Since we have already talked about a no-yard herb garden, I thought we could revisit the subject with vegetables. Not everyone has a bunch of yard space to take up with a garden, unfortunately, so I want to go over a few vegetables that can easily be grown in a pot indoors! Growing veggies in pots is a great way to grow food all through fall. Once the frost gets too close for comfort, you can easily grab the pot and bring it in—though this is going to be easier with some plants than ... [ Read More ]
Create Your Very Own No-Yard Herb Garden
I thought we could talk about some gardening options for people with no yard space. Whether you live in an apartment, town house, or are renting a property and the landlord doesn't want you digging up the yard, gardening in pots is a great way to get herbs and veggies when you don't have the yard to support it! Potted plants can be a great way to get items from your garden through the fall months as well. After all, it is just around the corner. You can leave them out, weather ... [ Read More ]
How to tell if a Pumpkin is Ripe
While there are a lot of things that I love about fall, I think that pumpkins are probably the best. There's just nothing quite as comforting as adding some hearty and delicious pumpkin to just about anything--baked goods, lattes, pie, soup... the list goes on and on! But, the key to getting the best out of your pumpkin comes down to being able to pick the perfect one. Whether you're checking for pumpkins in your garden or the grocery store, there are a few things to look for in a perfectly ... [ Read More ]
September Gardening To-Do List
Well, September is here which means that the school buses are on the roads and fall is on the horizon. The nights are already dropping down to be nice and cool where I live and while the days are actually starting to cool off some, this week has felt more like early summer. Regardless, September is a busy month for gardening and I thought I'd make a quick list with some projects and tasks that you might want to consider this month. September is all about reaping some of the rewards from all ... [ Read More ]
Tips for Drying and Preserving Herbs
There is nothing that will make or break a dish like choosing the right quality and type of herbs and spices. And, as with all things, growing your own is always better, cheaper, and more rewarding. But, while fresh herbs are pretty fantastic, sometimes it can be hard to keep up with the growth rate. I mean, there's really only so much rosemary a person needs, right? So, if you are in that boat then don't worry! There are plenty of options for drying, preserving, and storing your ... [ Read More ]
Create Your Own Garden Record Book
I have the memory of a goldfish. If you asked me what I had for breakfast yesterday, I'm not sure I could tell you most of the time. So, when it comes to remembering things like the name of the delicious tomatoes that I grew on my porch a few years ago, I'm hopeless. But, as it turns out, there's an easy solution: A garden record book! I actually first got this idea from a record book kept by former president Thomas Jefferson, who was a stickler for keeping records and such. In his garden ... [ Read More ]
Best Mosquito-Repelling Plants
While I love the outdoors, I could totally do without mosquitoes. Those little suckers are my absolute bane. I'm not sure if I just taste sweeter to them or something, but whatever the case may be, I always end up with a ton of bites if I stay out too late in the afternoon or venture in the woods. Turns out some people are just genetically lucky like that. So, naturally, I looked to see what I could to in order to try and reduce some of the bugs around my house. While nothing really beats OFF ... [ Read More ]
Planting Zones
March is finally here, which means that if you haven't already got your gardening together, it's a great time to start! It's sometimes hard to think about spring and growing things when you're still shoveling snow outside, but believe me--you'll thank yourself later! Whether you live in the South, where the cold months are likely nearing their end, or in the North, where you've still got a few months to go, it's good to have an idea of when to get your garden going, and that's what the map ... [ Read More ]
Biodegradable Seed Starting Containers
It might seem a little early for thinking about summer gardening, but with January already nearly halfway through, the time for seeding and planting is sneaking up! Where I live, you really ought to have it started by the beginning of March, so you can bet I've been thinking on what I'm going to plant this year and whether I want to do a container garden or something that takes a bit more work! I have both started my seeds early and planted them straight in the ground once it ... [ Read More ]
Green Thumb Series Part 3- How Planting Zone and Weather Affects your Garden
This is an ongoing series, Part 1 is here, Part 2 is here. As a green thumb you need to know what you can plant, when you can plant it, and how to give certain plants special care if the growing zone is not quite right for it. Each plant has its own specific requirements some are pickier than others, and some very hardy and can tolerate just about anything. Learning what you can plant is only one part of the equation, you must also learn when to plant it. Planting Zones There are several ... [ Read More ]