Author: Diane Ziomek

I am a mom, grandma, independent author/publisher, freelance writer, fibre artist, and information product creator. I like to share what I have learned with others over the years, in hopes of making their lives easier and more lucrative. My published works can be found on most ebook platforms, as well as on my website. I also have two just-for-fun websites: one about gardening where I share information about plants, how-to's, and gardening in a cold climate, and the other to document my journey to a healthier me by practicing yoga and low impact exercise.

Welcome 2020!

Happy New Year!

With the new year comes a change in direction for me. I am so excited to be working on this gardening site. It was a long time coming.

I have tossed the idea around for a few years now, but the stars finally lined up so I could set it in motion. It took a lot of bouncing ideas around inside my head and on paper, and it has now come to fruition.

I’m in this one for the long haul and have recruited a good friend of mine to help out with the articles. Jim spent many years as a journalist and editor, plus he is an avid gardener. He’s working on his first article for me as I write this. I have asked him to write a short bio which will be posted alongside mine within the next few days.

We are supposed to get some snow over the next few days which will add some extra insulation to the ground. Out here in the country the extra insulation isn’t a bad thing because septic systems tend to freeze when the frost runs too deep.

This was taken Christmas morning in our yard. The heavy frost is so pretty but it can wreak havoc on the trees.

The extra blanket of snow also means less chance of plants succumbing to the frigid temperatures we endure each winter. I’m an Albertan through and through, but the older I get the less I can tolerate the cold. Maybe I’m just getting soft in my old age.

I ordered some seeds so I can start sprouting again which is the easiest way to get started with gardening. Being able to enjoy the fruits (or sprouts) of your labour within days during the cold winter days not only adds some green to your day, but also some green to your wallet. The rising cost of produce deters people from eating as healthy as they should, so gardening in even the simplest form will help offset the grocery bill.

I’ll be documenting my gardening journey this year starting with my sprouts when my order arrives. Then I’ll share my seed-starting experience so I have my own bedding plants this year. It has been several years since I’ve grown my own bedding plants. I think it’ll be like doing it for the first time.

Watch for product reviews, recipes and general tips and tricks from my partner-in-crime and me. And feel free to ask questions about gardening. We’re here to help.

Are you an experienced gardener or a newbie? Let me know in the comment section.

Diane

Gardeners Unite

My first post on my new website! How exciting!

I am a gardener.

And if you’re reading this than it’s safe to presume you are too. Or would like to be.

I’m not a professional gardener by any means but I love the process. I’ve had some big wins and some big fails but it hasn’t stopped me from trying again year after year.

I think that’s what makes it a hobby I can stay interested in, because no two growing seasons are ever the same.

I started this blog to document my progress in our own yard, but until spring gets here I can’t do much with it. The snow is gradually piling up and the ground is frozen.

However, that doesn’t mean my website will wait until spring. I have a lot of stories to share, plants to showcase and advice to give (which you are free to take with a grain of salt if you wish).

So until the sap in the trees begins to flow again and the green grass appears once more, I would like to get to know you better so I can provide information you can use.

What is your biggest challenge as a gardener?