Pumpkin grow

Harvesting Knowledge: Lessons from the 2025 Giant Pumpkin Grow

The 2025 giant pumpkin grow has concluded, and it’s time to summarize the insights I’ve gained before they fade from memory. Each year of growing giant pumpkins brings new lessons and presents unique challenges. No two years have the same weather, and no two seeds are alike. Additionally, I test new equipment, amendments, and products […]

Harvesting Knowledge: Lessons from the 2025 Giant Pumpkin Grow Read More »

Jeffrey McLain Author

The Summer Everything Changed: A Childhood Story of Struggle

The Start of My Childhood Struggle There’s a particular kind of innocence that comes with childhood summers in the 1970s. No cell phones. No video games. Just endless days at the pool, grape soda, sunburned shoulders, and fingers wrinkled from too much time in the water. My childhood in Lafayette, California, was idyllic in so

The Summer Everything Changed: A Childhood Story of Struggle Read More »

Dyslexia Symptoms Across the Lifespan: What to Look For

Dyslexia symptoms are a lifelong phenomenon caused by a neurological condition that affects how the brain processes language. While it is most commonly associated with reading difficulties, the symptoms of dyslexia extend far beyond that. The signs can manifest differently at various ages and stages of life. Being able to recognize these symptoms is crucial

Dyslexia Symptoms Across the Lifespan: What to Look For Read More »

Dyslexia is Not a Disorder But a Neurodivergent Gift

Dyslexia is not a disorder but a neurodivergent gift. How is that for an eye-catching title? Dyslexia, a term that has been deeply misunderstood and stigmatized for decades, affects millions of individuals worldwide. Often oversimplified as a mere “reading disability,” dyslexia is categorized as a complex disability that can manifest in a myriad of ways.

Dyslexia is Not a Disorder But a Neurodivergent Gift Read More »

Gophers

How to Banish Gophers and Protect Your Vegetable Patch

Gardening is a rewarding hobby, but it comes with its fair share of challenges, and one persistent nuisance for many gardeners is gophers. These small, burrowing rodents can wreak havoc on your vegetable patch, causing damage to roots and devouring your prized crops. However, fear not! With the right strategies and a bit of perseverance,

How to Banish Gophers and Protect Your Vegetable Patch Read More »

Mycorrhizal fungi

Mycorrhizal Fungi: Getting to the Root of the Matter

What are Mycorrhizal Fungi? If I were to tell you that there was something that was the secret to many gardeners’ success, would you use it? In the hidden realms beneath our feet lies a network of fascinating organisms that quietly shape the environment around us. Among these unsung heroes are beneficial mycorrhizal fungi (M

Mycorrhizal Fungi: Getting to the Root of the Matter Read More »

Organic gardening

Organic Gardening Makes the Earth Happy

In a world where synthetic pesticides and genetically modified organisms dominate agricultural practices, the allure of organic gardening shines brighter than ever. It’s a return to our roots, quite literally, where we work hand in hand with nature to cultivate vibrant, sustainable gardens. This isn’t just about what you grow; it’s a philosophy—a way of

Organic Gardening Makes the Earth Happy Read More »