It’s that time of year again. Winter is nearly upon us. It’s time to start getting ready for the storms that are bound to be on the way. If you live in an area likely to get snow several times, it’s a good idea to make these preparations in early winter. Get ready in advance …
Gardening
My husband and I were getting ready for a lovely 6-day getaway cruise – just him and me, no kids! This is a rare treat for any parent, but for a parent with 4 human children and over 50 critter children, it is not only an incredibly rare treat but a logistical headache. When we …
For many years, I avoided growing potatoes because I thought they needed a lot of space and they weren’t practical for backyard gardens. I was so wrong! Potatoes are not only a great addition to the backyard garden, but they are really easy to grow. They are a cold weather crop that grows well in …
Some call it thrifty, but I will admit it, I am cheap. Growing up, whenever my sister or I would ask for the latest toy or fad, my mother, after hearing the price, would usually reply with “I can make that for less than half the price!”. It was often met with complaints or eye …
You can buy started strawberry plants at the nursery, but by buying bare root strawberry sets you can not only save a ton of money, but get a larger variety and healthier, more vigorous plants. And if your family is like mine, there can never be too many strawberries! There are dozens of strawberry varieties …
Fresh veggies play an important part in keeping us all healthy. Essential vitamins & minerals protect our cells from disease and give our bodies the fuel they need. The same is true for your pets & livestock! The costs for fresh, organic food for your animals can sometimes be prohibitive if you have a large …
The biggest factor in having a successful gardening season is to plan ahead! Late winter, when your beds are snoozing under a blanket of snow is the perfect time to lay the framework for an amazing gardening season. Your garden planning is going to look different depending on where you live. Here in New England, we …
Do you want to start a garden but are overwhelmed about how to start? Let me introduce you to a system that is perfect for small spaces called square foot gardening. I think this is a great way to garden for someone who is just getting started. If you are a beginning gardener, click here …
Starting a raised bed garden can be an expensive prospect. You can buy a ready made kit, many of them topping out well over $100 per bed. I make my own raised beds, read on to see how you can make a raised garden bed for under $30! It’s easy and doesn’t require any special …
I won’t lie, after tending my garden all spring & summer I look forward to fall harvest and less outdoor chores (although that usually just means it’s time to see to the neglected indoor chores!). Here in the Northeast, our growing season is pretty short so the chilly air means it’s time to pack in …