Working smarter, not harder.
Helping busy gardeners grow beautiful, productive gardens with personalized coaching, practical advice, and proven strategies
I was at the Mitten Homesteaders Conference on May 29 and 30. I taught gardening secrets!
Here’s a behind-the-scenes look as I try rehearsing my “5 Secrets of Successful Gardening” presentation… while the puppy conducts her own chaos in the background. 🐶😂🌿
Have a quick question?
Garden Mentoring Available!
Question: Got my first garden up and going, tomatoes, peppers, cukes, spinach, chard, beets... the usual stuff. Store bought plants, 4 weeks in ground. Should I be doing anything to protect the plants in this upcoming heat wave? Everything is in full sun the entire day. I'm in mid mi.
Answer: Mulch. Shade cloth on hoops, posts or poles - at least at the west side.. Not many things like sunshine from sunrise to sunset.
Let’s grow together…
Plan
Success comes from thinking about the garden before starting it! Your consultant or mentor will help you decide what to grow, draw sketches, measure spaces, test soil or build a raised bed, prepare before seeding or bringing home plants and protect the space from animals and children.
Plant
Welcome the new plants into your garden and place the seeds. Nourish and defend from threats. Take pictures of your growing babies. Ask your mentor questions along the way. Schedule a visit to check on the progress and get specific direction.
Harvest
Enjoy your successful gardening! The challenges are behind you and the benefits are now. Reminisce on the sunny, rainy, hot, cold times. Remember how it felt to be out in your garden space. Consider what worked and what didn’t and if you’d like to expand your garden. Repeat the planning cycle for next year. Contact your mentor with your ideas!
Here’s some of what you might harvest: https://youtu.be/zJ-POOURUPY
From the romanticizing, beauty-seeking teacher in me
From the GenX, pragmatic problem-solver in me
For every problem, there's a solution
"This new house we bought came with a garden but I don't know what these plants are or how to care for them."
"I have a small tree with a small hole in it. Should I fill it?"
"What can I plant under my crab tree?"
"My mom's garden is too big. How can I close that one and create a small patch she can manage?"
"Can you make a butterfly garden for our church?"
"How can I grow anything when I have (dogs/cats/chickens/kids) that like to dig everything up?"
"I want to grow fresh food for my toddlers but they keep pulling up/stepping on the plants."
"My granddaughter really wants to plant a butterfly garden. How do we start? What should we plant?"
Yes, I overthink.
Yes, I have ADHD.
Give me a Seed Starting checklist!
Get inspired.
Click here for the Photo Galleries!
Recently in the Know Better, Grow Better Series…
My blog post may help you get some ideas for the gardener or homesteader in your life or just for you!
10 Tips to Mastering Lazy Gardens
So you want to move to the country…
The quiet mornings, the open space, the big garden you’ve always dreamed of — it all sounds perfect, right?
But before you start planting anything, there’s one thing every new country homeowner should understand: your septic system can make or break your yard (and your budget).
In this short video, I’m sharing the basics of gardening around your septic tank and drain field, including:
What’s safe to plant
What you should avoid
How to protect your system from damage
Simple landscaping ideas that look great and keep your septic healthy
If you’re planning a move to the country — or already living that rural life — this is definitely worth a watch.
A little know-how now can save you thousands later!
Services
Personalized planting and specialty garden plans and problem solving.
Customized garden beds, trellising, fencing protections, hoops, cold frames and greenhouses.
Coaching and maintenance through the growing season.
Workshops, classes and on site demo gardens.
What's a LAZY GARDENER?
It's a person who values their resources: time, money and labor.
They've discovered the easiest and best ways to start and take care of their gardens by trial and error and the experiences their mentors share.
It's not that they don't work, it's that they work smarter and not harder.
About Your Consultant/Mentor
