Debra's Simple Garden

Simple ways to use your kale recipe..

A old tradition that is still wonderful! Just a few items needed to create your own pomander ball. Enjoy the season and crate your own tradition.

pring is the perfect time to get started in your garden. Prepping is key as spring is an iffy month for planting tender flowers.. snow and frost can ruin early garden flowers if planted too soon.. If you have the itch like me, pansy and primrose can handle the chill. In this episode I encourage you to review your simple tools and soil needs before planting and also take a peek at two fun flowers that love the cool weather! The Pansy and Primrose. Both edible too! ( If not treated chemically). Enjoy the process of planning your garden and stay motivated!!

Have you ever wanted to try an edible flower? This season I am featuring several edible flowers that you can use in your kitchen! Our first flower is the edible orchid. I received these orchids from my friends so I brought them home and candied them to use on deserts. It is really easy and fun to use these gorgeous flowers on top of a cupcake, pudding or on the side of a salad. Be creative and try on your own!

Welcome to Hydroponics 101 at home. This fun, exciting yet simple technique for growing plants is the hottest trend for your home. Hydroponics literally is growing plants using controlled light, water, nutrients (plant food) and climate inside ( no soil needed). Because the growing process is so consistent, the concept has facilities all over the world growing a vast array of produce for consumption. I love having my little kit functioning during the winter months so I can have a little of my greens all year round in my home. This may be your year to get your own kit and try hydroponics for yourself. Don't stop being inspired even when your ground outside is frozen. Green can still be everywhere!

New year and new ideas! Dream, draw, doodle and design this January. Go get yourself a notebook and pen and start having fun laying out ideas for your upcoming garden no matter how big or small. It is the ideal time to step back, take a deep breathe and explore ideas you always wanted to try in your own plot of paradise. Let's move forward dreaming and achieving.

How do I welcome and sparkle up the holiday season? I start dusting my Rosemary and Cranberries in sugar to give them the feel and look of frosty weather arriving. This super easy recipe can add a little pop to your presentation and is perfect used in teas. The herb, Rosemary, is historically known for its healing and medicinal properties too. Below are the ingredients for you to try these sugared sweeties too. Go ahead and sprinkle cranberries while you are at it! 2-3" Rosemary sprigs, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup of fine sugar, 1/4 cup additional fine sugar, parchment paper placed under cooling rack. Your candied goodies can be stored for up to a week uncovered.

Respect the Cheese Ball! There are so many yummy recipes featuring cheese balls, but this video focuses on "the King of Herbs, Basil". I can grow flowers and herbs, but I want to learn how to use these amazing herbs in my kitchen. This recipe, Cindy's Herb Cheese Ball, is a fresh unique flavor. You will want to pair a savory hard cracker to bring out the flavors. I hope you learn something new, are inspired and ready to try recipes with me. Below is the recipe for this fun dish. Hugs, Debra Cindy's Chees Ball 1-8 oz softened cream cheese 3 T chopped fresh basil 1/2 cup roasted sliced almonds 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice 1/8 tsp lemon zest 1/8 tsp salt Mix altogether adding toasted almonds at the end. Use savory ( rosemary, cracked pepper) crackers. Refrigerate any remaining ball for late night snacking.

Road Trip Beautiful- The Pine Barrens What is the Pine Barrens? Six months ago, I had no idea, even though I lived relatively close to this mysterious protected land. The Pine Barrens is a precious (protected) parcel of nature, over a MILLION acres ,the largest remaining example on the Atlantic coastline. This land contains folklore of ghosts and the NJ Devil, rare plants and flowers, a natural unique eco (H2O) waterway system, and the infamous pine trees that create a blend of sandy soil, high acidic water and so many stories from history past. As I go deep into this forest of “Pitch Pines”, during the day for sure, I only scratch the surface of its hidden beauty and mystique. I have two episodes to follow, featuring the rare Turkey Beard Plant and the Gentian flower. Such beauty...

This Parsley recipe is super delicious! If you have grown your own herbs and wondered how to use them in simple recipes, follow and learn a few basics ways you can incorporate them in your meals. Maria's recipe is Italian Parsley Olive Oil. Once you have prepared this condiment, you can drizzle on cooked (grilled) meat, lamb, seafood, or veggies. It is also great with toasted/non toasted bread. Don't be afraid to try something new, as you will discover I did, and want to keep learning how to use my simple herbs! Thank you Maria for walking us through this yummy, healthy staple from Italy. Ingredients 1/2 cup chopped parsley 2-3 tbsp fresh lemon juice 2 garlic cloves-finely chopped 1 tsp dried oregano 1/2 tsp red pepper flake 3/4 cup Evoo Salt/pepper to taste

Summer Lovin…Ahh warm summer nights and all the fun watching flowers bloom after hours…listen to the sounds of summer in the background and take a look at this Exotic Beauty… Queen of the Night, or its formal name, Epiphyllum. This glamour cactus is an “after hours” flower and only blossoms after dust and before dawn. If you are an early bird, you will miss it’s show stopping bloom, so if you have the chance to see one, stay up because it will be gone before the sun rises! “The Queen” is easy to grow but takes many years for its big evening appearance to show off. You may recognize this plant in the movie “Crazy Rich Asians” as it was a show stopper in the early scenes. The magic of flowers blooming in the evening is always fun, mysterious and never grow old! Welcome to some night time fun. Thank you Ann for sharing this magnificent flower with us. Check out my previous video featuring Year One of Epiphyllum. Enjoy friends, as this one time bloomer!

