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Palatino Garden Adventures
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Three posts that explain how I think about kitchen gardens
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.
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.
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.
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PNW Kitchen Garden End of May: Strawberries, Curry Plant, Mason Bees, and the Herb Bed
PNW kitchen garden end of May is the quiet productive week between the tomato push and high summer. A walk through what is actually happening in my Phinney Ridge garden right now: strawberries, the curry plant most people misunderstand, what the bee hotel is doing after the mason bees have finished, eleven herbs in the bed, and the potting soil I keep coming back to.
11 hours ago20 min read
Mid-May in the Pacific Northwest Kitchen Garden: What to Plant, What to Fertilize, and What to Watch For
Mid-May is the real opening of the PNW kitchen garden season. A practical guide to what goes in now, how to feed a mixed berry bed, what to do about slugs, and how to read a fruit tree that looks rough.
May 128 min read
How to Plan Your Entire PNW Garden Season in 5 Minutes
If your spring planting feels chaotic, the problem started in February. Most gardening guides are written for climates that don't look like Seattle — and none of them answer the question that matters most: how many plants do you actually need? This post covers why PNW garden planning is different, where the yield math fits in, and how to get a clear picture of your season before you're already behind.
Apr 204 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
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
🪴 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
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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