garden inn

Each season is busy in it’s own way. In the spring all the raised beds need to be prepared in the garden, and all the planting done. In the spring we feel a burst of energy with all the possibility for the year, and want to do all the things. Do you feel that way too? In the summertime, both harvesting and watering can feel like a full time job at times. And then there’s the preserving too. By summer, we don’t want to add anything like we did in spring, but have our hands full just maintaining what’s already on our plate. In the fall, the last of the harvests come in and everything needs to be preserved. There is much to do to prepare for winter, and we dig deeper into our energy reserves to wrap things up. By that point we’ve been hard at work for many, many months and are looking forward to the slower pace that comes with the colder months. Here in the Pacific Northwest, our winters are very rainy. Every year we have things we want to accomplish before the rainy season hits. I...

The Ask a Master Gardener Program offers community members the chance to ask gardening questions in December. Upcoming events from our community friends in December include online lectures on gardening topics, Christmas tree research, and discussions on an extinct NC bird, all featuring expert insights.

North Carolina's endemic plants, like the Venus flytrap and Heller’s blazing star, are vital to its biodiversity. These unique plants face threats from habitat loss and climate change, necessitating significant conservation efforts. Ariyah Chambers April introduces us to some of these unique plants and strategies to ensure their longevity.

As the active gardening season slows, consider mulching for weed suppression and moisture retention. Various organic materials like leaves and wood chips improve soil health while preventing erosion, benefiting garden ecosystems. Eric Wiebe walks us though best practices for mulching.

Some of the last things we harvest in the garden each fall are Concord grapes, hardy kiwis, and winter squash. This year all of those things were harvested in late October. The fresh fruit was very welcome because we have all been craving fruit like crazy. I love the smell and taste of Concord grapes. They taste like the essence of PURPLE. Do you know what I mean? The Concord grapes growing in our yard have seeds in them. At one point in time I was nuts about the addition of the crunchy seeds (and they’re so good for you), but our whole family prefers seedless grapes these days. Now I want to plant a seedless Concord grape because there is no other flavor like it. Our favorite thing to do with seedless grapes? Freeze them. My grandma froze grapes and they make the most delicious treat. Have you ever frozen grapes before? We planted hardy kiwis in our garden years ago to have fresh fruit late in the season. We waited years, first getting a few handfuls , and then larger harv...

Gary Crispell discusses gardening tips for November, emphasizing eco-friendly disposal of pumpkins, lawn care, pruning practices to support pollinators, and the importance of planting during fall.

I’ve shared a lot about what we grew in the garden this year, and there’s more goodness from the garden to share with you yet! You want to know one of my very favorite things that we grew this year? Mushrooms! Yes, mushrooms! You can grow them in your garden! How amazing is that? We have grown different kinds of mushrooms in our garden for years, but this year was the first time we grew oyster mushrooms in a laundry basket. And I gotta say, we love it! Today I will share our process with you- to show you how simple it is to grow oyster mushrooms in your own backyard! While some types of mushrooms can be trickier to grow, oyster mushrooms are great for beginners. Not only is this project simple, it doesn’t require much space! So if you are wanting to grow food in less space, and you love mushrooms, this could be a great project for you. You can also utilize areas of your yard or garden that have more shade, where you might not otherwise be growing much food. Here’s what you’...

By Kathryn Hamilton, NC State Extension Master GardenerSM volunteer of Durham County and leader of the 2024 Tomato Project Team (Image credit: Kathryn Hamilton) The first results of the 2024 Tomato Trial are in! In chapter three, learn which cultivar was the first tomato and the last tomato, and which one earned our bended knee. Click here … Continue reading “Tomatoes on Trial,” Chapter Three: Longevity and Productivity

I have found throughout my life that some of my most challenging experiences have brought the best lessons and opportunity for growth. You know what else? Sometimes those hardest experiences can deepen our gratitude more than anything else. I have felt my gratitude deepened the most, not by things being easy, but by things being downright hard. I have felt humbled, and I have felt grateful, from those experiences. During one of the hardest times in my life, I felt very disconnected from my truest self, and now feeling that connection to my soul means everything to me. There is gratitude in the contrast. My body has so much gratitude for the feeling of being physically and emotionally safe because in the past I have experienced the opposite of that. At one point in my life, I walked or took the bus to go places. That deepened my appreciation for being able to drive where I want to go in a car. In my first apartment, I had no furniture. Just a sleeping bag, and a suitcase. You kno...