Have you ordered seeds for your garden yet? I placed my order this past weekend – one of the most fun things to do during that bleak, somewhat boring month of January. There are a few seed companies that I love, mentioned in a previous post here. Before ordering, I start by going through my existing seeds to see what I have and what I need. I still have a bunch of seeds from 2016, 2017, and 2018 that will…
a peaceful winter walk
January 7, 2019Greetings! Hope the new year is treating you well! I am staying warm and preparing to take a seed inventory. In the meantime, the weather was very nice this weekend and I got outside to do a quick virtual garden tour (video below), if you are interested. This is something new I am starting on the blog this year. Kind of as a way to document and also as a way to share our space and garden. The plan is…
january garden activities
January 4, 2019Yes, even in January. I am doing something relating to my garden every month of the year. This month has the shortest list and maybe the most fun activities: Some other things to consider doing this month: Rake heavy snow off shrubs to prevent damage. Here is a good article that covers this: https://chatham.ces.ncsu.edu/2015/02/helping-trees-and-shrubs-recover-from-snow-and-ice/. Use a high quality ice melter on ground surfaces, as salt can damage concrete and plants, especially needled evergreens. To help you give your garden year…
2019 garden plans
December 31, 2018Happy New Year! Are you going to ring it in tonight?? I am doing my usual – goal planning. And I have a BUNCH of plans for the garden for 2019. Here they are in black and white: 1. Put a rain barrel into use for the veggie garden. A dear friend gave us a barrel several years back and I am ashamed to say that it is still sitting there, waiting for us to get it going already. This…
looking back at 2018 in the garden
December 28, 2018When the year is coming to a close, do you like to look back and take stock of your accomplishments (or sometimes, lack thereof)? I always ask myself “did I do what i set out to do for the year?”. Most importantly, how did it all turn out, did I enjoy it, and how can I do better in the coming year? I am ending 2018 on a good note. We made a lot of improvements to our home and…
ten lessons from the garden this year
December 10, 2018We’re getting closer and closer to the new year and while we still have a few weeks left in 2018, I started thinking back on the things I learned from my garden this year – or was at least reminded of. Isn’t real life always the very best teacher?? Can you relate to any of these? Timing can often be everything – especially when it comes to veggie plants. Mother Nature wins, every time. And definitely when it comes to…
december garden activities
December 3, 2018This month we will officially enter that period of time known as Winter. For serious, and not-so-serious, gardeners like us, there are still things to do. Here is what’s on my radar this month: Some other things that might be good to do in December, depending on one’s location: Send for seed catalogs, if your name and address aren’t already on the mailing lists. Mulch perennials, shrubs, and fruit bearing garden plants. Keep straw snuggled around any crops still in…
a plant wishlist
November 30, 2018You know how almost any shopping website allows customers to keep a wishlist or favorites list? I began keeping a plant wishlist a couple years ago. Then I forgot about it – out of sight, out of mind. It lives on an app in my phone. Well, I just rediscovered my list. Right now we might be dreaming about what Santa may leave for us under the tree and trying to come up with great gift ideas for our loved…
window sill herb garden
November 26, 2018Greetings! As we enter into winter, my little kitchen window sill herb garden is currently barren. Usually, there is at least some basil growing in one of these pots and often dill, oregano, or another herb. Missing the readily available fresh herbs, I’m seeding the pots this week. I’m lucky that my kitchen window has a southeast exposure, so the plants get plenty of light. Note that the photo below is NOT the kitchen window, it’s in the dining room.…
the 2019 seed catalogs are rolling in
November 23, 2018The first of the 2019 seeds catalogs showed up a couple of weeks ago. Excited as I was, I made the decision to wait before opening them up and lusting after all those glorious fruit and veggie plants and seeds. My head is not there yet. I’m still getting my garden settled in for winter. Some of my favorites are Baker Creek, Johnny’s, Pinetree, and High Mowing. If you missed my seed catalog post from earlier this year before garden…
