Category: Garden

Easy Tips for Fresh Herbs All Year from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels🪴

It’s cold and icky today, and I miss my plants. So, I’m working on growing an indoor herb garden.

I picked up three little herb plants at the grocery store last week. It seemed like a great idea at the time. Sadly, the mint got powdery mildew and the basil came pre-loaded with aphids. The chickens got to eat the basil since it’s good for them and they don’t mind the little bugs, but the mint had to go in the trash because mold is bad for chickens.

Now it’s just me and the rosemary holding strong. Lesson learned: starting from seed is the best way to grow an indoor herb garden in soil. That’s what I’m doing today to get my winter plant fix. 🌿

Why Grow an Indoor Herb Garden?

Beyond the obvious perks of having fresh ingredients at your fingertips, herbs are a whole experience. Just brushing your hand against a rosemary plant or pinching off a basil leaf releases a burst of fresh scent that can instantly lift your mood. They bring a little life to the kitchen, even in the dead of winter. Plus, growing an indoor herb garden means no mystery pesticides or surprise infestations – just fresh, happy plants ready to make your food (and your space) better. 🍃

Picking the Right Herbs

Some herbs thrive indoors, while others throw a fit and die. If you’re just getting started, go for low-maintenance, high-reward options like:

• Basil – Loves warmth and plenty of sunlight.
• Mint – Grows like wild but is prone to mildew, so give it some space.
• Thyme – Hardy, aromatic, and great for soups and roasts.
• Rosemary – Sturdy and resilient, assuming you don’t drown it.
• Oregano – Perfect for Italian dishes and super easy to maintain.

Best Location for Your Indoor Herb Garden

Herbs are not high-maintenance, but they do have standards:

• Light – Most need six hours of sunlight a day. A south-facing window is best, but a grow light works if your house is more cave than greenhouse.
• Temperature – If you’re comfortable, your herbs probably are, too. Aim for 65-75°F.
• Air Circulation – Stagnant air leads to mold. A little airflow keeps things fresh.

Choosing the Right Containers

Herbs hate wet feet. Pick pots with drainage holes. If you’re using a decorative pot with no drainage, put a plastic nursery pot inside or add pebbles to the bottom to avoid root rot.

Best Soil for Indoor Herbs

Regular garden soil is too heavy. Use a light, well-draining potting mix. Mixing in a little perlite or sand helps with drainage, which means fewer sad, soggy plants.

How to Water and Feed Your Indoor Herbs

I prefer to water my herbs from the bottom, placing cute or plain white pots onto plates and watering the plate. This way, the plants take up only what they need, and I avoid soggy soil disasters. It also keeps the leaves dry, which helps prevent powdery mildew and mold.

When you grow an indoor herb garden, herbs are not thirsty divas. Stick your finger an inch into the soil. If it’s dry, water. If it’s damp, leave it alone. Overwatering is the number one killer of indoor herbs. A diluted liquid fertilizer every few weeks keeps them happy, but too much can make them grow fast and taste weak.

Starting from Seed

Since my store-bought herbs turned into a disaster, I’m growing an indoor herb garden from seed. They take a little longer, but you avoid mystery pests and grocery store neglect. Use a seed-starting mix, keep the soil slightly damp (not swampy), and be patient. Some herbs, like basil, sprout quickly, while rosemary takes its sweet time.

How to Harvest Herbs for Maximum Growth

The best part? Snipping off fresh herbs when you need them. But don’t go hacking away randomly. Follow these rules:

• Trim regularly – Pinch off leaves frequently to encourage bushy growth. Never let it flower, or the plant will start to decline.
• Never take more than one-third of the plant – Keep it healthy and productive.
• Harvest in the morning – This is when herbs have the most oils (aka flavor).

Troubleshooting Indoor Herb Gardening: Common Problems & Fixes

• Leggy growth? Not enough light. Move them closer to a window or add a grow light.
• Yellowing leaves? Overwatering. Let the soil dry out before watering again.
• Mildew or mold? Increase air circulation and avoid getting the leaves too wet.
• Aphids? Wash them off with soapy water or unleash the wrath of ladybugs.

Start Your Indoor Herb Garden Today

Growing an indoor herb garden is one of the easiest ways to bring a little green into your home. Plus, fresh herbs make everything taste better. Whether you’re dodging winter like I am or just want a steady supply of basil, growing herbs indoors is low-effort and high-reward. So, grab some seeds, plant something, and let’s pretend it’s spring! 🌿

Recommended Supplies for Growing an Indoor Herb Garden

Need supplies? Here are some of my favorite tools and essentials to get started (affiliate links to Amazon):

• Best herb seed kit
• Drainage-friendly pots
• Grow light for low-light homes
• Quality seed-starting mix

P.S.

