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Garden time is coming

Jimi

Jimi

Diamond Contributor
Member For 5 Years
One of the most helpful parts of yesterday’s Preserve the Harvest Masterclass was the simple framework Stacey shared for making food preservation manageable.

Instead of trying every preservation method out there, she focuses on three simple strategies that help turn seasonal produce into meals you can enjoy all year long.

That’s exactly what Stacey focused on in the masterclass.

Here’s a quick look at what she shared:

1️⃣ Choose preservation methods that fit your lifestyle
Not every method works for every kitchen. Stacey explains how to focus on the ones that are realistic for your time, tools, and cooking habits.

2️⃣ Preserve ingredients you actually use in meals
Instead of preserving random vegetables, start with the foods you cook with most often … things like herbs, tomatoes, greens, and sauces.

3️⃣ Create a simple system for turning harvests into future meals
A few hours of preserving can stock your freezer and pantry with ingredients that make everyday cooking easier.

One of the reasons so many gardeners want to learn food preservation is simple: it helps you take greater control over your food.

When you know how to preserve fresh vegetables, herbs, and seasonal produce, you can stock your kitchen with wholesome ingredients and avoid the frustration of watching good food go to waste.

If you missed the live session, you can still watch the replay. But it will only be available until tomorrow night (Friday) at 11:59 pm PT.

>>> Watch the masterclass plus Q&A today

Whether your produce comes from your garden, the farmers market, or the grocery store, these strategies can help you enjoy fresh ingredients long after the growing season ends.

If preserving food has ever felt overwhelming, this class will help simplify it.

To enjoying fresh food all year long,

🌱 The Grow Your Own Vegetables Team 🌱
 
Jimi

Jimi

Diamond Contributor
Member For 5 Years

🐝 Protecting Bees, NOT Harming Them​

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If you’ve ever lit a “normal” candle and felt that synthetic fragrance hit your throat or head, you already understand the problem. Most candles are loaded with mystery scents and additives that have no business being in your air (and then your lungs and bloodstream).​
Once you learn what you’re actually breathing, you can’t unknow it, and you definitely can’t un-smell that fake, perfumey haze.​
I’m real-life good friends with the the founder and the owner at Bee Lucia. I’ve toured their facility, and can tell you they’re the real deal: kind, meticulous humans who genuinely care about bee health and doing this work the right way.​
I also know many ECL readers are protective of bees and wary of anything that feels extractive. I’m the same way, which is why I asked hard questions. Ethical, conscious hive stewardship can be a net positive for colonies when it’s done with care and competence: supporting resilient hives, keeping stress low, and managing real-world threats like mites in a responsible way. Backing companies that prioritize hive health helps reinforce the kind of bee management that protects colonies rather than depleting them.​
Why these are virtually the only candles we allow in our house:​
  • They’re made with pure beeswax, organic coconut oil, and essential oils, not synthetic fragrance clouds.
  • They smell strong enough to actually fill a room, without the toxic “candle hangover.”
  • They burn clean and feel aligned with a home that’s trying to reduce chemical load.
 
Jimi

Jimi

Diamond Contributor
Member For 5 Years

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Long exposure shot of a waterfall in the ‘Kyoto Garden’ in Holland Park.

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“QThe glory of gardening; hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just on the body, but the soul.”​
— Alfred Austin​



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Jimi

Jimi

Diamond Contributor
Member For 5 Years
Why Plan Your Garden With Preservation in Mind?​
Many gardeners choose what to grow based on what looks exciting in seed catalogs. But when harvest season arrives, it can quickly turn into a race to use everything before it goes bad.​
Preserve​
Gardeners who enjoy homegrown food year-round often take a different approach — they plan their gardens with preservation in mind. By thinking ahead about what you want in your pantry, freezer, and meals during the off-season, you can grow exactly what you’ll use and avoid harvest overwhelm.

In this week’s blog, we share how to plan your garden with preservation in mind so your harvest turns into meals you’ll enjoy all year long.
​

Tasty Recipes for Preserving Your Harvest​
Preserving doesn’t have to be hard! Enjoy this guide with free recipes for you and your family to try as your harvest starts to come in. Or as shared in the article above, plant according to what you want to preserve!​
Discover how to:

🥒 Make an essential pickling solution to keep on hand so you can pickle that extra harvest anytime, anywhere.
🥒 Execute a fabulous fermented tomato sauce recipe.
🥒 Make a delicious fruit-infused vinaigrette without all the added sugar.
🥒 Properly char veggies to really bring out their savory, sweet, and spicy flavors.
🥒 Plus much, much more!
Get Your Complimentary Guide Here​
​

Pickling Q&A: How Long Do Pickled Foods Last?
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https://stratus.campaign-image.com/images/1513905000066630004_zc_v1_1773859504119_pickles(1).png
Q: How long do pickled foods last before opening?

If you’re making pickled foods at home, it’s best to plan to enjoy them within about a year. They will often last longer than that, but over time the jars may become a little cloudy, the flavor can change, and the texture of the vegetables may start to soften.

