning to grow your own rosemary but are too scared you’ll kill it, this article’s for you. Because the take-away is that you might, but you can always try, try, again.  READ MORE 

There are many great reasons to grow your own lettuce, and I personally prefer to grow it hydroponically indoors from fall through spring. One of the most compelling reasons for me is that there are so many recalls on processed lettuce in the stores. That alone is enough to make most people want to grow…  READ MORE 

Keeping your garden warm in late fall or early spring can be accomplished in a number of ways. One of the more permanent solutions is to build a cold frame. A cold frame attaches to your raised bed and can be propped up to offer a greenhouse effect during the day, and closed to keep…  READ MORE 

I have zero regrets about planting blueberry bushes in my yard. In fact, they are my prized plants! My daughter will in fact, only eat blueberries in season, from our bushes. She refuses to eat them from the store. (I mean, who can blame her, really?) I have four bushes now, but after many years,…  READ MORE 

Edible perennial fruits, herbs, and vegetables are the gift that keeps on giving! Unlike annuals or biennials, which must be planted annually or every other year respectively, perennials will return yearly with only one initial planting. Some of these plants may even survive for decades in your garden—just imagine how convenient it is to have…  READ MORE 

Is it misleading to say that every garden is beautiful? And the best garden layout for vegetables to thrive is more about science than aesthetics? I've seen gorgeous gardens with meticulously shaped rows of brightly colored vegetables and flowers.   READ MORE 

In the cooler months, one of my favorite gardening activities is looking through seed catalogs and planning my spring garden. And I don't know about you, but I know that in my experience it can be very tricky to get my hands on certain varieties of seeds that are either rare or in high demand. That's why I don't like to leave it to chance when I find a veggie I love, like a special heirloom tomato. Saving seeds from vegetables may seem like a lot of work, but if you enjoy it, it's really just part of the gardening cycle. If you want to learn how to get seeds from your vegetables, I'm going to show you how!  READ MORE 

If you're looking for a way to grow vegetables, fruits, and herbs indoors all year round, then hydroponic gardening might be the perfect solution for you! Hydroponics is a type of gardening that doesn't use soil. Instead, plants are grown in water with added nutrients. This method has many benefits, including faster growth rates and…  READ MORE 

Before you start applying fertilizers and lime treatments to your soil, take a sample and have it tested, either at home or professionally. Soil tests are like DNA kits for your gardens. So many people amend their soil without even knowing what they're trying to fix. DIY soil testing can often prevent the need for…  READ MORE 

Discover innovative ways to craft vertical gardens using household items and save on expenses while maximizing your gardening space.  READ MORE 

Embarking on a DIY adventure to create window box planters not only adds charm to your windowsill but also offers a practical solution for growing veggies and herbs.   READ MORE 

Planning your spring garden can be as exciting as it is cost-effective. Before making a trip to the home and garden store, explore the possibilities hidden behind your shed.   READ MORE 

Are you seeking a cost-effective solution for storing your garden surplus without breaking the bank? Look no further—here are some practical and budget-friendly ideas for crafting your own DIY cold storage space at home.   READ MORE 

Looking for an inventive way to cultivate herbs while maximizing vertical space? Explore the world of DIY with this innovative pallet hanging garden concept!  READ MORE 

Embarking on the journey of cultivating your herb garden brings joy, but the struggle to identify your herbs is a common challenge. From forgotten seed labels to mid-season herb hunts, the need for herb stakes becomes evident. Explore these delightful DIY ideas to label your herb garden creatively and effortlessly.   READ MORE 

Do you often forget to water your indoor plants or struggle to keep them hydrated while you're away? Say goodbye to plant neglect by repurposing recycled bottles into self-watering plant bulbs!  READ MORE 

Embarking on the journey of composting is akin to discovering a captivating new TV show—one can't help but share the excitement with friends. For me, composting is my Bridgerton, and among the myriad composting methods, Bokashi composting has become my latest fascination.   READ MORE 

Do you have a sloped yard and dream of growing your own garden? Fear not! With the ingenious solution of hillside planter boxes, you can transform even the steepest incline into a thriving vegetable and herb haven.  READ MORE 

Unleashing the magic of fruit tree cloning—a time-honored horticulture practice In the realm of cloning, many of us might conjure images of Dolly the sheep or science fiction scenarios like the TV series "Battlestar Gallactica." However, cloning doesn't necessarily mean a journey into the realms of biotech complexity or sci-fi thrillers. In the field of…  READ MORE