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Creating your own herbal oils is more than a kitchen task—it’s a mindful, intentional ritual that connects you to the plants, the season, and your own wellbeing. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to craft a natural healing or culinary tool that you’ll treasure all year.

A winter nature corner doesn’t have to be elaborate or “perfect.” With children, the magic lies in collecting, arranging, and noticing. Think of it as a quiet place to honour the season and the gifts of nature.

WEEK 4: RENEWAL & INTENTION The quiet before renewal. As the year comes to a close, we turn inward. This is a week of soft endings and hopeful beginnings — of releasing what has completed its cycle and planting seeds for what we want to invite into our lives next.It’s a time to reflect on the past months, acknowledging our growth and lessons learned, while gently letting go of what no longer serves us. In the tranquility of this moment, we find the space to set our intent

In the rush of the holiday season, it’s easy to forget that the most meaningful gifts are often the simplest ones. A handwritten note. A pressed leaf. A moment of creativity made by hand. Crafting your own natural gift tags or cards is a beautiful way to slow down, reconnect with plants, and add a deeply personal touch to your holiday gifts. No perfection required — just curiosity, presence, and a few natural materials.

There’s something deeply satisfying about lighting a fire that began in your own garden. Not bought. Not wrapped in plastic. Just dried plant material, a little recycled wax, and your hands. Natural fire starters are one of those quiet winter projects that feel both practical and grounding. They turn garden leftovers into warmth, ritual, and connection—and they make beautiful, meaningful gifts too.

Elderberries (Sambucus nigra) have been used for generations in European folk traditions, especially through the colder months. Paired with warming spices and sweetened with honey or sugar, elderberry syrup is simple to make and a beautiful example of everyday herbalism.

WEEK 3: NOURISH & CREATE Creativity becomes nourishment. December invites us to create with intention: warming syrups, comforting remedies, beautiful handmade gifts. These small acts bring warmth to winter and remind us that our relationship with plants continues even in the quiet months.

Week 2: Scent & Light This week is about warmth and sensuality — the soft glow of candles, the deep green scent of pine, the comfort of herbs, and the simple joy of creating things with your hands. When we engage the senses, we come home to ourselves.

WEEK 1: REST & REFLECTION The garden rests — and so do we. As December begins, nature invites us into stillness. The garden has exhaled, the soil is quiet on the surface, and the world feels soft around the edges. This is a week for slowing down, lighting small lights, and rediscovering the gentle rhythms that carry us through winter.

If you’ve ever paused to admire milkweed pods bursting open in late autumn, you’ve witnessed one of nature’s quiet wonders. These pods are full of silky white floss and seeds — a symbol of both beauty and renewal. Harvesting milkweed seeds isn’t just about saving plants for next year and to share with friends; it’s also a way to bring a little hygge into your home during the colder months. In this guide, you’ll learn how to harvest, dry, and store milkweed seeds, create a coz

There’s something magical about the scent of pumpkin spice simmering on the stove. It’s the aroma of comfort, warmth, and slow afternoons spent baking while the leaves tumble outside. In our kitchen, this homemade pumpkin spice syrup has become a seasonal ritual – one that fills the house with coziness and invites everyone to linger a little longer.

August reveals whether it's been a successful cucumber season or not. At times, cucumbers can be quite finicky. However, when they flourish, they truly excel! Often, you find yourself with an abundance of cucumbers all at once. While cucumbers can't be frozen, there are numerous methods to cook and preserve them. What do you think of when it comes to preserving cucumbers? Naturally, pickles!

In the heat of the summer tea might not be the first thing on our mind. But fresh teas made from your own herbs is one of the healthy and refreshing treats you can create from garden to kitchen.

Insects—especially native species—form the very foundation of the food web. They pollinate plants, decompose organic matter, control pest populations, and serve as a food source for birds, amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals.

The weather has taken a turn again in Eastern Ontario. After a cool and rainy start to the summer, we’ve now entered a Level 1 – Minor Low Water Advisory, issued by our local conservation authorities yesterday (August 1st, 2025). The past few weeks have brought little to no rain and high daytime temperatures — and looking ahead, we’re not expecting any significant precipitation in the coming days. This Level 1 advisory means there’s a voluntary 10% reduction in water usag

July is a busy, beautiful month in the kitchen garden. We’re in the peak of summer, enjoying the first real wave of harvests—peas, beans, greens, early potatoes—and watching warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, squash, and cucumbers take off. But don’t let the height of summer fool you—this is also the perfect time to start thinking about fall. With about two months to go before our average first frost (mid to late September in much of Eastern Ontario), now is the momen

Summer holidays offer the perfect pause in the year — a window of time where screens can be swapped for soil, and children can reconnect with nature through their own garden patch. Whether you have a big backyard or a few pots on a balcony, gardening with kids is a joyful, grounding experience that helps them grow in more ways than one. Here’s how to plant the seeds of a magical summer — one that sprouts curiosity, confidence, and connection. Printable downloads “Garden with

Are you looking for other innovative and delightful ways to incorporate this delicious and nutritious weed into your diet while also creating a healthy treat for your family? Look no further, as we invite you to explore our favorite springtime delicacy: dandelion cake This unique dessert not only celebrates the vibrant flavors of dandelions but also highlights their numerous health benefits, making it a perfect addition to your springtime culinary repertoire.

DANDELION SYRUP. It's easy to make and very delicious on pancakes or watered down as a refreshing drink. Dandelion syrup started to become a staple in our kitchen a few years ago, when we were wondering what to use all the dandelion for that were growing in our new garden. It's so relaxing to go outside on a mild dry spring morning to collect the flowers and something the kids like to be engaged in as well.

Discover how to grow asparagus in Eastern Ontario with expert tips on varieties, planting from seed or crown, seasonal care, harvesting, and health benefits.