Tag: Gardening

Garden Progress: Small Changes That Are Making a Big Difference
Gardening · Gardening

Garden Progress: Small Changes That Are Making a Big Difference

Lulu LeeLeave a comment

There’s something rewarding about seeing your garden slowly come together—one project at a time.

This past week, I focused on making a few key updates around my garden space. None of them were huge on their own, but together, they’re making a big difference in how everything looks, feels, and functions.

Finishing the Walkway

One of the biggest improvements I made was finally completing the walkway.

This has been a work in progress, but now that it’s done, it completely changes how I move through the space. It’s cleaner, more structured, and honestly just feels more intentional.

It’s a small detail, but it makes everyday tasks in the garden so much easier.

Adding a Decorative Fence (and Solving a Problem)

I also added a decorative fence around:

My flower area The section where I planted peanuts

This wasn’t just for looks—it solved a real issue.

Stray cats had started using that space as a litter box, which is something I definitely needed to get under control. Since adding the fence, I’ve already noticed a difference.

Now the space feels protected and more visually put together.

Upgrading My Rain Barrel Setup

Another small but important update was mounting my rain barrel.

Before, it was sitting too low, which made it harder to access the water once it filled up. Elevating it has made collecting and using rainwater much more practical.

It’s one of those changes that improves efficiency without requiring a lot of effort.

Harvesting Collard Greens

I was also able to harvest some collard greens, which always feels like a win.

Right now, I’m letting a few plants go to seed. Once the seeds are ready and collected, I’ll clear that bed to make room for cucumbers and green beans.

It’s all part of the cycle—harvest, reset, and plant again.

Looking Ahead

This season is teaching me that gardening isn’t about rushing.

It’s about:

Making steady improvements Learning from what works (and what doesn’t) Creating a space that grows with you

Every small step adds up.

Final Thoughts

This week wasn’t about doing everything—it was about doing what I could and doing it well.

And right now, that’s enough.

Zone 7a Spring Garden Update: Starting Seeds Indoors & Preparing Raised Beds
Gardening · Gardening

Zone 7a Spring Garden Update: Starting Seeds Indoors & Preparing Raised Beds

Lulu LeeLeave a comment

There’s something about this time of year that feels full of possibility.

The air is still cool. The mornings are quiet. But underneath the surface, everything is preparing to grow — and so am I.

This week, I officially started seeds indoors.

And just like that, the planting season feels real.

🌿 The Indoor Seed Station Is Fully Operational


Wide shot of my full seed station with trays and grow lights

This year I expanded my indoor setup — multiple trays, labeled pods, grow lights positioned carefully, and even sweet potatoes sprouting below.

It may look simple, but this setup represents planning, learning, and commitment. I’m not rushing this season. I’m building it intentionally.

🌱 First Sprouts Under the Lights


Close-up of seedlings under grow lights

Watching those first leaves unfold under the glow of the grow lights never gets old. They may look delicate, but what’s happening below the surface is powerful.

Roots are forming.
Systems are strengthening.
Life is preparing.

This year’s indoor lineup includes:

  • Eggplant
  • Cayenne peppers
  • Bell peppers
  • Cauliflower
  • Broccoli
  • Basil
  • Marigolds
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Tomatoes

Peppers and eggplant need that early head start. The brassicas will transition outside earlier if the forecast cooperates. Basil and marigolds are part of my companion planting strategy — protection, pollination, and balance.

And the sweet potatoes? Those are personal. Watching them sprout reminds me that even something dormant can surprise you with life.

🪵 Preparing the Raised Beds


Photo of raised beds before cow manure

Outside, the beds are waiting.

I added more cow manure to enrich the soil and refreshed the raised beds in preparation for spring planting. The yard still looks winter-worn, but I can already see what it will become.

Healthy soil means stronger roots, better yields, and more resilient plants.

Soil first. Always.

🌽 The Future Corn & Peanut Patch


Outdoor patch photo where corn and peanuts will go

This is where the corn and peanuts will grow this year.

But timing matters.

