It’s one of the best moments of summer—stepping out into your garden and plucking a perfectly ripe tomato straight from the vine. But if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably hovered over your tomato plants trying to figure out if today is the day. Harvesting too early leaves you with lackluster flavor, while waiting too...
Fruits And Vegetables
Living off grid is a term coined by Nick Rosen, an environmentalist. It’s defined as being independent of systems like utilities and other types of conveniences. Some consider it to be a sort of exile from society, others view it as being a more environmentally positive action, and technically, both are correct.
People who live off grid often have vastly simplified lifestyles. Buying stuff, convenience, and overconsumption take a back seat to more simplistic living. Lots of DIY, self improvement, and producing the things you need yourself.
Living off grid has numerous benefits. Off grid families tend to have a lower environmental footprint due to producing energy from clean tech sources like solar, less consumerism, and producing more food themselves. People who live off grid also experience a ton of personal satisfaction for the work they put in and what they get out.
Living off grid reportedly reduces stress and anxiety and improves health overall. The physical labor involved with off grid living is better for you than sitting at a desk in an office, and the food you grow yourself is often substantially healthier than what you would find in a grocery store.
Families who live off grid don’t just live frugally but can also make a little bit of money at it. Selling extra eggs, produce, and other things can help turn your off grid lifestyle into a net financial positive.
It’s not easy to be a fully off grid individual or family, but there are steps you can take to get you started without cutting off the world and living alone in a remote cabin.
Springtime in my garden is all about crisp salad greens and hearty brassicas, so pairing lettuce with cabbage has been a game-changer! These two cool-season crops share similar soil and moisture needs, making them perfect bedmates. I still remember the thrill of harvesting tender butterhead leaves alongside firm, emerald-green cabbage heads in early summer—it felt...
Growing carrots is one of my favorite springtime rituals—those vibrant orange roots dug fresh from the earth can’t be beat! Yet it’s such a bummer when your hopes for long, sweet carrots turn into a patch of puny, forked, or stringy roots. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned gardener, it’s easy to slip up...
Growing peppers can be one of the most rewarding parts of a summer garden—those glossy pods are like little bursts of sunshine! But peppers can be a tad temperamental, and it’s so frustrating when your plants sulk instead of thriving. From planting missteps to skipping crucial care steps, there are plenty of pitfalls that can...
Spring’s cool days are perfect for leafy greens and brassicas, and pairing spinach with broccoli can yield a bountiful harvest when done right! By combining these two favorites in the same bed, you can maximize space, deter pests, and enjoy fresh greens and crunchy florets throughout the season. I still remember the thrill of snipping...
I’m so excited you’re considering raised beds—you’re about to transform your garden into a flourishing oasis before summer’s heat arrives! Getting your frames in place now means you’ll beat the rush on materials, give the soil time to settle, and set yourself up for healthier, more productive plants. Trust me, once you see those neat...
Gardening pumpkins and squash side by side can turn your patch into a bountiful autumnal spectacle! I know how thrilling it is to envision those golden globes ripening on intertwined vines—and equally how frustrating it can be when powdery mildew strikes or vines sprawl out of bounds. But with a few thoughtful strategies, you’ll cultivate...
One of my favorite parts of berry gardening is watching the brambles intertwine, their canes dancing in the breeze as they produce clusters of sweet, juicy fruit! Both blackberries (Rubus fruticosus complex) and raspberries (Rubus idaeus), native to various temperate regions in Europe, Asia, and North America, have long histories of cultivation. Yet many gardeners...
One of my favorite aspects of growing strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa) is discovering companion plants that support their growth, protect them from pests, and enhance overall garden biodiversity! Strawberries are native to temperate regions in Europe and North America, forming low, mat-like foliage and sending out runners that sprawl across the soil. However, they can...
One of my favorite gardening practices is growing vegetables in raised beds—there’s something so rewarding about crafting a rich, contained soil mix and watching rows of peppers, tomatoes, and greens flourish! Raised beds warm up earlier in the spring than in-ground plots, giving you a head start on the growing season and providing superior drainage...
One of my favorite garden combinations has to be zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) and cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) growing side by side—there’s something so satisfying about seeing those large, textured leaves intertwine while pollinators buzz from flower to flower! Zucchini hails from the Americas, where Indigenous peoples cultivated it for centuries, while cucumbers trace their origins to...
Ever found yourself staring at a row of young corn seedlings and wishing you could do more than just watch them sway in the breeze? I’ve been there—eager for that first taste of sweet, homegrown corn but also keen to maximize my garden’s harmony. Companion planting invites us to think beyond single crops and view...