Join Jean today as she discuss the here Top 5 Perennial Vegetables & Fruits & How-to Care for them. She will provide guidance to her listeners as she shares her personal experience with each one.
March 15th, 2023
Farah Bazzi, Maraseel Cards
Join me today as I chat it up with Farah Bazzi, Founder & Creative Director from Maraseel Cards in Dearborn, Michigan.
Farah discusses what it’s like to leave her professional career as a high school Biology teacher to have her twin daughters right at the world shut down with COVID.
She discusses how she listened to her intuition and decided rather than to go back teaching, she dove into creating her own line of luxury stationaries!
My mission is the make this planet a healthier one, one person at a time!” ~Karen Sammer
I’m super excited to introduce you to this remarkable warrior woman! She has quite a story to share with all of you including her battle with cancer & how she conquered it. She is here today to let you all know you can take a stumbling block & turn it into a stepping stone… and boy did she ever.
Listen in as todays guest shares her journey into business ownership. From traveling to Ireland to a remote private art school to working at a senior center, and finally following her dream… this may be just the inspiration you’ve been looking for!
“It’s raining but the tulips are still managing to poke their green shoots out of the mud, a promise that spring is coming, and so is the sun. I suppose I owe it to them to at least keep my head up until then.” ~Quote adapted from one by Writers Block
Only 25 days until my beloved spring returns. The new life I long for along with all her secret promises will soon come up out of the ground. And this year, they are secrets. As you all know Dave, the boys, & I moved into our home this past December, so many of the flower beds were well into their winter sleep.
Of course I can identify most of the bushes, shrubs, and plants but I’m sure there will be many ‘spring’ surprises popping up out of their winter slumber. The one thing I am so excited about is the magnolia tree in our backyard right off our deck. I have always dreamed of having one, but they are such a slow growing tree, so I never planted one.
With spring comes new life… but presently life is dormant, still, and cold.
Winter is filled with dreams and anticipations of planning new garden projects. I am incredibly excited for what I am planning here in our new yard! I am very excited to share the whole process with all of you here, and of course on my social media platforms and at my NEW YouTube channel!
I am actually going to spread this topic into 2 parts. Today I’ll go over my easy 5-step how-to plan your spring garden. In Part 2, I will show you how to diagram it out!
Spring is one of new beginnings… fresh hopes… dreams of what will be…
The dream I’m ever longing after is feeling the dirt once again along with the warmth of the sun.
I thought with all this dreaming we’d look at something all of us die-hard gardeners are doing… planning our gardens.
Here is my Easy 5 Step How-to Plan Your Spring Garden tips to get you started in the right direction.
Gather your seed catalogs!
Gather all your seed catalogs, sticky notes, a pen and high-lighter along with a notepad. Once you’ve decided on the amount of space you have in your garden you’ll know what you need and the quantities.
Decide on the varieties that you want to grow. The best way to do this is to plot out some time when you can sit and peruse your catalogs. Read variety descriptions carefully to determine light, soil, moisture and spacing requirements.
I always draw out my gardens so I have a visual to see. You don’t have to get as detailed as mine… I just enjoy the whole planning aspect. You can use graph paper or a piece of notebook paper. Be sure to think about your space and its limitations.
I’m going to go into great detail in Part 2 of this topic blog. So keep posted for more on this!
Determine available space.
When planning your garden you need to keep in mind space limitations and each plant’s growing habits. For example, a tomato plant should have three square feet for proper growth and maturation.
Think about your aisle ways when planning this. If your isles are two feet wide, then plan your tomato row with three feet and then two on both sides.
You’ll need a total of 7 feet minimum for a row of tomatoes. Look at the plant descriptions in the catalogs.
Soil testing is a good idea.
I advise, especially for first time gardeners, to test your soil. You can buy a simple soil test at most garden centers or take your sample into an agency that offers this service.
You will have better success if you know what your soil may be lacking. It could be something as simple as calcium/lime or copper.
Although there are many other aspects to getting your garden plan done, these are the basics to get you on your way! Keep posted for Part 2 coming in a just a few days!
