The soil food web is made up of all kinds of soil critters that have a symbiotic relationship with plants and act as nature’s very own nutrient recycling system. Learn how to nurture your soil biology so that beneficial microbes feed your plants and you can stop using synthetic fertilizers.
How We Created Our New Back to Eden Garden
I’ve been dreaming about this garden since 2012 and last year we finally made it a reality! Come with me to see how we installed our new Back to Eden garden step-by-step.
5 Must Have Essential Oils for Your Garden
If you have concerns about the toxic effects of commercial pesticides, try using one or all of these essentials oils to make effective garden sprays for your garden.
How to Start Seeds Indoors
Your ultimate seed starting guide. Learn how to set up your seed starting area; options for mediums and containers; how to prepare your seeds with soaking, stratification, and scarification; how to take care of your seedlings; and how to harden off your seedlings for transplanting.
Garden Inspiration from Seattle’s NW Flower & Garden Show
Take a tour of Seattle’s NW Flower and Garden Show with me. The show was full of inspiring garden displays, interesting speakers and free plants. Time well spent for a Sunday afternoon.
The Truth About My First Year Homesteading
After over five years of planning our perfect homestead, we made our dream a reality last year when we purchased our home on 6.5 acres. Although my head was full of idealistic fantasies, I quickly learned the reality was much more challenging than I had bargained for. Here’s a look at the projects we tackled this past year. It may have been hard, but it was worth it.
The 10 Best Gifts for Gardeners
Looking for the perfect gift for the gardener in your life? Look no further. I scoured the internet for the top 10 gardening gifts any gardener would love to find under their tree.
Neem Oil: The Answer to a Pest-Free Organic Garden
Neem oil is a great choice for the organic gardener who wants to fight bugs and diseases the organic way because it is so safe and effective. Learn about the different types of neem oil on the market and the best ways to use them.
How to Grow a Hugelkultur Garden
Depending on your technique, gardening can be labor intensive. Tilling, watering, and fertilizing can turn an enjoyable hobby into back-breaking and cumbersome work. There is one method of gardening, however, that eliminates the chores we dread. It’s called hugelkultur.
Our First Experience with Chickens
Chickens have always been front and center in my vision for our homestead. They provide eggs, meat, compost and endless entertainment. We finally took the plunge this year with 8 baby chicks. This is how we raised them up from chicks, set up their coop, trained our dogs with them, and put them to work in the garden.
Powerful Plant Medicine: Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine to promote overall longevity and wellness. It is commonly referred to as Indian ginseng for its powerful rejuvenating and restorative properties. Learn more about ashwagandha’s benefits, how to grow it, and how to prepare your own tonics and supplements.
Fix Your Brix and Grow Your Sweetest Garden Yet
For the scientifically-minded, there is one measurement to pay attention to if you want a sweet and juicy harvest: the brix. Increasing this one measurement will improve your crop’s flavor and nutrition, extend its shelf life, and keep pests at bay. Learn how to measure and improve your garden’s brix.
Grow Your Own Food Indoors
Learn about the best crops to grow indoors year round, and tips for growing your best harvest.
Our New Homestead
After 5 years of dreaming and planning, we bought our new home on 6.5 acres with the intention of creating our own modern homestead. We dream of living a back to the land lifestyle and eating fresh, super healthy food: the harvest from our garden, the fish we catch, and the eggs our chickens lay. Come and take a look around.
How to Start a Community Garden
Seeds of Grace is a non-profit that builds community gardens in Washington State and Mexico. Each garden donates their produce to community organizations such as homeless shelters, food banks, after school programs, and Meals on Wheels. I sat down with Seeds of Grace founder, Karole Johnson, to ask her how others can start building community gardens where they live. She offered several helpful suggestions based on what she has learned over the years.