Once a jar is opened, store it in the refrigerator and use your senses. If it smells fresh and pleasant, it’s usually still good to eat. If something smells off, it’s best to throw it out. The vinegar brine helps keep the food preserved, but most opened jars are best enjoyed within about a month.
You may notice that store-bought products list shorter time frames. Those dates are often conservative. When it comes to your homemade pickles, learning to trust your nose is one of the best guides.
​
Missed the Preserve the Harvest Masterclass? Watch the Replay​
One of the reasons so many gardeners want to learn food preservation is simple:
it helps you take greater control over your food.​
When you know how to preserve fresh vegetables, herbs, and seasonal produce, you can stock your kitchen with wholesome ingredients and avoid the frustration of watching good food go to waste.

If you missed the live session, you can still watch the replay — but it’s only available until tonight.

If you’ve ever wondered how to turn garden abundance into meals you can enjoy all year long, this masterclass walks through a simple system for doing exactly that.
Free Masterclass​
 
2WhiteWolves

2WhiteWolves

Diamond Contributor
Member For 5 Years
VU Patreon
Jimi said:
​

🐝 Protecting Bees, NOT Harming Them​

If you’ve ever lit a “normal” candle and felt that synthetic fragrance hit your throat or head, you already understand the problem. Most candles are loaded with mystery scents and additives that have no business being in your air (and then your lungs and bloodstream).​
Once you learn what you’re actually breathing, you can’t unknow it, and you definitely can’t un-smell that fake, perfumey haze.​
I’m real-life good friends with the the founder and the owner at Bee Lucia. I’ve toured their facility, and can tell you they’re the real deal: kind, meticulous humans who genuinely care about bee health and doing this work the right way.​
I also know many ECL readers are protective of bees and wary of anything that feels extractive. I’m the same way, which is why I asked hard questions. Ethical, conscious hive stewardship can be a net positive for colonies when it’s done with care and competence: supporting resilient hives, keeping stress low, and managing real-world threats like mites in a responsible way. Backing companies that prioritize hive health helps reinforce the kind of bee management that protects colonies rather than depleting them.​
Why these are virtually the only candles we allow in our house:​
  • They’re made with pure beeswax, organic coconut oil, and essential oils, not synthetic fragrance clouds.
  • They smell strong enough to actually fill a room, without the toxic “candle hangover.”
  • They burn clean and feel aligned with a home that’s trying to reduce chemical load.
Click to expand...
Bought a beeswax candle and they are great, no smell, cleans the air, burns slower, and actually has a cotton wick. As with other candles just blow it out, with beeswax you put the wick into the melted wax to put it out. Thought this was pretty cool, as I never have done it this way before. Definitely plan on purchasing more of these beeswax candles. :)
 
Jimi

Jimi

Diamond Contributor
Member For 5 Years
Hey folks,

On March 25th, I’ve invited two special guests to lead our next webinar: Jill from Whispering Willow Farm and Kaylee from Honeystead.

herb webinar speakers (1)


You may recognize them...

Jill and Kaylee have both been featured on the Thriving Farmer Podcast in the past. Now they’re back to give us a glimpse into their deep knowledge of herbalism.

They’ll show you how to start simple: six essential herbs, a manageable garden size, and training on how to actually use the herbs you grow.




​

About the Guest Speakers:​

Jill Ragan, author of The Tiny But Mighty Farm, has been homesteading and farming with her family for 10+ years on Whispering Willow Farm. Online, Jill teaches sourdough and herbalism, helping others recover valuable skills that used to be a part of everyday life.

Kaylee Richardson is a long-time homesteader, beekeeper, and author of The Beekeeper’s Apothecary. She studies the way food and medicine overlap, specializing in honey and herbalism as a certified apitherapy practitioner.



Event Details:​

📅 Date: Wednesday, March 25
⏰ Time: 8PM EST
📍 Where: Online (link sent after registration)



👉 Sign up today to save your seat.



If you’ve ever dreamed of walking outside to a living pantry of medicinal herbs, there’s no better place to start. You don't need a lot of land. You don't need a lot of experience. Just show up ready to take notes and ask questions, and Jill and Kaylee will get you started on the right track.



Best,
 
Jimi

Jimi

Diamond Contributor
Member For 5 Years
I want to share the crop that’s the most expensive to buy, yet the easiest to grow…

Herbs.

Growing herbs is the perfect place to start because they grow well in a variety of spaces both indoors in containers and outdoors in the garden. So no matter what your current garden or space situation is, you can at least grow some herbs.

You’ll want to star this email and save it as your go-to resource for growing herbs. Check out these articles:

By the way... March 21st is one of two equinoxes where the sun is between its maximum and minimum declination. This means that the sun will roughly be midway through its journey from high to low and back again and hanging out right above the equator. (Actually the date is a little off depending on the astronomical v. meteorological seasons, but close enough.) This is a good time for you to go take pictures of your yard at noon to document the changes you are seeing.

In the Northern hemisphere it is spring, so our plants will be triggered by the shorter nights to grow faster at this point. This is also the time that most yards tend to look their best.

In the Southern hemisphere it is autumn and plants are triggered by the longer nights to start drying up and preserving resources. This is also the time that most yards need a little TLC to prepare for the coming winter.

