Featuring my USDA Zone 5 Grow Guide! There’s nothing like growing your own vegetables to truly find joy in the garden. From the first emergence of a seedling, sprouting from seeds you sowed yourself, to the harvest of delicious, nutritious produce that you grew, you’ll find rewards aplenty in vegetable gardening. Beyond your sense of accomplishment, you can provide a substantial amount of your own food, fresher and healthier than anything you can buy in the grocery store and save money on your food costs too. Here are the six essentials you need to consider as you dive into vegetable gardenin ..read more

Your harvest is booming and you’re wondering what the heck to do with all of this bounty. Through trial and error, inspiration from friends and family and ideas from others, these are my faves for using up my delicious, nutritious veggies. Enjoy! I’m very much a “dump cook” meaning I don’t measure for any of these so don’t overthink it. Experiment and have fun. Each of these recipes are incredibly forgiving.  Homemade veggie broth How much broth do you use every year? If you cook often, the answer is probably a lot. Now, think about how many veggie peels — and other parts you don’t typic ..read more

It seems like gardening is inherently safe right? It is for the most part, however, injuries do happen. Keep these things in mind so you don’t run into trouble, including costly medical bills, while you’re tip-toeing through your tulips.  Call 811 before you dig 811 is the national phone number that initiates the process of locating and marking underground utilities in your yard or garden. Dial 811 or visit call811.com at least three days before you dig such, as planting trees and shrubs or installing a new garden bed, fence or hardscape. Any major digging requires a call. Did you know ..read more

Free Shipping* – with promo code MOM23 by May 7! The response to my first book, Cheap Tricks Gardening, has been amazing. Thank you! Here’s your chance to score free shipping and send a copy to Mom, your bestie…or yourself. Use promo code MOM23 to score your free shipping perk! Cheap Tricks Gardening: ’cause you don’t have to spend a fortune for fabulous 158 full-color pages Ideas to put to work in your garden all year round Great gift! ORDER NOW Ciara and her Mom, Tracy, love the ideas they found in the book. Such a beautiful book! The quality of this book is beyond wonderful! It’s fill ..read more

It was March then April and visions of a fantastic vegetable garden danced in your head. Then life happens, you blink and its late-July. Oh no! You’re ready to throw in the trowel, figuring you better forget about it until next year. Summer squash, cucumbers and tomato harvest Wait, there’s hope. The reality is that you’re a little late for this year on early season veggies like broccoli, cabbage, onions and potatoes, but did you know that you can also grow many early season favorites again beginning in late summer? More about that later. For now, let’s talk about those warm season veggies you ..read more

Are you dreaming of a beautiful yard and gardens? Did you buy a new home and have no idea what’s coming up in your flower beds? Are you wanting to grow your own food for the first time or expand your efforts? Do you wish someone would come right to you and see exactly what your vision is and help guide you to get there? Are you pretty sure that doesn’t exist? I promise you it does! Midwest Garden Gal was born seven years ago to fill this gap. I love helping my clients answer the questions they have on their unique spaces. We make it happen with a spring consult just for you!  Hurry! Sprin ..read more

Again and again, I go back to certain tools and products to keep my gardens humming along at their best. Check these out and see if they can enhance your efforts too! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The right tools make a difference Here are some of my favorites for getting your garden to do list done right!  These gloves are such a deal and super durable and comfortable. I’ve tried dozens of garden gloves and these are my faves.  Sometimes you need some throw away gloves for various gardening tasks. These do the trick.  These must haves will keep you ..read more

Are you dreaming of a beautiful yard and gardens? Did you buy a new home and have no idea what’s coming up in your flower beds? Are you wanting to grow your own food for the first time or expand your efforts? Do you wish someone would come right to you and see exactly what your vision is and help guide you to get there? Are you pretty sure that doesn’t exist? I promise you it does! Midwest Garden Gal was born seven years ago to fill this gap. I love helping my clients answer the questions they have on their unique spaces. We make it happen with a spring consult just for you!  Hurry! Sprin ..read more

Frost in May? No way! Yes way, I’m sorry to say. The daffodils and pansies are doing their happy dance in the spring breeze and we are getting the itch to plant and plant and plant some more. Spring is here and we have had some lovely days, but inevitably the cold sneaks up on us once again in early to mid-May. I often advise my clients to hold off on planting annual flowers and warm season vegetables like tomatoes, peppers and cukes until after Mother’s Day. Have you heard your Mom say that or your Dad? How about your grandparents, your neighbor or close friend? They are providing sound advic ..read more

Have you heard of winter sowing and wonder what all the hype is about? Let’s check out one of the fastest growing trends in home gardening. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Quite simply, winter sowing transforms plastic milk jugs, juice containers and the like into mini-greenhouses to start plants right in your own backyard. No frills, no pampering, no watering for months – fix it and forget it! This simple and inexpensive way to start seeds allows you to grow nearly any perennial or annual plant right in your own backyard while the rest of your garden sleeps.&nbs ..read more