I certainly hope you are encouraged to grow your own food. Even if you start with only two or three of these things, that’s a great start!
If you enjoyed this blog , please LIKE, Follow, Share & leave me a comment! I love your feedback!
If you aren’t following me on Facebook or Instagram, go on over & give a LIKE & Follow me for daily tips & tricks for your home & garden!Until next time friends, eat fresh, shop local, & have a happy day, Jean
I would love for you to share with me what you’d like me to post on? What gardening, cooking, organization, decorating, or business related questions do you have?
Post them in the comments below, & I’ll do my best to answer them!
Would you like a plethora of ideas & inspirations at your finger tips?
If you said yes, then head on over to my Pinterest page and follow me there!
“A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust.” — Gertrude Jekyll
Welcome to Day11 of my Gardening 101 Series! Today I am going to share with you my Top 10 Favorite & Easy To Grow Herbs & How-to Care for Them for the Home Gardener.
If you missed Days 1 through 10 in this series, be sure to go through my past posts to see them all!
Herbs are by far one of my favorite things to grow! So many of my favorites are perennials and so easy to care for.
Today I’m going to discuss my Top 10 Herbs & How to Care for them. Herbs are super easy to grow, but do require some care when harvesting and thinning.
Let’s look at my favorite Top 10 Herbs for the Home Gardener and how to care for them!
Check out my YouTube video below to see my favorite herbs & how to care for them! Be sure to LIKE & SUBSCRIBE!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to visit me at my YouTube Channel for more recipes & how-to gardening tips & tricks! You won’t be disappointed. Don’t forget to subscribe here & there so you don’t miss a beat!
“Cooking is at once one of the simplest and most gratifying of the arts, but to cook well, one must love and respect food.” – Craig Claiborne
Dave & I have been on a soup kick lately and we are enjoying it abundantly… as have the boys. Soup is definitely a comfort food and one that warms the soul on a cool day. I honestly don’t make soups in the summer… it just doesn’t seem right. I want salads & foods hot off the grill.
But today, we are making soup. Check out this super yummy & easy Vegetable Pork Rib Soup, and I’m going to give you a quick & easy method to make its creamy version!
Use 2 cups of the chicken broth and whisk in 1/4 cup all purpose white flour.
Pour into boiling liquid when soup is done; bring to a boil. Add 2 cups fresh spinach and wilt; Soup will thicken.
Fresh ingredients are always best!
1. In a large stock pot, sauté carrots, celery, and onion in the olive oil for about 10 minutes covered on medium heat.
2. While vegetables are sautéing, drain corn and place in a frying pan with 2 TBSP of the oil and butter; fry covered on medium high heat stirring frequently until browned, about 10 minutes.
3. Pick all the meat off the bones of your ribs discarding any fat and grizzle as well. Cut into bite size portions.
4. Once vegetables are sautéed add garlic, potatoes, blackened corn, all herbs & spices, cooked pork rib meat, and broth; cook on medium heat simmering for 1 hour.
*IF you are making the creamy version, reserve 2 cups of broth
5. If you are making the creamy version, add the thickening mixture in and bring to a boil until thickened.
Serve with sour dough bread or any other bread you prefer!
If you enjoyed this blog, please LIKE, Follow, Share & leave me a comment! I love your feedback!
If you aren’t following me on Facebook & Instagram go on over & give a LIKE & Follow me for daily tips & tricks for your home & garden!
A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust. — Gertrude Jekyll
Welcome to Part 2 of my Raised Bed blog posts. If you missed Part 1, just click the link! In part 1 I gave an easy how-to build a raised bed, today I’m going to discuss the benefits of raised bed gardening.
Again, as you all know I am an advocate for raised bed gardening for many reasons, and today I’m going to share those reasons with you. If you are an experienced gardener who has always worked in a tillable garden plot, then I am going to show you how to work smarter, not harder as well as showing how much time & effort you can save with raised beds.
If you are a novice or someone who is thinking about starting a garden but just don’t know where to begin, then I am confident that you will be opting for a raised bed garden over a tillable plot.
