This is the fourth and final installment of my beginner gardening tutorial. For this class I decided to list some of my favorite books and growing aides. The book list is by no means exhaustive but I have some that have truly helped me form the backbone of my gardening approach. I am not affiliated … Continue reading Beginning Gardener: Class 4-Walking You Through What You Need To Know
Learning to garden takes time. It’s also helpful to have a seasoned gardener show you how to garden in your area. If you don’t have someone on hand: you now have me! I may not live where you do (and it makes a huge difference if you are growing in a different area) but I … Continue reading Beginning Gardener: Class 3-Walking You Through What You Need To Know
Winter is on the way! It's time to brush up on your gardening skills and learn new gardening gifts! I am ready to share everything with you! This year I thought I'd get back to basics and start publishing pieces of my gardening advice from my page: Gardening Basics. For the novice gardener: read on … Continue reading Beginner Gardeners: Walking You Through What You Need To Know
I would bet that most gardeners have a list of a few things that they do, out of habit, that are counterproductive. For me it's gardening without gloves or long sleeves. I almost never wear gloves or long sleeves. I love to work the soil with my hands, I weed bare handed and I harvest … Continue reading Curing An Extra Itchy Case Of The Gardening Stupids
Winter is a wonderful time to read up on gardening literature. When your garden is fast asleep, it is the perfect time to make preparations for next year. Whether you are new to gardening or an old hand: this is the yearly time for reflection. What has worked for you? What have you struggled with? … Continue reading Winter: Garden Planning
It's hot out right now. Like: "melt into a puddle with whatever remaining liquid is left in your poor dehydrated body" hot out. San Antonio has a long growing season: 280 days. Our summers are included in the 280 days but I'm not sure that's very fair. I can get peppers, okra and eggplants through … Continue reading Come On, You Know You Want To! Recycled Glass Flowers In The Garden
This month is heavy on the picking and light on the work. Why? Because I worked hard in the spring to create this exact scenario. Water-wise, deep beds have yielded incredible amounts of produce. See how we built them here: Hugelkultur, Keyhole Gardens: Bridging Ideas and here: Mother’s Day Raised Hugelkultur Bed! Instructions for creating … Continue reading Reaping The Rewards Of Spring Planning
One of the draws of raised beds (especially if you have heavy native clay soil) is the the great drainage it provides. However, the drainage in a raised bed can also become an issue in high summer heat. This is a great example of how some things are extremely helpful in one season (like drainage … Continue reading Efficient Summer Watering In A Raised Bed
Oh, I love my milk jugs! I start my seeds in them. I root cuttings in them. I short cut the hardening-off process with them. Yes! That's right you can now be lazy like me and get past the long and annoying process of getting plants into your garden. Hardening off plants is necessary but … Continue reading Short Cut Through The Hardening-Off Process
There is a lot going on in my garden this week: My peas are going crazy. My kohlrabi is looking good. My corn is happy. The peppers I started from seed are closing in on transplanting time. The only issue I am having are super-sized, extra giant grubs. These are not your June bug variety … Continue reading When Life Gives You Grubs, Serve Them Nematode Tea!
One of my favorite plants to grow down here is hibiscus. It is truly a beautiful plant and the flowers are breathtaking. I am not the only one who appreciates hibiscus. We frequently have hummingbirds in the garden sipping hibiscus nectar. My favorite part about the plant though, is that it's edible. Hibiscus is high … Continue reading Ever Had Spiced Hibiscus Flower Tea?
Crazy Green Thumbs 