Swiss Chard ‘Bright Lights’ (Beta vulgaris var cicl) I must be twitterpated by the thought of starting my 2024 garden, but today I noticed, for the first time, a gorgeous vegetable plant Swiss Chard Bright Lights. I had always heard that Swiss Chard is bitter, and perhaps I have simply blocked out this gorgeous plant…
Month: January 2024
Setting Up My Flower, Herb & Plant Business – First Steps
Cottage Garden Living Plant Shop For many, many years, I have been building a plant business, but until now, my efforts have been on the back burner. But this spring, I’m moving forward with my plan. I have maintained my garden website Cottage Garden Living for at least ten years: https://cottagegardenliving.com/ This spring, I’ll set…
When to Plant Your Garden – Dates to Start Seeds Indoor & Dates to Plant Outside
When Should You Transplant Seedlings? “It’s time to transplant when seedlings have grown too large for their seed trays or starter pots. If it’s not yet warm enough to plant outdoors, transplant the seedlings to larger plastic or peat pots indoors and continue care. If outdoor conditions allow, start hardening off your seedlings approximately one week…
Bee Balm or Monarda – Queen of the Herbs in My Garden
Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) Image Credit: American Meadows Height: 24 – 48″ tall The Native Americans made healing teas from Monarda. “After the Boston Tea Party in 1773, when American colonists dumped tea shipped by the British East India Company, in protest against British rule, the bergamot tea of the Oswego Indians became a popular…
Basil – Beautiful Herb to Grow – Invaluable in the Kitchen – Includes Recipes
Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum) Image Credit: gardenia.net There are many varieties of Basil, but many sources say that Sweet Basil is the variety that every gardener should grow: “This herb is known around the world for its wonderful fragrance and flavor. The key ingredient in classic Italian pesto, Sweet Basil has big leaves that are…
Artemisia – Herb Named for an Ancient Greek Goddess
There are about 500 species of Artemisia. In this post, I’ll tell you about a few of those varieties, and I’ll tell you about the Ancient Greek Goddess Artemis. Diana and Cupid Painted by Pomeo Batoni at the Metropolitan Museum of Art 1761 “Artemisia was named for the Greek goddess Artemis. In Ancient Greek Mythology,…
Artemisia – White Sage – A Plant Traditionally Used by Native Americans
White Sage (Artemisia ludoviciana) Image Credit: gardenia.net Height: 12 – 36″ I love to share personal stories, and I have a story about how I discovered White Sage. Over the years, I have lived in many different parts of the country, and while I was living somewhere else, I was invited to a Native American…
How to Start Creeping Thyme Plants for Your Garden — Start Early — Inside
English Creeping Thyme Image Credit: Breoudo Height: 2 – 3″ Creeping Thyme Used as a groundcover for rapid spreading. Attracts beneficial insects. Handles light traffic. Great for rock gardens. Creeping Thyme is popularly sown in rock gardens, along borders, fences & walkways, in containers & pots, or directly in the garden. This versatile groundcover also…
How to Create A Kitchen Garden — A French Potager — Includes Free Plan
Jacki Kellum Kitchen Garden 2021 I have read that as people began planting their food, as opposed to hunting and gathering it, the first kitchen gardens began. The earliest cottage gardens were usually kitchen gardens–what the French would call a potager.In my mind, a kitchen garden is not the same as a place where only…
How to Create a Small Classic Symmetrical Herb Garden – Free Plan
“Growing herbs means you’ll always have a fresh supply of delicious flavors and pleasant scents whenever you need them. Many of these plants are also quite attractive, especially when carefully selected and arranged to show off their beauty, as in this plan. This classic herb garden idea features several easy-to-grow aromatic plants that are pleasing to the eyes…