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Garden Notes

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by Kaitlin Mitchell

Easy Fall Pumpkin Carving Crafts

When it comes to fall season crafting, you can do more with a pumpkin besides the good old jack-o-lantern!  Check out these easy and fun pumpkin crafts below to see what I mean.  Pumpkin Candle Holder: Use the serrated edge of the Pumpkin Scraper to hollow out a small pumpkin, removing...
by Kaitlin Mitchell

Why Gardening Should be Taught in Schools

This fall season is mentally taking me back to the fall of 2015 when I was recruited to help with my son's School Garden Program. Since then, I have passionately shared why gardening should be taught in schools and included in every school's curriculum. Below are a few reasons why. ...
by Kaitlin Mitchell

Tips to Get Your Tomatoes to Ripen More Quickly

For months in our 10b growing zone, it felt like we would never again see the sun. May Gray and June Gloom were no joke, and it wasn't just me who felt the effects of the gloom. My plants were also feeling it big time. Now that sunny days are...
by Kaitlin Mitchell

Spud-tacular Growth: Six Secrets of Growing Potatoes

Back in 2018, my very first gardening blog post was about what to do with those leftover St. Patty's Day potatoes. Five years later, still doing our thing with taters. Spuds are one of my favorite vegetables to grow that are also oh-so-fun to harvest! This is why I'm excited to...
by Kaitlin Mitchell

Drip it Like it's Hot! Watering Tips for the Water-wise Fruit and Vegetable Gardener

In Southern California, water is a resource we cannot afford to waste, and we've tried to take some small steps to keep our plants and planet happy. So, I've put together five simple irrigation and watering tips to help you grow bountiful harvests while also being water-wise. Drip it like it's...
by Kaitlin Mitchell

Pumpkin Growing 101: Tips and Tricks for a Bountiful Harvest

Are you ready to squash any hesitation and grow your own pumpkins? Look no further, dear green thumbs, because we've got all the tips and tricks you need to get your pumpkin patch popping!Before we get started, you can also check out our more in-depth free printable Pumpkin Growing Guide here that includes tips...
by Kaitlin Mitchell

Companion Planting Four Favorite Summer Herbs Within Your Garden

Companion planting has always been a must for our growing urban space to maximize the area and create a biodiverse environment.  When I work with families and schools, we talk about companion "Bros" and "Foes" to help plan a space that creates a healthy garden ecosystem. The "Bros" are good...
by Kaitlin Mitchell

Incorporating Grow Bags into your Growing Space for Tomatoes, Summer Herbs, and Potatoes

Once living in and now residing near downtown, we've had to be smart about how to plant our urban garden of homegrown fruits and vegetables. That is why, years ago, I started using Grow Bags anywhere with outdoor sun and 1-3 feet of open space. I've tested quite a few...
by Kaitlin Mitchell

Spring into Action - Top Seed Starting Tips!

After doing this for a few years, I share these top tips with friends who are just starting their fruit and vegetable gardens and want to grow a spring garden from seed. Check them out below! 1. Make sure you are starting the right seeds for the season. In general,...
by Kaitlin Mitchell

Peas Peas the Magical Fruits

Peas, peas, the magical fruits. That's right. Pea pods are technically botanically considered fruits because they hold the next generation of the plant (aka the seeds). These crops are only sometimes easy peasy to grow in areas with four seasons. In warmer growing zones, like southern CA, now's the time to...
by Kaitlin Mitchell

Sow and Grow Radishes in the New Year

Around here it's still considered a new year, and it's the perfect time for growing zones 9 & 10 (SoCal friends, I'm talking to you) to sow some radish seeds into the soil. Growing your own also allows you to include varieties you won't see on the shelves at the...
by Kaitlin Mitchell

Grow a Salad Bar of Lettuce, Onion Greens, and Calendula Flowers

Zone 9 and 10 friends. Do you want a weekend January project that allows getting your hands dirty while filling your soul and body? As for other zones, this is also a great way to kick start your growing season when temperatures remain consistent between 45-65 F. What you'll need:...