Kid wearing purple rain boots

Is Autumn or Spring the better time to have kids help you in the garden?

Until this year, I never questioned whether Spring or Autumn was the preferred season for kids in the garden. Spring was the only season I imagined when I thought about brining kids to the garden with me. But, this year, I am open to reconsider. Before I had kids in my life, I idealized visions…

Weeding is winning (follow up to “Do you meditate? Not exactly.”)

You might think I am about to tell you just to redefine weeding in your mind, and it will take the work out of it. I’m not. Weeding is hard. It’s hard for me. It’s hard for you. It’s hard for professional landscapers and farmers. People have been murdered over weeds. Weeding is reality, and…

Forgotten herb: calendula

Weird name. Amazing herb. Close enough pronounciation "ca-len-juh-la" (how a "d" makes a "j" sound in English, I suppose it's my Connecticut accent.) Calendula is the weirdest looking seed I plant in my garden. Really, it looks like something from an alien nation. It's mildly spikey and curved, almost in an arrogant way. It grows…

If only I read an article like this one from the Herb Society, might have avoided my worst gardening mistake ever! via Save Herb Seeds from Home Garden

A year one clary sage plant growing in my organic backyard garden

Forgotten herb: clary sage

There can only be one reason we forgot about clary sage: modern pharmaceuticals. close enough pronunciation "clare-E  sayjuh" Clary sage was THE go-to herb for our female ancestors to reduce the monthly discomfort of menstruation cycles. Your great-grandmother probably looked forward to the relief of a cup of brewed clary sage tea as she busied…