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In my Sonoma Valley garden, soil is the foundation of everything I grow. Before planting, I always take time to observe, test, and read the soil. This tells me whether it’s fertile, well-structured, and alive with microbes—or if it needs some natural rebalancing. Understanding your soil first allows you to feed it, not just your…
Polycultures and companion planting are at the heart of regenerative gardening. Rather than growing a single crop in isolation, these practices mimic natural ecosystems—combining multiple plant species to improve soil health, increase biodiversity, reduce pests, and maximize yields. Over 30 years of gardening experience has shown me that careful planning and observation can turn even…
Native plants are the trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses that naturally occur in your region—they’ve evolved over thousands of years to thrive in the local climate, soil, and ecosystem. Because they’re perfectly adapted to your environment, they require less water and fertilizer, and they resist local pests and diseases better than most non-native plants. In…
Beneficial insects are the quiet workers that keep a garden healthy and thriving. They pollinate flowers, help set fruit, and control pests naturally—reducing the need for chemical sprays or constant intervention. Creating a habitat for them ensures these helpful species have food, water, and shelter throughout the year. When you design your garden with beneficial…
Cover cropping for biodiversity and soil regeneration is one of the most effective ways to build lasting garden health. Cover crops protect bare soil from erosion, feed soil microbes, and add valuable organic matter that improves structure and fertility. When you plant a mix of legumes, grasses, and broadleaf species, you invite biodiversity both above…
Crop rotation is a cornerstone of regenerative gardening. By rotating plant families in different beds each season, you naturally maintain soil fertility, disrupt pest life cycles, and reduce disease buildup. Over decades of gardening, I’ve found that thoughtful rotation not only strengthens soil but also improves yields and plant health. Why Rotate Crops? How to…
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