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Last week’s heat wave was HOT.Not just “summer warm” — we’re talking sweltering, sleep-on-top-of-the-sheets hot! With no AC and a stone house that traps heat like a kiln, it felt impossible to get comfortable — especially upstairs, where it turned into a full-blown pizza oven every night. The one thing that actually helped me stay cool?Cold, steeped herbal tea. Simple, refreshing, and surprisingly effective. Each morning, I’d boil water while the house was still quiet, then steep handfuls of loose-leaf herbs — or formulated loose tea mixes.  Once cooled, I’d add a pinch of salt (for the minerals and balance),...

Every May, just as the tulips are finishing up, almost like clockwork, the lilacs start..I notice the wild ones along the road and around the pasture start popping open.  Their scent is unmistakable—sweet, nostalgic, and fleeting.  Lilacs are one of spring’s most joyful offerings. And while we’d all love to bottle up their beauty, they can be a little... dramatic once you bring them inside. If you’ve ever clipped a bunch only to find them wilting by the next day, you’re not alone. Lilacs have woody stems and a mind of their own. But there are a few simple tricks...

  A fresh bouquet of tulips brings a little magic into your home — and keeping them happy is really easy.  All they need is a clean vase (clean enough that you'd be willing to drink out of it) with cool water, and a little attention.  Tulips are thirsty flowers — they drink a lot — so be sure to check their water every day. Top it up as needed, and change it if it starts to look cloudy. If you like your tulips standing tall and straight, pop them into a slender taller vase that gives their stems a...

If you’re anything like me, you’ve got a stash of seed packets from seasons past. Some neatly organized, some…well, let’s just say they exist in various ‘safe places.’ But before you start planting, let’s make sure those seeds are still viable! How Long Do Seeds Last? Not all seeds have the same shelf life. Some, like onions and parsnips, lose viability quickly (1-2 years), while others, like tomatoes and brassicas, can last 4-6 years or more if stored properly. But instead of guessing, let’s test them. The Simple Germination Test This is a quick and easy way to check if...