Hello friends! Happy Gardening :). Today I'm sharing six tips that I wish I knew when I started gardening for beginning gardeners. I started gardening almost ten years ago and I've learned a lot along the way. 

Be ready for pests

Pests are going to come large and or small. I didn't have this problem so much with my container garden when it was on my deck. However, I did have it when I started my raised bed garden. I sprinkle cayenne pepper and cinnamon around my garden. However, I do plan to add a garden fence this year for extra protection. I'll keep you guys posted.

Keep a Journal 

I never thought about keeping a journal until one of my garden friends mentioned it. I think it's a cool way to keep track of what you planted and the progress of each item. I'm sure most stores have a fancy garden journal. However, I plan on using a DIY journal I created. One of the purposes of the garden journal is to check track of your garden. For instance, On April first I planted lettuce seeds. On April 15 I plants the veggie pods in my garden. May 30th. I picked my first bunch I lettuce leaves. 

Plant what you eat

Many people don't know what to plant when they start a garden. I always say to plant what you eat. Write a list of all of the veggies that you like and decide on which ones you would like to plant and harvest for that year.

Start off small

When I first started my garden. I started off with a tomato container plant. I had no idea what I was doing. I remember I just purchased my home that winter and I went to my local Home Depot and purchased a plant that was mature. I honestly don't remember the results. However, it was truly a memorable experience. You learn so much about yourself when you start a garden. 

Watch spacing 

When deciding which vegetables you want to plant. Remember that not all plants can be planted next to each other. Also, make sure that you flower the directions. For instance this year I planted sugar snap peas. ( oh, how I love thee ) the directions are clear on the seed packets. Plant the seed 3 inches apart and once the plants are about 4 inches. Space the plants out every 6 inches. My suggestion would be to keep all of you seed packets and set a reminder in your journal or on your phone. To remember to space the plants out. 

Zone planting 

You can't plant when everyone else is planing. Follow the seed packet. It clearly shows you when to plant. You can also do a quick google search to find the information. Of course, you should always wait until the last frost to plant items in your garden outside. Just be patient your time will come to plant the items in your garden or place them in your container. Trust me, I get it. I have social media friends who already have tomatoes plants that are ready to pick up. Based on their time zone. They were able to plant in their garden sooner. 

Ask/ Google 

When all else feels Google, YouTube and ask. I've asked fellow gardens questions about any tips on gardening. I always want to learn when it comes to my garden. So I'm never hesitant to try and educate myself. Don't get me wrong. I'm by no means a garden guru. Just a Mom who likes fresh veggies. Also, they're plenty of forums and Facebook groups that you can join. 

Do you have a garden? 

Typically people start working on their garden plans for the next season during the winter months (if not sooner). I have to be honest, pre-COVID, I really struggled with starting a garden this year. Last year I really did not have the time to tend to my garden, my harvest reflected that. I didn't see this year being any different. Of course, a lot has changed since December/January. Around April I made the decision that I would start a garden this year. I've always struggled in the past with starting my seeds indoors. I don't have the largest home, and it gets really cold in Connecticut. Therefore I typically go with plants for tomatoes and peppers. In prior years, I would start planting my peas in the ground around mid-march. Of course, I'm behind this year. I started tending to my garden around mid-April.

There's something magical about September in the garden. The tomato plants, heavy with fruit, seem to whisper "use me now or lose me forever." As I wandered through my garden this weekend, surveying the bounty that summer had gifted me, I knew it was time for one of my favorite preservation projects: roasted tomato sauce. 

When Life Gives You Too Many Tomatoes...

Like many gardeners, I found myself with an embarrassment of riches. Cherry tomatoes clustered like ruby jewels on their vines, and those larger varieties (whose names have escaped me in the flurry of spring planting excitement) hung heavy and ready. The thought of any of this garden gold going to waste was simply unbearable.

This is when I embrace what I call "abundance cooking" – that beautiful practice of transforming excess harvest into something that will nourish us through the darker months ahead. There's no strict recipe when you're cooking from abundance; there's only intuition, gratitude, and the wisdom that comes from working with what your garden provides. 

The Garden's Supporting Cast

My tomatoes weren't going solo in this sauce. The garden offered up its supporting players: plump garlic bulbs with papery skins that released their perfume at the first touch of heat, tender summer squash that would add body and subtle sweetness, and sharp onions that would provide the aromatic foundation every good sauce needs. 

The Magic of Roasting

Here's what I love about roasting vegetables for sauce: it concentrates flavors in a way that stovetop cooking alone simply can't achieve. The high heat caramelizes the natural sugars, creating depth and complexity. The cherry tomatoes burst and release their juices, while the larger tomatoes develop beautiful roasted edges. The garlic becomes sweet and mellow, and the onions transform from sharp to sublime.

