Posts by Melissa Pease

With 40 years of gardening under my belt and my Master Gardener Certification, I NEVER profess to know it all. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. I find that the more I learn, the less I know. However, with that in mind, I would like to share some secrets I know to have a healthier…

When the gardens begin to put forth their bountiful produce, we have a short window of time to use up the produce. Some you can preserve, can, dry or freeze. Some, you have to use right up or lose it. Despite our best efforts, we can’t use it all up. Neighbors are wonderful to share…

It wasn’t until a few years ago, that a revolutionary idea came into my brain. (I am a little behind the times.) Because they were pretty, because they drew the bees in, I decided to plant flowers in my vegetable gardens.  As I’ve watched and learned, there are definite benefits to this ecosystem that is beneficial…

I would suffice it to say, that most people have been bitten by the pesky mosquito. Citronella plants and oil have long been used as a deterrent. It has been widely known that plants contribute to medicine, bug repellant and a host of other benefits. The field of plants assisting one another is a subject…

When walking out to the gardens, I take a different bucket of tools each time. In the beginning, there are 5 main things I carry. A good shovel, a broom rake, pruning shears, a hori hori knife and my favorite of all, my nejiri gama hoe. You can find this little tool at www.gardenshoponline.com and it’s a…

Have you ever driven by a house in your neighborhood and envied their flower containers? Wondering how you could have the same beautiful look in front of your house?  I, personally, feel creatively challenged when I go to design containers for my garden so when I found this easy instant color idea. I was excited. The…

As yard size diminishes or people move into apartments, it isn’t always possible or practical to raise a full size garden.  Sometimes physical restrictions prevent the necessary ability to plant, weed, harvest or sustain a large garden.  All is not lost however as container gardening is well and thriving. A front porch or patio may need some…

Idaho is unique in more ways than I can count and I have lived here most of my life. Most front of mind at this moment, Idaho weather! We are spoiled and cursed in our lovely state thanks to mother nature. Now I may have grown up in a greenhouse but it took quiet a…

As I get older, I lose a little patience with certain aspects of gardening. In my back flower bed, I have had a berm that was lovely for a while. The sumac died. A rose bush died, the quack grass grew rampant, and creeping Jenny disappeared under the weeds. The tulips didn’t bloom anymore. Even…