I know some of you who may be reading this don’t have a space for either a raised bed or tillable garden. Don’t worry, I’ll be touching on how you can grow a nice variety of vegetables in containers. Stay tuned for my YouTube video on How to grow in containers coming next week! Be sure to sign up for my emails so you don’t miss a post, podcast, or video!
So, you may be asking, “What exactly is raised bed gardening?” Here’s a simple answer.
Raised bed gardening is a method of growing plants in soil that is elevated above the surrounding ground level.
Let’s look at the many benefits of raised bed gardening!
1. Raised beds improve drainage and soil quality!
Having better drainage allows plants to develop better root growth which equals healthier plants. This ultimately produces healthier soil for the plants you want to grow!
2. Secondly, raised beds are a great option for gardeners with limited space or mobility issues!
Raised beds can be built to any height desired, therefore allowing for a comfortable height providing easy access. This benefit can provide the opportunity to make gardening more accessible for those with physical limitations. The raised beds themselves can be designed to be wheelchair accessible, and the soil is typically at a more comfortable height for those who have difficulty bending over. This makes raised bed gardening a great option for older gardeners or those with mobility issues.
This photo was taken from Facebook page Happy Gardens
3. Amending your soil is so much easier!
Raised beds allow for better control over the soil, and the ability to add organic matter, which leads to healthier plants. Because the soil in a raised bed is not compacted by foot traffic or heavy machinery, it is able to retain more moisture and nutrients, leading to healthier plants and better yields. Additionally, the soil in a raised bed can be easily amended with compost or other organic matter, providing plants with the ideal growing conditions.
4. Raised bed gardening also allows for better control of pests and weeds.
Because the soil in a raised bed is not in direct contact with the surrounding ground, it is less likely to be overrun with weeds, and pests are easier to spot and remove. Additionally, raised beds can be enclosed with a barrier, such as chicken wire, to keep out larger pests, such as rabbits or deer. They also help to control pests and diseases by keeping them out of the soil, and they make it easier to control the pH and nutrient levels of the soil.
5. Raised beds can be easily customized to fit any space, so even small gardens can have raised beds.
Raised bed gardening also provides a more efficient use of space. Because the soil in a raised bed is concentrated in a smaller area, more plants can be grown in a denser space. This makes raised bed gardening a great option for those with limited outdoor space, such as those living in urban areas or those with small yards.
6. You can design beds for your specific plants!
Raised beds can be designed to suit specific needs or preferences. For example, raised beds can be designed for specific types of plants, such as vegetables or flowers, and can be tailored to suit the specific growing conditions required for those plants. This allows for a more customized and successful gardening experience.
7. Lastly, you can ditch the tiller and many other expensive garden tools!
Raised beds eliminate so much of the hard work that a tillable plot requires. There is no tilling, minimal wedding, and much less space needed with raised beds. You can even ditch the hoe! Many of the larger and ultimately more expensive garden tools are not needed with raised beds.
Well, I could go on and on, but these are the primary benefits I believe raised bed gardening offers in comparison to standard gardening methods. The improved soil quality and accessibility make it a great option for a wide range of gardeners, while the pest and weed control and space efficiency make it a practical choice for those with limited outdoor space. The ability to design raised beds for specific plants and conditions also allows for a more successful and personalized gardening experience.
I certainly hope you are encouraged to grow your own food. Even if you start with only two or three of these things, that’s a great start!
If you enjoyed this blog , please LIKE, Follow, Share & leave me a comment! I love your feedback!
If you aren’t following me on Facebook or Instagram, go on over & give a LIKE & Follow me for daily tips & tricks for your home & garden!
Happy Day, Jean
Copyright Policy
All text and images on this site are copyright of For Dragonflies And Me. Unless otherwise noted, you may not use this content.
Today’s guest is going to thrill you with her business and how at such a young age she has not only developed a desirable product, but also the steps she took to get there!
I had the pleasure of meeting this extremely talented & driven young lady at a LeadHER-ship conference last fall. I was representing the Chamber I worked for providing information on the benefits of a small business partnering with a chamber of commerce in order to grow a business.
I sat down at one of the tables next to this woman and began chatting it up. In short order she was telling me all about her company and how she developed it.
