Plant What to do Recommended Varieties Arugula Sow seed directly Common Asparagus Pea/ Winged Bean Sow seed directly Urizun Japanese Basil Sow seed directly Genovese, Thai, Dark Purple, Lettuce Leaf Beans – bush Sow seed directly Beurre de Rocquencourt, Contender, Buff Valentine Beans – climbing/ pole Sow seed directly 1500 Year Old Cave, Black Turtle…
January is hands down the busiest month of gardening if you live in Southern California. Not only are you juggling your regular garden maintenance, but you are rapidly starting amazing new varieties for spring and summer. While exciting, January can be an exhausting month for the Southern California gardener. My advice? Batch out your seed…
I find great delight in dreaming of all the possibilities the garden has to offer. I constantly strive to make use of every bit of space while maintaining a strong sense of aesthetics, inventive design, and overall practicality. In 2021, I laid much of the groundwork for my new garden – built raised beds, planted…
Over the past two years of working from home, I have gravitated towards cozy broths, soups, and stews to nourish and comfort me. I’ve made this rendition of brothy beans many times over the past two years. What I like most is that this recipe is very versatile and adaptable depending on what you have…
Growing your own kale should be on every gardener’s list for how little effort it requires to grow a sizable crop. Kale requires very little space and produces leaves all season long. I’ve grown kale plants that last me over a year! Follow my tips for planting, growing, and harvesting your kale to ensure an…
My passion for gardening has led me to try many different tools and items related to my pursuits. I have put together an ultimate guide to my favorite gardening essentials – tools, harvests, canning/ preserving, organization, and chickens. Tools A few good pair of snips are essential for any gardener. I reach for both my…
It can be especially frustrating to go out to your nest box to see no eggs have been laid. Whether you are a new or old chicken owner – the reasons why your hens have stopped laying can be varied. I’ve rounded up the ten most likely reasons why your hens aren’t laying eggs and…
The most frequent question I am asked about gardening is about how I manage my time. So, how do I balance my time between gardening and the rest of life? I talked about my time management tips a little over a year ago here. Over a year later, I’m writing to revisit my perspective on…
Cabbage is the crown jewel of the cold season. Growing your own cabbage, from seed or transplant, is impressive and rewarding. There are many unique varieties of cabbage to grow. To grow a successful cabbage crop, plant during your climate’s cold season in rich, well draining soil in an area that gets full sun. When…
While most vegetables and herbs truly do taste better when you grow them yourself, the fava bean is a standout when grown at home. Beyond taste, it is downright difficult to find fresh fava beans in your typical grocery store. Luckily for your taste buds – and wallet – it is so easy to grow…
I consider myself to be a cookbook collector. Shortly before the pandemic, I started a monthly cookbook club to celebrate and feature new cookbooks. A cookbook represents possibility and wonder. Most cookbook creators have spent many years perfecting their style and honing their niche. Cookbooks can all at once represent diverse cuisines, highlight decorated chefs,…
This started as a joke to myself – “no more seeds, Carmen” – as I picked up yet another seed package in the mail. When it felt like I had gone too far, I made a promise to myself. I promise to not buy anymore seeds until I inventory everything I have and make a…
