Herb Gardening

If you visit a market, you’ll probably see tons of products labeled as ‘organic.’ Everything from pizzas to burritos to bread. But how does all that organic stuff in the grocery store relate to organic gardening?

Truthfully, it doesn’t really. All that stuff, even if it’s organic, is still processed and a far cry from an organic garden.

Organic gardening is a practice that seeks to work with mother nature instead of against her, cultivating a garden ecosystem that bolsters your plants and reduces pest issues naturally.

Organic gardens are nearly always without any kind of synthetic chemical use, be it pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or fertilizers. Organic gardeners use natural techniques to reduce common problems that gardens experience.

Organic gardeners often plant a diverse array of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. They also use natural solutions, like lady bugs and praying mantises, for getting rid of unwanted insect pests. The objective of a garden shouldn’t be to go scorched earth and destroy all pests, but to reduce their numbers enough that those beings can continue to survive and so can your garden. It’s the natural way to go about growing your own food.

The benefits of organic gardening speak for themselves. When you set up an organic garden, you do a lot of good for the environment and yourself. The fruits and vegetables you grow are healthier for the earth and for you too. And let’s face it, organic produce just seem to taste better than the conventionally grown stuff you find in the store!

6 min read Gardening Tips

Nothing beats the welcome of fresh herbs greeting you at the threshold—imagine snipping fragrant basil for dinner or brushing past mint leaves that release a cool, uplifting scent! Placing herbs by your front door not only offers kitchen convenience but also creates a sensory delight for visitors and passersby. Plus, many herbs are magnets for...

6 min read Gardening Tips

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is one of my all-time favorite herbs to grow—not only because it drives our resident kitties wild, but also because its delicate lavender blooms attract a host of beneficial pollinators! Native to Europe and parts of Asia, catnip has naturalized widely in North America and can become invasive if left unchecked. But...

8 min read Fruits And Vegetables

Cilantro is one of those herbs that stirs up strong opinions in the kitchen—but in the garden? It’s a universal winner. Whether you’re growing it for its fragrant leaves or its spicy coriander seeds, cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) pulls double duty as a companion plant. It doesn’t just quietly coexist—it actively improves its neighbors’ lives! I...

9 min read Gardening Tips

There’s something incredibly satisfying about stepping onto your patio, pinching off a few fresh herb leaves, and tossing them straight into a meal or cup of tea. Whether you’re working with a big backyard or a small balcony, herbs are some of the most rewarding—and forgiving—plants you can grow. Plus, they offer so much more...

6 min read Gardening Tips

Planting basil by your front door is like setting out a green welcome mat—each step you take is greeted by that fresh, peppery aroma! Basil (Ocimum basilicum) hails from the tropical regions of India and Southeast Asia, where it thrived in warm, humid conditions. In our temperate gardens, it’s a sun-loving annual that rewards us...

5 min read Gardening Tips

There’s nothing quite like stepping up to your front door and being greeted by the soothing scent of lavender drifting on the breeze. Native to the rocky hillsides of the Mediterranean Basin, English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) thrives in sunny, well-drained spots—and it isn’t considered invasive in most home gardens. I know how frustrating it is...

6 min read Gardening Tips

Thyme and mint couldn’t be more different—thyme hails from the arid hills of the Mediterranean, thriving in sunny, well-drained soils, while mint traces its roots to wet meadows of Europe and Asia, spreading vigorously via underground runners. Yet, when you strike the right balance, these two aromatic herbs can complement each other beautifully, both in...