The kitchen fills with the most incredible aroma – that perfect marriage of sweet, savory, and deeply satisfying scents that can only come from garden-fresh vegetables meeting fire. 

From Garden to Jar

After the vegetables had roasted to perfection, their edges caramelized and their flavors concentrated, I transferred everything to my blender. This is where the magic really happens – watching separate ingredients become one unified, vibrant sauce. The beautiful orange-red color that emerged spoke of summer sunshine captured in liquid form.

Back to the stovetop it went, where gentle simmering married all the flavors together. I seasoned simply – fresh parsley from the herb garden (because why stop the garden theme now?), a touch of onion powder for extra depth, and Himalayan salt to bring everything into focus. 

The Satisfaction of September

There's something deeply satisfying about this kind of cooking. It's practical, certainly – making use of abundance before it spoils. But it's also profoundly connecting. Every jar of this sauce will be a reminder of September's warmth when January winds are howling outside.

This sauce will grace pasta bowls on busy weeknight dinners, elevate homemade pizzas on lazy Sunday afternoons, and serve as the base for hearty soups when the garden lies dormant under snow. Each spoonful will be a taste of this moment, this harvest, this gratitude. 

A Recipe Born from Abundance

The best part about abundance cooking is that it teaches you to trust your instincts. Measurements become suggestions, and your senses become your guide. Taste as you go, adjust as needed, and remember that the best recipes are often the ones that come from the heart – and the garden. 

Garden Abundance Roasted Tomato Sauce

Serves: Makes approximately 4-6 cups of sauce Prep Time: 20 minutes Roasting Time: 35-45 minutes Cooking Time: 20-30 minutes 

Ingredients:

• 4-5 pounds mixed tomatoes (cherry tomatoes and larger varieties), halved or quartered
• 1 large onion, roughly chopped
• 6-8 cloves garlic, peeled and left whole
• 2 medium summer squash, chopped into 1-inch pieces
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried)
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1-2 teaspoons Himalayan salt (to taste)
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
Prepare the vegetables: Wash and roughly chop all vegetables. For cherry tomatoes, simply halve them. Quarter larger tomatoes. The pieces don't need to be uniform – rustic is beautiful here.
Toss and roast: Place all chopped vegetables on a large rimmed baking sheet (use two sheets if needed to avoid overcrowding). Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper.
Roast: Bake for 35-45 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until vegetables are caramelized around the edges and tomatoes have released their juices.
Blend: Allow vegetables to cool slightly, then transfer to a high-powered blender. Blend until you reach your desired consistency (I prefer a slightly chunky texture, but blend until smooth if you prefer).
Simmer and season: Pour the blended mixture into a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add parsley, onion powder, and additional salt to taste. Simmer gently for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce reaches your preferred consistency.
Taste and adjust: Season with additional salt, pepper, or herbs as needed.
Store: Cool completely before refrigerating for up to one week, or freeze in portions for up to 6 months. 

Cook's Notes:

• Don't have summer squash? Try zucchini, bell peppers, or even carrots
• For a smoky flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika
• This sauce is perfect for canning using proper water bath methods
• The recipe is completely scalable – use what your garden gives you!

From my garden to your table, with abundance and gratitude.

I would like to first thank everyone for all of the love you've shown with my 2018 garden. Even if you didn't leave a comment. I'm Thankful! I had no idea that my garden posts would receive so much interest. Thank you! I am beyond grateful for how my garden turned out this year. As prior stated, in prior years I didn't have much success with my vegetable garden, especially with tomatoes and pepper plants. It was really hit or miss. Though my original goal was to plant a fall garden as well. I'm content with how well my summer garden turned out that I'll just start planning now for my garden for next year. I harvested so many peppers and tomatoes. It honestly was beyond my wildest dreams. The only reason I gave planting tomatoes another shot was due to the limited amount of options that we left. When I went to purchase my plants, and the nursery was having an amazing sale. It was honestly one of the best garden decisions that I've made to date. I also tried hanging tomato plants just for the heck of it, and it worked! You can really grow tomatoes upside down. How cool is that?!

The Mister was also very impressed with my garden this year as well. The only tomato plants I've had success with in the past were cherry tomatoes. Which were perfect for my garlic, tomato, and avocado open sandwiches. No complaints here! However, I just wanted a little more, I wanted to make fresh sauces, salsa, and soups with tomatoes fresh from my garden. I'm so happy that I didn't give up. Gardening is trial and error, and I just love every minute of it.
I'm excited to possibly start planting some tulips for next spring. I planted them when I originally moved into my home. However, I haven't catered to the idea since. I also would like to start working on planting garlic for next year as well. I would love some type of fruit plants. However, I was told by some gardeners that you typically do not eat/pick the first year of harvest. So we shall see.



