For almost a decade, I've been focused on getting my tomato growing technique down to a semi-science.  Of course, I've been growing tomatoes for much longer than that. It's just that about 10 years ago, I wanted to go from gardening simply for pleasure to gardening for purpose and got super analytical about how to get the most tomatoes possible to help reduce our food bill. Each year that I have grown tomatoes, I've been able to grow more tomatoes and ward off common problems like blossom end rot.  I can grow a LOT of tomatoes in a fairly small space - literally hundreds of po ..read more

2020 has seen its share of viral chicken keeping content! First, there was a major run on chicks and chicken-keeping supplies as everyone suddenly figured out that raising chicks at home was the HOT quarantine activity for adults and kids. Then the summer of 2020 brought us both "chicknic tables" and "Chicken Daddies"... I can't help you guys with chicken daddies (I may have been told "no" 100 different ways when I simply informed my man that chicken daddies are even a thing) BUT he did volunteer to make some chicknic tables and let me publish his plans! Looking for more chicken kee ..read more


If you have a vegetable garden, or even a few pots of edibles, one of the best parts about summer is being able to step out the door and snip or pick fresh produce for meals.  Salads, especially, are one of those staple main or side dishes that are perfect on hot days when you don’t feel like cooking. Today I have a great guest post for you from Tara Nolan, the author of Raised Bed Revolution.  She is going to teach you how easy it is to turn an old table or desk into  a funky cool raised bed for growing your own salad! Carissa One of the projects that I knew I wan ..read more

One of my favorite ways to put recycled goods to use is in the garden.  It's amazing what you can upcycle into pretty, funny or quirky garden art with just a little paint, glue and imagination!  Check out these great DIY ideas that you can make with anything from old tires to plastic bottles, mismatched silverware or old hubcaps! Flower Planter Using a Tire from DIY Showoff Hose Guards Using Drawer Handles from Empress of Dirt Solar Powered Fairy House Using Plastic Bottles from Creative Green Living Garden Flower Using Bottle Caps from Crafts by Amanda Garden Flowers ..read more

Welcome to a world of sustainable gardening solutions!  In this article, we'll unveil 25 inventive and budget-friendly gardening ideas using plastic bottles. Because while recycling is great - reusing is even better! Explore eco-conscious tips to transform empty water bottles, soda bottles, milk jugs and 2-liter bottles into thriving elements in your garden.  These projects allow you to embrace creativity while making a positive impact on the environment. From simple projects that require just a couple tools to complex feats of engineering, we've got lots of ideas for you! Dive ..read more

Discover the enchanting world of DIY fairy houses with our eco-friendly craft tutorial!  Learn how to transform a recycled plastic bottle into a whimsical haven for magical creatures, illuminated by a solar-powered garden light.  Unleash your creativity and create a fairy retreat that captivates both young and old, all while embracing the beauty of upcycling.  I’ve written you a step-by-step guide for this sustainable and charming fairy house project. Your new fairy house will combine recycled materials with a solar powered garden light to add a touch of magic to your garden ..read more

While I almost exclusively use my refillable water bottle to drink from, I occasionally find myself with a leftover plastic water bottle one on my hands. If you have disposable water bottles, I absolutely adore this gardening craft idea using empty plastic water bottles or plastic soda bottles from Happy Hooligans.  This easy craft tutorial shows you how to turn an empty plastic bottle into pretty yard art with a few simple supplies.  These pretty wind spirals will not only be a colorful addition to your backyard but I bet you could also pin the necks to stakes and use them ..read more

Have you ever wondered what to do with those beautiful fresh cranberries available in the store during the holidays? Are you ready for a chunky, sweet and tart fruit side dish for Thanksgiving that will blow canned Thanksgiving sauce out of the water? Your friends and family will be so impressed when you show up with the best cranberry sauce ever. This is truly the most delicious cranberry sauce I've ever had - and it is SO easy to make that starting when he was just 5 year olds, my oldest started making this easy cranberry sauce recipe mostly on his own  (he did need some help with p ..read more

If you need a gluten-free bread stuffing recipe for Thanksgiving, you're in the right place!  No Thanksgiving table is complete without stuffing (or dressing) - and if you are gluten free or are having gluten free guests for dinner, you will want to be sure to have this recipe ready to go so everyone is included! Even though this recipe uses gluten-free bread, with lots of high flavor ingredients like herbs and sausage, nobody will know this stuffing is gluten-free unless you tell them. This means you can make a big batch for everyone and both the bread eaters and gluten free guest ..read more

I live in Oregon, a state which recently implemented a ban on single use plastic bags at check out. You can still get a paper bag of course, but be prepared to pay $0.05 for each paper bag you need. But you know what's still free? Bringing your own reusable bags! "But I don't want to buy reusable bags," you say. "They're expensive and they tear and you can't even wash them!" While that is definitely true for the cheap, non-woven bags you can often buy for a dollar or two, these t-shirt bags are totally different. First, they are way nicer. Made from durable fabric, t-shirt bags like t ..read more