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Reflections on Backyard Garden: Good, Bad, and What Happened?
Success this year Our usual peas were out of stock so we tried planting snap peas and they were so good that we’re going to plant them again next year! We’ve actually harvested a good number of apples that didn’t have worms which is a huge improvement over last year; We had a good harvest of garlic and have been putting it in almost everything!; The winter garden bed is planted and growing. Failures this year I was so excited to try growing luffa however both seed starting attempts this year failed. I’m guessing the soil wasn’t warm enough so we’re going to try them again next year with a…
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Backyard Garden Journey
Garden Inspiration We’ve been on this journey for five years now and have learned so much! My husband and I both had family members who grew their own food and so had seen it done, though hadn’t ever tried growing vegetables ourselves. The idea of being able to grow our own food was appealing for a few reasons: the ability to save money on our food budget while having access to very fresh produce, knowing what each vegetable was (and was not) treated with, as well as sustainability and self-reliance. Fast forward five years and we’ve moved on from having to call grandparents for step-by-step help to knowing what works well…
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Sustainable gardening for beginners
There’s something wonderful about starting a garden in the spring. It’s that feeling of reconnecting with nature, welcoming a new year, and knowing that warmer days are just around the corner — along with fresh, delicious fruits and veggies (without the grocery store price tag!). If you’ve ever felt intimidated by the idea of gardening or assumed you’d need a backyard, fancy tools, or a big budget, good news: you don’t. Gardening can be simple, accessible, and surprisingly affordable. In this post, I want to inspire you to start a small, sustainable garden on a budget – easy, low-maintenance plants that thrive in containers and give you the biggest return…
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Planning for next year’s garden: 5 ways to make it a great year
I know, I know, it seems too early…But I had my copy of the Westcoast Seeds Gardening Guide dog-eared and was ready to order my seeds last month! I can’t be the only one… Whether you’re a long-time gardener or a first-time grower, getting ahead of planning and organizing in the fall and winter months can lead to a fantastic garden in the coming year… Which means that now is the perfect time to start planning! So as I’m going through these steps myself, I thought I’d share what I consider each year to prepare for the coming season. 1. Reflecting on past years’ gardens Before diving into planning for…
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Plastic Free July: Gardening
Today I’m sharing about how to reduce plastic use in our garden – gardening containers, packaging, and garden accessories are all areas where plastics can sneak up on us. In this post, we will explore the concept of plastic free gardening and discover practical tips to create an eco-friendly garden that nurtures both plants and the planet. Starting seeds Traditional seed starting often involves the use of plastic pots or trays, but there are several eco-friendly alternatives. Opt for biodegradable options such as peat pots, coconut coir pots, or even homemade seedling pots made from recycled newspaper, or even eggshells! These alternatives can be directly planted into the ground, reducing…
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Winter garden update and seeds to start now
Its garden time! Today I’m sharing how my winter garden plants did and what seeds I’m starting now. I’ve also been watching helpful videos and tracking down some items I’ll need for the year, so will share those with you to help start your garden planning! A great place to start is finding out when you can sow or start the plants you’d like for your garden. Get inspired by reviewing the Westcoast Seeds planting chart by region here! For more inspiration, check out past garden posts shared by Alison and I: Backyard garden Gardening while renting Progress of winter garden seeds started last fall I was hoping to have…
