Tornadoes and Tomatoes

One of the things that makes Oklahomans uniquely different is our life experience with tornadoes. For those who live outside of “Tornado Alley,” they can be an unfamiliar and frightening weather phenomenon, but to those of us who have grown up with them and experienced their devastation, we understand firsthand that tornadoes are no joking […]

People have a deep affection for Mediterranean herbs. In fact, they LOVE them! There is an intense desire to grow them, handle them, cook and live with them and even bathe in them. If you ask a random person off the street to name a few herbs, lavender, rosemary or thyme are sure to be […]

Gardening is my unexplainable passion. The wonder, the progress, the miracle, the frustrations, the mystery, the weather, the diversity, the food, the work, the simplicity. It speaks to me on many levels and challenges me to always continue learning and improving. Herb gardening is especially fascinating. There are hundreds of herbs and I’m sure that […]

“What soil should I use to fill my containers and raised beds?” This is a question that I am asked almost daily during gardening season. But before addressing that, let’s discuss the beds and containers themselves. You may be thinking, “I’m not sure that I know what the difference is between the two.” The simple […]

March 20, 2021 is the spring equinox—the first day of spring. What a glorious time! My grandma used to say, “My favorite season is fall, but it’s closely followed by spring because I love it when the trees begin to put on their lacey, new leaves.” My grandma and I would often talk about the […]

Theme gardens are very popular. They are a tangible expression of someone’s passion or interest and are usually quite fascinating. While many people are motivated to create inviting hummingbird or butterfly gardens, others enjoy peaceful water gardens or playful children’s gardens. The options are endless. With some skill and determination, one can design an enjoyable […]

Whether you have a lot of space for gardening or are very limited, one way of improving your growing area is to go vertical. There are many reasons why vertical gardening is beneficial and why it is a great strategy to incorporate into your overall plan. Although you can use just about anything that is […]

Gardening can be quite overwhelming for beginners. For that matter, starting anything new can be intimidating. For each of us, there is a learning curve, and the best approach to take is to be an eager student. I know I can relate to what it’s like when a new task is set before me. It’s […]

Pandemics are tragic and bring with them much trial and grief. However, one of the good things that resulted from 2020 was the nationwide increase in people who are now cooking at home (Family meals shared around a dining room table feed much more than just our stomachs). In short order, food availability and security […]

Kids love gardening! It’s true. Anytime that I’ve had a child around while I’m doing anything garden-related, they cannot resist. Sitting on their knees with outstretched hands, they insist on “helping.” Their eyes light up, and everything is a wonder. Gardening is such a wholesome activity. There are so many teachable moments. All of the […]