SHIFTING ROOTS

home, garden, food, and prairie lifestyle

Week Two: The Six Week Yard Transformation Challenge

Welcome to Week Two of the 6 Week Yard Transformation Challenge, hosted by my friend Nat at projects I hope to accomplish as part of the challenge.

This week was all about preparation.  It’s still too cold to plant much of anything, however, I did get some painting done.  Grab a coffee and come and see this week’s progress.

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Week 1: The Six Week Yard Transformation Challenge

Welcome to Week One of the 6 Week Yard Transformation Challenge, hosted by my friend Nat at Simple Family-Crazy Life. Nat is starting her second round of the challenge for those of us in colder climates. You can check out her front yard in the first round.

The snow has just barely finished melting here so this week I’ll be showing you all the projects I hope to accomplish.  Will I finish them all? Probably not.  But this six week challenge is good motivation to get as many as I can done.

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Blue and White Patio Makeover Inspiration

This post contains affiliate links.  That means if you purchase anything, I earn some coffee money at no extra cost to you.  You can read my disclosure policy here.

When I was on vacation in New York recently, I took tons of photos of things in the city that inspired me.  The top of my list?  This photo of a Greek restaurant’s patio:

I’m in love with this beautiful cobalt blue and want to design my patio around it.  Here’s the elements I’m using this summer to get the look.

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25 Best Gardening Books for the Urban Gardener

Urban gardeners face some special challenges, the biggest of which is lack of space.  These 25 gardening books cover all the bases to build the beginner urban gardener’s confidence.  I’ve assembled a collection that covers general gardening knowledge, companion planting, composting, small space gardening, and so much more.

Also, I couldn’t resist adding a few just for my Canadian readers.  When you’re done, check out my list of 25 best gardening books for prairie gardeners, or anyone in USDA hardiness zones 2 or 3.

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For the Love of Berry Picking

It’s a hot sticky morning in July and I wake up to the bright sun at 6:30am.  Why am I up this early?  Oh yes, it’s berry picking season.

Yesterday I spent 2 hours in the scorching sun only to pick one pail of Saskatoon berries.  Today I’ll be picking raspberries at my Mother-in-law’s acreage.  Two hours later I emerge hot, sticky, dirty, and profoundly happy from the raspberry patch.

Why?

I love going berry picking every summer. Saskatoon berries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, sour cherries. . . you name it, I love to pick it. Over the years I've learned that while picking berries is about food security, it's also about love and passing down traditions.

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Welcome!

Hi, I’m Kristen and I help new gardeners learn to grow their own vegetables and beautify their yards. I also share recipes that use all that delicious garden produce. Grab a coffee (and your gardening gloves) and join me for gardening tips, simple recipes, and the occasional DIY, all from the lovely city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

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