The perfect fall flower is definitely the Chrysanthemum, "mum". Don't be intimated by the size, shape and color, as they are very easy to manage, once you know a few super simple techniques. By following a few basic steps in the month of May (which I need to do), you can have great color every year starting in September and throughout the Fall. A great rule of thumb is cutting back your new spring growth 3 times , with 1st cut around Memorial Day, 2nd cut July 4th and 3rd cut First week of August. (Southern gals start a few weeks earlier and end on July 4th). Just remember how important it is to get outside for a few minutes and enjoy the feel of nature ( Vitamin D) on your skin and being unplugged. That's the main goal in nature therapy. Right?

Beauty and Charm is timeless. Our journey take us to an amazing property that has been home to a few special families. Over a hundred years ago a little boy had his picture taken on the stairs of this home. He returned back to this special property to have his picture retaken just shy of turning 100. The home has been a hidden treasure with its softness, texture, sounds and color. Truly timeless and beautiful with the gentle touch of care and love.

All you gorgeous gardeners ! This video is from early spring but hopefully it gives you inspiration for your upcoming season. Each day we are closer to the warmth, beauty and shades of a new season. It is almost here, hang in there! In this next garden snippet, all my ferns come from a wonderful neighbor who shared hers with me from her yard. Isn't it priceless, the feeling we will always cherish when sharing within our community, family and friends. No price tag will ever compare... Hugs.

This season we are looking at preparing simple recipes using the herbs grown at your home. Super easy and fun. It is so rewarding using herbs you have grown and can actually use in your kitchen. Our first featured herb, is Basil. This recipes is so refreshing and tastes great on any greens. Just make sure to refrigerate after you use it. More recipes are featured in my Pretty Simple Herb jar. Hugs in the scent of fresh cut basil.

It's Fall Bulb planting time!!! Go get your bulbs and start planting over the next few weeks in October. You want to get them in the ground while the soil is still warm and soft. Some of my favorites that come back every year are the Daffodil, Muscari, Hyacinth and Allium. Easy and beautiful come spring. Also, take a peek at my super cute Montauk Daisy's that are early fall flowers. Don't be afraid to try and watch pop up over after her winter snow. Hugs in spring shades...

Vermont in the fall is not only cool, crisp and fresh, but colorful! The trees are starting to change each day here in the Green Mountains of Vermont. A stretch of 250 miles north and south offers the shade of green all year even when the leaves drop and winter snow sets in. This 14th state established in 1777-91, brings colorful nature to the next level. No filter needed.

Friends, It is so easy and fun to grow herbs. To plant DSG's Pretty Simple Herb Jar, watch my short video for maximum results. Once your plants start to grow, remember to test soil with your finger to make sure it is moist. You will have such a great time with a little plant therapy. I hope you are motivated, inspired and learn something new. Hugs from nature, Debra #Herbs, #Planting, Beginner Gardener, #indoor plants

"The Woods", Natures Garden created out in the middle of farm crop fields. Tucked away in a small farming community is a perfectly balanced private retreat that offers fishing, archery, golf practice, swimming and plan ol' simple relaxing. A vision and a dream 35 years ago was started and has been nurtured and kept alive offering the best things in life. Nature at its finest...

Friends, It is so easy and fun to grow herbs. To plant DSG's Pretty Simple Herb Jar, watch my short video for maximum results. Once your plants start to grow, remember to test soil with your finger to make sure it is damp for your sprouts to keep growing. You will have such a great time with a little plant therapy. I hope you are motivated, inspired and learn something new. Don't forget to check out the Recipe Card Flowcode, always new simple recipes using herbs. Hugs from nature, Debra

Gladiolus or also called the "Sword Lilly", is a beautiful flower that you plant in early spring when the soil is soft for summer blossoms. this meaning of this flower comes from the latin word "gladius", for its sword like leaves. This is from a association of the gladiators representing strength and integrity. Don't be afraid to plant them as they are so striking and absolutely so gorgeous! The flower is grown from a bulb so get ready to start digging and plant in groups for a stringer visual effect. #Bulbs, Gladiolus, #flowers, #beginnergardener

This season we are looking at preparing simple recipes using herbs grown at your home. Super easy and fun! is is so rewarding using herbs you have grown and can actually use in your kitchen. Our first featured herb is Basil. This recipes is so refreshing and tastes great on any greens. Just make sure you refrigerate after your make and use. More recipes will be posted from my Pretty Simple Herb Jar recipe card. #Basil, #Herbs, #beginnerGarden, #lovelife, #debrassimplegarden

Discover how amazing marigolds are in your garden! Not only do these feisty bright colored cuties add so much visually, but they also help ward off soil parasites ( the bad worms and slugs that live in the ground), add protection to your other plants from pesky critters and keep your garden looking cheery all summer long. Marigolds have a long hearty life if planted in spring as they will blossom all summer long ( not year round as they are an annual) right up to a frost if you pinch the dead flowers off. Enjoy your burst of marigolds!! You will be happy you planted.

This light bite pre/ post dinner is simply delicious in addition to being super healthy. "Annie's Italian Orange Slices" are a burst of citrus flavor touching on savory and sweet all at once. Make for yourself or serve to your guests for an impressive way of eating an orange. This recipe and more are featured in my Pretty Simple Herb Jar, by Debra's Simple Garden. Enjoy and be inspired by growing new things in your kitchen herb garden. #parsley, #herbs, #oranges, #easyrecipes

Parsley- Such am easy great kitchen herb staple. This green goddess has many amazing properties besides looking great on a platter. Cooking, seasoning, breath freshener, loaded with vitamins and used in fragrances. It is so simple to grow your own year round and enjoy it too!