Enjoy and if you are willing please post pictures on our Facebook page so we can all share the inspiration (or in the private Facebook group if you have access via one of our courses). Please use #TheUrbanFarmInspirationChallenge in your comments.
 
Jimi

Jimi

Diamond Contributor
Member For 5 Years
Last day to join, folks!

Tomorrow I'm going live with Jill & Kaylee to talk about medicinal herbs—what to grow, how to use them, and how they are beneficial for the body.

They'll be starting small, focusing on just 6 medicinal herbs that anyone can grow and use.



herb webinar #3





📅 Date: Wednesday, March 25
⏰ Time: 8PM EST
📍 Where: Online (link sent after registration)



Register Today!​



Jill & Kaylee are a great duo and have a lot of fun stuff planned for you to learn. Grab your spot today, and come prepared to take notes and ask questions!
 
Jimi

Jimi

Diamond Contributor
Member For 5 Years

Planting And Growing Sweet Potatoes​

seedsnsuch.com

Planting And Growing Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes can provide big yields of tasty and nutritious roots with relatively little effort. They’re often confused with yams, but sweet potatoes are a different plant altogether. And while commonly a southern crop, short-season varieties can be grown by many northern gardeners. Sweet...
seedsnsuch.com seedsnsuch.com
 
Jimi

Jimi

Diamond Contributor
Member For 5 Years
Hi Jimi,

Most of us focus on what happens after planting … Watering schedules, soil health, pest control, etc.

But there’s a quieter decision happening at the very beginning that can completely change how your garden performs over time.

It starts with your seeds.

In this week’s blog, we’re diving into how choosing the right seeds (and even saving your own) can help your garden become more resilient, more productive, and more adapted to your unique space each season.

Here’s a peek at what you’ll learn:

🫘 Which seeds are best (and why it matters)
Not all seeds behave the same. We break down the difference between hybrid, heirloom, and open-pollinated seeds—and which ones actually let you replant year after year.

🫘 How your garden can “learn” your environment
When you save seeds from your best-performing plants, you’re naturally selecting for what works in your climate, soil, and conditions. Over time, your garden becomes stronger and more reliable.

🫘 Easy seed saving (it’s simpler than you think)
Some plants just need to flower and dry—and you can collect seeds right from your garden. No complicated process required.

🫘 How to let your garden reseed itself
Certain plants will come back on their own year after year if you let them go to seed—saving you time, effort, and money.

🫘 The power of seed sharing in your community
Seed swaps and local seed libraries can connect you with varieties already adapted to your area—and build a stronger local food system.

This is one of those simple shifts that can completely change how your garden grows—not just this season, but for years to come.

>>> Read the full article on How to Choose and Save Seeds

If you’ve ever wanted a garden that feels a little easier… a little more abundant… and more in tune with your space, this is a beautiful place to start.

To growing stronger gardens (one seed at a time),

🌱 The Grow Your Own Vegetables Team 🌱


 
Jimi

Jimi

Diamond Contributor
Member For 5 Years
🌱 Why Container Gardening Just Works​
There’s something really encouraging about this time of year… Maybe your garden beds aren’t fully planted yet. Maybe you’re still waiting on the weather to settle. Or maybe you’re wondering how to grow more food with the space you have.​
Benefits of Container Gardening​
That’s where container gardening can make all the difference. Whether you’re working with a patio, a deck, or even just a sunny windowsill, containers open up so many possibilities—giving you flexibility, control, and a simple way to start growing right now. In this week’s feature, we’re sharing some of the biggest benefits of container gardening—and why it might be one of the easiest ways to get started (or expand what you’re already growing).
​

📽️ The Compost Mistake Most Gardeners Make​
Think more compost automatically means a better garden? It’s a common assumption—but it’s not always true. In this short Q&A excerpt, Stacey breaks down why using too much compost can actually cause problems (like root rot and poor plant growth)… and what to do instead for healthy, thriving soil.​
You're Using Compost Wrong​
​

🤸 More Energy for What You Love
​
Gardening is something many of us love… but it also takes energy.

Whether it’s getting outside to prep beds, water, harvest, or even just stay consistent week to week—having the energy to do the things you enjoy makes all the difference.

That’s why we wanted to share this upcoming free training from Ari Whitten. In this session, he breaks down how simple, science-backed breathing techniques can help boost your energy, reduce brain fog, and support your overall vitality—sometimes in just a few minutes a day.
​
 
Jimi

Jimi

Diamond Contributor
Member For 5 Years
📷 In the Garden This Week​
The garden is starting to wake up in the sweetest ways. My fig cutting from last year is beginning to bud, the first tulip has popped up, and the artichoke is coming in strong. And then there are the little surprises—like a tiny yellow flower that appeared out of nowhere, likely a gift from a passing bird.

It’s always a good reminder that growth is happening… sometimes in ways we don’t expect.​
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It doesn’t have to be perfect to get started, it just takes a few simple steps in the right direction.

Keep going, keep learning, and enjoy the process as your garden comes back to life. We’ll be here with you each step of the way.

To your garden,

🌱 The Grow Your Own Vegetables Team 🌱
 
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