All Time Top Posts - Gardening!

Here are three of the all time top posts from CARAMEL & PARSLEY over the past years. All Time Top posts is a feature I was unaware of, especially how interesting it could be. Some of these articles have been written years ago but The List, to me, was surprising to say the least. Here we go with three of the top 10:

The paths in the vegetable garden have a new mulch of bright & light wood chips — New mulch lightens up the garden

#1 All Time Top Posts - Gardening with Wood Chips

Absolutely amazing that this is the top article on the list with thousands of "views". It's one of those things I always try to do in the garden as it certainly makes life a lot easier in the long run, saves time and energy and the plants, insects and birds also like it. Plus I think besides "lightening up" our shady garden there are many other benefits as well. Enjoy "Using Dry Wood Shavings in the Garden"

A pot full of home grown tomatoes chopped to make a sauce in the canner and some fresh Basil — Grow your own chemical free tomatoes for home canning & taste the difference!

#2 Always our Top Fruit to Grow

The tomato has been the overwhelmingly top crop to grow for fresh summer eating and pressure canning for use during the following year. I still preserve tomatoes each year basically following Dads Favourite Home Canned Tomatoes (updated). Without doubt this has, and is, my "main" annual crop but garlic and kale are close behind. When tomatoes ripen the juicy fruit is an absolute treat to eat fresh from the garden. There just is no comparison to the taste and healthy benefits of this vegetable. Lots of reasons for you to read "15 Reasons to Grow Your Own Tomatoes"

One of our first magnificent Meyer Lemon Tree with abundance of flowers and lots of green & yellow lemons — Meyer lemon tree - my favourite

#3 Fragrant Citrus Lemons

I have been growing lemon and kumquat trees in very large containers in the Lower Mainland, BC for some years. My biggest disappointment was transplanting a six year old heavy bearing Meyer lemon to the yard which was not successful, mostly due to an unbelievable cold and windy winter that followed in the first year. Of course it was replaced and we have 2 large containers in the garage overwintering - another Meyer Lemon and a cold tolerant kumquat. Read on about my experience "Growing Citrus Trees in Lower Mainland, BC"

Our Wildflower garden has to look after itself in summer. We have self sown wild flowers as well as lots of hostas, hydrangea, herbs such as rosemary, safe & thyme & many others I do not know the name of. Birds & bees love our garden — All Time Top Posts were usually about "gardening' ~ Wildflower garden

In Closing :

Hoping you find something of interest in these articles and perhaps are encouraged to take up a new hobby like growing tomatoes, garlic, kale or other vegetables and fruits, organically at home

Interestingly, although I write on other topics such as health, travel and environment, besides gardening, most of the Top 10 retweeted articles were in the Gardening category. Perhaps I should consider a change of content? I am grateful for Caramel and Parsley and continue to thank you for the interest. It truly never ceases to amaze me.

Regards ~ Liz

Working in the garden gives me something beyond the enjoyment of the senses.
It gives me a profound feeling of inner peace.
~ Ruth Stout