Andrew

Hi, I’m Andrew. I grew up on a farm, so growing food has been part of my life for a long time. After Betty and I got married, we started growing and canning on our own land. More recently, when we bought our property, we put in 21 raised garden beds. We grew so much that we were able to can over 100 quart jars of produce. On this site, I write the kind of blog posts I wish I had when we were figuring it out.

A charming flower garden filled with colorful blooms planted along a rustic wooden fence

Backyard, Garden Design, Garden Layout, Gardening

12 Jaw-Dropping Ways to Landscape Along Your Fence

April 1, 2026

Your fence is the backbone of your backyard, but most homeowners treat it like an ...

metal raised garden bed with trellis frame in backyard garden

Gardening, Raised Beds, Raised Garden Beds

The Truth About Metal Raised Garden Beds (Before You Buy One)

March 27, 2026

Metal raised garden beds are everywhere right now. You've probably seen them in garden centers, ...

full sun container garden with colorful flowers in large patio pots

Container Gardening, Gardening, Growing In Containers

15 Full Sun Container Plants You’ll Wish You Planted Sooner

March 26, 2026

You've got a blazing-hot patio, a sun-drenched front porch, or a balcony that bakes all ...

Healthy leafy greens and fast-growing vegetables for April planting.

Gardening, Seasonal Gardening, Spring Gardening, Vegetables

What to Plant in April (Low-Effort Crops with Big Results)

March 25, 2026

April is one of the most exciting months in the gardening calendar. The soil is ...

Patio full of plants in pots

Container Gardening, Gardening, Patios

12 Gorgeous Patio Plants That Are Surprisingly Easy to Grow

March 24, 2026

If you've been dreaming of turning your outdoor space into something truly beautiful, you're in ...

Backyard oasis with greenhouse, raised garden beds, and pergola dining area surrounded by greenery

Backyard, Gardening, Homesteading

How to Create a Backyard Oasis You’ll Never Want to Leave

March 20, 2026

Your backyard is more than just a patch of grass behind your house. With the ...

Large wooden chicken coop with attached run, raised garden beds, and backyard homestead setup

Chicken Coop, Homesteading, Raising Chickens

12 Large Chicken Coop Ideas to Upgrade Your Backyard Setup

March 19, 2026

If your backyard flock is growing – or if you're starting out with the intention ...

Container garden with a mix of plants growing in various pots and large plastic tubs, arranged along a house wall beside a landscaped garden path.

Container Gardening, Gardening

A Beginner’s Guide to Garden Pots (What Actually Works)

March 18, 2026

If you've ever stood in a garden center staring at rows of pots wondering which ...

Beautiful shade garden with colorful flowering shrubs and layered plants under trees

Garden Design, Garden Layout, Gardening

12 Beautiful Shade Garden Ideas You’ll Want to Copy

March 17, 2026

Not every garden gets full sun all day. And honestly, that’s not a bad thing. ...

Small gnats hovering in the air

Homesteading, Natural Home Care, Pest Control

How to Get Rid of Gnats in the House (Easy Tricks That Actually Work)

March 16, 2026

Gnats are tiny, pesky flies that seem to appear out of nowhere in kitchens and ...