Articles for the Outdoor Enthusiast
Gardening & Plant Care
Practical guides to help you grow with confidence. From seed starting to seasonal care, learn what works — and why.
Outdoor Design & Sustainability
Smart ideas for beautiful, lasting outdoor spaces. Built with natural materials and responsible choices in mind.
Garden to Table
Simple ways to enjoy what you grow. Recipes, preserving tips, and ideas that carry your harvest from garden to plate.
Companion Planting
By pairing plants thoughtfully, you can create a balanced, productive garden with fewer chemicals and more natural support.
Planning your Spring Garden
To start your spring garden, its important to plan ahead and get ready for the growing season.
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From Garden to Table - Recipes & More
Creamy Cashew Pesto
There’s something about fresh basil that feels like summer in a bowl. Bright. Fragrant. Just a little wild. This creamy cashew pesto is rich, smooth, and surprisingly versatile. It’s not just for pasta (though it’s excellent there). Spread it on grilled vegetables, swirl it into soups, spoon it over chicken, or use it as a sandwich spread. Why Cashews? Traditional pesto uses pine nuts, but roasted cashews bring: · A naturally creamy texture · A slightly sweet, buttery flavor · A more budget-friendly option · Easy substitutions (almonds, walnuts, or pecans work well) The result is a silky pesto that blends beautifully and feels almost luxurious. Ingredients · 3 cups fresh basil leaves (packed) · 1 ¼ cups roasted cashews (or any nut you prefer) · 1 ½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese · 1 tablespoon sugar · 4–6 cloves garlic (depending on your love of garlic) · ¼ cup fresh lemon juice · ⅛ cup balsamic vinegar · ⅛ cup water · ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil · Salt and pepper to taste Instructions 1. Add all ingredients to a food processor. 2. Blend for 6–8 minutes (or longer if needed) until completely smooth and creamy. 3. Scrape down the sides as needed to ensure no chunks remain. 4. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, lemon, or garlic to your preference. 5. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Tips for the Creamiest Texture · Blend longer than you think you need to. Cashews take a few extra minutes to become silky smooth. · If it feels too thick, add a tablespoon of water or olive oil at a time until it reaches your desired consistency. · For ultra-smooth pesto, soak cashews in warm water for 15–20 minutes before blending. Storage Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To help preserve the vibrant green color, drizzle a thin layer of olive oil over the top before sealing. Freezes well for up to 2 months.If you make this, don’t be surprised if half of it “disappears” during the tasting phase. That’s just quality control.
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BBQ Spice Rub
This bold BBQ spice rub builds a savory crust on brisket, ribs, pork, and vegetables—especially when paired with a True Fire Cedar Grill Plank for subtle smoky sweetness.
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Pesto-Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
The real magic happens when creamy pesto meets tender pork and a hint of cedar smoke. This simple, budget-friendly cut transforms into a feast with just a few ingredients and the unmistakable aroma of grilling on a cedar plank. Ingredients · 1 pork tenderloin · 1 cup creamy cashew pesto (see recipe) · 1 cup crumbled feta (or mozzarella) · Optional: fresh spinach or other vegetables · Salt and pepper to taste Instructions 1. Soak the plank: Submerge a True Fire Cedar Grill Plank in water for at least 2 hours. For added flavor, try soaking it in apple cider vinegar or wine. 2. Prep the pork: Butterfly the tenderloin by cutting lengthwise down one side (not all the way through), then the other side, until it opens flat. 3. Fill it up: Spread pesto inside, sprinkle with cheese, and add spinach if desired. Roll it back up and secure with toothpicks. Season the outside with salt and pepper. 4. Grill: Place the tenderloin on the soaked grill plank, set it on the grill, and close the lid. Cook 15–20 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (pork safe temperature is 145°F, so remove it 5 degrees early). 5. Rest and serve: Let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve warm and enjoy. The Backyard Payoff The True Fire Cedar Grill Plank keeps the pork moist, adds a subtle sweetness, and fills the backyard with that irresistible cedar aroma. Kids devour it. Dogs beg shamelessly under the table. And the scent alone might have the neighbors wondering where that herby, garlicky, smoky goodness is coming from. Here’s to backyard feasts on a budget and the simple joy of cooking outdoors.
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Gerdening Adventures Blog
From Seed to Strong: What Starting Indoors Really Teaches You (Blog 4 of 7)
Starting seeds indoors is one of the most rewarding — and misunderstood — parts of gardening. In Part 4 of our Garden Planning Series, we walk through when to start seeds, how to use grow lights effectively, why seed-starting mix matters, and how to avoid common mistakes — all grounded in one memorable basil story.