It’s not too late to start your own seedlings for your summer garden! If you’re already thinking ahead to warmer days, now is the perfect time to get those seeds going. Check out my New Year’s Day seedling planting guide for tips on getting a head start on your best garden yet.

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🌱 Planning to Garden This Year?

🪴 Seedling Repotting

🌻 My Knitting Garden

🌿 Building Your Backyard Garden from Scratch

🍓 Planting Strawberries and Asparagus in Southwest Colorado

🌸 Defeating Bindweed: A Gardener’s Battle

🥕 Harvesting Carrots

🏡 Cozy Lifestyle Basics: Mountain Living Edition

Mountain Living Essentials

✨ Never Miss a Garden Story 

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Start Here! 🌱

Are you ready to start your gardening journey but feeling unsure about where to begin? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! I remember how overwhelming it felt when I first started gardening. That’s why I’ve created this step-by-step checklist to help you avoid the common pitfalls and create the garden of your dreams. Use my free Garden Planning Checklist as your step-by-step roadmap to a thriving garden. 🌼

Your Garden Foundation: First Steps

Before grabbing those tempting seed packets, establish your garden’s foundation. Success starts here:

• USDA Growing Zone: Know what plants thrive in your area.
• Frost Dates: First and last frost dates set your garden’s natural timeline.
• Growing Season Length: Identify how many productive days you have between frosts.
• Available Space: Even a windowsill can grow a beautiful garden!

Understanding Your Space

My garden planning checklist helps you assess your planting space with ease:

• Map Sun Exposure: Identify full sun, partial sun, and shade areas.
• Locate Water Sources: Ensure easy access for watering.
• Test Soil: Determine soil type and pH to plan amendments.
• Measure Available Space: Work with what you have, big or small!

Seasonal Planning Guide

Follow the checklist’s timeline to help stay on track. Be sure to check your region’s growing season to be sure you don’t plant things outside before your last frost and that they will have time to finish growing before the first frost:

February–March (Garden Planning & Preparation)

• Order seeds early for the best selection.
• Gather essential tools.
• Set up your indoor growing area.
• Sketch your garden layout.
• Plan your composting system.

March–April (Early Season)

• Start indoor seedlings like tomatoes and peppers.
• Prepare garden beds by clearing debris and adding compost.
• Plan and install irrigation systems for your garden.
• Add soil amendments to boost fertility.

May–June (Planting Season)

• Harden off seedlings for outdoor planting.
• Group plants by water needs to simplify care.
• Set up trellises, stakes, or cages for support.
• Create a planting schedule to stagger harvests.

July–October (Harvest Season)

• Follow your harvest calendar to pick at peak ripeness.
• Share extra produce with friends or local food banks.
• Preserve your harvest by canning, freezing, or drying.
• Keep detailed notes for next year’s planning.

Pro Tips for Gardening Success

• Plan Ahead: Great gardens start with thoughtful preparation.
• Test Soil Annually: Healthy soil leads to healthy plants.
• Stay Consistent with Weeding: Prevention saves time and effort.
• Rotate Crops: Protect your soil and avoid nutrient depletion.

🎁 Free Resource Alert!

Download the comprehensive Garden Planning Checklist, save, or print and let it guide you through every stage of gardening, whether you’re starting a small herb container or planning a full vegetable garden.

🌻 Download Your Free Checklist

Looking for Garden Tools?

I get a lot of my tools from Amazon. Here are some of my favorites! (Affiliate Links)

Related Posts You’ll Love 🌱

🥕 Harvesting Carrots: When and How to Pick Your Crop

🌿 Building Your Backyard Garden from Scratch

🌱 Starting Seedlings: A New Year’s Guide

🪴 Growing an Indoor Herb Garden

❄️ Gardening Around Colorado’s False Spring: Hold your Tomatoes, Folks!

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A Mystery Critter and a Happy Haul

I offered to harvest carrots while Mom was out of town, figuring it’d be a quick task. Loosen the soil, pull them up, rinse off the dirt, and done. But, of course, that’s not how it went.

Loosen the Soil

For this carrot harvest, I started with a pitchfork, working along the rows to loosen the dirt. Almost immediately, I noticed something strange: crisscrossed burrows twisted through the soil. It looked like something had dug out an entire little tunnel system under the garden. Whoever had moved in there had really settled in and helped themselves to quite a few carrots in the process.