I’m watching the forecast carefully, especially soil temperatures. Corn and peanuts need warmth and stability. I’m waiting until frost risk has passed and the soil temperature is consistently warm enough to support strong growth.

Gardening has taught me that patience protects your harvest.

📅 Zone 7a Planting Timeline (Quick Reminder)

Living in Zone 7a means our average last frost date typically falls around mid-April (April 10–20). That date guides almost everything I do this time of year.

Here’s how I’m planning around it:

6–8 weeks before last frost (February–early March):

  • Start peppers, eggplant, tomatoes indoors
  • Begin brassicas like broccoli and cauliflower

4–6 weeks before last frost:

  • Start basil and companion flowers like marigolds

2–3 weeks before last frost (weather permitting):

  • Harden off cool-weather crops
  • Transplant broccoli and cauliflower outdoors

After last frost (mid-to-late April):

  • Transplant peppers, tomatoes, eggplant
  • Direct sow corn
  • Plant peanuts once soil temperatures are above 65°F
  • Move sweet potato slips outdoors once nights are consistently warm

Gardening in Zone 7a is about watching the weather — not just the calendar.

📒 Systems Matter This Year

This year I have:

  • My gardening binder organized
  • Seed inventory tracked
  • Raised beds refreshed
  • A growing app helping me stay on schedule
  • Weather patterns monitored closely

It feels less chaotic and more strategic.

Preparation brings peace.

🌿 Planting With Purpose

Every year I garden, but this year feels different.

I’m not just planting vegetables — I’m building discipline. I’m practicing patience. I’m creating a rhythm that aligns with the seasons instead of rushing ahead of them.

Watching frost dates. Preparing soil before seeds go in. Starting early indoors but waiting wisely outdoors.

This garden is about more than harvest.

It’s about:

  • Teaching my children where food comes from
  • Building food security one bed at a time
  • Honoring agricultural roots that shaped generations before me
  • And trusting that steady preparation always produces results

The seedlings under my grow lights may look small now. The outdoor beds may still look quiet.

But I know what’s coming.

Because I’ve done the work.

And this season, I’m planting with purpose.

Garden Update: Ready to Grow, Learning to Wait
Gardening

Garden Update: Ready to Grow, Learning to Wait

Lulu LeeLeave a comment

Right now, my garden feels like it’s holding its breath — and so am I.

I have my seeds.

I have my starter pods.

I even have the garden layout mapped out and ready to go.

And yet… I’m pausing.

As excited as I am to start my seeds, I’m being intentional about when I begin. Living in a climate where late frosts are still a possibility, I’ve learned that starting too early can undo weeks of careful planning. Losing seedlings to an unexpected cold snap is frustrating — and avoidable — if you’re willing to wait.

This season, I’m choosing patience

Why I’m Waiting to Start My Seeds

Seed starting is one of the most exciting parts of gardening. It’s where hope takes shape. But timing matters just as much as enthusiasm.

Right now, my hesitation comes down to one thing: our last frost date.

Even with grow lights and starter pods ready, planting too soon can mean:

weak seedlings that outgrow their containers stressed plants when it’s time to transplant or worse — losing them entirely to cold temperatures

I’ve learned that starting seeds at the right time is just as important as starting them at all.

What I’m Doing Instead (And Why It Still Counts as Progress)

Even though seeds aren’t in the soil yet, the work hasn’t stopped.

Here’s what I have been doing:

Reviewing my garden diagram and spacing plans Organizing seeds by indoor vs. direct-sow crops Prepping starter pods and trays Refreshing my memory on frost dates for my zone Making a short list of which plants truly benefit from early starts

This stage of gardening — the quiet planning — sets the tone for the entire season.

Trusting the Process

Gardening has taught me that rushing doesn’t lead to better results. The soil warms when it’s ready. The seeds sprout when conditions are right. And sometimes, the most responsible thing a gardener can do is wait.

I’m excited. I’m prepared. And when the timing is right, I’ll be ready to move quickly and confidently.

For now, I’m honoring the pause.

What’s Coming Next

Once we’re closer to our last frost date, I’ll be:

starting select seeds indoors hardening off seedlings slowly preparing beds for transplanting and sharing updates on what’s thriving

This season already feels promising — and it hasn’t even started yet.

