Nerdin Gardens: Size Isn't Always Important Bountiful harvests are the result of cultivating, tilling and careful planting that goes into the garden at the start of the spring season in Nerdin Gardens. Though growth has slowed, we are still pulling fresh fruits and vegetables almost every day. So far, we have picked zucchini, crook neck squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, basil, oregano, thyme, onion chives, garlic, sage, jalapeño peppers, bell peppers, red peppers, strawberries, asparagus, green beans and snow peas and more. Production was enough to can a couple hundred jars of pure deliciousness, from sweet chili sauce (my mother-in-law’s recipe), zucchini relish, jams galore (peach jalapeño, apricot, strawberry), stewed tomatoes, almonds for future use.  The grapes and muscadines are almost... 09/24/2023

Nerdin Gardens: Hint O’ Fall Cool evenings whispering of summer tales gone by,Morning sun beams misting on high in yonder's sky.Garden flowers strewing seeds all upon the cooler ground,Springing up in hopes of resurrecting, coming back around.Through threaded tree boughs, restless birds are caw calling,Joyfully singing in awed celebration that Autumn is indeed falling! ~Wanda Kubat-Nerdin in Nerdin Gardens As the seasons turn in preparation of immanent change, so is the local real estate market. Are you ready to move on toward the next new direction of business? Ready or not, HERE WE GO! 09/18/2023

Nerdin Gardens: From My Head Tomatoes! From early spring to mid fall, we are constantly providing care for all plant material in Nerdin Gardens, especially ensuring that all processes are in place for optimum production. Much work goes into all aspects of back yard gardening. Prior knowledge kicks in when problems present but asking or seeking help is a natural reflex as well. Along with the fall season, a sense of relief, mixed with loss occurs as we both, once again, ready the garden for next spring's plantings. A matter of pulling plant material from all raised garden beds, turning off the automatic drip systems, covering each one with shade cloth to prevent weeds from taking over. Moving all decorations inside, preventing further wear. The growing season is almost over and I feel yo... 09/14/2023

Nerdin Gardens: Reaching Out to Others in Small Ways Michael loves roses of all colors, sizes and varieties. When he sees one or two that fully grab his attention, he brings them inside, presents them and I put them in a beautiful vase worthy of their beauty. Flowers for no reason from My Honey always brings a sincere smile, confirming true affection through thoughtfulness. A spontaneous gesture like this expresses his intentional desire to make me happy. This little act of love expresses genuine gratitude and always surprises me. In turn, acknowledging his gesture is important because it strengthens our connection in a very positive, meaningful manner. What’s keeping you from making someone’s day by reaching out to their heart, even in a small way? ~ Wanda Kubat-Nerdin in Nerdin Gardens 09/12/2023

Nerdin Gardens: The Power of a Flower  A single rose opens the heart,Bringing near, those far apart. Lifting the spirits in love-speak, Each bloom is elegantly unique. Affection leads with each passing dayBringing contentment and bliss this way. ~ Wanda Kubat-Nerdin in Nerdin Gardens - c While we may be unable to change the state of the world, we can ensure our own surroundings are a brighter, happier place to live.  Happy Sunday all, wishing you peace! 09/10/2023

Nerdin Gardens: Well, that's Just Peachy! An old woman goes before the judge. He asks, "Why are you here today?"She said, "I stole some peaches from the neighbor’s orchard.”  The judge asked, "How many peaches did you take?” She said, “Ten.”  The Judge said, "Ok, you spend ten days in jail then." The lady’s husband quickly stood up and asked the judge if he could speak to him on her behalf.  "Yes," said the judge. The husband said, "She also stole several bunches of grapes!" And that's when the fight started...🤣 Happy Labor Day all! 09/04/2023

Nerdin Gardens: Caprese Salad Croissants For those quick, last minute or on the go dinners during the busy, summer months, Michael and I enjoy taking some fresh, simple ingredients from the backyard garden and adding them to a recipe, creating a refreshing, tasty meal. This recipe has 5 ingredients: Mini Butter Croissants Sliced Mozzarella Cheese Fresh Tomatoes Basil Leaves Basalmic Glaze  The local grocery's bakery department is happy to bake the mini croissants upon request (you can also use the traditional size as well). In 10 minutes time, you will have a small but very flavorful treat as you enjoy each individual sandwich. Cut the croissants lengthwise and place inside up in toaster oven until slightly golden brown. Take out, then place on dinner plate. Layer, mozzarella comes firs... 09/01/2023

Nerdin Gardens: Bee THAT Way! Providing food in the back yard promotes a mutually beneficial relationship between the honey bee's and ourselves. Cohesively, they all maintain a harmonious residence, in turn, pollinating many flowering plants, bushes and trees. Honey bees are successful in their methods because each role is taken on and performed on time, every time. Three basic roles are instrumental to the hive's community and they are: The Worker, The Drone and The Queen. Worker bee: Females tend to the Queen's every need from taking care of her and the larvae, building honey comb, guarding the hive's entrance and also collecting pollen that will bee stored as food, gathering nectar, guarding the hive, keeping the hive clean and producing the honey. Drone: Males sole duty is to mate w... 08/23/2023

