It is finally time to start thinking about seeds and making the garden plan for this spring. Here in Zone 5b, I have at least eight weeks, more likely ten, before I’m able to start planting items outside but its’ fun to dream and make the plans. Each year, I try a few new things to plant while the majority of my garden relies on tried and true varieties. Today, I’d love to share a bit about my garden as well as the new crops I’m trying out. I hope this inspires you to look for new things as well! About my garden I have several garden spaces and I…
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A Year of Preserving: January – Canning Satsuma slices
An important part of my life is eating high-quality, in-season foods and preserving those foods at their peak of freshness to be used later. Not only does it support my family and our grocery budget, but I just find it relaxing as well as super satisfying. Hearing the ping of a jar or the snap of a crisp apple chip makes me downright giddy. When I started this blog, the key things I wanted to focus on were eating seasonally and teaching how to preserve foods. And so started A Year of Preserving. Each month, we’ll focus on utilizing various preserving methods to put up seasonal items at their best.…
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Cinnamon Vanilla Infused Vodka and a Perfectly Festive Cocktail
A few weeks back, I visited a local bar specializing in craft cocktails with my two friends Robin and Kaylee. I have actually known Kaylee and Robin for many years but up until early 2020, we were casual friends. Each of us are boy-moms with my two flanking the oldest and youngest positions. In that time, we’ve found so much in common between raising young men, enjoying good local food, and learning more about self-sufficiency. After the last 18 months, Robin and Kaylee have become my steadfast friends, women I talk to every day of the week without fail with some story or another, getting advice, and sometimes just funny…
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Good Night, Garden! Putting the garden to bed for winter
In Zone 5b, November signals the end of the growing season so it's time to tuck in and put the garden to bed. Learn my steps to putting the garden to bed and getting it ready for winter and spring.
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Rhubarb Crisp: the untraditional but super tasty spring dessert
My birthday falls in early June, perfect timing for desserts fresh from the garden. In Massachusetts, the strawberries are just starting to ripen and rhubarb stalks are getting wide and long. Maybe by you, you’re even seeing peaches, cherries and figs! While I could take or leave cake, I love a good crisp with its buttery and crunchy topping and fruity, juicy filling. Most people use apples or pears for their crisp, but it’s a dessert that lends itself well to be a year-round tasty treat – welcome Rhubarb Crisp. Things you may not know about Rhubarb Rhubarb is actually a vegetable. That’s right. A vegetable. Even though widely used…
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Five tips for planting dynamic containers and window boxes
In the last few years, I have become entirely inspired by gardeners around me, celebrity gardeners, and even my local botanical garden. While those with large gardens can do giant containers or fields of plants, the home gardener has limited space to make a big impact. But containers and window boxes can make just as big of an impact in a small space. Why add containers and window boxes? Curb appeal This of course is the easiest reason. Maybe you live in suburbia like me and want a cute house. Maybe you’re selling your house and want an easy, cozy feeling to welcome buyers. Either way, selecting attractive planters and…
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Eating from the spring garden: Comforting Asparagus and Lemon Risotto
I get delighted at the thought of the spring garden. After months of cold and snow, watching things pop out of the ground is nothing short of a miracle. But the spring garden can continue to bring snow in some areas. This year, we had a storm dump six inches of heavy, wet snow on April 16th… Luckily, by the 17th it was gone, but still snow in April nonetheless. And even though I was grilling chicken to top a salad on the 15th, it was so comforting to be able to provide a warm, soothing dinner of spring risotto, fresh from the garden, while the snow fell. Risotto often…
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Peas: A Quickstart Guide on Varieties and How to Plant
Ah the spring garden. The snow has finally melted in Massachusetts and the ground is getting workable. The crocuses and tulips are starting to sprout but it’s still a bit early to be planting anything… Or is it? Welcome a staple of the spring garden: peas. Peas are one of my favorite cool-season crops. I love watching them grow up en masse on a trellis with tender little flower heads. And honestly, who doesn’t love a quick garden snack so crisp and juicy? In this article, we’ll discuss the basics of peas, varietals, and how to get started! Things to know about peas Sweet pea flowers and eating peas are…
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Why You Should Be Adding Edible Perennials This Spring
One of the first things we did when we decided to add a garden was to bring home three large blueberry bushes from a local farm. In reality, it wasn’t because I valued edible perennials, it was because I love that farm so dang much that when the owners were selling off bushes to make space, I couldn’t pass it up. I had spent several summers picking berries with my sisters and mother there and shortly before my grandmother’s passing, we picked raspberries together to make jam for my wedding favors. It holds a special place in my heart and I wanted a piece of the farm at my home.…
