Last year, I purchased a small 6x8 greenhouse kit. At the time, it felt like the perfect step forward in my gardening journey. It extended my growing season, gave me space to start seedlings properly, and completely changed the way I approached my garden. But as every gardener eventually discovers — once you start growing, you don’t stop. Before long, my little greenhouse was full. Seed trays were stacked on every shelf. Herbs were crowding corners. Tomato starts were competi

Vintage Windows, Patience, and a Little Trial & Error If you’ve ever worked with vintage materials, you already know one thing for certain — nothing is ever quite as simple as it looks. When we started building my farmhouse greenhouse, the frame went up surprisingly quickly. That was the easy part. With a good plan, a pile of lumber, and my very talented “project manager” (also known as Dad), the structure itself came together beautifully. Standing back and seeing the bones o

What To Do — and What Not  To Do If your Northeast Florida garden took a hit during the recent freeze, you’re not alone. Tender growth, browned leaves, mushy stems — it can look worse than it really is. Before you start cutting everything back, pause. 1. Don’t Rush to Prune Freeze Damage It’s tempting to tidy everything immediately — but those damaged leaves and stems are actually protecting the inner plant from future cold snaps. Wait until: All danger of frost has passed Yo

Plant Good Companions Avoid Planting With Basil Tomatoes, peppers, oregano Rue, sage Beans Corn, cucumbers, carrots Onions, garlic Beets Lettuce, onions, cabbage Pole beans Cabbage Dill, onions, potatoes Strawberries, tomatoes Carrots Onions, leeks, rosemary Dill Corn Beans, squash, cucumbers Tomatoes Cucumbers Beans, corn, dill Potatoes, sage Garlic Roses, tomatoes, peppers Beans, peas Lettuce Carrots, radishes, cucumbers None (very friendly) Onions Carrots, beets, lettuce B

Simple Tips for Growing from Seed Starting seeds at home doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few basics in place, you can grow strong, healthy plants right from the start. 1. Start with the Right Containers Use seed trays, small pots, or recycled containers with drainage holes. Good drainage keeps roots healthy and prevents soggy soil. I prefer to use large trays under my containers 2. Use Seed-Starting Mix The type of soil defiantly matters Skip garden soil. Seed-starting

North Florida | Zones 9a–9b Early February in North Florida is a sweet spot. The coldest weather is usually behind us, but summer heat is still far off. This is the perfect time to get both cool-season crops and warm-season starters going. Think of this month as preparing the garden for spring   Vegetables to Plant Now Direct Sow Outdoors These do best planted straight into the garden now: Carrots Beets Radishes Turnips Peas  (snap, snow, English) Potatoes  (seed potatoes pre

What is Companion planting? involves placing specific plants next to each other because they naturally support each other’s growth. When planning your garden, it's advantageous to think about which plants thrive together. Some plants deter pests, while others improve soil quality or attract beneficial insects like pollinators. For example, marigolds can ward off unwanted insects, and herbs such as basil are often planted near vegetables to promote healthy growth. Things to Co