Does anyone have garden experiments going this year? Every year I try a few new plants, in a few new areas, and set an observation for the season. This year I planted birdsfoot trefoil and lacy phacelia with my sunflowers to see how well they grow in second-season hardwood mulch over a clay base. Most of my experiments revolve around families that have limited time to invest, although they still want to build family time in the yard. I am always asking what can be simple, useful, and worth repeating. My main experiment this year is measured water. I plan to water one row of tomatoes less than another row during the hot summer so I can watch for differences in growth, plant stress, and yield. For some families, water is sparse or expensive, so understanding actual water need may help them decide whether it is cheaper and more practical to grow certain crops at home or purchase them from local farms (better alternative to the grocery store). My pre-research found general recommendations of about 1/4 inch to 1 inch of water per week. For my tomato beds, that works out to roughly 10 to 40 gallons per row each week. One bed will receive about 10 gallons, and the other will receive about 40 gallons. Without counting rain or rainwater retention, this will cost me about $0.15 to $0.60 per watering, or roughly $3 to $12 for the season in a 60-square-foot garden bed. I will use a soil moisture meter to decide whether to give the water all at once or split it between two days each week. My goal is to moisten the sponge layer, not push water past the active root zone and down into the clay base. I will be watching soil moisture, leaf stress, fruit set, and yield. I am also wondering about a brief morning mist on hotter weeks. I know that adds another variable, although I am curious whether it helps reduce heat stress, affects leaf condition, or changes pest pressure. Florida often gets morning showers and gardens can flourish, although I also understand there is a difference between a brief 15 minute mist and keeping plants constantly wet. This will add another 5 gallons per bed when misted. Might be best to mist in coordination with the ground watering. Deep watering is better than constant shallow watering because roots need to stretch.

Common Tea Pairings for Lemon Thyme Lemon thyme naturally blends well with lighter, brighter herbs and herbs that support: - Gentle digestion - Calm clarity - Mild respiratory support - Spring and summer teas - Daily-use blends Gentle Respiratory Pairings - Lemon BalmOne of the smoothest and most harmonious pairings - SpearmintFresh and cooling without overpowering - CalendulaGentle lymphatic and soothing support - Marshmallow RootBalances dryness while supporting the throat Calm and Uplifting Pairings - LavenderBright floral-citrus combination - Oat StrawGrounding mineral support with gentle flavor - TulsiAdaptogenic uplift with aromatic brightness Digestive and Summer Tea Pairings - LemongrassStrong citrus harmony - HibiscusRefreshing summer tea profile - Rose PetalSoftens and rounds citrus notes - Green TeaCreates a bright energizing blend

https://www.skool.com/oasis-builders-8012/classroom/f85f59fa?md=0819ba92b33e4ccda7928568939c2291 I'll be doing a presentation today if interested going through commercial food and the logistics behind how it makes it to the grocery store; giving some food for thought; why we should grow at home or question where did this food come from. Healthy Soil => a Healthy Life Today @ 1pm - 2pm Chicago time Note workshop time: We start at :15 AFTER THE HOUR and run for 55 minutes. Learn how living soil affects plant health, food quality, nutrient density, harvest timing, chemically treated seed, and the gap between field and plate. Jim focuses on soil as the start to a good life. https://www.skool.com/the-art-of-energy-and-strength/about?ref=ddad3ade077a450b800da620ad9499aa

What is you favorite gardening tool?

Drop a comment with: - Location + climate zone - Last frost window, if known - One goal for food - One goal for herbs - One problem spot in the yard We translate each weekly topic into local timing while keeping the same steady sequence.