When we moved into our home, when it came to the yard, we had a clean slate …meaning, zero landscaping was done. And when I mean zero, I mean nada, zilch, zip… Nothing but weeds and a couple native trees that weren’t bulldozed, but that’s about it. First things first, we needed a fence to…

Say what? Hügelkultur (HOO-gul-kul-tur or hoogle-culture) put simply, is a permaculture method of filling or making garden beds by layering logs, branches, leaves, and other organic plant debris with compost and soil. In German, hügelkultur literally means “hill culture,” and traditionally, gardens we’re created in mounds. It is a centuries-old, traditional way of building a…

If you live in an area that gets to triple digits, you know keeping your garden soil from drying out can be an issue. I’ve found Terra Cotta spikes and recycling glass bottles to be great helpers in the garden, helping the soil retain moisture on super bright, sunny days. Once they arrive, remove the…