A look at how we use a string trellis system in our garden to guide indeterminate tomato plants upward. Plus, what is the difference between determinate and indeterminate tomatoes, why it matters, and companion planting. This week is planting week. The last frost date happened this week. The rain has stopped. I can see the sun. The stars are aligning, and it’s time to get these seedlings in the ground. The first to hit the dirt were lettuce seeds, which went directly in the dirt, but after... more

A look at easy cooking techniques with salt, herbs, and garlic (and a bit of love) that will easily create memorable meals out of the simplest of ingredients so you eat well and spend less. Pin It It’s February. This is the point in the winter months that I really start longing for summer days and farmers market trips and shopping lists that are filled with more fresh produce from my very own backyard garden. Alas, it snowed last night, and I woke this morning to a winter wonderland. Timely,... more

We have a compost pile. It started when my husband pulled out a pesky lilac that was taking over the corner of our yard. In the dirt patch, he happily started gathering together fallen leaves and grass clippings, and the next year while we were putting in our first raised bed garden, we happily took from the pile to fill the space. When I planted my garden that year, the results were impressive and I was hooked. We then moved to building a structure around out pile out of wood and patio pavers,... more

You’ve put the seeds in small dirt cups, watered and given them a home to grow. Now that there are tiny plants, how do you care for those seedlings until it’s time to place them in the ground? Here in Chez Olmanson, our first batch of seedlings is coming along nicely. Nearly all the seeds have sprouted into tiny plants or are beginning to sprout. We have, therefore, removed the “greenhouse” lids and are letting them out into the air, removing the “pots” that... more

Gardening can be difficult if you aren’t familiar with it. I mean, when do you start seedlings from seeds, and when do those seedlings get put in the ground, and what is the frost date for my hardiness zone, but first, what is a hardiness zone? This year we are starting most of our plants as seedlings. Then there are still a few plants we decided we’d just purchase at the farmer’s market in May. This might have to do with the fact that I am a farmer’s market addict, and... more

Here in the Midwest, there is still snow on the ground, but temperatures are on the rise, and it’s time to start thinking about gardens and, more importantly, getting seedlings started. We’ll be starting our seedlings indoors because the temperatures still drop below freezing at night, and to do this, we’ll need to build a box to grow them in. Rather than paying $10 to $20 for a premade tray, we decided to make our own out of garbage and recyclables around the house. Besides,... more

When I considered what I would plant in my garden in the spring after Ole had finished placing each and every rock around the bed, I really just picked things that I liked. I didn’t do much planning or thoughtful introspection. I knew I wanted a kitchen garden, a potager, and already had my herbs in pots. I went to the farmer’s market, looked around, found a few things I knew I wanted like everbearing strawberries and tomatoes, picked out a few more items and then I just went for it.... more