Backyard Bright

DIY Raised Garden Beds: Build Now for a Productive Spring Garden   When my neighbor Tom first mentioned building raised beds in winter, I thought he'd finally lost it. But after he showed me his thriving garden and walked me through the process, I realized he was onto something. Now, after building several of my own, I'm here to share everything I learned about creating raised beds that'll make your spring garden the envy of the neighborhood.   Why Build in Winter? Let's be honest - nobody wants to rush building garden beds when spring fever hits and every gardener in town is fighting over the last tomato seedling. Winter construction gives your beds time to settle, and the soil plenty of time to get ready for spring planting. Plus, lumber yards are usually less busy, meaning better deals and more attention from staff when you need advice.   Materials: Choose Your Fighter Wood Options Cedar or redwood (the gold standard but pricy) Douglas fir (budget-friendly but needs ...

Get a Head Start: Early Planting Tips for a Blooming Spring Garden  If you're like me, by February your green thumb is getting mighty itchy. After spending months scrolling through seed catalogs and dreaming of fresh tomatoes, it's finally time to get our hands dirty! As a Mid-Atlantic gardener who's made every rookie mistake in the book (and invented a few new ones), let me share what you can start planting now to get ahead of the spring rush.   Indoor Champions: Your Windowsill Warriors Let's start with what you can grow indoors while winter is still throwing its last tantrums outside: Vegetables Tomatoes (start 6-8 weeks before last frost) Peppers (need a long growing season, so start these ASAP) Eggplants (these drama queens need extra time) Broccoli (surprisingly sturdy seedlings) Cabbage (start these now for early summer heads) Herbs Basil (because store-bought just isn't the same) Parsley (the tortoise of herbs - slow to start but worth the wait) Oregano (pra...