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Why a Little Garden Planning Makes Everything Feel Easier (Blog 3 of 7)
This post is part 3 of our 7-part garden planning series, where we’re working step by step toward a garden that fits your life, your space, and the way you actually grow. For years, my garden has one clear priority: basil…A lot of basil. My kids go through a quart-sized container of pesto every single week — and they eat basil like salad. If I don’t grow it myself, I’m spending a small fortune trying to keep up.So basil always comes first. It has to. But eventually, I started wanting more. Tomatoes for summer dinners. Vegetables beyond herbs. And maybe — just maybe — a flowering plant or two that makes my patio feel beautiful instead of purely practical.That’s when everything we’ve talked about so far in this series starts to matter. Why Wanting “More” Is Where Planning Begins In the first post of this series, we talked about why planning matters before seeds go into the ground. This is where that idea becomes real. The challenge isn’t that I don’t know how to garden. It’s that I’ve never thought about my garden as a system.Because most of my yard space is taken up by trees, shrubs, and rock, I grow almost everything in raised, self-watering elevated planters. And honestly? I need the self-watering feature — I’m busy, and I forget to water.Once I stop fighting my limitations and start planning around them, gardening feels, more fun instead of stressful.This is exactly why we built the Garden Planner — not to make gardening more complicated, but to help you design with intention. Step 1: Start With What Actually MattersBefore thinking about layout, timing, or frost dates, I slow down and ask:What do I actually want from this garden?In the planner, this shows up as three simple sections:Non-negotiable plants (for me, basil always lives here)Plants I’d like to grow (tomatoes, vegetables, things I’m curious about)Plants that bring me joy (flowers I grow simply because I love seeing them)This step connects directly back to Blog 1 — because planning only works when it reflects real priorities. Naming these early keeps the rest of the season from feeling overwhelming or guilt-driven. Step 2: Match Plants to the Garden You Actually HaveOnce priorities are clear, the next step is understanding what each plant needs. This is where we move from ideas to reality.Using the planner’s research table, I take time to note: Sun needs Water needs Which garden area actually makes sense Instead of forcing plants into spaces because I want them there, I match them to where they’re most likely to thrive. This step builds on the mindset from Blog 1 — Garden Planning 101. When plants fit the space you have, gardening feels easier and far more rewarding. Step 3: Sketch First, Perfect Later Only after I understand my plants do I sketch my garden layout. Nothing fancy. No measuring tape. Just a rough drawing. The planner includes space for this because seeing everything on paper changes how you think. I name each section — partly because it’s fun, and partly because it helps me remember what’s planted where. Some of my favorites: Beefsteak Boulevard Petal Paradise L’Herbes Royale Salad Central The Basil Jungle This step ties together everything so far — priorities, plant needs, and available space. Step 4: Timing Brings the Whole Plan TogetherThis is where Blog 2 comes back into the picture. Using my average last frost date as a guide, I start filling in the timing section of the planner. If you haven’t read it yet, Frost Dates, Timing, and Why This Finally Made Gardening Make Sense (Blog Series 2 of 7) walks through how to find that date and what it actually means.In the planner, I write down: My average last spring frost date / My average first fall frost date. When seeds should be started indoors (counting backward) When plants can safely move outside How each plant is started (indoors, direct sow, or starter plant) For example, if a seed packet says “start indoors 8 weeks before last frost,” I count back from that date and pencil it in. Suddenly, seed starting feels manageable instead of confusing.This step doesn’t make gardening rigid. It makes it calmer. I still stay flexible. I still watch the weather. But now I have a plan I can adjust instead of starting from scratch every spring. And if a late frost does sneak in? We cover how to protect plants in When Frost Happens: A Real Gardener’s Guide to Surviving the Chill. Planning Doesn’t Take the Joy Out — It Makes Room for ItI used to think planning would make gardening feel restrictive. Instead, it gives me room to enjoy it.I still grow more basil than anything else — because that matters to my family. But now there’s space for tomatoes, vegetables, and flowers that make the garden feel complete.Planning doesn’t change what I love about gardening. It helps me grow more of it. Great gardening starts with a plan. Download our free garden planner to organize your ideas, plan your layout, and prepare for the growing season ahead. Coming Up Next in This Series Next, we’ll get into seed starting — what to start early, what can wait, and how to troubleshoot when things don’t go quite as planned. Because even with a plan, gardens still surprise us — and that’s part of the magic. Mischelle is a longtime home gardener who believes great gardens start with thoughtful planning, not guesswork. Through practical guidance and real-world experience, she helps backyard growers make informed decisions, avoid common pitfalls, and build gardens that work with their space, season, and lifestyle.
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Frost Dates, Timing and Why It's Important (Blog Series 2 of 7)
Knowing your average last frost date matters more than watching the calendar. Learn how to find it, use it to time seed starting, and plan for real-life spring weather — frost surprises included.
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