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New Articles

raised bed garden

How to Prepare Raised Beds for Spring Planting

The snow and ice have finally melted. In the mornings when I walk my dog through our farm, I can hear a rooster crowing on a neighboring farm. Cardinals have begun singing in the dawn. It’s spring, folks. And while the calendar reminds me we can still feel winter’s icy breath, spring planting is just…

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Grow What Nourishes You

writer Jeanne GrunertWelcome to Home Garden Joy! My name is Jeanne, and I’m the master gardener, writer, photographer, recipe dabbler, and amateur herbalist behind Home Garden Joy.  Our motto is “grow what nourishes you,” and that encompasses both delicious organic edibles and a lifestyle that brings you joy. I share beginner-friendly organic gardening advice, garden-to-table recipes, and cottage core homemaking so you can grow your life. Ready? Let’s get started. Welcome home, welcome to Home Garden Joy!

More Organic Gardening

Choosing the Best Location for a Vegetable Garden

raised bed vegetable garden

How to Grow Asparagus in the Home Garden

a single asparagus shoot in the home garden

How to Grow Potatoes in the Home Garden

potatoes drying on a screen

Beginner-Friendly Easy to Grow Vegetables

lettuce plants in the garden

Watermelon in the Home Garden

a closeup of watermelon

Jonathan Apples: What Are They and How to Grow Them

Jonathan apples on the tree in our orchard

How to Tell When Cantaloupe Is Ripe

cantaloupe growing in the garden

How to Grow Cantaloupe

cantaloupe growing in the garden

Home Grown Garlic: How to Grow Garlic

garlic growing alongside beets

How to Harvest Garlic

garlic drying on the garage floor

Herbal Profile: Growing Calendula

close up of a calendula flower

Free eBook on Herbal Safety

a tea pot, cup and saucer with mint leaves on the saucer

Grow Herbs

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Disclosure

Home Garden Joy participates in two affiliate programs: Amazon and The Herbal Academy. Home Garden Joy earns a commission from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate. As an Herbal Academy Associate, HGJ also earns a commission when you sign up for classes or purchase herbs or supplies from The Herbal Academy. Herbal information and recipes on this site are provided for educational purposes only.

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a shovel with compost on it

How to Start Composting in Winter

Have you thought about starting a compost pile, but you’re wondering how to start composting in winter? I mean, after all, here in Virginia we just had three solid weeks of absolutely tundra-like temperatures. I had a sheet of ice for a lawn, and the raised bed garden was completely covered in a thick layer…

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tomato seedlings

Seed Starting Indoors in February: Best Vegetables for Zones 4–8

February brings a special kind of excitement for gardeners across the northern United States. While snow may still be hanging around, February is the perfect opportunity to get your hands dirty indoors. It gives you an excuse to go to your favorite garden center – you need to stock up on seeds, right? It’s definitely…

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raised bed vegetable garden

Choosing the Best Location for a Vegetable Garden

It’s more than beginner’s luck! You need to know a few things about the space where you plan to put your vegetable garden. Learn more about choosing the best location for a vegetable garden. Choosing the Perfect Location for Your Vegetable Garden New year, new you, right? You’ve been thinking about starting a vegetable garden,…

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shovel, pick axe, and rake

Getting Started: Essential Gardening Tools for Beginner Vegetable Gardens

If you are new to gardening, choosing gardening tools can seem overwhelming. In this guide, I hope to make choosing the best gardening tools easier. Starting your first vegetable garden is one of the most rewarding steps you can take toward a healthier, more intentional lifestyle. I’ve been gardening on and off since childhood, but…

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