GARDENING

A comprehensive list of seeds to start in March and April according to your growing zone. It’s all you need to have a successful start to the growing season!

Saving seeds is a great way to build up a good seed bank for yourself, maintain healthy varieties adapted to your area, and be cost-effective. It is a simple process and very rewarding once you see the seeds you have saved germinate and sprout next year! Here’s how to save, dry, and store seeds!

Even though I love gardening and tend to it daily, I realize it is not the same for everyone. Perhaps you don't have the time, energy, on patience to start with seedlings indoors to transplant them later. You want gardening to be simple and easy and kind of just take care of itself ;-) This is where direct sowing can be your friend and make gardening easier. Here’s how to direct sow in 10 easy steps, and a chart on starting seeds outdoors.

While active gardening has ended, now is a great time to start planning your garden for next year and to order some seeds. These seed buying tips will significantly help you when ordering seeds online. Don’t get left behind and be ready when January comes!

Companion planting is one of those time-tested techniques that can make your garden more vibrant, resilient, and, honestly, a lot more fun to plan. Let me share what I've learned, how herbs and flowers benefit your garden, and who plays well with whom in the garden beds! You’ll also get to download my companion planting chart, which you can always refer back to for easy planning and planting!

Herbs are so versatile, and you can grow them almost straight through the year. Herbs are not only for use in cooking but also for medicinal purposes and for some lovely uses around the home. So what’s not to love about them?? Here are all the essentials you need to know about growing herbs so you can get off to a good start and experience all the benefits they bring!

If you want your garden to be healthy, you must give the soil the best, most nourishing food. Learn how you can make the best organic garden soil for vegetables so you can have increased germination rates and beautiful, bountiful harvests!

We have always preferred to grow all our vegetables in raised beds, as they have so many advantages and work best for our needs and environment. Learn more about the advantages of raised beds, which materials to choose, size suggestions, tips, and some of my favorite raised bed options from Gardener's.

Here’s what seeds I am ordering and planting this year, my favorite seed places to order from, and answers and links to frequently asked gardening questions!

Although spring and summer are usually the hero months for gardening, don't put fall on the back foot. Fall gardening is a fantastic opportunity to prolong the gardening season. Tips on planning a fall garden plus a guide on which vegetables to plant for fall according to your zone.

When it is time to order seeds and get planting before spring arrives, you may hit one big roadblock. How much to plant?? The struggle is real, I know! Either you buy too many seeds, or, later realize you haven't planted enough of your favorites. Here's a guide on how to ensure that doesn't happen!

Ever wondered what the difference is between raised beds vs. in-ground garden beds? And what will work best for your garden? Here are the pros and cons of raised garden beds and why we prefer them to in-ground beds.

Companion planting is one of those time-tested techniques that can make your garden more vibrant, resilient, and, honestly, a lot more fun to plan. Let me share what I've learned, how herbs and flowers benefit your garden, and who plays well with whom in the garden beds! You’ll also get to download my companion planting chart, which you can always refer back to for easy planning and planting!

A good mulch layer can transform your garden, protect your plants, and make a big difference. It offers so many benefits and can even make your garden look polished and inviting.

Let's dig into why you should mulch, the different types, and how to apply it effectively.

If you want your garden to be healthy, you must give the soil the best, most nourishing food. Learn how you can make the best organic garden soil for vegetables so you can have increased germination rates and beautiful, bountiful harvests!

Adding compost to your garden is an excellent idea for your garden and the environment. We strongly believe that compost, among other things, is a significant contributor to the success of our vegetable garden. Let's dive in and discover how to use compost in the garden. Including the benefits to your garden, what to compost, how to compost, and when to compost!

Every year when spring comes around, I am waiting in anticipation to start my garden and plant out all the seedlings I have so fondly attended to. But, before I put my babies in the ground, I need to harden them off to prepare them for the harsh world outside. But, what does it mean to harden off plants? Here is the what, why, when, and how!

Are you new to gardening and have wondered what gardening tools you need to get started? Well, there are a few essential garden tools that will make your life and gardening so much easier and more enjoyable! Avoid buying unnecessary gardening tools taking up a lot of space and costing you a lot of money. Here are my recommendations for essential garden tools for beginners!

When it comes to gardening, we try to stay away as much as possible from the need to use pesticides. Instead, we choose to control pests and diseases with companion planting by using flowers and herbs around our gardens.

