Dig into all things gardening—whether you’re growing your first tomato plant or planning a full backyard garden. Here you’ll find tips, how-tos, and inspiration for growing fruits, veggies, herbs, flowers, and more. We’re all about getting our hands dirty, learning as we grow, and enjoying the harvest together.
Finding the best way to store fresh mint leaves is a good idea for every home cook or gardener with large harvests. If your herb garden is overflowing with mint plants this season, you’re not alone. We’re in the same boat! While mint is a versatile herb we love tossing into iced tea, mint pesto, […]
Expert Tips on How to Store Fresh Mint Leaves Read Post »
Let’s talk about 20 cool weather crops you can plant now to keep your garden thriving well into the crisp autumn months. As summer starts to wind down here in Wisconsin, many gardeners think it’s time to pull up the plants and pack up the tools. But for us homesteaders, this is actually the perfect
20 Cool Weather Crops to Plant Now for a Thriving Fall Garden Read Post »
Knowing when to water your garden and exactly how much water your garden needs can be a bit of a mystery. Even for seasoned gardeners. Water too much and you risk root rot and disease; water too little and your garden plants may dry up in the heat of the day. The good news? With
Expert Tips: Knowing When to Water Your Garden Read Post »
It always seems the dill is ready before my produce from my garden, so how do I store dill, so I have it for recipes and canning. Fresh dill is one of those aromatic herbs that brings bright, tangy flavor to everything from chicken salad to dill pickles. This works for fresh dill from the
Smart Ways to Store Dill for Maximum Freshness Read Post »
Learn how to keep your potatoes all winter with this storing potatoes 101 guide. Whether you’re stocking up on grocery store potatoes, bringing home a few bags from the farmers market, or storing a just-harvested crop from your backyard garden, knowing how to store potatoes the right way makes a big difference. The wrong environment,
Storing Potatoes 101: Cure and Keep them All Winter Read Post »
Not long ago, my daughter and I saw a video on social media on how to preserve flowers in bottles. It looked like such a fun way to keep blooms around longer. We just had to try it. We picked out a few flower stems from our garden. You can also use fresh flowers from
Easy Way to Preserve Flowers in Bottles with Baby Oil Read Post »
Should you prune tomato suckers? If you’ve ever grown tomato plants and noticed small shoots sprouting between the main stem and branches, you’ve already met a tomato sucker. But what exactly are they? Should you remove them? Or leave them alone? In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about tomato suckers
Tomato Suckers Guide: To Prune or Not to Prune Read Post »
Growing potatoes in containers is one of the easiest ways to enjoy a homegrown potato crop, especially if you have small gardens, live in colder climates, or simply want to avoid weeds and soil-borne diseases. With the right techniques and a suitable container, you’ll enjoy higher yields of delicious new potatoes right from your patio
Grow Your Own Potatoes in Containers Step-by-Step Guide Read Post »
While most people plant rhubarb crowns, growing rhubarb from seeds is a good idea if you’re patient and want to explore different varieties. Let me walk you through how to start your own healthy rhubarb plant from seed, step by step. If you love rhubarb as much as we do, you know there’s nothing quite
Essential Steps for Growing Rhubarb Seeds Successfully Read Post »
In this guide, you’ll learn the best methods for splitting and transplanting rhubarb, including the ideal time of year, step-by-step instructions, and how to care for your new plants to ensure the best rhubarb yield in their first year and beyond. Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) is one of the earliest vegetables to grace gardens across the
Best Methods for Splitting and Transplanting Rhubarb Read Post »
With these easy times, learn how to pick your rhubarb the right way. If you’ve got a rhubarb patch in your garden, knowing when and how to pick rhubarb stalks is the first step to enjoying plentiful harvests for many years to come. Rhubarb harvest time is always special at our place—and this year, I
Pick Rhubarb the Right Way with These Easy Tips Read Post »
Learn how easy it is to grow crisp lettuce hydroponically. Growing your own lettuce at home doesn’t require a big garden or perfect weather. In fact, learning how to grow hydroponic lettuce is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to enjoy fresh, crisp greens year-round. Whether you’re short on space, tired of grocery
Grow Crisp Lettuce Hydroponically in Your Home Read Post »
One of the most popular choices among home gardeners is hydroponic bell peppers. Hydroponic gardening is a great way to grow fresh vegetables at home, even if you don’t have a lot of space. Whether you’re growing green bell peppers, sweet peppers, or even chili peppers, a hydroponic system offers precise control over environmental conditions,
Growing Hydroponic Bell Peppers: Tips for Success Read Post »
It’s so easy to plant bell peppers in your backyard garden. They are a great addition to any vegetable garden. Whether you love them green, yellow, red, or purple, growing your own bell pepper plants is rewarding and easier than you might think. These warm-season crops thrive in full sun, require consistent moisture, and do
Easy Steps to Plant Bell Peppers in Your Backyard Read Post »
Building your own planter box is a great way to turn your outdoor space into a lush and productive kitchen garden—even in small spaces. If you want to start growing your own vegetables, this simple weekend project is a great choice. For homesteaders, DIY enthusiasts, and backyard gardeners alike, having a planter box is a
How to Build a DIY Wooden Planter Box (With Free Plans!) Read Post »
Why use plants that repel mosquitoes and bugs naturally? Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance on the homestead—they can leave behind itchy bites that swell into painful welts for some of us. A few of our family members react pretty badly, so we’re always looking for natural mosquito repellents that keep the bugs away
Best Plants that Repel Mosquitoes and Bugs Naturally Read Post »
Let’s talk about how to grow rosemary. There’s something so satisfying about snipping a few fragrant sprigs of rosemary from a plant you grew yourself. Whether it’s adding flavor to roasted potatoes, tossing it into fresh bread dough, or just brushing your hand across the leaves for that calming aroma. I love the smell of
Grow Rosemary from Seeds, Cuttings, or Store-Bought Read Post »
Growing your own herbal tea garden in your kitchen is a fun and relaxing project. It’s also a great way to bring the joys of gardening indoors. Whether you live on a large homestead or in a small apartment, cultivating homegrown herbs for delicious tea is a great idea that can enhance your health, home,
How to Grow Herbs for a Tea Garden in Your Kitchen Read Post »
Our printable seasonal produce guide for fruits and vegetables helps you track what’s growing month by month. So you can plan your meals, pantry storage, and garden efforts around what nature is already doing. When you’re living closer to the land—whether through gardening, preserving, or supporting your local farm stand—knowing what’s in season can be
Printable Seasonal Produce Guide for Fruits and Vegetables Read Post »
Are you storing onions the wrong way? Properly storing onions is the best way to keep them fresh and flavorful for longer. There’s nothing more frustrating than reaching for an onion only to find it soft or moldy. Fortunately, with a few simple storage techniques, you can extend their shelf life, reduce food waste, and
Are You Storing Onions the Wrong Way? Learn How to Store Read Post »
