Hi there, Rural Sprout readers, It’s been quite the busy week at my house. We had our first snow on Monday, which tickled me pink. I’m ready for more, thank you very much. I even got my basket full of hand-knit mittens and hats out of the
closet. My Dutch oven hasn’t left my stove all week. I’ve been making more broth, soups and stews. They make for quick and hearty meals all winter long. (I think my freezer is groaning from the weight of all those jars.) (I love a good, messy kitchen when I'm bustling around cooking. But I also love a clean one when I wake up the next morning, so it gets tidied up when I'm done. Also, putting those grow lights under my cabinets was brilliant! They're
so helpful.) But I’ve also been enjoying fresh salads from my garden still. I purchased one of these frost covers for the raised bed by the back door that I use as my kitchen garden. It’s mostly herbs, lettuces, spinach and things like radishes and white turnips. I pulled two of my poor cabbageworm-eaten kale plants from the big garden, sprayed them down with BT and then transplanted them into the kitchen garden. Oh my gosh, this frost cover has been worth its weight in gold, and salad greens apparently. I’ll be set for greens all winter long. I love having something fresh on hand during the coldest days of the year, and it’s especially nice when it comes from my own backyard. One of my favorite things to add to soups is a few handfuls of chopped
sturdy greens. Are any of you keeping up a winter garden? How about you, southern gardeners? What do you still have in your gardens? I’ve also been slowly decorating for Christmas. What? I said slowly. I can’t help myself. I love Christmas. I always start with my Christmas mugs first. Since it’s just me, it takes a little longer, so I get out a box of decorations from the attic every few days. I’ve been knitting new Christmas stockings for the whole family this year. Three down, two more to go! And I’ve been making little crafts, gifts and decorations. Every time I look down at my handiwork, I’m reminded of my Grandma
Besemer. She was always a substantial contributor to her church’s annual Christmas Bazaar. Are church Christmas Bazaars still a thing? I have many fond memories of spending afternoons at Grandma B's after school, seeing all the things she had made throughout the year piled up around the living room. There would be hand-knit mittens, hats, baby sweaters, and booties. There would always be a quilt or two. She also crocheted and made little kitchen scrubbers and fancy lace doilies. She would even have pots of Christmas cactuses, propagated from her plant. My family always says I remind them of her, and I take it as a compliment.
She was quite the industrious lady. What have you been up to this week, dear readers?
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Don't toss your rusty pruning shears! You can easily remove rust and get them in good working order again.
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If there's a 'plant parent' in your life, any of these charming and helpful stocking stuffers will surely put a smile on their face.
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If you pay attention to the three most common causes of dropped buds, you can easily avoid the issue and enjoy blooms every year.
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Cat grass might sound like a novelty, something you buy on a whim at the grocery store when you see it. But it's more than just a fun treat. Cat grass is great for your
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Create a hidden greenhouse in your kitchen with this set of adaptable grow lights. Grow herbs, lettuce, houseplants and more on your counters.
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In late winter, while the plant is dormant, it's the perfect time to propagate blueberries from hardwood cuttings.
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Our editor, Tracey Besemer, shares her no-nonsense method for dusting houseplants and why it's important for healthy, thriving plants.
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Are you planning on starting seeds this spring? Before you wait much longer, you'll want to see if any of your seeds fall on this list. Otherwise, you may end up staring at pots of
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Whenever we get a good cold snap where I live, my southern family likes to remind me that I choose to live where we have cold winters. I usually retort that I prefer to live
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With a name like butterfly bush, it's easy to see why Buddleja is such a popular landscaping plant. After all, who wouldn't enjoy more of these beautiful insects in their backyard? And with the push
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Fall is the perfect time to take hydrangea cuttings for new plants next year.
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Fall is here - it's time to prep the garden for a winter rest. As the gardening season comes to an end, we're faced with the task of clearing up before winter arrives. While the
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Bone broth is the new chicken soup. It restores and nourishes your entire body, helps you fight colds and the flu, it even gifts you with incredible long-lasting energy throughout the day. What's not to
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Whip up the best pumpkin butter ever in just two hours using your slow cooker. It's so easy to make this delectable fall treat.
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A recent survey suggested that beets are the second most hated vegetable in the United States - being narrowly beaten by turnips. It's not that they're unlovable, perhaps they're just badly cooked. But, deep in
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Did you miss a newsletter or want to read a few for inspiration? Find past newsletters here. Don't forget to check out our Facebook page for daily updates. That's all for this week, Rural Sprout Readers. |
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