Soil & Sustainability
Learn how Planted Places strives to make a difference in the world.
Top Pests to Watch For in Spring
As spring approaches, the bugs do as well! But don’t be alarmed, we are here to help walk you through the spring and summer pests.
PlantedMD – Aphids
What are the white things?
White Bean, Kale, Tomato, & Curry Soup
Brought to you by our Partner Matthew KramerPlant Based Personal Chef408.656.0761 | matt@inyourkitchen.net
Enjoying Culinary Freedom Without Recipes
Gaining Confidence With Cooking - No Recipes (2:01) Recipes are a great way to communicate and can spark inspiration for meal creation. Rather than just following measurements, people should try to get creative with ingredients and flavors, focusing on layering them...
Mastering the Art of Cooking Soup
Cooking good food is a journey filled with experimentation, creativity, and satisfaction. To make the best out of it, try adding different seasonings, sautéing vegetables in oil, herbs and spices, and experimenting with braising. For something a bit more adventurous,...
Spicy Bok Choy Stir Fry & Extra Tips
Enjoy these extra stir fry cooking tips! Cooking With Bok Choy (6:23) Intro to Techniques for Cooking Stir Frys (3:07) Cooking Process for Stir Frys (3:28) Adjusting Cuisine in Stir Frys (3:38) Cooking Steps for Stir Frys (3:57) Cooking...
The Perfect Smoothie
The Perfect Smoothie (4:12) When creating a smoothie, it is important to take into consideration the five tastes and desired consistency to craft an enjoyable and nutritious beverage. Adding sweetness to the smoothie can be accomplished with an added banana or dates....
Exploring Microgreens Aromas and Textures
Exploring Microgreens Aromas and Textures (5:36) Microgreens are a great way to add fresh herbs to a dish with their crunchy texture, vibrant color, and intense flavor. They are easy to grow and can be harvested quickly, staying fresh for long periods of time when...
Cooking with Microgreens
Cooking with Microgreens (3:34) Microgreens are an excellent way to add flavor and nutrition to any dish. It is important to take the flavor of each variety into consideration when adding to a dish, as some flavors may become lost during cooking. Radish microgreens...
Nutritional Benefits of Microgreens
Nutritional Benefits of Microgreens (3:09) Microgreens are a type of vegetable or herb that is harvested at a very early growth stage, making them extremely nutrient-dense yet still retaining a high degree of their nutrient content even when cooked. This is a great...
Grow, Harvest, & Store Microgreens
Grow, Harvest, & Store Microgreens (2:30) Microgreens have been gaining immense popularity lately as they contain a host of nutritional benefits. Growing them indoors is a snap and only needs a minimal amount of light and care. Despite these advantages,...
Cooking With Pumpkins
Cooking With Pumpkins (2:18) These key takeaways provide four inventive ways to enjoy pumpkins. To start with, a great snack is roasting pumpkin seeds with salt and dried herbs. For a warming and flavorful soup, sauté the pumpkin before adding it to the ingredients....
Fresh Herbs vs Dried Herbs in our Dishes
Fresh Herbs vs Dried Herbs in our Dishes (3:36) Roasting is an easy and delicious way to enjoy vegetables and can be enhanced by incorporating olive oil, dry herbs, and spices. Roasting vegetables with these ingredients is sure to give a deep and delicious flavor. The...
Strategies for Quick Plant Based Meals During Busy Times
Strategies for Quick Plant-Based Meals During Busy Times (2:30) Making a delicious meal at home can be simple and rewarding! Begin gathering the ingredients you currently have in your fridge, kitchen cabinets, and pantry; try to make the meal balanced by including a...
Philosophy Toward Healthy Eating for Holidays
Philosophy Toward Healthy Eating for Holidays (2:51) Staying healthy during the holiday season can be tricky, but with some planning and self-kindness, it can be achieved. It’s important to recognize that not all days during the holiday season need to be unhealthy....
Planted-Based Soup with Winter Squash
This is a basic cream-style soup method!
March Workshop
We share our favorite tips for getting ready for the season, including organizing your supplies and planning your spring gardening season.
April Workshop
Kaylee and Christy discuss tips and techniques to get the most out of any garden space, regardless of its size! Plus, learn how to make macrame plant hangers for your potted herbs and greens with these workshop replays!
May Workshop
Watch a fun workshop full of culinary creations from the garden! We share recipes and ideas to dress up any dish or glass using your fresh herbs and greens! We also make an herb infused sugar – perfect for topping any drink!
June Workshop
Rewatch a very special workshop as we discuss some very important garden visitors: pollinators and wildlife of all shapes and sizes! We discuss how to make our landscape more wildlife friendly along with how to safely deter the pests and wildlife we do not want in our garden! Plus, we make a bee waterer for our buzzing friends!