Sometimes growth begins long before anything breaks the surface.

Gardening · Gardening

Spring Garden Plans: Preparing the Soil & Setting Intentions

Lulu LeeLeave a comment

Garden Updates | Spring Garden Series – Part 1

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After the quiet of winter, I’ve started easing back into the garden—not by planting right away, but by preparing the space where everything will grow.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been clearing out my garden beds, removing old growth, and giving the soil some much-needed care. I added compost to replenish nutrients and laid down hay to protect the beds, retain moisture, and allow the soil to rest while the weather finishes deciding what it wants to do.

This stage of gardening is slower and quieter, but it’s one of my favorites. It reminds me that growth doesn’t begin when seeds go into the ground—it begins with preparation.

Starting Seeds Indoors

With the outdoor beds resting, my next step is starting seeds indoors this coming weekend. Seed starting always feels hopeful to me. It’s a way to stay connected to the garden while honoring the last frost date and the natural rhythm of the season.

I keep things simple—seed trays, soil, light, and patience. These early starts will be ready to transition outside once spring settles in.

Garden Layout & Planting Intentions

I’ve also been sketching out my garden layout to help me think through spacing, companion planting, and how different plants support one another. This doesn’t have to be perfect—just intentional.

Here’s the plant list inspired by my current layout plan:

Spring Garden Plant List

Vegetables and Fruits

  • Tomatoes
  • Peppers (bell & other varieties)
  • Cucumbers (with trellis support)
  • Zucchini
  • Potatoes
  • Okra
  • Corn
  • Sweet Potatoes
  • Melons
  • Strawberries
  • Lettuce
  • Kale
  • Cabbage

Herbs

  • Basil
  • Dill
  • Parsley
  • Oregano
  • Sage
  • Garlic (already established / overwintered)

Flowers & Pollinators

  • Zinnias
  • Nasturtiums (woven throughout beds)
  • Calendula
  • Chamomile
  • Coneflower
  • Echinacea

These choices support pollinators, improve soil health, and encourage a balanced garden ecosystem—not just productivity.

Why I Plan Before I Plant

Mapping things out helps me stay flexible while still being intentional. It allows me to think about airflow, sunlight, harvest timing, and how my garden functions as a whole rather than a collection of individual plants.

For now, the beds are resting under compost and hay, and the seeds are getting ready to wake up indoors. Spring will come when it’s ready—and so will the garden.

Spring Garden Series

This post is Part 1 of my spring garden series. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing:

  • Seed starting progress
  • Bed planting updates
  • Companion planting wins (and lessons learned)
  • Early harvests and seasonal adjustments

Join the Conversation

If you’re planning your spring garden, I’d love to hear about it.
What are you growing this year—or what are you thinking about trying for the first time?

Feel free to share in the comments or follow along as the season unfolds.

🌿 Garden Update: Collard Greens Growing Strong & A Sweet Potato Harvest Worth Celebrating
Gardening · Gardening

🌿 Garden Update: Collard Greens Growing Strong & A Sweet Potato Harvest Worth Celebrating

Lulu Lee3 Comments

There’s something deeply healing about watching food grow with your own hands. This month, my garden has been a quiet reminder that even when life feels heavy or uncertain, growth is still happening—sometimes slowly, sometimes quietly, but always with purpose.

My collard greens are coming along beautifully this season. Their leaves are thick, vibrant, and full of life, and every time I walk outside to check on them, I feel that familiar sense of grounding. There’s nothing like seeing your greens respond to the care you’ve given them—sunlight, watering, patience, and a little love. Collards have always reminded me of family, tradition, and resilience, so watching them thrive feels like a gift I didn’t know I needed.

I also harvested my sweet potatoes, and let me tell you—they did not disappoint. Pulling them from the soil felt like uncovering treasure. There’s something magical about it… one moment it’s just soft earth, and the next you’re holding nourishment that you planted months ago. My sweet potatoes grew in all different shapes and sizes, but each one felt like a little victory.

