Mulching leaves is a great way to prevent cold-tolerant weed seeds from sprouting over the winter, and will help your soil hold moisture next year. Best of all – as long as you have trees in your yard –  it’s free! Don’t let autumn’s natural treasure go to waste; it’s time to recycle those fallen …

Fall is the time of the year when succulent babies often make an appearance. These miniature versions of adults succulents give you a wonderful (and free!) opportunity to increase your collection. These tiny plants, or offsets, are the offspring of mature succulent plants. They’re essentially little replicas of the parent plant, and you often find …

With October comes the cooler temperatures, falling of leaves, and of course pumpkin carving time. For the perfect carved Jack O Lantern, be sure to familiarize yourself with this list of the best pumpkins for carving. When it comes to choosing pumpkins for carving projects, not all pumpkins are equal. As a matter of fact, …

How to preserve a pumpkin carving is a problem unique to fall. Autumn is the time of the year when temperatures drop, pumpkin harvest is here, and leaves start to change color. It’s also the time for homes to start decorating for Halloween and Thanksgiving and this includes carving pumpkins. It’s not unusual to see …

Heirloom pumpkins are an exciting choice for beginning gardeners. Unlike the typical orange pumpkins that we all love to carve, heirlooms offer a fascinating variety of new pumpkins to choose from. These pumpkins are often prized for their unique shapes, colors, flavors, and historical significance. Keep reading to discover what makes heirloom pumpkins so special. …

The Chinese lantern plant is a unique and attractive addition to any fall garden. If you’re new to gardening, you’ll be happy to know that these plants are quite easy to grow.  This hardy perennial is primarily grown for its distinctively shaped and vibrantly colored orange or red pods, which resemble tiny lanterns. These brightly colored …

These easy egg recipes are some of my favorites.  Most take no time at all and some are even good alternatives to fast food take away breakfasts. There is nothing like an egg to start the day off right.  I love them, especially when the yolks are runny and perfectly cooked.   Protein-rich eggs are taking …

Chinese Five Spice Powder is often called for in Chinese recipes but can sometimes be hard to find at the store or you may have run out of it. No problem!  Make your own recipe at home. The popular spice uses a mixture of popular winter spices and is super easy to prepare. Keep reading to …

This baked barramundi recipe is quick and easy to prepare. In fact, it’s on the table in less than 20 minutes! Barramundi is a sustainable fish with a mild and delicate taste. Normally, I cook it on the stove top with a garlic lemon butter sauce. Today we’ll take the recipe to a new level …

It is coming to the end of the herb growing season for many of us. Did you know that  you can freeze herbs to make them last longer? When summer turns to fall, the thought of losing those fresh herb flavors in your recipes because of the cold can be disheartening. Fortunately for us, there …

This easy cheese quiche combines cream, eggs and onions for a simple breakfast that is also hearty enough for brunch. I get tired of the same old traditional egg breakfast. A quiche makes a nice change of pace. Today we’ll be making a basic quiche. It is how all quiches start, but you can add …

Creative gardening ideas really appeal to the whimsical side of me. I love to recycle existing items from around the house for my garden decor ideas. Not only will you save money but you’ll help to save the earth, too. I must admit that I am not a normal gardener.  I don’t enjoy conventional landscape …

Few things are more of a disappointment to a home vegetable gardener than discovering that their prized tomato plants are full of catfaced tomatoes. These tomatoes, marked by their unconventional and ugly appearance, have long intrigued gardeners. Catfacing on tomatoes is a physiological disorder that affects the appearance of the fruit. This oddity of nature …

Transform your garden with these creative wheelbarrow planters ideas. Are you looking to add a unique decorative touch to your garden? Do you have an old wheelbarrow that’s been gathering dust in your shed that  you would like to repurpose? Well, look no further! I’ll be sharing a group of inspiring and whimsical wheelbarrow planter …

Discover how to grow rosemary easily with this step by step tutorial. Fresh rosemary is one of my favorite spices.  I use it all the time in Italian cooking and also in many of my chicken recipes. This herb easy to grow and is a great one to start with for those who are new …

This vegan broccoli pasta is an adaptation of the regular recipe that contains full cream and butter. It’s a great choice for those who don’t eat dairy products. This dish is the epitome of comfort and flavor. It has perfectly cooked pasta coated in a velvety sauce infused with the rich aroma of garlic, onions …

Growing tomatoes is a popular summertime experience, but things don’t always go as expected! It’s time to troubleshoot some tomato plant problems. Millions of people in the US have a vegetable garden each year, and a large percentage of them grow tomatoes. It’s not hard to imagine their dismay if their tomato plants don’t grow …

There are many bell pepper colors but a prized shade is the red pepper. They are sweet, high in nutrients, and rich in antioxidants. Are you new to growing red peppers and find yourself wondering why your bell peppers don’t turn red? Join the club. Many of my vegetable garden readers ask me this same question. …

Have you ever wondered, “What is crop rotation?” Well, you are not alone. Many of my readers ask me this very question. Today we’ll be having a look at crop rotation in a vegetable garden and will learn why it is so important. This time-honored technique employed by farmers worldwide maximizes the yield in a …

Are you ready to try growing broccoli in your own garden? Contrary to what you may have read, it’s not a difficult vegetable to grow. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this article will provide you with valuable insights and practical tips for broccoli gardening. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll give you …

Now that summer is here, home vegetable gardeners are just starting to enjoy the fruits of their labor. A common question that I get from readers is “why are my cucumbers bitter?” Many also want to know if bitter garden cucumbers are safe to eat. Bitter cucumbers can stem from a combination of factors, particularly …

Learning how to devein shrimp is a necessary cooking tip for those who love to cook with shrimp. It’s the final step to make sure that your finished dish looks clean and restaurant quality. Sometimes, this task may have been done for you by the retailer where you purchased the shrimp. Other times, you will …

This manicotti with meat recipe adds a nice mix of veggies to the normal manicotti recipe that is made with pasta and ricotta cheese.  It is a great way to get kids to eat their vegetables and not complain. If you’re a fan of Italian cuisine and enjoy experimenting with flavors, then this recipe is …

This tasty Mediterranean Greek Salad combines juicy tomatoes, green peppers and fresh cucumbers in a tangy dressing. It is a great addition to my collection of Mediterranean recipes. The flavors are delightful and combine creamy goat cheese and tangy kalamata olives for a nice change to a normal tossed salad. It makes a great side …

I really love stuffed portobello mushrooms. They are so creamy, warm and delicious. I am always looking for new ideas on how to prepare them. We often have meatless Mondays at our house and this is a recipe that I make often. These stuffed Portobello mushrooms with Laughing Cow cheese make an impressive appetizer or …

Cocktail recipes are so much fun to share with friends. This Malibu rum punch recipe with Earl Gray tea is called the “Paradise Punch” cocktail. It is a great drink for hot evenings. This fruity rum punch combines traditional Earl Grey Tea (which will delight your English buddies) and Malibu original rum for a refreshing …