Feb 24, 2012 Posted by Tiffany

{Garden Life} Growing Stevia

Back in 2007, we started our first adventure into growing stevia. We had heard about this naturally sweet plant and just had to try it out. We’re avid iced tea drinkers, and we like it sweet. So we end up going through a whole lot of sugar in a month. Although the iced tea still ends up being a bit healthier than a bunch of sodas, it still ends up being a bunch of empty calories we consume, not to... read more

Feb 10, 2012 Posted by Tiffany

{Garden Life} GrowVeg Garden Planning Software

Happy Friday! This has been a rather long week for me as I’ve been trying to finally get a cold out of my system — and get Mackenzie over the same cold which was really not a fun one (sore throat, runny nose, congestion, hacking cough). But the weekend is quickly approaching which is always a good thing around here! After I was going around and seeking out plans for garden inspiration last... read more

Feb 3, 2012 Posted by Tiffany

{Garden Life} Garden Planning Pinspiration

There have been some really useful things coming across my screen lately when it comes to planning your garden for spring — which I know will be just around the corner despite this wildly cold spell we are having here in Germany right now. Thinking of spring and seeing the tulips I planted indoors coming up while it’s about 0°F outside is really keeping me going…not to mention all the... read more

Jan 27, 2012 Posted by Tiffany

{Garden Life} The Organic Gardeners Handbook

Have you ever awakened one morning to find your plants covered in strange little black bumps? Or sprayed the aphids from your plants for the 100th time but still don’t seem to ever successfully be rid of them? Would you like to know how to once and for all deal with insects and diseases of all shapes and sizes on your plants with natural and organic methods without searching online for hours? How... read more

Jan 20, 2012 Posted by Tiffany

{Garden Life} Why Heirloom is Worth It

As you may recall, I recently went into a long dissertation about why heirloom seeds are important to our future when I was mentioned the Seed Savers Exchange. But if you’re not really sure what an heirloom seed or plant actually is, let me break it down for you. Heirloom seeds are those which have been passed down from generation to generation. They may be plants which have been growing in your... read more

Dec 9, 2011 Posted by Tiffany

{Garden Life} Seed Savers Exchange

Seeds. They are the life-force of your garden. Without seeds, most of the plants in our garden would cease to exist — whether you are planting seeds yourself or using store-bought seedlings — and in turn, life would become far more complicated since qe depend on plants for far more than just food. Now you might not realize it, but more and more GMO products are creeping into the food supply... read more

Dec 2, 2011 Posted by Tiffany

{Garden Life} No Ordinary Canning Jars

Over the last few years, I have mentioned my love of canning several times and shown everyone my oh-so-European glass-lid canning jars. Once I decided I was going to start canning in Germany, it really did take me quite a few months to adjust to the idea of canning in these things. I grew up canning with my mom in Ball and Mason jars — and I was pretty sure that I’d read somewhere that these... read more

Nov 24, 2011 Posted by Tiffany

{Garden Life} Roasting Pumpkin Seeds

Garden Life is a day early this week for several reasons. One is that it’s Thanksgiving and two is that Mackenzie is turning 3 tomorrow. So my Friday is going to be SUPER busy as I prepare for our turkey dinner on Saturday and celebrate a bit with our little girl. Hence the change. Next week, it will be back to the regularly scheduled programming.  Earlier today, I shared how to make your very own... read more

Nov 18, 2011 Posted by Tiffany

{Garden Life} Treat houseplant scales naturally

Over the last 6 or 7 years, we have collected quite a collection of houseplants. Some of them have fared really well, and others I killed pretty quickly (like every beautiful orchid ever brought into our home).It’s not that I intended for the plants to die; I just wasn’t very good at paying attention to them, giving them water regularly or diagnosing any problems they might develop.... read more

Nov 11, 2011 Posted by Tiffany

{Garden Life} Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving Book Review

I have a confession. I’m a bit of a book junkie. I love all sorts of books that help me learn how to do things, inspire me, entertain me and teach me more about myself. One of my go-to books during the canning season is my Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving. It’s got over 400 recipes to help you use up all sorts of goodies from your garden and orchard. Whether you’re just a beginner... read more