July Workshop
Rewatch a very important workshop about our garden’s most important feature: the soil! We discuss the basics of soil biology and how it affects our plants. Mindy, from VermisTerra, will also join us as we discuss how, why, and when to feed your soil.
August Workshop
Watch this month’s workshop replay about how it’s time to really start bringing in the garden harvests! Christy and Kaylee discuss tons of creative ways to preserve and use your harvest, including drying, canning, fermenting, and more! Plus, we make herbal kitchen wreaths – the perfect way to preserve those herbs to use in fall and winter!
September Workshop
Have you always wanted to extend your harvest by growing in the fall? We’re here to help you do it! Get all your fall gardening questions answered and learn the basics of care for plants as the weather cools off.
October Workshop
This month’s workshop features a deep dive on refreshing your soil for Fall!
November Workshop
Learn what to expect and how to care for your herbs to keep them healthy through the Winter!
December Workshop
Learn how to use fresh & dried herbs to create self-care products!
January Workshop
Join us this month as we are kicking off a Smoothie Challenge to help you get more leafy greens into your diet!
February Workshop
Learn how to use common ingredients from your kitchen & garden to make easy self care creations with these workshop replays!
DIY Herb Wreath
If you are looking for a beautiful and creative space to dry your herbs, why not make a kitchen herb wreath? This wreath can hang in your kitchen and provide easy access to your fresh or dried herbs! It’s as beautiful as it is functional. Plus, it’s quick and...
PlantedMD – Pumpkin Flowers Dying Back
Question: I'm not sure if something is wrong with my pumpkin plant. It seems to flower and then die back. Have you seen this before? What can I do to stop this? Answer: What you are experiencing with your pumpkin flowers is completely normal! Squash/pumpkin...
PlantedMD – Cabbage Worms
Identification & Lifecycle The imported cabbage worms are actually the larval stage of a butterfly or moth! And believe it or not, there are multiple varieties! Many people use the names "cabbage worms" and "cabbage loopers" interchangeably. However, they are...
Our Summer Garden Guide Is Here
Download your Summer Garden Guide here!
DIY Bee & Insect Waterer
This easy-to-make bee & insect waterer provides a water source for your buzzing friends! Adding a water source to your yard or garden is a great way to support pollinators and invite them to your garden. This project only takes a few minutes to make and it...
PlantedMD – Earwigs
Question: What do we do when we find an earwig in the plant? Does the earwig eat pests? Here is the answer: Earwigs are tricky members of our garden because they can be both friend and foe. Earwigs are omnivores, meaning that they eat both plant...
Herbed Infused Sugar
This infused sugar is so easy to make and deliciously garden fresh!
Simple DIY Macrame Plant Hanger
DIY Macrame Plant Hanger Materials Needed Macrame cord: 10 yards Metal ring or key ring: 1-¼ inch Wooden beads (optional) Directions Follow along with the video for a hands-on demonstration of how to make your macrame plant hanger!
How Planted Places Enables People to Practice Regenerative Agriculture at Home
Planted Places offers organic container gardening subscriptions for growing leafy greens, herbs and seasonal veggies. We’re also the makers of the innovative Planted Wall, a vertical gardening system on wheels! One of the best parts of growing with Planted...
Cooking Lesson Using Kuzu!
Cooking with Kuzu What is Kuzu? Tasting and final review!
DIY Natural Insect Repellent for Plants
From time to time, we need to get rid of pests, and when we do, we make our own natural insect repellent.
Why Grow Microgreens
We love to grow microgreens at Planted Places because those babies are packed with nutrition and pretty to look at. Plus, growing your own microgreens is hands-down the easiest way to get into growing your own food. Grow Microgreens All Year Long You can grow them...
Orange Sesame Thai Noodles with Vegetables
Prep and Tips Combining Ingredients Final Plating and Tasting Review
Key Lime Cheesecake with Chocolate Brownie Crust!
Prep and Tips Blending Ingredients Cheesecake tasting and final review!
How to Make an Herbal Bath Tea
Our partner Lianna Soap created this how-to for making your own herbal bath tea. Download your free copy today.
Raw Chocolate Cheesecake
Blending all the ingredients! Cheesecake mix in pan details! Cheesecake tasting and final review!
PlantedMD – Bolting in Winter
My Tat Soi seems to be the only leafy green in the garden that is bolting right now (January). What’s weird is they were fairly young seedlings and hadn’t grown much. It’s almost like they were dormant and then went straight into bolting. Do you know why this happened and what I can do to avoid this?
