Hey Reader, When most of the garden begins to fade, there’s one group of plants that just keeps giving — cut-and-come-again greens. 🥬 These are the steady workers of the fall and winter garden: lettuces, kale, spinach, and mustard greens that you can harvest leaf by leaf, again and again. With just a little protection — a cold frame, hoop, or sunny windowsill — they’ll feed you long after your summer crops are gone. If you’ve ever wanted to stretch your growing season, this is the simplest...
5 days ago • 3 min read
Hey, Reader! “Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, but seven years of famine will follow them.” – Genesis 41:29–31 As the height of the growing season winds down, now is the time to ask: how do we extend the harvest well into winter? Chefs who Preserve the Harvest Some chefs leave such a lasting impression on my husband Dave and me. Much like a good theater show, it takes several days of relishing an exemplar fine dining experience to truly absorb the impact...
13 days ago • 3 min read
Hey, Reader! Let’s talk about composting. We believe the heart of a permaculture garden isn’t just the amazing trees, the beautiful guilds, or even the pollinators. It’s the humble compost bin. The compost bin: Brings life from death Transforms waste into nourishment Offers rich, fertile soil and endless garden possibilities Thanks to Grandad, we now have a 3-bin compost system in place! Grandad and kids setting up our new compost bin! “But I can’t compost…” Before you say, “I can’t compost...
27 days ago • 2 min read
Dear Reader,This past weekend our family traveled to Athens, Ohio to celebrate all things pawpaw at the Ohio Pawpaw Festival—and we wanted to share some highlights with you! A pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is the largest native fruit in North America. . It’s a survivor of the ice ages that still carries a tropical flavor, even while thriving in colder climates. Pawpaws need about 400 chilling hours (16 days) each year in order to set fruit. Here’s a “Jumbo” pawpaw variety from one of our...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
How does your garden grow, this July, Reader? We've been quiet on the permaculture gardening education front this summer, mostly because Dave and I have been in the garden, getting bitten to shreds by mosquitoes, maintaining the abundant growth of raspberries, okra, and cucumbers, and battling the deer with the construction of phase 1 of our fence. 3 July Garden Tips That being said, there are a few things I wanted to share with you that might help your garden this month. July is the month...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, What’s it like to grow food in a place where water is scarce, soil is tricky, and the weather changes on a dime? That’s the daily reality for many California gardeners—and a growing number of us across the U.S. are starting to face similar challenges. Whether you’re in Texas, Nevada, Colorado, or even parts of the Midwest and East Coast… drought is becoming more common. But don’t worry—there’s hope. We’ve put together a helpful new blog post drawing lessons from California...
4 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, After a year of writing (and many more years of learning, growing, and harvesting!), we’re thrilled to announce: Our book: Permaculture Gardening for Everyone, is officially here—and ready to ship! Order the Book Here This book is for everyone who’s ever dreamed of growing their own food—whether in pots, raised beds, or a backyard food forest. Inside, you’ll find: 🪴 10 chapters from seed to harvest, rooted in real family experience 🌿 Practical, faith-filled guidance on designing...
4 months ago • 1 min read
Hey, Reader! June for us is a month of rest, but also of transition—when spring crops wind down and summer crops take off. ☀️ If you're wondering what you can still plant this month, you're not alone. Many gardeners think they’ve missed their window, but there are at least two crops you can grow in June in North-America. In our latest blog, we keep it simple 🌿 2 Money Saving Crops for June 🥕 A Growing Guide for these Crops Read What To Grow in June Whether you’re just getting started or...
4 months ago • 1 min read
Hi again, Reader!At Permaculture Gardens, our mission goes beyond just growing food—we want to help you harvest abundance in every form: 🌱 Nourishment, 💊 Natural medicine, 🕊️ Peace, 💚 And yes, joy. But let’s be real—when your garden is producing wildly, the real work often begins after the harvest. Now that we've harvested this beet, how do we cook it? That’s why we’re so grateful for our friend Katie Kimball of Kitchen Stewardship. She helps families like ours eat out less, save more, and...
5 months ago • 1 min read