Guess the Intruder

I never saw the culprit, but the signs of the carrot thief were all over the harvest zone. Some carrots had been gnawed on from the tops; others had bite marks from underneath. From the size of the tunnels, I started to guess: maybe a rabbit, or possibly a ground squirrel. Then again, prairie dogs are known for their underground communities and are no strangers to garden raids. Voles could be the culprits, too; they’re notorious for snacking on roots from below. Whatever it was, it definitely knew its way around a carrot…

A Nice Carrot Harvest

Despite our mystery visitor’s appetite, there were still plenty left to pick. I finished up the patch, filling two big, overflowing bowls for this carrot harvest. I left behind quite a few damaged carrots. The critter will still have something to eat. Or, if my digging scared it away, the carrots will rot over the winter and add their composted nutrients back into the soil for next year.

So, no showdown with the carrot thief, but still a happy ending to this carrot harvest: two bowls of fresh carrots for the family, plus a bit of garden intrigue. It’s a reminder that even a quick garden chore can turn into an unexpected adventure.

Grab some of my favorite gardening gear in my Amazon storefront.

Read More

If you’re moving into a new home or just itching to change up your outdoor space, building your backyard garden from scratch can be both exciting and a little overwhelming. The good news is that with the right approach, you can transform your yard into a functional, sustainable, and beautiful oasis. Whether you’re aiming to grow your own food, create a cozy outdoor living space, or support local wildlife, these tips will guide you through finding the supplies you need (and why permaculture beats sod grass, hands-down).

Start with a Plan

Before you dive into planting, take some time to envision what you want your backyard to look like. What are your goals? Do you want a vegetable garden, a pollinator haven, or a relaxing retreat with cozy nooks? Sketch out your ideas, including where the garden beds, pathways, and seating areas will go. This will help you understand how much space you need and what types of materials you’ll require.

Finding the Right Supplies

Building a backyard garden from scratch requires some materials, but you don’t need to break the bank. Here’s where to find quality supplies without overspending:

• Local nurseries and garden centers: These are your best bet for finding plants suited to your region’s climate. Staff at nurseries are usually knowledgeable and can guide you toward plants that thrive in your area.
• Community marketplaces and social media: Sites like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or local garden groups often have people selling or giving away tools, soil, compost, mulch, and plants.
• The Interwebs: The internet is now an excellent source for gardening supplies. Find tools, garden bed setups, and even chicken coops on Amazon. See my go-to tool list from Amazon on my Affiliate Page. Sites like fast-growing-trees.com can ship trees, fruit bushes, and a wide variety of live plants straight to your home.
• DIY compost: You can create your own compost by collecting kitchen scraps, yard waste, and even cardboard. A compost bin doesn’t have to be fancy—you can make one from wood pallets or wire mesh.

Choose Permaculture Over Sod Grass when you Build you Backyard Garden from Scratch

It’s tempting to lay down a perfect, green lawn, but before you do, consider this: sod grass might look nice at first, but it’s high-maintenance, requires lots of water, and offers little environmental benefit. Permaculture, on the other hand, is a sustainable gardening method that works with nature, not against it. Here’s why it’s always the better option:

• Adapted to your climate: With permaculture, you choose plants that thrive in your specific climate. This means less water, fewer chemicals, and more success! Native plants, herbs, and drought-tolerant species can fill in areas where grass might struggle.
• Healthier soil: Permaculture focuses on improving soil health by using compost, mulch, and cover crops. Healthy soil leads to stronger plants and a garden that’s resilient to pests and disease.
• Biodiversity: A permaculture garden encourages a variety of plants, which in turn supports bees, butterflies, birds, and beneficial insects. A lawn of grass offers little for these important creatures.
• Low-maintenance: Once established, permaculture gardens typically require less upkeep than lawns. You’ll spend less time mowing, watering, and fertilizing and more time enjoying your garden.
• Productivity: Why have a lawn when you could be growing your own food? By dedicating part of your yard to permaculture techniques like edible landscaping or raised garden beds, you can enjoy fresh vegetables, herbs, and fruits right from your backyard.

Focus on Soil Health First

Great gardens start with great soil. Test your soil to find out its pH level and nutrient content, then amend it as needed. Adding compost, organic fertilizers, or other soil enhancers can transform even the toughest dirt into a rich growing medium. If you’re dealing with poor or compacted soil, consider creating raised beds filled with fresh, nutrient-rich soil to get your plants off to a great start.

Water Wisely

A key element of successful gardening is managing water efficiently. Permaculture designs often include elements like rainwater catchment, drip irrigation, and mulching to reduce water waste. Try grouping plants with similar water needs together, and use mulch to keep the soil moist and prevent water from evaporating too quickly. You can also create swales—small depressions in the landscape—to help capture and direct rainwater where it’s needed most.