This week, I’m planning to put them to good use in my kitchen.
I’ll be making a sweet-potato pie and some sweet-potato rolls for my family—recipes that bring warmth into the house and make everyone drift toward the kitchen to see what’s baking. Cooking with ingredients from my own garden always feels special. It’s more than just food; it’s love, work, and intention all coming together on a plate.

As I look at what’s growing now and what’s being harvested, I’m reminded that the garden is a reflection of the season I’m in: nurturing, patient, hopeful. Things take time to root. They take time to bloom. And when they finally do, the reward is deeper than the harvest—it’s the reminder that growth is still happening in me, too.

I can’t wait to share more next month, but for now, I’m grateful for greens, sweet potatoes, and the simple joy of feeding the people I love.

As I look at what’s growing now and what’s being harvested, I’m reminded that the garden is a reflection of the season I’m in: nurturing, patient, hopeful. Things take time to root. They take time to bloom. And when they finally do, the reward is deeper than the harvest—it’s the reminder that growth is still happening in me, too.

I can’t wait to share more next month, but for now, I’m grateful for greens, sweet potatoes, and the simple joy of feeding the people I love.

And if you’re curious about what I’m making with my harvest, stay tuned — next Monday’s post will feature the sweet-potato pie and rolls I’m baking for my family.

Gardening · Gardening

🌱 Starting My Fall Garden: Carrots, Greens & More

Lulu LeeLeave a comment

There’s something special about the shift from summer to fall. The air cools, the days get shorter, and the garden takes on a new rhythm. Today, I kicked off my fall planting season. I couldn’t be more excited to see how it all turns out.

My Fall Crops

I used three garden beds to start my fall crops this year. Here’s what went into the soil today:

  • 🥕 Carrots – A classic root crop that loves cooler weather.
  • 🍅 Steak Tomatoes – Big, juicy, and full of flavor—hoping for a late harvest.
  • 🥬 Beets – Earthy and nutrient-packed.
  • 🌿 Collard Greens – A Southern staple that thrives in the fall.
  • 🥬 Cabbage – Perfect for soups, slaws, and fermenting.
  • 🥔 Potatoes – Always satisfying to dig up at harvest time.
  • 🌶️ Bell Peppers – A pop of color and flavor for meals.
  • 🌱 Spinach – Quick-growing and versatile in the kitchen.

✨ Why Fall Gardening Excites Me

Fall is one of my favorite times to garden. The pests slow down, the heat isn’t so intense, and the harvests are hearty and grounding. Starting fresh beds always feels like a clean slate, full of potential.

This year, I’m especially excited about the greens—collards and spinach—and the challenge of getting good potatoes before the ground freezes.

💡 Tips I’m Following

  • Rotate crops so the soil stays healthy.
  • Keep mulch handy to protect against early frosts.
  • Water consistently—fall rains help, but don’t always come on time.
  • Be patient: cooler weather crops can take a little longer.

My raised beds

🌟 Final Thoughts

Every season brings new challenges and rewards. I can’t wait to see how these beds grow over the coming weeks. Gardening keeps me grounded, connected, and always learning.

👉 Have you started your fall garden yet? What are you planting this season?

Expanding My Garden & Looking for Advice 🌱
Gardening

Expanding My Garden & Looking for Advice 🌱

Lulu LeeLeave a comment

Hi everyone!

Gardening is more than a hobby for me—it’s my way of staying connected to nature and my roots. I grew up in Sierra Leone, West Africa, where my grandfather had an incredible garden. During school vacations, we’d help him grow about 90% of the food we ate. He lived into his mid-90s and even baked his own bread! Since moving to the States, I’ve noticed my body doesn’t process food the same way it used to. I’m trying to reset by growing clean, chemical-free food for my family and myself.

Making the Most of My Space
I don’t have a big yard. I’m maximizing the use of the space I have. Recently, I added two more raised beds. This helps me get closer to my goal of growing most of our food. My next big project is building a privacy fence—not just for looks, but also to protect the garden. Hiring a contractor isn’t in the budget, so I’m doing it myself. I’ve already bought 10 fence panels and have been slowly collecting the rest of the materials. YouTube tutorials have been my best friend during this process!

