A few years ago I had a mission to plant more fruit in my garden. Besides various melons (like these and these), I found an historic, annual, heirloom berry called Wonderberry. Here is what you need to know about it. To be honest, I’m not sure if my ...
growing vegetables
Summer Squash Success
I’m always trying new things in the garden. For a couple of bucks I can get a package of seeds and satisfy my curiosity. Summer squash produce quickly and abundantly, so it’s worth the minimal effort it takes to grow them! Let’s check out two ...
Part 2: How to Grow your own Garlic
I had the privilege of attending a garden club event where local a garlic farmer who runs Lockport Gardens here in Manitoba gave the low down on how to grow your own garlic. I’ve grown my own garlic for a few years, and it was great to get a ...
Part 1: Why Local Garlic
Why local garlic? Why pay more? Why go to the effort? Learn why foreign garlic should stay out of your cart. Get a brief overview of the myriad health and medicinal benefits of garlic. It’s all here on why local garlic is king. I had the ...
Grow Your Own Small Melons
Small melons, like these Queen Anne Pocket Melons and Mother Mary's Pie Melons, are productive vines that produce an abundant crop of baseball sized melons. With a short maturation, these melons might be just the thing for short season gardeners. ...
Grow Montreal Market Melons
The Montreal Market Melon is a great find for gardeners, even far from Montreal here in the northern prairies. Its crispy green flesh has a wonderfully sweet, musky melon flavour in a generous size! Get the low down on where these treasures came from ...
Baker Creek Seeds
I may have ordered a lot of seeds. I know I'm not alone. I know you're out there. Check out my seed order picks from Baker Creek and my favourite local company, Heritage Harvest Seed. (not affiliated) Besides collecting my own seeds, like these ...
Grow Onions From and For Seed
Learn about the whole lifecycle of onions, from planting seeds to collecting seeds! This staple of the garden and kitchen takes on a whole new life as a beautiful allium flower as we explore how to become more self-sufficient by discovering how to ...
Grow Your Own Leeks
Maybe I just like leeks because they reach out of the typical garden fair, like carrots and onions, into the realm of unique. But there are many worthwhile reasons to grow leeks, such as being frost tolerant and largely pest free. I’ve been ...
Grow Your Own Dry Beans
Is your dinner plate looking a little green? Do you need something to round out your garden produce? I’m not even talking about potatoes. Dry beans are a fantastic way to add some satisfying protein to a garden produced meal. This year I grew ...
I'm Erika, I live on eighty acres in the northern prairies of southern Manitoba with my husband and four kids. Here, we enjoy the outdoors and try to be more self sufficient as we try new things in the garden and learn about our land and the world around us.