I still remember the first time I tucked a basil seedling next to a tiny tomato transplant—pure excitement bubbled up in my chest as I imagined the classic Caprese flavors ripening side by side! Growing tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum, native to western South America) and basil (Ocimum basilicum, native to tropical regions of central Africa to...
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!
It’s such a bummer when you approach your beloved herb garden—adorning everything from sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum, native to tropical Asia) to lavender (Lavandula angustifolia, native to the Mediterranean)—only to see spent blooms wilting atop otherwise healthy foliage. I know how frustrating it is to leave those faded flowers in place, thinking they’ll add charm,...
There’s nothing quite as disappointing as watching those plump flower buds emerge at the tips of your beloved basil (Ocimum basilicum) stems—especially after months of coaxing lush, aromatic leaves from that Mediterranean favorite in your garden or windowsill pot! I know the temptation is strong to pinch off all those blooms to force more leaf...
There’s something undeniably charming about stepping up to a front porch and being greeted by a fresh, invigorating scent. If you’ve ever stood at an entrance and suddenly felt uplifted, it might have been the subtle tingle of peppermint wafting through the air. Peppermint (Mentha × piperita), a hybrid of watermint and spearmint, hails from...
I’m thrilled you’ve decided to plant two of my favorite herbs—thyme and basil—in the same patch! There’s something magical about stepping outside and snipping fresh, fragrant leaves for dinner. But I know how disheartening it can be when one plant outgrows the other, or pests sneak in and feast on your tender shoots. Let’s walk...
Gardening is this incredible dance between patience, knowledge, and a sprinkle of intuition—and sometimes our best intentions trip us up! I’ve certainly been guilty of following a “rule book” that ended up backfiring, like over-mulching or pruning at the wrong moment. It’s such a bummer when your efforts leave plants worse off than when you...
Gardening is one of my greatest joys—there’s nothing quite like watching seedlings unfurl into lush, vibrant specimens! But it can be heartbreaking when a once-healthy plant starts acting up. Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or just getting started, recognizing the early warning signs of stress is crucial. In this article, we’ll explore nine telltale...
Summer’s blazing sun can turn a garden into an oven, leaving tender leaves scorched, blossoms wilted, and even seasoned gardeners scrambling for relief. I know how heartbreaking it is to watch prized plants struggle under relentless heat—especially when you’ve nurtured them all season! With climate patterns shifting, heatwaves are becoming more frequent, so it’s crucial...
Gardening with herbs is one of my greatest joys—the scent of fresh oregano at sunrise, the taste of mint in a cool drink, and the sight of lavender swaying in the breeze! But it’s such a bummer when a flourishing patch suddenly wilts under heat, pests, or nutrient gaps. I know how frustrating it is...
Gardening season swings into full gear by June, and there’s nothing more disheartening than realizing you’ve missed key prep steps—especially when the weather warms and weeds, pests, and thirst strike all at once! I know how frustrating it is to scramble for supplies when seedlings are wilting or vines flop under their own weight. That’s...
Chamomile is such a rewarding herb to grow—cheerful daisy-like flowers, a lovely apple scent, and a bounty of soothing blooms for tea and skincare. But if you’ve ever let your chamomile go wild into the heat of summer, you may have seen it start to look a little… tired. Maybe it got leggy, stopped blooming,...
There’s something about dill that feels magical in the garden. Maybe it’s the feathery, light-as-air foliage or those tall umbels of yellow blooms that call in pollinators from every direction. Dill is one of my favorite herbs to grow—not only for its flavor, but for how much life it brings to the space. But let’s...