Healthy spring gardens are built long before seeds ever go into the ground. In my experience gardening year-round in Sonoma Valley—mostly in raised beds, mounded beds, and containers—the quiet winter months are when soil does its most important work. This is the season I focus less on planting and more on protecting, feeding, and supporting…
Over the years, I’ve learned that resilient vegetable varieties matter more than almost any other choice a gardener makes. I’ve grown food in very different climates—from the warm, dry summers and cool nights of Sonoma Valley, to the humid Midwest conditions of eastern Iowa, the shorter seasons and cold snaps of eastern Massachusetts, and the…
Regenerative gardening is about more than growing vegetables—it’s about creating a self-sustaining ecosystem in your garden. Every plant, microorganism, and soil organism plays a role in building fertile, resilient beds that require fewer external inputs. By nurturing life both above and below ground, gardeners can transform their vegetable beds into thriving, interconnected ecosystems. Principles of…
Regenerative gardening restores the natural balance of the soil and the living world around it. By working with nature’s processes instead of against them, regenerative practices create healthier ecosystems that support biodiversity, capture carbon, and keep nutrients cycling through the garden. Each of these outcomes strengthens the soil and the planet at the same time….
Overview of Regenerative Gardening and Farming Principles Regenerative gardening is more than a method of growing plants—it’s a way of working with nature to restore the health of the soil, increase biodiversity, and create self-sustaining ecosystems. Unlike conventional gardening, which often relies on chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and frequent tilling, regenerative gardening focuses on renewing the…
Introduction: Why Soil Microclimates Matter Soil microclimates—the small variations in temperature, moisture, and airflow within your garden beds—have a big impact on plant growth, soil life, and nutrient cycling. Over decades of hands-on gardening, I’ve discovered that intentionally managing microclimates helps vegetables thrive, supports soil microbes, and enhances regenerative practices. By tailoring the environment to…
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