We grow peppers every year, and they’ve become one of those crops we count on. I especially love them for a variety of canning recipes. Here’s everything you need to know on how to grow peppers, from starting seeds to harvesting them!

Thyme is an incredibly versatile, perennial, evergreen herb that's easy to grow and adds wonderful flavor to your cooking. In this blog post, I share everything I've learned about growing thyme, from why you should grow it to caring for thyme after planting!

Growing sugar snap peas is incredibly rewarding! They are versatile in the kitchen, easy to grow, and relatively low-maintenance. And since they are a cool-season crop, they can be planted early in the season, providing one of the year's first harvests or late in summer for a fall crop. Let me share my experience growing sugar snap peas, from planting to harvesting, so you can also grow your own!

In this blog, I share step-by-step instructions on how to grow oregano, from choosing the right type to growing oregano from seed, to harvesting and storing your bounty. This herb really is a lovely addition to any garden or patio, and growing oregano can be a rewarding experience for seasoned gardeners or beginners!

There's something incredibly rewarding about growing your own cucumbers. They're also relatively easy to grow and yield a plentiful harvest, perfect if you're new to gardening! Discover all you need to know to learn how to grow your own cucumbers!

Basil is one of those herbs that I just can't get enough of. It's aromatic, flavorful, and super versatile in the kitchen. Continue reading to learn the secrets to planting, growing, and harvesting your own basil!

In this guide, I am delving deep into planting and growing tomatoes. I'll share everything you need to know to cultivate your own bountiful harvest of ripe, juicy tomatoes. From selecting the perfect varieties for your garden to transplanting seedlings and caring for your plants, you'll gain the knowledge and confidence to grow beautiful, juicy tomatoes!

Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, there's something truly satisfying about nurturing your own cabbage patch and reaping the delicious rewards. Here is a complete beginner’s guide to successfully growing cabbage!

Growing root vegetables is a versatile and rewarding addition to any garden. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, there's a root vegetable for everyone to enjoy. Here are tips and tricks for growing the most common root vegetables!

Mint is one of my favorite herbs, as it has so many uses in your cooking, home, and garden. And it is a very easy, rigid grower. Continue reading to explore different varieties, why mint is a must-have in any garden, and uncover the secrets to successfully growing and nurturing this aromatic plant.

Everything you need to know to successfully grow chives from seed or bulbs—from planting to growing tips to harvesting—and delicious ways to use their beautiful flowers!

All the basics you need to know to grow juicy, healthy onions! Onions are one of the many vegetables that can be planted in the fall and grow well through the winter into the spring. This magnificent veggie is so versatile and an excellent staple to have in your garden patch.

Learn how to grow broccoli sprouts for a successful harvest every time! If you're a beginner or an experienced gardener looking to improve your broccoli harvest, this guide is for you. I'll share everything from when and where to plant broccoli to tips on care and harvesting.

Freezing and dehydrating your harvest not only helps reduce food waste but also offers a convenient way to enjoy your homegrown produce long after the growing season ends. Discover the variety of foods you can preserve using these methods and how to go about it!

Discover the differences between determinate vs. indeterminate tomatoes, how to choose which is best for your garden, and a list of indeterminate and determinate tomatoes.

Did you know summer is actually the time to plant fall vegetables? Here are 13 fall vegetables to plant in the summer so you can enjoy them come fall and winter! A free printable fall vegetable planting guide according to your zone is included.

Garlic can be enjoyed for months after you harvest it. How? By curing it! Learn how to know when your garlic is ready to harvest, how to cure garlic, and how to store garlic correctly so you can enjoy it for months to come!

If you are an onion lover or have a huge harvest, you may want to store them for use throughout the year. Discover why you should cure onions, how to harvest them, how to cure onions, how to store them correctly, and how long they can keep fresh!

A comprehensive list of seeds to start in March and April according to your growing zone. It’s all you need to have a successful start to the growing season!

Fall might be here, and winter is well on its way, but that does not mean you must put those garden tools away! You can still enjoy fresh produce from your garden, such as herbs and leafy greens. Here are 10 winter leafy greens you can plant in late summer and during fall so you can still enjoy fresh produce during the colder months!

Crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and melons need warm temperatures and longer days to thrive. These warm-season vegetables should only be planted after the last frost date in your area and the soil is warm enough for seeds to germinate or transplants' roots to grow. Here are 11 of the best summer season vegetables to plant.

