Vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruit trees – I love growing them all. As a mother of five children, I especially enjoy growing and preparing food from the garden for my family.
My love of gardening was kindled at a young age when I would visit my grandparents’ large garden in Indiana. I have fond memories of spending time in their garden and eating freshly-harvested corn, lima beans, and raspberries.
I killed my share of houseplants through the years but always wanted my own garden. When we moved to Mesa, Arizona, in 2008 and settled into a home with a backyard, I finally had a space to learn how to garden.
Armed with a book about square foot gardening, I started my garden with a 4 foot by 4 foot raised bed. I started small and created my garden by adding one raised bed or container at a time.
My understanding of basic gardening principles grew, but I wanted to learn more. I was certified with the local Master Gardener program in 2015. Learning from skilled gardeners in classes, and working alongside experienced gardeners in the demonstration garden, was invaluable. This program taught me where to look to find the answers I needed for gardening in the unique desert climate of Arizona.
As I began having success in my garden, I started a gardening Instagram account in December 2015 and began posting pictures.
In 2016, I began writing articles for the Master Gardener newsletter sent out monthly to local Master Gardeners. Writing didn’t come easily to me, but I kept at it. I continue to write for this publication each month and am still a certified master gardener in my county.
In late 2017, I started this blog to reach a broader audience. I don’t think I understood how much work it would entail, but blogging has pushed me to continually learn new things, practice them in my own garden, and then share what I’ve learned here on the blog.
In 2020, I redoubled my efforts at videos and began posting longer, more detailed videos on YouTube.
In 2021, my book “How to Grow Your Own Food: An Illustrated Beginner’s Guide to Container Gardening“, was released. It is available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Fall of 2021, I launched “Growing in the Garden Academy” on Patreon. “Growing in the Garden Academy” includes a monthly live online gardening class where we cover seasonal topics. I also share what I’m planting, fertilizing, harvesting, and starting indoors (the “Low Desert To-Do List” for my garden) twice a month.
Nothing beats heading out to the garden to gather much of my family’s food. Vegetables, fruits, and herbs from my garden are picked almost daily. We eat them fresh, and I also preserve harvests by canning, freeze-drying, and freezing.
I aim to share what I am learning here so you can be successful too. I want you to experience that same feeling of satisfaction from growing what you and your family eat.
Thanks for joining the journey with me. I hope you get to spend some time in the garden today!
