Leah Willow

Leah Willow Northern California, Zone 9. Suburban Gardener, Plant Collector & Home Baker. I grow vegetables, flowers & all types of succulents.

Indoors it’s all about the jungle plants.

06/06/2026

Best Gardening Advice From Martha Stewart.

If you didn’t already know, gardening is linked to lower stress hormones and triggers happy “chemicals” in the brain.

Soil is considered to boost your mood, that triggers release of serotonin and dopamine in the brain. Thanks to a bacteria called Mycobacterium vaccae.

Even looking at the plants can trigger dopamine in the brain. It’s amazing what a garden can do to stimulate our senses. Bird sounds also have the same effect.

This is your sign for a plant shopping trip.

marthastewart gardening

06/06/2026

What a Tiny Suburban Garden Can Produce.

I’ve been using up any square inch in my backyard that I’m allowed. Would I turn the whole yard into a garden? Remove the playground? Yes, yes I would. But while my boys are little, I’m restraining myself to the outer borders.

I have been spacing things based on height and width. My tomatoes and cucumbers will be growing vertically. Which will leave space for what grows underneath. Even my pumpkins are going to be grown vertical this year.

It’s better to start somewhere in the yard, or even balcony. My first successful pot was living in a second story apartment. I had bought a massive terracotta pot. Added one tomato and a bunch of herbs.

Best part of being a plant lover, is you learn to be creative with whatever space you have.

06/02/2026

Evenings In My Small California Garden.

There’s a whole other feel to the garden when dusk settles in. Everything seems more still and much more quiet. The colors on the plants become cooler.

The flowers seem to stand out more against all the dark greens. The Petunias and Nasturtium in particular really pop during the evenings.

It’s one of my favorite times to have my late dinner or a cup of tea after a busy day. I love getting every excuse to sit and enjoy the garden.

It’s not easy to just sit. If you garden you might know. Any time you sit, you find something you want to get to. The garden is always a work in progress, with endless projects and ideas.

05/31/2026

Ancient Flowers For Powerful Tea.

Bachelor Buttons have been around for centuries. And have been used just as long medicinally. Even ancient Egyptians used this flower.

It’s high in antioxidants, works with your immune system. Used as skincare to help reduce face puffiness. My favorite is that it helps with anxiety.

Nature has a way of providing us everything we need. We should try not to overlook it.

They are pollinator friendly attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

They do well as cut flowers and last well indoors. Another favorite perk. They add such nice color around the house.

05/27/2026

Cottage Garden Corner Surprise.

It was a happy accident to find a red Poppy growing in my little corner of annuals and perennials. I noticed it sprout Mid February, and figured what a fun surprise would be.
And no it has been. I love what a show it put on all Spring.

When I planted my delphinium, I planted the fountain mix color. So I had no idea what colors I’d get. So far 3 blues and one purple. A couple more to go.

Couldn’t be happier with this little spot. So much color in the garden.

05/22/2026

The Different Things You Can Harvest In A Small Garden.

This year my favorite harvest was the rainbow Chard. But unlimited mint tea also made the top list.

The Nasturtium seed pods fermented beautifully. They remind me of pickled capers.

I’ve also enjoyed the flowers I’ve been cutting from the garden. I’ve loved the Nasturtium flowers in my coffee. They add a bit of whimsy.

I’d say my boys favorite from the garden has been picking the raspberries. They get impatient for them to ripen.

05/20/2026

How to get bushier herb plants.🌱

The best tip I learned to get bigger herbs plants. Is too prune often. High only benefits the culinary cook in the kitchen. Every time you prune you have something to cook with. And in turn your plant gets bigger and broader.

Nodes are where the leaves form. Count every three nodes and snip or pinch away at the leaves. And you’ll have double the plant forming at the spot you pruned.

05/18/2026

A Windy California Day In The Garden. 🌻

It’s that time of year we get windy days. The best days are the warm with cool winds. But my garden tip for any gardener is make sure to water well. The wind will dry out not only your pots, but the garden beds too. Keep that soil moist, especially if your area is getting pretty warm as it is here.

05/16/2026

Harvesting In My Small Garden.

This week I noticed my green beans starting to get into serious production. One key thing about them is harvesting often to keep them producing.

I’ve been needing to collect some Nasturtium seeds. I plan on pickling pre fermenting them for a caper type of farm to table food. I’ve only heard of using them this way, I’ve never tried it yet. Super curious to try.

I trimmed my mint. My strawberry mint has gotten abundant. Any time my mint gets out of hand I just harvest for some tea.

And of course my chard needed to be “pruned”. That way my tomatoes get enough light.

Did anyone notice the little caterpillar hiding in my seeds? 🤭

Address

6128 San Juan Avenue
Citrus Heights, CA
95610

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