I’ve put together this henbit plant profile to spotlight a lovely plant – which many gardeners consider a weed. Weed or flower? To me, it’s a matter of perspective. Every spring, at least one of my raised beds is covered in a thick mat of henbit. Henbit is both lovely and practical despite being labeled... Read More The post Henbit: Plant Profile appeared first on Home Garden Joy ..read more

I wrote this Ultime Guide to Growing Beets to share my techniques for growing tasty, organic beets. Beets are a powerhouse of nutrition. Both the beetroot and the leaves and stems are edible. You can also can beets and beet greens to store them for year-round use. Here, I share with you a full guide... Read More The post The Ultimate Guide to Growing Organic Beets appeared first on Home Garden Joy ..read more

Even though it’s cold and snowy out, winter homesteading projects beckon. As I write this, snow is falling in sheets outside my office windows, covering the orchard trees with a blanket of white. Last week, an ice storm knocked power out for 36 hours – and knocked pines down every which way. We had poles... Read More The post Winter Homesteading Projects appeared first on Home Garden Joy ..read more

This easy, classic chicken pot pie recipe hit the spot last night for warm, filling wintertime comfort food. My husband loves chicken pot pie, but we rarely buy the prepared, frozen ones anymore due to the high fat and sodium content. I wanted to make him something he really loves since he’s been working so... Read More The post Easy Classic Chicken Pot Pie Recipe appeared first on Home Garden Joy ..read more

It’s a quiet time in the garden here at Seven Oaks Farm, the home of Home Garden Joy. Although we’ve had some cold nights, with temperatures in the teens, it feels like spring again. That means the daffodils in the orchard have broken through the soil showing green shoots like heralds of spring. Too early,... Read More The post A Quiet Time in the Garden: Reflections on 2024 appeared first on Home Garden Joy ..read more

I never imagined we would get so much use from a $3 store-bought pumpkin! I love decorating for fall with a fresh pumpkin. My husband found one on clearance at Kroger (our local supermarket) the last week of October—$3 for this huge beauty! (Hat not included—it wore my gardening hat for Halloween trick-or-treating.) Instead of... Read More The post How to Cook and Use Fresh Pumpkin appeared first on Home Garden Joy ..read more

Are you looking for Christmas gifts for gardeners? This is your holiday gift guide to find the perfect present for that special gardener in your life! This list of the best Christmas gifts for gardeners includes simple stocking-stuffer-type presents and dream presents for the gardener who has everything. Please note: I earn commissions from qualifying... Read More The post The Best Christmas Gifts for Gardeners: Your Holiday Gift Guide appeared first on Home Garden Joy ..read more

Snakes in the garden scare many people. I used to be one of them. I thought copperheads lurked around every stone, just waiting to strike. October marks out 17th year living on Seven Oaks Farm in Central Virginia. Over the years, I have gotten to know, appreciate, and love the many snakes we have seen... Read More The post Snakes in the Garden: The Truth About Snakes appeared first on Home Garden Joy ..read more

We didn’t set out to grow Jonathan apples, but this is the variety that thrives in our zone 7B garden. We purchased seedlings from the Arbor Day Society and planted our home orchard in December 2007. Today, we have many fruit trees, including our beloved Jonathans that are my new favorite apple. Here’s how to... Read More The post Jonathan Apples: What Are They and How to Grow Them appeared first on Home Garden Joy ..read more

A no-salt, nutritarian, vegan dinner that’s easy to make on a busy night I made this stuffed peppers without rice recipe last night for dinner. It uses my confetti salad recipe with some added spices for the filling. At this time of year, when fresh tomatoes and peppers are abundant in the garden, it’s the... Read More The post Stuffed Peppers Without Rice Recipe appeared first on Home Garden Joy ..read more