Oregano is a staple in many of our kitchens and an ingredient in numerous recipes. A member of the mint family, Origanum vulgare can be translated from its Greek origins as “joy of the mountain.” The ancient Greeks discovered it growing wild in the mountains and along the sea and have been using it for […]
Growing Basil in Your Garden
Basil is one of the most-used herbs in my garden. It is a nice companion plant for tomatoes, a wonderful addition to tomato sauces or salads and a must-have for amazing pesto. Basil is an easy-to-grow annual that does in the garden as well as in containers- or even indoors on the windowsill as a […]
Growing Calendula in Your Herb Garden
Calendula, also known as Pot Marigold or English Marigold, is known for its bright orange or yellow colored flowers, as well as the spicy, peppery flavor of the flower petals, which makes it a fantastic addition to any dish needing a pop of color and tang. It is often referred to as “poor man’s saffron” […]
Growing Comfrey: A Natural Mulch Plant
If you were to create a list of the most important plants for a healthy garden, innocuous-looking comfrey would be high on that list. It might look like a leafy giant that pops up everywhere, but comfrey is an important herb, both for your health and the health of your garden. The plant has long, […]
Repurposed Canning Lid Seed Labels #LowesCreator Plus FREE Printable Template
With garden season almost upon us you might be starting seeds like we are. We’ve expanded the garden space and will be planting more than ever before in our backyard garden space. And when plants go in, it can be easy to lose track of what you planted where, or which varieties are doing well […]
How To Grow Italian Parsley
As Chris describes in her article The Benefits of Growing Parsley in Your Kitchen Garden, there are three basic types of parsley: curly, Italian parsley (also known as flat leaf), and Hamburg. Her article will provide you with a good introduction to the three types of parsley and some of the basics. But in this […]
Lemon Love: Grow and Enjoy Lemon Balm in Your Garden
What’s that plant pouring out of a container on your deck, attracting beneficial insects to its profusion of tiny blooms? It’s lemon balm, or if you’d like to sound fancy, Melissa officinalis. This fresh-tasting member of the mint family is easy to grow, and its delicious lemon-flavored leaves are perfect in teas or as […]
DIY Raised Garden Bed
Last year, I asked Nick for a raised flower bed to replace the shale-lined, ground-level one at our house. It happened to be nice weather that weekend, so we gathered what we needed an went to town. Our bed’s outside measurements estimate at 3ft by 9ft and about a foot deep. Materials: Twelve 6ft landscaping […]
Cilantro: The Great Two-For-One Herb
Cilantro is like soccer: 30 years ago, it held almost no interest for Americans. However, as cuisines from Mexico and points south, as well as from Asia, became commonplace, cilantro found a place in American spice racks. Happily, it also found its place in our gardens, and it’s one of the easiest plants to grow! […]
Repurposed Wall Lantern Terrarium for Unique Indoor Planter #LowesCreator
I love indoor terrarium projects and was excited when my post for Lowe’s Creative Ideas Team was indoor planters. I just knew I’d find something cool and interesting at Lowe’s to transform into an indoor terrarium. I found my prize in the clearance lights section with this cool looking outdoor lantern – the kind designed […]
Winter Planning for Spring (and Summer!) Vegetable Gardens
Winter is the perfect time to research and plan for your spring and summer vegetable garden. Coming up with a realistic plan not only saves you time and money, but it gives you peace of mind as you move forward into the warmer months.
Knife Skills: How To Chiffonade Basil
The delicate leaves of the basil plant are easily bruised when chopped for your recipes. One of the popular techniques for cutting basil without imposing as much injury to the leaves is the knife skills technique of chiffonade. The word “chiffonade” is French and means “made of rags.” The leaves are left in very long […]