With the last winter days lingering, signs of spring are popping up around the homestead! The days are getting warmer (just slightly!), trees are starting to bud, birds are chirping earlier than usual, and the ground is thawing! It is finally time to get some seeds into beds, indoors and outdoors! If you’re wondering what veggies to plant in spring, here are my suggestions!

Indoor gardening gets me all excited as it allows us to enjoy some of our favorite veggies all year round, unlike outdoor gardening. With the right tools, methods, and growing conditions, indoor gardening is often easier than outside gardening as you are more in control. Here are my top tips and the best vegetable to grow indoors.

Growing garlic bulbs or cloves are super easy and requires minimum effort and risk, with great return. Discover how to grow garlic cloves at home with this easy guide, sharing all the essentials you need to know.

If you're ready to embark on this apple orchard planting adventure and anticipate abundant fruit for you and your family, this blog will dive deep into the essentials of growing apple trees. From choosing the best varieties to managing pests and diseases and everything in between. Let's start growing apples!

Fig trees can successfully grow in zones 5-11 if you follow a few basic guidelines. Let me take you through the process of growing figs —from learning about these fantastic fruits to how to plant and care for them to the thrill of harvesting your very own figs!

Growing peach trees is a very rewarding process! In this comprehensive guide, I will walk you through everything you need to know about growing peach trees! From choosing the best variety, knowing where, when, and how to plant peach trees, to how to prune them, you’ll have all the basics covered!

Starting an orchard can be intimidating when it is your first time planting fruit trees. We love using the Ellen White tree planting method, which has given us many successful results. Learn more about how to grow fruit trees and how the Ellen White method works, so you can yield bountiful fruits too!

Freezing and dehydrating your harvest not only helps reduce food waste but also offers a convenient way to enjoy your homegrown produce long after the growing season ends. Discover the variety of foods you can preserve using these methods and how to go about it!

There is something so fun about popping a whole cherry in your mouth! That luscious burst of flavor as you bite through is just so satisfying and pleasing. Before you know it, you have eaten a whole bowl!

Having a garden that blooms year-round is such a rewarding experience! By carefully selecting a mix of perennials, annuals, bulbs, flowering shrubs, vining plants, and herbs, you can have something that is always in bloom, regardless of the season. Keep reading to learn how, with a seasonal flower guide list for each month of the year!

Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, growing marigolds from seed is very easy and rewarding. They bring a splash of sunshine to your garden while offering various benefits beyond their beauty. In this post, I'll walk you through everything you need to know about growing marigolds—from the different types to the best planting practices, and tips on caring for these lovely flowers!

Growing dahlias is such a rewarding experience! They are truly a spectacle in the garden and make such gorgeous flower arrangements in the home. Learn all the basics you need to know to start growing your own beautiful dahlias!

Lavender is not just a pretty plant—this herbaceous plant offers many benefits, is relatively easy to grow, attracts beneficial insects, and adds a touch of charm to any garden. If you’re ready to add some lovely lavender to your garden or even grow a few in pots, scroll down for all the details on growing lavender successfully!

Many of us dream about creating a cut flower garden. And, friend, growing cut flowers is really not that hard! Continue reading for my steps for growing cut flowers, easy flower varieties for beginners, where to get seeds, more tips, and how to harvest cut flowers.

When we think of gardens and the delightful blooms they offer, we often forget that many flowers are not only stunning but also entirely edible. Here are 14 edible flowers with pictures describing their taste profiles, how to use them, and their potential health benefits.

Dried flower art is a great way to preserve summer flowers and enjoy them through the winter months. It also makes an extraordinary beautiful gift, like these framed dried flowers.

If you think a gorgeous flower garden is only for those with green fingers, you are mistaken, my friend. You, too, can have a beautiful flower garden with easy-to-grow flowers when following a few basic rules! Here are 12 of the easiest flowers to grow from seed!

Dahlias are not particularly winter-hardy and won't survive freezing temps. They will split in freezing temps. You need to dig up your dahlia tubers and store them for the winter until spring when all signs of frost have passed. When stored properly, the same tubers can be replanted each spring and last you years!

If you're anything like me and want a dazzling spring spectacle in your garden come spring, you need to get spring-flowering bulbs into the ground in mid-autumn. Here are all the tips you need to know!