Acid/Alkaline Balancing Smoothie
3 Totally Achievable & Sustainable Goals for the New Year
Is one of your New Year goals to live a bit more sustainably? If so, we are here to help! We’ve got 3 super easy ways to make a big impact - simply by switching up the way you shop! Yep, it really can be that easy! So, let’s dive in and talk about these 3...
Ways to Get Back on Track With Your Gardening Goals
Throughout the year, it’s not uncommon to lose sight of some of our well-intentioned goals! Luckily, each day is a brand new chance for us to get back on track! If one of your goals for the new year is to get back on track with your garden, we’re here to help! Planted...
PlantedMD – Wall Plants Have Powdery Mildew
I noticed some mildew on several of my new seedlings! We’ve been getting a lot of rain, but also, I think my gardener watered the plants without my knowledge. And because the drip is still programmed for twice a day, coupled with cooler temperatures, my plants are soggy. I’ve since turned off the drip system and moved the wall to a more sunny spot. Any other suggestions?
Nutrient-Dense Food: Five Leafy Greens for Healthy Eating
Dark leafy greens are a type of nutrient-dense food and ideal to add to your diet if you're trying to eat healthier. The green beauties contain extra-high levels of vital nutrients. Here’s a quick look at some of our favorite leafy greens. Microgreens Microgreens are...
Build a Meal From Your Fridge & Garden
Follow along with the video tutorial!
How Gardening Can Support Your New Year Goals
Starting a garden may be on your list of things to do in 2022. But even if it’s not, you may want to consider including it in your goals! Why? Because gardening has some long-reaching benefits that can support your overall health and wellness! So, whether you...
Cranberry Nut Cacao Bars
Winter Solstice Celebrations for the Home Gardener
What is the Winter Solstice & why does it matter for gardeners? The winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year! This is the day when the sun is positioned at its very farthest from the Northern hemisphere. But, for thousands of...
Shredded Sweet Potato and Barbecue Sauce Sandwich
The Root of the Problem: Understanding Root Rot
What is root rot? Root rot (also called crown rot) is a term that is commonly used to describe a pathogen that attacks a plant’s root system. These pathogens cause a deterioration of the plant roots, which can happen slowly or quite quickly depending on the...
Oatmeal Raisin Blondes, Cacao Bars, & Cookies
3 Quick Tips to Help you Become a Better Winter Gardener!
Weathering the Winter Weather Make the most of microclimates! I know that I keep talking about microclimates, but there’s a very good reason! Microclimates are a gardener’s best friend! Microclimates are special little spaces where the environment is different from...
DIY Herb Candles
Create your own beautiful candles topped with your homegrown herbs! These make beautiful gifts for friends and family!
Vegan Mushroom Risotto
Watch the Interview with Happy Food Chef Robin Joy about Vegan Thanksgiving
Easy Thanksgiving Place Cards with Herb Cuttings!
Dress up your Thanksgiving dinner table with these place cards that only take a few minutes to whip up! Free printable included!
Seasonal Eating Inspiration for Fall & Winter
I often wonder if our ancestors would laugh at us as we fumble along in the grocery store, wondering what is fresh and in season and what isn’t. How did something so basic to the human race’s survival become so complicated? How did we become so...
Raw Cranberry Sauce/Relish
Vegan Sushi
Pickled Ginger for Vegan Sushi
Ideal Microclimates for Fall & Winter
Did you know that you can give your plants an added advantage this fall and winter to help them thrive despite the colder weather? It’s true! And the best part is that it can be as simple as just moving them! What’s a Microclimate? Microclimates are small areas where...
Quick Vegan Spaghetti Squash Pasta
Time for a Fall Wall Clean-Up!
After a long and busy summer, fall is the perfect time to give your potted plants and your Planted Wall some much-deserved love! Fall is an incredibly busy time of year on our homestead! We are harvesting and preserving food for winter, continuously...
Basic Homemade Pickles
Dill Sauce and Dip
3 Evidence-Based Benefits of Vermicompost!
When it comes to gardening, it can sometimes be hard to decipher tested truths from old wives' tales. And while there is certainly value in knowledge that is passed down from generations of gardeners, it’s also vital to understand how and why things work the way they...
Dill, Cucumber, and Ginger Pickles
Is it time to amend or replenish your potting soil?
Ask yourself these questions to find out! When is the best time to replace your potting soil? How often should you amend it? These are common questions from gardeners who grow in pots and containers. The truth is that there is no hard and fast rule as to how often you...
Pickled Peppers, Carrots, & Onions
Basil Potatoes
PlantedMD – What is this on my leaf?