Start Small and Expand Gradually

When starting from scratch, it’s easy to get caught up in grand ideas and big projects. Instead of trying to create your dream garden all at once, start with one manageable section and build out from there. This allows you to learn as you go, figure out what works best in your space, and avoid burnout.

Use Perennials for Long-Term Success

One of the best parts of permaculture gardening is the use of perennials—plants that come back year after year. Not only do they reduce the need for replanting each season, but they also establish deep root systems that help improve soil structure and water retention. Consider perennials like herbs, fruit trees, berry bushes, or ornamental grasses as part of your backyard garden design.

Incorporate Companion Planting

Companion planting is a permaculture technique that involves growing certain plants together to benefit one another. For example, planting marigolds near tomatoes can help repel pests, while beans add nitrogen to the soil for corn. Asparagus and strawberries have roots that grow at different levels, making the berries perfect groundcover. This holds in moisture and prevents weeds from filling asparagus beds. These natural relationships can reduce the need for synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, making your garden more eco-friendly.

In Conclusion: Permaculture for the Win!

While laying sod grass might seem like the quickest way to get a green yard, it’s not the best long-term solution. By embracing permaculture, you can create a sustainable, low-maintenance garden that’s not only beautiful but also beneficial to the environment. Whether you’re growing food, supporting local wildlife, or just looking to reduce your environmental footprint, building your backyard garden with permaculture principles will reward you for years to come.

So grab your shovel, gather your supplies, and get ready to build your backyard garden from scratch; you are steps away from your own thriving oasis! 🌿

Read More

Read More

🌱 Planning to Garden This Year?

🪴 Seedling Repotting

🌻 My Knitting Garden

🌿 How to Grow a Small Indoor Herb Garden

🌳 Building Your Backyard Garden from Scratch

🍓 Planting Strawberries and Asparagus in Southwest Colorado

🌸 Defeating Bindweed: A Gardener’s Battle

🥕 Harvesting Carrots

🏡 Cozy Lifestyle Basics: Mountain Living Edition

Pulling Weeds

I spent yesterday rehabilitating my overgrown garden and my enemy number one? Bindweed.

I left my garden for about three weeks, while I went on a work trip and then to visit family and friends in the big city. The weeds went wild! A thick carpet of vines smothered the other rogue plants that were trying to grow in the pathways.

Bindweed is a pretty, vining plant that produces dainty white and pink flowers, so you might be inclined to leave it in the garden. But don’t let it grow! Bindweed takes over everything.

Instead of growing peas on my trellis Bindweed took over. This weed seems to steal nutrients from the other plants, as well. The peas are weak, the carrots tiny, and my squash and zucchini are basically non-existent.

One favor the Bindweed did for me? It entangled all the other weeds and I was able to roll up the mess like a fancy rug. Then, I tossed the whole thing into a garden bed I am letting rest this year. The nutrients will seep back into the soil, feeding next year’s veggies.

A Battle Worth Fighting

Although rolling up the bindweed gave me a moment of satisfaction, the real work was just beginning. Bindweed’s roots run deep, and simply pulling it out wasn’t going to cut it. I had to dig down and get as much of those stubborn roots out as possible. Even then, I know it’s only a matter of time before I see those vines trying to make a comeback.

Reclaiming the Garden

Once I had cleared the worst of the bindweed, I turned my attention to the rest of the garden. I re-staked the peas, giving them something to climb other than those aggressive vines. I added some compost to the soil, hoping to give my struggling vegetables a fighting chance. Then I sprinkled some fall-hardy seeds around like glitter. Hopefully I can salvage something from this growing season!

The Resilient Garden

This experience with bindweed highlighted how resilient nature can be. Even when life pulls you away and you have to leave your garden unattended, the garden is still there waiting for you to come back and set things right. It’s less about what went wrong and more about what you do next. And there’s something incredibly satisfying about rolling up your sleeves, taking back control, and making your space thrive again.

Turning Over a New Leaf

I know that bindweed is a tough opponent, but it’s not going to win this war. I’ll keep fighting, digging deep, and making sure my garden stays a place of growth and beauty, not a bindweed jungle. Whether I’m here every day or have to step away for a while, I’ll be ready to reclaim my garden whenever it needs me.

So, if you’re dealing with bindweed—or any other tenacious garden invaders—don’t worry about the time you’ve been away. With a little persistence and some hard work, you can take back your garden, too. Just remember: every setback is an opportunity to come back stronger.