She talked about how she and her team wanted to bring products from the global market place to Michigan, with long term goals of becoming a one-stop-shop for wholesalers.
Today’s guest will awe you I’m confident as she did me. She might be just the inspiration you’ve been waiting for to take your own leap of faith to start the business of your dreams…
The lesson I have thoroughly learnt, and wish to pass on to others, is to know the enduring happiness that the love of a garden gives. – Gertrude Jekyll
As all of you who have been following me for the last decade know, I am all about utilizing raised beds. In my personal opinion, it is the best way for a home gardener to utilize space, grow food, and have the best experience possible with gardening.
Many of you also know we recently moved to a new home and I am about to create my new potager, AKA a kitchen garden. I’m French so I prefer to call it a potager LOL! You can read my how to blog on How to create your own potager or kitchen garden if you missed it!
I am super excited to share the whole process with you here and at my YouTube Channel.
This blog is going to be broken into 2 parts as there is a lot of content and I don’t want to overwhelm you with so much information all at once. Some of you may be experienced gardeners who have always gardened in a large, tillable spot while some of you may be just starting out and don’t know where to begin.
In today’s post I am going to discuss the how-to build raised beds, and in Part 2 I’ll discuss the benefits of raised bed gardening.
There are many materials you can use to make raised beds, or you can purchase premade ones. In years past I have always built my beds with lumber. In my new garden I’ve purchased 7 galvanized metal ones… and I’m super excited! Here is a photo of the ones I purchased off Amazon. They are 2 feet high, where I’ve always had them just 1 foot. I’m getting older and my back isn’t getting any younger either, so I opted for a bit more height. You may be thinking that it will take a lot more dirt, which means more money, but I have some easy and FREE ways to avoid that! Read on to learn how friends!
Raised beds have gained a lot of popularity over the last decade. It is a gardening technique which encourages better drainage, soil quality, and pest control. They are also a great option for gardeners with limited space or mobility issues. Building a raised bed is a relatively simple process that can be completed in a weekend. So let’s get rolling with this informative how-to blog post!
How to build a raised be in 3 easy steps!
Step 1:Choose the perfect location!
Raised beds should be placed in an area that receives at least six hours of sunlight per day. They should also be located near a water source and in an area that is protected from strong winds.
Once the location has been chosen, the next step is to decide on the size and shape of the raised bed. The size of the bed will depend on the amount of space available and the number of plants that will be grown. A common size for a raised bed is 4 feet wide by 8 feet long, but they can be made in any shape or size.
Step 2: Let’s prepare the ground!
The area should be cleared of any grass or weeds. This can be done in several ways.
The area must be cleared of any grass or weeds. This can be done in several ways.
Option 1: First, choose an organic weed & grass killer. You can make one with vinegar. If you are not concerned with being organic, then use any weed and grass killer. With whatever you choose to use, cover the area with the killer liberally and let it do its job for at least 24 hours before moving forward with the next step.
Option 2: You can cover the area with pieces of cardboard and then cover with black plastic woven ground cover. This will kill anything growing and is less harmful to the soil.
Option 3: Combine both options 1 and 2.
Use good materials when filling your beds for optimum growth!
Mulch your beds after planting with grass clippings. This keeps the moisture & heat in while breaking down and adding much needed nitrogen to your soil!
You can also mulch with straw. It will provide the same benefits to your soil as the grass clippings!
As the season goes on the soil will compact and settle. Each spring you will need to add more composted manure and some garden soil.
As you plant your garden year after year, you will be taking nutrients out of the soil which is why you will need to replenish the composted manure and garden soil each spring and fall if you choose. Also, each fall when you remove all the plant debris you will ultimately be taking soil out.
Step 3: Let’s get building those raised beds!
Once the ground is prepared, the raised bed frame can be built. The frame can be made from a variety of materials such as wood, brick, stone, or even recycled materials. The most common materials used for raised beds are wood and stone. If using wood, it is important to use rot-resistant wood such as cedar or redwood, as they will last longer.