Every once in a while, I find this type of marking on a leaf. It doesn’t look like a bug – I’m curious what it is and if I can still eat the leaf?
Fall & Winter Pests to be on the Lookout For!
Believe it or not, there are still pests lurking - even in the cooler weather! Sadly, not all pests disappear with the summer temperatures! Luckily, though, there are generally fewer pests out and about in the fall. Let’s take a look at some of the most common pests...
Cold Crops
How low can they go? As we approach the cooler seasons of the year, I get asked a lot of questions regarding just how cold is too cold for certain plants! So, let’s break it down! What is a “Cold Crop”? Many plants are labeled as “cold hardy”, including a lot of our...
PlantedMD – Powdery Mildew
I went on vacation and when I got back my chamomile plant had this white powdery stuff on it? Do you know what it is and how to fix it?
Hot Pita Sandwich
How Low Can They Go?
As we approach the cooler seasons of the year, I get asked a lot of questions regarding just how cold is too cold for certain plants! So, let’s break it down! What is a “Cold Crop”? Many plants are labeled as “cold hardy”, including a lot of our favorite greens! So,...
Hummus/Salsa Appetizer
Fall is for Soil Care!
If there’s one bit of garden wisdom that I try to impart on my garden clients, it’s that fall is the time to focus on soil! So, whether you have a traditional garden, raised beds or just a container garden, soil care should always be a top priority in fall. Why is...
Red and Green Gazpacho
Walk Through of Walls – What to Replace
Walk Through of Walls - What to Replace This video outlines the necessary steps to effectively maintain and care for your Planted Wall vertical garden in order to ensure maximum growth and harvest. It's recommended to replace root balls with fresh soil and amendments...
What to Expect from Herbs & Greens During Fall
Last week, we talked about what to expect from your peppers and tomatoes during fall. This week, let’s take a look at the rest of the plants in our pots and Planted Walls, including herbs and greens! Basil:Basil, including Tulsi basil (aka Holy Basil), is grown as a...
What to Expect from Tomatoes & Peppers During Fall
Now that you have a beautiful harvest of garden-fresh tomatoes, let’s talk about the best ways to store them. Properly storing your tomatoes will allow you to get the most out of your harvest! Storing Ripe Tomatoes The best way to store your ripe, whole tomatoes is to...
Pistachio Filled Baby Peppers, Mushrooms and Tomatoes
Storing Homegrown Tomatoes
Now that you have a beautiful harvest of garden-fresh tomatoes, let’s talk about the best ways to store them. Properly storing your tomatoes will allow you to get the most out of your harvest! Storing Ripe Tomatoes The best way to store your ripe, whole tomatoes is to...
Arugula Pesto
Answering Your Vine Ripened Tomato Harvest Questions
While many people think of tomatoes as a summer fruit, gardeners know that the real tomato harvest comes at the end of the summer season into early fall! This is the time when tomatoes are readily ripening on the vine at a steady rate. “Vine Ripened” is the term used...
South of the Border Stuffed Tomatoes
PlantedMD – Tip Burns
As you can see in the picture there is some kind of pest taking this seedling over. Any advice on how to handle this and what to do moving forward?
Why we should all be gardening this fall!
Fall usually isn’t the season that comes to mind when most people think of gardening. However, fall is an AMAZING time to dive into gardening or to continue your established garden!If you live in an area with a mild climate, you may even be able to grow all winter...
Mediterranean Stuffed Tomatoes
PlantedMD – White Flies & Aphids
As you can see in the picture there is some kind of pest taking this seedling over. Any advice on how to handle this and what to do moving forward?
PlantedMD – Thrip Leaf Damage
Do you know what is in the leaf tips? I think this is a leaf miner. Any tips?
Pollinators – Necessary or Not?
I’ve had my Planted Wall for 2 weeks now and it is getting to the stage where it’s really starting to fill in and “pop”! I’ve been lightly harvesting from it, but I know that within another week, there will be lots of greens and herbs ready! Fresh homegrown food...
PlantedMD – Overwatering Issues
Coming back from vacation! Went through and inspected the plants. It looks like my soil is very wet. I noticed something weird on the soil, what is that? Also, what’s this on my hot and spicy oregano?
PlantedMD – Parsley Leaves Variegated Color
I’ve got questions about my parsley! Do you see how at the edges its got a light green color? The new growth is growing the same way. What do you think is going on?
Creative Ways to Use Up Those Greens
I’ve had my Planted Wall for 2 weeks now and it is getting to the stage where it’s really starting to fill in and “pop”! I’ve been lightly harvesting from it, but I know that within another week, there will be lots of greens and herbs ready! Fresh homegrown food...