Anywho, Do you have a garden? Do you plan on starting a garden? 

• Pruning sheers -Must have!
• Expandable Garden Hose -Space Saver
• Miracle Grow Plant Food -Must Have!
• Garden Gloves -Must have!
• Garden Planter  -On My Wish List
• Miracle Grow Pods - Love these! Using them again this year

Typically, in my state, I’ve learned that most plants go in the ground around Memorial Day weekend. This year I’ve been trying to get my raised beds ready. I’ve also thought of actually expanding my garden wider and also adding two different locations. I have an area in the back of my home that doesn’t get too much light. However, it would be perfect for Swiss chard. I would love to add a couple of plants there. I also have the side of my home that gets the most sunlight. I’ve been living in our home for about ten years and I’m still learning the best garden location to plant my garden. When I originally started with my vegetable garden. I only did container gardening and I would pretty much leave all of the plants on my deck. Since my garden is growing. Plans are changing. Below I will be sharing what I plan on growing this year in my garden.

My 2018 Vegetable Garden Plans 

New

• Swisscard
• Spanish Peppers
• Green and Yellow Squash
• Pumpkin
• Garlic (plan on planting for next year)

Returning

• Tomatoes (Cherry, Big Boy) 
• Peppers
• Red and Green Peppers
• Basil
• Mint

I was reading the May issue of Better Home & Garden and I fell in love with an article they have in regard to a couple in California and their garden. They had an archway which I would love to build. This year I don’t plan on planting strawberries unless I find the plants for a really great price. I did not harvest a lot last year from my plant. Also, thanks to a Facebook group I’m a part of in my state. I found out about a local plant sale for vegetables and I have 48 plants. I know, I know. I plan on canning most of my harvest and of course giving it away to friends and family.

Do you have a vegetable or flower garden?

Garden Lites

As a busy mom, I'm always looking for healthy and nutritious snacks for my family. I'm all for healthy grab-and-go snacks with so many picky eaters in my home. With the kiddos in sports throughout the year. I have to make sure that I select the most beneficial snacks for my family. My daughter has gluten intolerance which makes it super hard to find products that she loves that do not lack in taste. I'm super happy that she absolutely loves Garden Lites muffins since she will be off to college this summer. Garden Lites is the ultimate veggie rich food that my family loves.

How Does Garden Lites Taste? 

I found my superfood veggies cakes at Stop & Shop! You can find yours in the freezer section of your nearest  Publix, Stop & Shop, Giants, Shop Rite, HEB, Kroger or Costco.

Have you ever tried Garden Lites Muffins? Let me know in the comment section. 

Hello Friends!

(past garden posts here)
Do you have a vegetable garden?

• Cherry tomatoes (starts seeds in March) 
• Big boy tomatoes (starts seeds in March) 
• Peppers (starts seeds in March) 
• Scout bonnet (starts seeds in March) 
• Cucumbers (starts seeds in May) 
• Broccoli (new) (starts seeds in March) 
• Beans (new) (starts seeds in May)
• Cabbage (starts seeds in May)

• Strawberries 

• Thyme 
• Mint
• Parsley

My garden last year 

My 2019 Vegetable Garden Plans 

New

• Swisscard
• Spanish Peppers
• Sage
• Melons

Returning

• Tomatoes (Cherry, Big Boy) 
• Peppers
• Red and Green Peppers
• Basil
• Mint
• Green and Yellow Squash
• Pumpkin

Photos from my 2018 Vegetable Garden

Pin for Later

Happy Tuesday! I wanted to give a quick update because I've been getting a lot of questions about my garden.

I still haven't purchased any tomato or pepper plants this weekend. I was told by a fellow gardener that Memorial weekend is typically when gardeners in Connecticut plant their plants in the garden. I'm hoping to purchase plants this week.

Flower garden

Earlier this month I planted flower bulbs. I haven't planted flower bulbs in years. I am super excited about seeing these cut flowers come in. I've tried planting seeds in the past and it was a total flop. It's so nice to see the flowers pop out the ground.

Container garden

I have a couple of plants in containers. One being our carrots. I'm super excited about growing my own carrots. I can't wait to harvest them. I was a little worried about harvesting these. Seeing how I created my own potting social. I was so happy when I started to see them sprout.

Cilantro

The cilantro feels like it flourished overnight. I am starting to really love to cook with it. I'm hoping to keep my cilantro growing throughout the year. Overall, I'm super excited about my garden. I still have a bunch of veggies and fruits that I would like to plant.

How's your garden doing? Thinking about planting a garden this year?

August 2018 Garden Photos