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How I Learned to Grow Food
In Germany, where I grew up, gardening was a school subject. We learned how to grow food every year, right alongside math and reading. When I moved to Seattle, I realized most people never learned this basic skill. That's the reason I started Palatino Garden Adventures.
6 days ago3 min read
Your PNW Spring Planting Guide: What to Grow (and When) from March Through June
I've written a lot about when to plant and when to wait. This is the hands-on companion: a month-by-month guide to what actually goes into the ground from March through June in Seattle, Zone 8 to 9a. Specific crops, real timing, and lessons from getting it wrong more than once. Plus a link to the PNW Crop Planner Pro for 40+ crops with live planting timelines.
Mar 237 min read
3 Decisions That Make or Break Your Kitchen Garden
Most kitchen gardens don't fail from neglect. They fail because three decisions got made wrong before anything was planted. Not which seeds to buy or how often to water, but the decisions that determine whether your garden actually fits your kitchen, your schedule, and your climate. Get those right and everything else gets easier. Get them wrong and no amount of effort makes up for it. Here's what they are and how to get them right in the Pacific Northwest.
Mar 164 min read
Early Spring Sun Exposure: How It Really Works (And Why Your PNW Garden Timing Depends on It)
That warm March afternoon is lying to your garden. The sun is lower, the days are shorter, and your soil is colder than you think. Here's how to read your PNW garden's real sun exposure before you plant a single seed, which crops to start now, and which ones to hold off on until summer.
Mar 94 min read
Why Executives Are Turning to Kitchen Gardens (And It's Not What You Think)
It's not a hobby. It's a system. Why more Pacific Northwest leaders are growing food - and making better decisions because of it.
Mar 42 min read
Why March Kitchen Garden Planning Makes or Breaks Your Harvest (And Why Most People Skip It)
March Kitchen Garden Planning: What to Do Before the Season Starts This bed isn't behind. It's waiting for a plan. There's a version of spring gardening that starts with good intentions and ends in a chaotic July. You know how it goes. A warm Saturday arrives in late March or early April, it feels like it's finally time, and you end up at the nursery making decisions based on what looks good in the moment. You come home with a flat of starts, find a spot for them, and feel li
Feb 254 min read
Low-Maintenance Gardening Is a Design Choice
Low-maintenance gardening isn’t about easy plants or shortcuts. It’s about design choices made before anything goes in the ground. Learn how to plan a vegetable garden that fits real life in the PNW.
Feb 163 min read
PNW Planting Guide: Why Your Neighbor’s Planting Dates Don’t Apply
A practical PNW planting guide explaining why your neighbor’s planting dates don’t apply - and how to choose the right time for your garden based on sun, soil, and real conditions
Feb 94 min read
PNW Spring Gardening: When to Plant in Seattle (and Why I Don’t Rush It)
A practical guide for timing spring planting in the Pacific Northwest 🌿 Get the Spring Garden Checklist → FREE! your guide to know exactly what to plant - and when February in Seattle: When your garden is getting more rain than it needs - and your soil is telling you to wait Every January and February, I hear the same question from PNW gardeners: "Should I be planting already?" Seed catalogs arrive in the mail. Instagram fills with spring garden content. Garden centers sto
Feb 23 min read
Raised Bed Garden Ideas That Actually Work (Even in the PNW)
These raised bed ideas focus on what actually works in wet springs, small yards, and real-life schedules 🌱 Plan your raised beds with confidence - Get the PNW Spring Garden Checklist : → FREE: your guide to know what to plant — and when Starting a garden shouldn't feel overwhelming. Raised bed gardens offer the perfect solution - they bring your plants within easy reach, give you complete control over soil quality, and naturally discourage pests. Whether you're working with
Jan 284 min read
PNW Winter Kitchen Garden Planning: How to Start the Year Without Overwhelm
A realistic January kickoff for PNW winter kitchen garden planning If January feels confusing, you don’t need to do more - you need a clearer plan. I help PNW gardeners design kitchen gardens that fit real schedules and real seasons. 👉 Book a 1:1 consultation session January is when many people want to start a kitchen garden. Yet, it's also when many get stuck before they ever plant a thing. Seed catalogs arrive in the mail. Instagram feeds fill with thriving garden photos.
Jan 164 min read
From Fall to Winter: How to Transition Your Garden for Year-Round Harvests
Fall gardening is just the beginning of year-round harvests in the Pacific Northwest. Learn how to transition your garden from fall crops into winter greens with the right crops, succession planting, and protective covers. Pair these tips with my Fall Gardening Guide and Winter Kitchen Gardening post to keep your raised beds productive and enjoy fresh vegetables all season long.
Aug 18, 20252 min read
Winter Kitchen Gardening in the Pacific Northwest (Yes, You Can Harvest Year-Round)
Winter Kitchen Gardening Pacific Northwest: How to Harvest Fresh Greens All Year Practical tips for winter vegetable gardening in Seattle and the broader Pacific Northwest 🌱 Not sure what to focus on right now? → Get the PNW Spring Garden Checklist : A simple guide to help you plan through winter into spring A vibrant assortment of winter vegetables featuring broccoli, carrots, parsnips, cabbage, and a turnip, showcasing the rich textures and colors of the season's harvest.
Aug 8, 20253 min read
How to Design a Productive Raised Bed Garden for Small Yards
Raised Bed Garden Design for Small Yards: Maximize Your Harvest in Any Urban Space In my raised bed, young garlic greens and vibrant...
Jul 8, 20253 min read
🪴 What Should I Plant in My Kitchen Garden?
Wondering what to plant in your kitchen garden this June? This guide helps Pacific Northwest gardeners choose the right crops based on sunlight and space. From tomatoes and beans in sunny beds to greens in the shade, June is a key time to start or expand your garden. Get quick suggestions, succession planting tips, and advice for every light level. Need a personalized plan? Book a consultation to get a garden tailored to your space and goals.
Jun 15, 20253 min read
Don’t Overthink It: These 5 Foolproof Vegetables For Beginners Practically Grow Themselves
New to gardening in the Pacific Northwest? Start simple with these 5 foolproof crops: radishes (ready in 30 days), parsley (hardy and low-maintenance), salad mix (quick and cut-and-come-again), green onions (even regrow from scraps), and bush beans (no trellis needed). Perfect for small spaces and beginners. Start with just a few, build confidence, and enjoy fresh harvests all season.
May 29, 20252 min read
DIY Frost Guards for Your Greenhouse: A Simple Winter Heating Trick That Works
I added a simple and affordable DIY heater to my greenhouse and saw nighttime temperatures rise by up to 9°F (about 5°C). Using a few candles and an unglazed clay pot, this setup creates just enough warmth to protect plants from frost—no electricity needed! It’s a great low-tech solution for cold nights, especially when combined with bubble wrap insulation to retain heat while letting in sunlight. Perfect for extending your growing season on a budget.
Apr 28, 20252 min read
The Turnip Trials: A Fresh Start in the Garden
Growing turnips has long been a challenge despite my love for their crisp flavor and nutrition. Past attempts led to poor germination and tiny roots, likely due to soil issues. This year, I’m starting fresh with Hakurei turnips, sowing in modules to protect seedlings and preparing enriched raised beds. I’ll track seedling health, experiment with other varieties, and aim for a fall crop. With sunny weather ahead, I’m hopeful for a successful season.
Apr 28, 20252 min read
Want more like this? Clear the Noise is my newsletter on cutting through overwhelm with systems thinking and smarter defaults.
Ready to grow with intention this season? Join the Seasonal Planners Circle — a community for Pacific Northwest gardeners who want to plan smarter, harvest more, and never miss a planting window.
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