This lipstick economy might be rearing its head, but that doesn't mean you need to panic and put extra stress on yourself when it comes to your garden. In fact, if you feel the pressure for your garden to deliver this year, I will suggest you look into farm animals for a secure source of … Continue reading Garden Planning Tips
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A Simple & Effective Garden Fence
I purposely sat on this project for a few months just to see how it held up; happy to report that this fence is a success for us and will be left up for years to come. The point of this fence is to keep the big garden pests out: deer, our ducks/chickens, our dog, … Continue reading A Simple & Effective Garden Fence
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Burpee’s Reusable Seed Starting Tray Review
These are great! And after having these for a few years, I feel comfortable enough to give my perspective on why I love these. Here I go into both pros and cons to using these reusable seed starting trays by Burpee, to help you decide if these are a good fit for your garden. ** … Continue reading Burpee’s Reusable Seed Starting Tray Review
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Crushed Tomatoes & Mushroom Sauce | Small Batch Freezer Recipe (2 Pints)
A beautiful basic sauce, with added mushrooms to give it some umami oomph, is something that can be made and stored in a couple hours but last months in the freezer. Made to honor those small harvests, this recipe is an affordable option for those who's tomato plants are ending or those who are wanting … Continue reading Crushed Tomatoes & Mushroom Sauce | Small Batch Freezer Recipe (2 Pints)
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What to Plant After the Garlic Harvest | Polyculture Vegetable Gardens
Your garlic is pulled from the ground, and its now time to let it dry for winter. But what do you do with your empty garden bed? Here I go into 4 great options to fill that empty space, that can give you a second harvest come fall (that still adheres to a polyculture garden … Continue reading What to Plant After the Garlic Harvest | Polyculture Vegetable Gardens
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Upside Down Yogurt Cake, Using any Seasonal Fruit Toppings
The best part about this cake (besides the flavor) is that it's flexible enough that you can change the fruit toppings up to reflect what is in abundance in your gardens, farmer's markets, U pick farms, or what fruits you have canned up yourself. It's a great way to slow down with a sweet treat … Continue reading Upside Down Yogurt Cake, Using any Seasonal Fruit Toppings
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Chive Blossom Vinegar
Chive Blossom Vinegar is a homestead special, as in you'd be hard to find this anywhere to purchase outside your home! This vinegar is great for upcoming summer salads, marinades, dips, or even to use in upcoming pickling recipes. Here I go into tools, ingredients, instructions on how to make your own Chive Blossom Vinegar. … Continue reading Chive Blossom Vinegar
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Canning Plain Pumpkin (& how to purée it later) | Pressure Canning Recipe & Video
Although, winter squashes and pumpkins can sit at room temperature for several months, this is a great way to bust through the tedious work of using that pumpkin and getting them in a more approachable form. Canning them plain, gives you the most versatility with your pumpkin, and it's a very straight forward process. Here … Continue reading Canning Plain Pumpkin (& how to purée it later) | Pressure Canning Recipe & Video
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Mini Fruit Tree Guild for Small Gardens | Companion Plant for Dwarf Apples or Pears
Dwarf fruit trees have really given anyone a great chance to grow their own apples or pears in their gardens. But instead of planting them in a monoculture, using companion planting to create a Fruit Tree Guild is a great way to integrate these trees in, without much sacrifice on garden space or practicality. Here … Continue reading Mini Fruit Tree Guild for Small Gardens | Companion Plant for Dwarf Apples or Pears
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April: It’s time to get your hands dirty!
Can't believe how fast time is flying by! Crab apple trees are in massive bloom this year and the smell from them is simply heaven on earth. The frogs are out, the birds are building nests in the cervices of the property, and we are already eating from the garden. Okay, we are eating weeds, … Continue reading April: It’s time to get your hands dirty!
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Growing Potatoes in Cardboard Boxes (with pictures)
No need to over complicate growing potatoes. This vegetable will grow just about anywhere, so long it's not waterlogged. Growing them in cardboard boxes is an easy way to not only grow potatoes but help kill off grass for a future garden bed. Here I go into how to properly put together a cardboard box … Continue reading Growing Potatoes in Cardboard Boxes (with pictures)
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Hardening off your Seedlings without a Greenhouse
Hardening off is the process of bringing your seedlings from the indoors to the outdoors, in a way that doesn't stress them out. You do not need a greenhouse to do this, and within a week you can get your seedlings out of your house and into your garden safely. Here I go into a … Continue reading Hardening off your Seedlings without a Greenhouse
The Cottage Vegetable 