Take a moment and look at your backyard the way it looks in winter — stripped back, quiet, almost finished. It’s easy to assume there’s nothing left to think about, nothing left to protect, nothing still depending on what remains. That assumption is where winter…
You’ve seen it before — and it probably made your stomach drop. A plant you’ve cared for suddenly looks wrong. Shoots erupt where a single branch should be. Stems flatten and twist as if they’ve been softened, pressed, reshaped. Flowers open with too many petals,…
The garden feels different in fall. The sunlight softens, the mornings turn crisp, and blooms that once seemed endless now hint at their final curtain call. But this is also the moment I love most — the time when flowers can be gathered, dried, and…
Rosehip syrup couldn’t be easier to make—all you really need are fresh rose hips and a bit of honey or sugar. The result is a sweet-tart syrup that’s just as good drizzled over pancakes as it is swirled into tea or cocktails. I love making…
If you’re looking for flowering shade plants to fill in the vertical space between low-growing ground covers and tall trees or shrubs, this list of tall shade perennials will come in handy. Over the winter, I started mapping out ways to bring more height and…
Are your tomato vines outgrowing their trellis? Do you long for a homegrown tomato but only have a small balcony garden? Maybe it’s time to try a dwarf tomato! Dwarf tomatoes grow to be less than 1.5m (5 feet) high, and many of them mature…
Late August can feel tricky in the garden. Many summer blooms start to disappear just when the heat peaks, leaving beds looking tired and dry. I’ve been there (and I know the disappointment), but there are some plants that shine when others fade. These unique…
Spring is usually thought of as cleaning season — and as we inch closer to it, I’ve got renewal and organization on my mind. One of my favorite ways to honor the shifting seasons and welcome in fresh energy is with smudge sticks. Smudging is…
Spring’s first little surprise? Common violets (Viola odorata). These tiny purple blooms pop up just as winter loosens its grip, dotting yards and woodlands like nature’s confetti. While some might overlook them as just another wildflower—or even a weed—these little blossoms are both edible and…
Is your garden looking a bit lackluster? Fear not! Just like you, plants need essential nutrients to thrive, and you don’t have to break the bank to boost them. Forget the pricey store-bought fertilizers—your kitchen is full of everyday items that can work wonders for…