As these are both more expensive the alternative is to consider using hardwoods, which is what I’ve always done and had great success. My beds have lasted years! I recommend using oak or another hard wood for the sides of your wood beds. If you choose to use a stone material, cinder blocks are a good choice.
Again, common sizes are 4 feet wide by 8 feet long by 1 foot high. Another nice size to work in are 4 x 4 making nice, easy to work in squares.
The frame should be secured in place with stakes or anchors.
PRO TIP: If you are planning to use beds higher than 1 foot high, than add a layer of plaster planter pots between the cardboard layer and the sticks. This will make it so you don’t need as many of the other layers!
Step 4: Filling your bed!
There is a very simple formula to filling raised beds. You can think of it as a layering, like a lasagna of materials.
Layer 1 is the first layer at the bottom of the bed. I recommend using a layer of cardboard. This will break down and add carbon to the soil.
Layer 2: Lay a single layer of large sticks or branches on top of the cardboard. These too will compost and add carbon to the soil.
Layer 3: Cover the layer of sticks with straw.
Layer 4: Cover the layer of straw with leaves.
Layer 5: If you are building 4 foot wide by 8 feet long beds then add 2 bags of organic composted manure, spread evening over the leaves.
Layer 6: If you have any compost sprinkle that on top now.
Layer 7: The final layer should be at least 6 inches deep of good soil. You can purchase bags or go to your local greenhouse or other supplies and purchase good, clean topsoil.
As the season goes on the soil will compact and settle. Each spring you will need to add more composted manure and some garden soil.
As you plant your garden year after year, you will be taking nutrients out of the soil which is why you will need to replenish the composted manure and garden soil each spring and fall if you choose. Also, each fall when you remove all the plant debris you will ultimately be taking soil out.
I certainly hope you are encouraged to grow your own food. Even if you start with only two or three of these things, that’s a great start!
If you enjoyed this blog , please LIKE, Follow, Share & leave me a comment! I love your feedback!
If you aren’t following me on Facebook or Instagram, go on over & give a LIKE & Follow me for daily tips & tricks for your home & garden!
Happy Day, Jean
Copyright Policy
All text and images on this site are copyright of For Dragonflies And Me. Unless otherwise noted, you may not use this content.
Watch my YouTube video on how I created this one-of-a-kind beautiful botanical themed wall art with an old paned window I recently purchased from Reclaimed Michigan.
Here’s the process of how we are redoing our hallway!
If you enjoyed this blog , please LIKE, Follow, Share & leave me a comment! I love your feedback!
If you aren’t following me on Facebook or Instagram, go on over & give a LIKE & Follow me for daily tips & tricks for your home & garden!
Until next time friends, Remember to eat fresh, shop local, & have a happy day! Jean
Copyright Policy
All text and images on this site are copyright of For Dragonflies And Me. Unless otherwise noted, you may not use this content.
“A garden requires patient labor and attention. Plants do not grow merely to satisfy ambitions or to fulfill good intentions. They thrive because someone expended effort on them. ” Liberty Hyde Bailey
If you are a novice or experienced gardener, then you know the importance of good gardening tools. They really do play an important role in successful gardening. Good tools also have an impact on how much you may enjoy gardening. The difference between cheap, flimsy tools versus sturdy, well manufactured tools can mean the difference between a sprained wrist, unnecessary cuts, and pulled muscles!
Gardening is a wonderful hobby filled with so much fulfillment, so having the right tools for the job is essential. The last thing you want to do is get an injury because the poorly manufactured garden hoe broke or bent while you were working in the garden soil. Or, the hand trowel snaps cutting your hand because you hit a large rock under the soil where you couldn’t see it.
Let’s look at what I believe are the Top 10 Essential Tools for the Home Gardener are for both a flower and vegetable garden. Watch this YouTube Video for all the details!
In conclusion, having the right tools for gardening is essential for success. A gardener should have a good pair of gloves, a hand trowel, a garden fork, a garden hoe, a garden rake, garden shears, a garden hose, a garden sprayer, a garden wheelbarrow, and a garden trellis. With these tools, a gardener will be able to maintain a beautiful and productive flower and vegetable garden.
For Dragonflies And Me 