Are You Prepared, Mama?

Hey Reader! Let’s be honest: preparedness often feels like it demands time you don’t have. Between homeschooling, work, errands, and everything else, it’s easy to push prepping to the back burner. But what if 5 minutes was all you needed? In today’s post, I’m sharing 100+ “Prepper Minute” ideas—quick, practical tasks you can complete in five minutes or less to move the needle on your preparedness goals. From organizing pantry shelves to training your kids or setting up your garden, you’ll...

Hey Reader! Dreaming of a garden but stuck with concrete instead of soil? Whether you rent, live in an apartment, or just don’t have the space to dig, there’s a simple and affordable solution: a container garden using food-grade 5-gallon buckets. In today’s post, I’ll walk you through exactly how we grew tomatoes, lettuce, strawberries, and even potatoes—right from the steps of our rental. You'll learn how to prep your buckets, what to grow, and how to save money every step of the way. 🍅 This...

Hey Reader! You don’t need acres of farmland to grow something powerful. Whether you live in an apartment or on a homestead, an herb garden offers so much more than flavor for your food. From natural remedies to beautiful table décor and nourishing teas, herb gardening is one of the simplest ways to become more self-sufficient—and it takes up very little space. In today’s post, I’ll walk you through the four core purposes of herb gardening and share tips and must-have resources for beginners...

Hey Reader! I love sitting outside on our porch swing, especially in the evening. But here in the Deep South, we get a lot of rain almost every afternoon. Unfortunately, lots of rain equates to a lot of mosquitoes, and I hate mosquitoes! Are you like me in that regard? There is an option, though. Join me on the blog where I list ten mosquito repellent plants for you to populate your yard. Blessings! Karen PS. Be among the first to know when a new book comes out when you... Follow me on Amazon...

Hey Reader! Watering your garden every day in 90+ degree heat? That’s a hard pass. 🥵 In this week’s post, we’re diving into the genius of adjustable wicking beds—a gardening method that delivers water from below, reduces evaporation, and makes your life a whole lot easier. Whether you're dealing with drought, limited time, or you're just tired of babying your plants, this setup might be the solution you've been hoping for. Plus, with one clever tweak (inspired by Jack Spirko), you can solve...

Hey Reader! Your summer garden might be slowing down, but that doesn’t mean your harvest has to. 🌞 In today’s guest post from my friend Kim Deel—who’s been gardening for over 30 years—she shares her secrets for starting a Bonus Garden in mid-summer. This second round of planting helps you squeeze even more goodness from your backyard before the fall frost hits. From fast-growing veggies to rootable tomato suckers to extending your herb harvest, Kim walks you through her frugal, real-life,...

Hey Reader! Let’s be honest—early gardening feels like one of those game levels where the bugs, squirrels, and bad soil are all out to defeat you. Every win feels hard-earned... and every mistake feels personal. But here’s the truth: even seasoned gardeners once forgot to label their seeds or planted twenty tomato plants without knowing why. In today’s post, I’m sharing six common rookie gardening mistakes—and how you can skip the learning curve (and the squirrels). Whether it’s starting too...