Francesco

Much of what I know about gardening I owe to Nonna. But there’s one more special skill she taught me: how to make pine needle oil. It’s easy, inexpensive, and something you can do right in your kitchen, with items you probably already have. I remember gathering fallen pine branches on my grandparents’ farm in … Read more

Garden insects can be categorized into two main groups: beneficial or harmful.  As the name suggests, beneficial insects are those that are good for your garden. They prey on pests that damage your crops, pollinate flowers, and help break down dead plant matter.  Harmful insects, on the other hand, feed on plants and disrupt the … Read more

Chestnuts are one of my favorite winter snacks. They are very popular here in Italy, and it is also very common to go and pick them directly from the woods, which are full of them. I know that in other parts of the world they are not easy to find, but there are still many … Read more

Snake plants are famous for being nearly indestructible houseplants with striking upright leaves. However, what many people don’t know is that these plants can also produce flowers. Seeing a snake plant bloom is quite rare, and I personally know people who have never seen their plant bloom. The good news is that with the proper care … Read more

Hello gardeners, in this article, I want to talk about a plant that I think is too often overlooked: the spider plant! I have had one for several years now, and I can guarantee that it’s one of the best plants to have for a number of reasons. Unfortunately, many people don’t know this, so … Read more

I love pistachios! They are one of my favorite snacks. The problem is that you crack them open, plan to eat a couple, and before you know it, you have a mountain of empty pistachio shells in front of you.  Most people throw them straight into the bin without a second thought. But my grandmother, … Read more

I believe that having a living fence is one of the best choices you can make for your garden or outdoor space. It’s not just about aesthetics, having one has several positive aspects from an ecological, environmental, and wildlife perspective as well. I have several living fences in my backyard and others at my grandparents’ … Read more

Alright, I’ll admit it. I don’t always use my moka pot. Sorry, nonna. The drip machine is temptingly convenient. However, after a few months of using my drip brewer, I noticed I was tossing away way too many filter papers. And if my nonna hates anything more than weak (her words, not mine) coffee, it’s … Read more

A few days ago, I was reading a post on Facebook by someone asking if onions can be regrown. I was surprised that so many people didn’t know this, so I thought it might be useful to write an article about it. Good news: you can! I’ll tell you more, regrowing bulb onions (like yellow, red, or … Read more

I wanna tell you one thing, gardening gets really fun when you grow vegetables that keep on giving. Personally, I think it’s one of the most fascinating things about this hobby because it feels just like magic. Instead of one-and-done crops (like a single head of cabbage or one carrot), some veggies let you harvest … Read more