why we garden, Wellness Abi Tapia why we garden, Wellness Abi Tapia

Comparison: The Thief of Joy — or the Great Garden Motivator?

Scrolling through stunning gardens online can sometimes leave us feeling like we’re doing it all wrong. Why aren’t my tomatoes thriving like hers? But comparison doesn’t have to steal our joy—it can spark curiosity, creativity, and growth. In this blog, we unpack how to shift your mindset from self-doubt to learning, helping you figure out what’s actually within your control and how to ask the right questions. Plus, we encourage celebrating your own progress and finding real-life garden friends who share both their blooms and their bloopers.

Ready to grow with confidence? Let’s dig in. 🌱

Read More
garden chores Abi Tapia garden chores Abi Tapia

Beyond Tomatoes: 9 Plants Worth Trying This Summer

Want to try growing something new in the summer garden? Here are our recommendations for delicious, fun, and easy-to-grow summer veggies that are just a bit outside the norm. From unique peppers and varieties of basil to ginger and a sweet snack, these are our favorites for those who are up for a garden adventure this year.

Read More
cooking Sarah Ruzic cooking Sarah Ruzic

Ready to plant tomatoes? Read this first.

Tomato Time in Tennessee!
April has officially ushered in frost-free gardening, and you know what that means—tomato season is here! While kale and broccoli have been holding down the fort, it’s finally time to plant the summer stars. But with dozens of varieties available at local nurseries, how do you choose the right one? In this blog, I’ll help you narrow it down based on your garden space and how you want to use your tomatoes—whether you're craving a BLT, stirring sauce from scratch, or just trying to get your kids to eat something red that isn’t candy. Let’s geek out on tomatoes together.

Read More
Sarah Ruzic Sarah Ruzic

Go for the Green (or: How to Become a Salad Eater)

I never thought I’d be a salad lover—but spring greens have a way of changing you. In this post, I share my honest journey from salad skeptic to daily salad maker, plus practical tips for harvesting, prepping, and enjoying your greens while they’re at their best. If you’re ready to make the most of your spring garden, start here.

Read More
garden tours Sarah Ruzic garden tours Sarah Ruzic

Garden Tour: Reducing the Overwhelm on a New Family Homestead

It’s easy to feel decision fatigue when getting started on a family homestead. There are so many new things to learn— the garden? chickens? how to compost? But in this new garden tour, Lauren and Jerod took the plunge, purchasing a greenhouse, coop, and shed before they had a fully fleshed out plan. With a little help from TKG, the end result was a beautifully integrated garden.

Read More
Sarah Ruzic Sarah Ruzic

Replacing the Grocery Store with the Garden: Eating for the Season

Replacing the grocery store with the garden isn’t just about growing food—it’s about learning to eat differently. By embracing the rhythm of the seasons, Tennessee gardeners can enjoy fresher, more flavorful meals while becoming less reliant on grocery stores. This means growing what you actually eat, planning beyond summer, and prioritizing calorie-dense crops like potatoes and beans alongside fresh greens and herbs.

Read More
Sarah Ruzic Sarah Ruzic

What is a garden consultation, and how can it help me?

The idea of “garden consultations” took root in 2020, when many people turned to gardening to escape some of the crazy, and my phone blew up with questions about how to do this stuff. Read on to learn how garden consultations help gardeners with existing plots, or soon-to-be gardeners with a big blank backyard.

Read More