Gardening As A Whole Curriculum

Now that spring is here, most states are starting to thaw out and warm up. This an excellent time to begin a garden, no matter how small, and teach the kids about botany, art, vocabulary, water conservation, nutrition, and so much more. I’m a firm believer in getting the most bang for my buck and most use out of every moment. Each lesson you teach your kids can incorporate many subjects, not just the most obvious one at hand. Gardening is no different. The house we live in now has a nice back and front yard, but even when we … Continue reading

Winter Gardening

We just got pounded by a major winter storm that dumped more than a foot of snow on our front lawn. It certainly dashed our hopes of an early spring. But, it did nothing to dampen the spirits of our neighbor who spent about 20 minutes today telling me all about the delicious herbs and vegetables she was growing in her year-round garden (this as we both shoveled paths from the sidewalk to our respective front doors.) Honestly, it never dawned on me to relocate my outdoor plants indoors. The idea of digging up, potting plants, and hoping they flourish … Continue reading

Allergy-Free Garden

If you are one of the millions of spring or fall allergy sufferers out there, you have my sympathy and a share of my box of Zyrtec. Allergies can be miserable, keeping you indoors when you just want to go out and enjoy the fresh air. Certain plants, trees and other greens are more likely than others to cause allergy symptoms. Knowing what to plant and what to get rid of may help you stay allergy free. Of course, just because you have an allergy-free garden doesn’t mean that you are out of the woods, so to speak. Pollen can … Continue reading

Container Garden: Grow a Hot Climate Herb Garden

One of the tried and true ways to garden in a container is to garden small and to garden strategically. The herb garden is a strategic use of space. Instead of going for bulk, you’re going for flavor. What would make your omelets delicious and your soup stocks the talk of the neighborhood? Herbs, of course! A hot climate herb garden thrives in the summer on a hot deck. If you have a sheltered and bright area indoors or if you’re lucky enough to have a greenhouse, you can bring the garden inside for the winter. This is the beauty … Continue reading

Easy and Early Spring Color in the Garden

Here in the Pacific Northwest, spring is peeking through the cracks. It’s been a strange winter, with almost no snow to speak of. I blame my pantry for that, since last year’s four-odd feet of snow inspired me to create the pantry, this year’s snow was likely scared away by the fact that my pantry exists. Perhaps the same can be said for gardening. If I start to plant now, does that mean that spring is almost here? It certainly feels like it around my house. My winter viburnum is flowering, and one of my hellebores is in full bloom … Continue reading

How to Garden in a Bad Economy

Let’s face it, the economy is affecting everything, even gardening. In fact, I think it is increasing the prevalence of gardening, as people look to grow their own food, stay close to home and have activities that don’t cost a lot of money. There are many different ways to garden, and some strategies work better than others when the economy is in a downturn. Here are some ideas about keeping the economy in mind when you garden, getting the most out of your garden and adapting your gardening techniques to the current economic situation. Let’s start with the biggest trend, … Continue reading

Frugal lessons from The Amish: Growing Food

Since most Amish live on a farm, they are used to growing food. But farm or not, Amish women always maintain a kitchen garden, where they grow delicious foods for their families. Potatoes are a staple that is usually served in the afternoon as part of the biggest meal of the day. Canned vegetables that were once grown in the garden are also a very big part of the Amish diet. The Amish are so good at farming, that they often grow extra crops for tourists to buy, such as pumpkins and gourds in the fall. Because the Amish tend … Continue reading