Creating a sea of fragrant purple blooms in your garden is one of the most rewarding experiences a gardener can enjoy. I know how heartbreaking it is when your lavender plants struggle—leggy growth, floppy stems, or worse, sudden die-off! With the right knowledge, you can cultivate robust bushes that stand tall, release heady aromas, and...
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 spend hours weeding your beds only to realize you’ve pulled some of the best helpers in your garden! Many plants we label as “weeds” are actually powerhouse pollinator magnets, soil builders, or edible treasures just waiting for a chance to shine. I know the frustration of trying to maintain...
It’s such a bummer when an otherwise lovely spring garden is overtaken by an uninvited guest! Each May, the innocuous white blossoms of garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) pop up along woodland edges, paths, and neglected beds—and before you know it, this European import is crowding out your favorite natives. As a gardener, there’s nothing more...
Growing a lush, verdant parsley patch is one of the most rewarding experiences for any home gardener. Parsley’s bright, frilly leaves add a burst of fresh flavor to countless dishes, and harvesting your own abundant crop brings a deep sense of satisfaction. Yet, it’s such a bummer when your parsley ends up sparse, leggy, or...
I absolutely get the thrill of brushing past a lush, aromatic oregano patch—its fresh, earthy scent is one of life’s simple delights! Yet it’s such a bummer when your little herb starter barely spreads, leaving bare patches instead of a verdant carpet. Oregano, native to the Mediterranean and parts of western Eurasia, naturally thrives in...
I absolutely adore mint for its invigorating scent, culinary versatility, and ease of growth—yet I know firsthand how a humble sprig can morph into a rampant green jungle if left unchecked! It’s such a bummer when your well-intentioned herb patch turns into a mint swamp, smothering nearby plants. Whether you dream of endless mojitos, fragrant...
Watching once-vibrant foliage fade to brown is one of the most disheartening sights for a gardener. Whether you’re tending a windowsill jungle of tropical houseplants or nurturing a border of perennials, crisping leaf tips and brown patches can signal a host of underlying problems. From environmental stressors like drought or chill damage to hidden pests...
There’s nothing quite like the aroma of fresh basil wafting through your garden on a warm summer morning. As a gardener, I’ve found that growing a lush basil patch not only elevates every pasta dish and caprese salad but also brings a sense of satisfaction that only thriving herbs can deliver! Basil (Ocimum basilicum) hails...
Heat waves have become an all-too-familiar challenge for gardeners everywhere, turning our carefully nurtured beds into wilting landscapes seemingly overnight. I know how frustrating it is to watch your tomato seedlings scorch while the sun beats down relentlessly! That’s why harnessing the power of a greenhouse—far from just extending your season—can be a game-changer when...
Breathing easy is something most of us take for granted—until a stubborn cough or seasonal allergy has us reaching for tissues and decongestants! Growing plants with soothing, airway‑supporting properties in your garden or on your windowsill can be a game‑changer for respiratory wellness. As a gardener who’s felt the relief of sipping fresh thyme tea...
Building a garden packed with herbs that return season after season is a dream for any green thumb—it means less replanting, more flavor, and a living archive of scents and textures that evolve gracefully over the years. As a gardener who’s delighted in seeing my herb bed bounce back each spring, I can attest to...
It’s such a relief to know that your garden can soothe an upset stomach as easily as it brightens your kitchen! Growing digestive herbs at home means you have a fresh remedy on hand whenever you need it—no more frantic searches through cabinets or settling for stale dried leaves. I know how frustrating it is...