• Skills

    Visible Mending & Why It Rocks

    There’s something deeply satisfying about looking at a worn piece of clothing and seeing possibility instead of trash. That’s exactly what visible mending is about: transforming damage into something beautiful, useful, and uniquely yours. Visible mending is part creativity, part practicality, and entirely about getting more life out of the things you already own. Instead of tossing clothes at the first sign of wear, you grab a needle and some colorful thread and turn that hole or tear into a feature worth showing off. The sickest part is that visible mending doesn’t require extensive skills or expensive supplies. It’s accessible,…

  • Gardening

    Container Gardening for Beginners

    Container gardening opens up a world of possibilities for anyone who wants to grow their own plants but lacks traditional garden space. Whether you’re living in an apartment with just a balcony, renting a home where you can’t dig up the yard, or just want more control over your growing conditions, container gardening offers the perfect solution. You don’t need acres of land or even a backyard to create a thriving garden. A sunny windowsill, a small patio, or even a fire escape can provide a bounty of fresh herbs, vegetables, and flowers. (Just be sure to keep fire escapes…

  • Gardening

    October in My Garden: Chores and What I’m Planting

    October always feels like a second spring here in zone 8. The oppressive summer heat finally breaks, the mosquitoes calm down, and I can work outside without melting. Finally, all those cool-season crops that I’ve been watching northern gardeners plant since August are ready to thrive down here in Georgia and I can start my October garden. This October, I’m saying goodbye to summer’s stragglers, rescuing tender herbs before the first frost sneaks up on us, and getting those fall and winter crops in the ground (or in my case, in containers). If you’re growing in pots, grow bags, and…

  • Gardening

    How to Find Free Seeds for Your Garden

    Want to grow a garden without spending a small fortune on seeds? You’re not alone. Smart gardeners have been finding free and cheap seeds for generations through community programs, online exchanges, and simple seed-saving techniques. This guide reveals exactly where to find them and how to build your own sustainable seed collection. Seed Libraries Seed libraries are popping up in communities across the country. They work more or less like book libraries, but for seeds; you “check out” seeds in spring, grow them in your garden, then “return” some of the seeds you harvest in fall. Most seed libraries are…

  • Gardening

    What I’m Planting This Month: September Crops

    Finally, it’s garden time again. I’ve mostly been stuck sitting around twiddling my thumbs for the last month or so while people in lower USDA zones have gotten into their fall gardens. I got my cabbage, broccoli, and brussels sprouts starts established in early August, but that didn’t scratch the itch. Finally, with time for September crops coming, I can really dig in and get started. Let’s take a look at one I’m planting over the next few weeks. Parsley I have a parsley plant in my garden already, but the summer sun has been brutal on the poor plant…

  • Gardening

    Easy Edible Plants for Beginners: 18 Best Crops for New Gardeners

    Starting a garden can feel overwhelming, but growing your own food doesn’t have to be complicated. These easy edible plants are perfect for new gardeners because they give you fresh, tasty food right away while helping you save money on groceries. The flavor of homegrown vegetables and herbs beats anything you’ll find at the store. Plus, you get to decide exactly what goes into your soil and onto your plants. Beyond the practical benefits, food gardening creates valuable learning opportunities and delivers that satisfying sense of accomplishment that comes from watching a tiny seed turn into something that feeds you.…

  • Composting - Gardening

    Small Space Composting: How to Compost Inside, on a Balcony, or in Your Yard

    In the US, an estimated 30 to 40% of the food supply ends up as food waste. While this waste rots in landfills, releasing harmful methane gas, it could instead become nutrient-rich compost that enhances gardens and reduces your environmental footprint. Composting reduces waste while creating a fertilizer that plants love. Composting isn’t just for homeowners with sprawling backyards either. Whether you live in a studio apartment, have a small balcony or patio, or live in a house with ample outdoor space, there’s a composting method that fits your lifestyle. The best part? You don’t need special skills, expensive equipment,…