What’s Growing Now
This year, I started with:

  • Broccoli, kale, and spinach (spinach didn’t make it 😔)
  • Cherry tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, and jalapeño peppers
  • Okra, white potatoes, sweet potatoes
  • Cabbage, onions, and cantaloupe
  • Sweet corn alongside an apple tree
  • Goji berry tree & Elderberry tree
  • Bush beans & strawberries (the strawberries didn’t survive either)

From this, I’ve harvested potatoes, cherry tomatoes, okra, sweet potato leaves, sweet corn, and cantaloupes.

On my deck, I keep herbs for easy access while cooking. I have sage, basil, and oregano. I also have a small trial run of lettuce and green beans.

Future Planting Goals
I’m hoping to add soybeans, bell peppers, garlic, beets, watermelons, and leeks. I also want to plant radish, squash, cucumbers, peanuts, and more corn. Furthermore, I plan to grow strawberries, plums, cherries, and more apple trees.

Challenges I’m Facing
The biggest headache? Stray cats. They keep using parts of my garden as a litter box, which completely ruined my spinach this year. This is one of the main reasons I’m pushing to get the fence installed. If anyone has safe, cat-deterring ideas, I’d love to hear them!

Looking for Your Advice
I’d really appreciate tips on:

  1. How to safely keep cats out of my garden.
  2. How to organize my space better to maximize yield.

I’ll post some pictures of my current layout soon. The new raised beds will not be included. This way you can see what I’m working with. Any ideas or suggestions are welcome—thank you in advance! 🌿

Recent harvest

Hybrid Rose

Okra plant…so pretty

Hibiscus

Cherry tomatoes

Cantaloupes

Lessons from My First Year of Gardening: Successes and Mistakes
Gardening · Gardening

Lessons from My First Year of Gardening: Successes and Mistakes

Lulu Lee3 Comments

Last year was the first time I truly committed to designing and creating a small garden. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. All I knew was that I wanted to grow fruits and vegetables my family and I would enjoy. I spent a lot of time at local stores. I hunted for gardening tools, supplies, and starter plants that were on sale. Looking back, not trying to grow everything from seed was a smart decision. It made the whole process much more manageable.

Here are some pictures from my garden last year. I plan to share more photos and lessons I’ve learned. I’ll also share how I’m working to avoid repeating some of the mistakes I made. If you have any tips to simplify the issues I’ve shared, please feel free to pass them along!

This was the first tomato plant in my garden. It produced so many tomatoes. I managed to make pasta sauce. I shared some with my neighbors. I used the rest in plenty of stews and salads. One lesson I learned the hard way was the importance of checking the weather before planting. I’m in a Zone 7 gardening area. I didn’t realize that until I joined a Facebook group. This group helped me understand when to start my seedlings and when to transfer them outdoors.

The apple tree I germinated and transplanted is still growing and thriving. I’m hoping to get some fruit from it in the next year or so. The idea for this tree came after enjoying a delicious apple one day. I saved most of the seeds and then researched ways to germinate them. As an experiment, I prepared just one seed, and I’m so grateful it worked. Now, I have a few more seeds in the process of germination.

It was my first time trying my hand at landscaping, and it turned out better than I expected. I do wish I had used weed barrier fabric—that was a rookie mistake I won’t be repeating this year. I’m still working on removing the rocks from this part of the garden. I’ve realized they are not the best choice. This year, I plan to try red mulch and see if that helps the plants thrive.

These were my green bell peppers and habanero peppers, and they yielded much more than I anticipated. I even dehydrated some of the habaneros for later use—and I still have some left! I bought these peppers from a local store. I only had to prepare the garden bed and then transplant them. I made sure they got plenty of water, sunshine, and fertilizer. Still, I’m still figuring out the right fertilizers for my garden. I tried using egg shells and kitchen scraps, which worked well. This year, I plan to start composting to guarantee my fruits, vegetables, and plants get enough nutrients.

Thank you for stopping by, I hope you do come back! I have a lot more to share. Leave tips if you feel incline to do so.

-Lulu