Tag: Garden

12 Steps, Beginner Guide, Step by Step, Gardening

Seed Starting 101 (A Step by Step Guide for Beginners)

April 10, 2019 / Leah / 8 Comments

You’ve decided to plant a garden! You have a plan, a vision, goals (if not see my post on starting your first garden)! Now what?! It’s time for starting your seeds! Don’t be intimidated! While starting your plant babies from seeds can be daunting, it is very doable!

Four Simple Tips for Starting Your First Garden

April 1, 2019 / Leah / 8 Comments

You can have a garden! Yes, you. I don’t care how many plants you have killed, if I can do it, anyone can do it! You just need a few simple garden tips.

For many years I considered myself to be a “black thumb” when it came to gardening. In college, I killed a cactus–yes a cactus. I had never met a healthy green plant that I couldn’t turn into a withered, shriveled, pitiful little heap of twigs. In fact, my house plants closely resembled Ursula’s garden from The Little Mermaid.

Black Thumb: Diary of a Wannabe Gardener, Day 9 — 5 Things I Learned

October 6, 2018 / Leah / 0 Comments

I think it is official. I am no longer a “black thumb.” When I first started my vegetable gardening journey, I knew nothing except my previous attempts (and failures) at keeping anything green alive. My college roommate can testify to my cactus murdering phase. Now, nearing the end of the growing season for my zone, I can safely claim a successful first garden. Virtually all of the vegetables I planted grew well.

Black Thumb: Diary of a Wannabe Gardener, Day 8 – The Garden Grows

July 18, 2018 / Leah / 0 Comments

My Memorial Day deadline has come and gone–my garden has now been completely planted.

The garden is growing!! I have radishes, turnips, two pepper varieties, peas, beans, corn, pumpkin, summer squash, zucchini, onions, two varieties of cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, oak leaf lettuce, cabbage, fingerling potatoes, Brussels sprouts, garlic, chives, dill, cilantro, basil, and asparagus in the main garden. I also planted rhubarb, strawberries, and raspberries in additional areas around my yard. In containers, I have my tomatoes, and additional strawberries and basil. Whew! That is a lot. Too much? That remains to be seen.

Black Thumb: Diary of a Wannabe Gardener, Day 7 — The Garden

June 10, 2018 / Leah / 0 Comments

Garden Construction

Finally, the day has arrived! My Garden is ready for planting!

My very handy husband completed my new garden. In compliance with the sage advice from The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible, we went with raised beds. My hubby built three long raised beds the two on the outside are 2′ x 22′ each and the center bed is 4′ x 18′ to leave room for a walkway and gates at either end. Additionally, each bed is separated by an 18″ walkway. It is perfect. I am so excited.

Summer Blues? Six Creative Activities for Kids

May 9, 2018 / Leah / 0 Comments

Summertime Blues?

Summer is almost upon us. Summer, in all its glory, with its hot, sticky days, its melted ice cream cones, its mellow, lazy vibe. Too often summer can turn into too many cartoons, too many video games, and not enough constructive fun. What to do? How to banish the summer blahs? Check out these creative activities for kids!

Black Thumb: Diary of A Wannabe Gardener, Day 5 – Raised Beds

May 6, 2018 / Leah / 0 Comments

Beginner Gardening 101

Today I made a trip to the garden section of my local library. I love libraries—especially in this digital age—there Is something about the smell and feel of actual books. I love the weight of them in my hand, the feel of glossy pages filled with pictures . . . I checked out several books about gardening, probably too many. Given my busy schedule these days I won’t have time to read half of them.

Black Thumb: Diary of A Wannabe Gardener, Day 2 – Making a Plan

April 20, 2018 / Leah / 2 Comments

Hatching a Plot

I have discovered that successful gardening needs a plan. Ever since I hatched my cockamamie plan to turn my backyard plot into a real garden, I have been pinning ideas on Pinterest–pins about how to grow tomatoes in containers, how to start your own backyard compost, how to maximize space, etc. My husband is fully on board with the idea and has relocated (or torn down and rebuilt) a shed, an empty chicken coop and an over-sized, dilapidated green house to make room for my larger plot, compost bin, and smaller and more functional greenhouse. My sole contribution to the project thus far has been pinning.