The Big Garden

11/25/2025

❤️

11/24/2025

Don’t rake those leaves away just yet—put them to work! Fallen leaves are one of the easiest, most eco-friendly ways to protect your garden. As a natural mulch, they help insulate plant roots from temperature swings, retain valuable soil moisture, and suppress weeds without chemicals. As they break down, leaves enrich the soil with organic matter, improving its structure and feeding beneficial microorganisms. Best of all, this free resource reduces yard waste and supports a healthier, more resilient garden ecosystem. Let nature do the heavy lifting! 🌿🍂

11/21/2025

Row covers are a simple but powerful tool for gardeners who want to extend their growing season, protect plants, and boost productivity.

Types of Row Covers:
Floating Row Covers (Lightweight)
Very thin, breathable fabric placed directly over plants. Allows light, air, and water to pass through.
Best for protecting against insects (like flea beetles or cabbage moths) and for providing slight frost protection.

Medium-Weight Row Covers
Slightly thicker, offering better insulation. Ideal for extending the growing season in spring and fall. Still allows good light transmission but may reduce airflow a bit more.

Heavyweight Row Covers (Frost Blankets)
Thickest and warmest; used primarily for cold protection. Great for overwintering hardy crops or shielding tender plants from frost. Let in less light, so typically used temporarily rather than all season.

Insect Netting (Mesh Covers)
A woven mesh rather than fabric. Best when you want maximum airflow and sunlight but need strong pest protection. Excellent for crops pollinated by wind or plants that do not need pollinators.

How to Use Row Covers:
Lay directly over plants or drape over hoops for crops that need space. Secure edges with soil, landscape staples, or bricks/rocks to keep pests out and prevent wind from lifting them. Vent occasionally during warm weather, especially with heavier covers.

Benefits of Row Covers:
-Pest Protection
-Season Extension
-Frost Protection
-Improved Growth
-Reduced Need for Pesticides

11/19/2025

🖤🧡💛

11/17/2025

Thank you so much to everyone who came out to Benson Bounty for the Holiday Market this weekend!
🎄✨ We had such a wonderful time, and we truly appreciate all of you who stopped by. A big thank-you to Benson Bounty for having us — we’re grateful for the opportunity and the amazing community you’ve built.
We do have a bit of elderberry syrup left over from the event — $10 each. If you’d like to snag a bottle, just send us a message!

💜 Why Elderberry Syrup?
Elderberry is traditionally used to support the immune system, especially during cold and flu season. Many people take it to help their bodies stay resilient, soothe seasonal symptoms, and maintain overall wellness.
How to Take It:
• Adults: 1 tbsp daily for general support
• Kids: 1 tsp daily for general support
• If you’re feeling something coming on, some people take the same amount 2–3 times per day for short-term extra support.

11/13/2025

Did you know you can freeze tomatoes now and can them later? Freezing is a great way to buy yourself time during harvest season—and it makes prep super easy.

Here’s how to go from freezer → canner safely:
1. Freeze First, Peel Later
One of the perks of freezing tomatoes whole:
Just wash them and toss them into freezer bags—skins on, no blanching needed.
When you’re ready to can, run them under warm water or set them in a bowl to thaw slightly.
The skins will slip right off!
2. Turn Them Into Your Favorite Tomato Base
After peeling, you can:
Dice them
Crush them by hand
Cook them down into sauce or puree
Freezing does change the texture, so they work best in cooked products rather than fresh salsas.
3. Follow Safe Canning Practices (SUPER IMPORTANT!)

Tomatoes are borderline low-acid, so safety matters. Keep it safe by following these essentials:
✔️ Always acidify your tomatoes (bottled lemon juice or citric acid) — frozen or fresh, this step is non-negotiable for safe canning.
✔️ Use tested recipes from trusted sources like the National Center for Home Food Preservation or your local extension service.
✔️ Choose the right canner:
Whole, crushed, or juiced tomatoes: Water bath or pressure canner (per a tested recipe).
Tomato mixtures (with veggies/meat): Pressure canner only.
✔️ Follow the jar prep, headspace, and processing times exactly as the tested recipe instructs.
✔️ Adjust for altitude—safety depends on it!

Why it works?
Freezing doesn’t harm canning safety—as long as you thaw, prep, acidify, and process using a tested canning procedure. It actually makes peeling easier and helps break down the tomatoes for quicker cooking.

11/13/2025

Cant wait!!💚

11/11/2025

Getting our elderberry syrup ready for this Saturday’s Holiday Market at Benson Bounty! Great for staying healthy through the holiday season! If you’d like to buy a jar, come check us out along with a bunch more awesome vendors and activities!

11/10/2025

Cold nights are rolling in — once temps dip below 50°F, it’s time to bring your tropicals and tender plants indoors (usually late October–early November here).

✨ Winter care tips:
-Water less — let the top inch or two of soil dry out.
-Move closer to bright windows or use a grow light.
-Add humidity with a humidifier or pebble tray.
-Keep away from cold drafts & heat vents.
-Skip fertilizer until spring.
-Check for pests before bringing plants inside!

A little prep now keeps your plants happy all winter long!

11/07/2025

11/07/2025

11/06/2025

It’s winter squash time! Have you heard of Long Island Cheese pumpkins or Shokichi Shiro Mini Kabocha squashes? We’re going beyond the traditional pie pumpkins with a bit of variety for fun!