Nerdin Gardens: Gaining Ground The good seed happily multi-tasks, intently focusing on potential growth, utilizing what is available, absorbing much needed nutrients to flourish. Establishing boundaries encourages the most bountiful of outcomes . A bad seed becomes scattered, helter-skelter, lacking cohesiveness, becoming rooted in neglect and stunted growth. Corrupted standards are subjected to decay, deterioration and ultimately death prior to harvest time. Though positive and negative mingle in the same field, it is wise to eat from the good seed. True gardeners perceive with their hearts and handily heal problematic plant material. Remaining diligent helps to overcome. Properly maintaining a successful garden is through engaging all five senses – touch, sound, sight, smell and taste... 08/06/2023

Nerdin Gardens: I Like Stirring the Pot! Every day, we pick something from our back yard garden and create a healthy side or main dish. An advantage to growing fruits and vegetables is the ability to eat some now, then save more for future use. Not many of you know that I like stirring the pot, especially when it comes to canning some of our fresh, garden harvest!  So far this growing season, I have canned 70 pint jars of Apricot Jam, a case of Kosher Dill Pickles, 52 units of Strawberry Freezer Jam and Sweet Zucchini Relish and Stewed Tomatoes w/peppers, garlic and celery. Necessary Canning Supplies:Quality, fresh productThe sky's the limit on canning fruits and vegetables and other foods. My in-laws used to can Rainbow trout and while that may sound unusual to some, it was adequate, f... 07/28/2023

Nerdin Gardens: Tracking Success This time of year, our home garden is in its seasonal, growing prime. Though we continue to improve standards to confidently move forward, there is still so much to learn. Here are 5 things we always practice: 1. Planting preparation. Nature provides the means of utilizing best processes and procedures to become successful. 2. Nurturing daily. Tending faithfully will prevent the death of plant material or more when eradicating weeds and pests. 3. Constant care. Knowing that consistent methods such as watering, fertilizing and pruning produce desirable results.  4. Follow through. Nature comes through most spectacularly when basic needs are met. Getting up and showing up, matters. 5. Reliable sources. A reliable gardening group, nursery or college extensi... 07/26/2023

Nerdin Gardens: A BIG DILL, er, I Mean...BIG DEAL! We had quite the harvest of Salt and Pepper cucumbers from Nerdin Gardens, so I decided to stay home and can some today. Wallah, the pop, pop, popping of the jars sealing was sweet, sweet music to my ears. 🎼 First time was a charm. Whew! Salt & Pepper cucumbers are designed for eating fresh and pickling, the crunch is big. They can be sliced or chopped and used in salads, cold pasta dishes, as a garnish, or served as an hors-d'oeuvre. They can also be eaten by themselves or sliced and placed on sandwiches, burgers and in relish. As we continue to back yard garden, it's important for us to grow natural food that isn't sprayed with insecticides, pesticides, or other unknown chemicals. The garden in the middle of a growth spurt, apricots a... 07/07/2023

Nerdin Gardens: 100% All-Natural Picking fresh, juicy strawberries from beneath the dense leaf cover in the raised bed boosts the mind and can tone the body. Remaining in a prone position for several minutes, offers some healthy benefits. Bend, stretchhhhhh, hold, pluck a few strawberries, put them in the bag...repeat. Of course, the best reward is eating a few of those sweet, all-natural, delicious morsels, moving from plant to plant, berry to berry. Much of what we do as back yard garden officianado's is reflex-like, though there is more to learn, things to improve upon. To create a successful, thriving home garden year after year, you must: Prepare the soil. This includes cultivating, tilling and careful planting Consistently tend. Nurturing the plants, weeding and feeding them   Pro... 06/15/2023

My Infatuation with Hollyhock Dolls At that moment when first seeing the Hollyhock plant with it's thick stalk and regal tower of gorgeous blooms, I was smitten! Since then, I have searched high and low for all varieties and colors, often harvesting them on the roadsides and at our favorite golf course, where they grow abundantly. Hollyhocks have become part of Nerdin Gardens, returning, year after year, dotting the landscape with their colorful presence. Here, they are all nurtured with TLC, along with the rest of the many flowers, bushes and trees.  A friend reminisced about a childhood memory of her grandmother making whimsical Hollyhocks dolls she crafted by hand. Several stories resulted, as I excitedly created them in Nerdin Gardens, excited to show them off to anyone that might b... 05/31/2023

Make a Wish Flowers for Mom Dandelions are looked upon as weeds, holding little to no worth for most adults. They do increase immensely in value when freshly picked from the yard and hand delivered between the tiny fingers of a small child.  For a mom, that little gesture can make it the most beautiful gift in the entire world due to the clear intention and sincere affection. Like a dandelion's wispery seeds as they quickly take flight, those moments are fleeting.  Make a wish and grab as many as you can before they're out of reach. Happy Mother's Day! 05/14/2023

I'd Rather Gather in Nerdin Gardens The back yard garden is a favorite place for us to visit. From the planted rows to soothing water features to the shade provided by the evergreens, it invites all to enjoy. That also includes our precious GBabies. Peanut the Pup is our first GBaby girl. While Kenslee blew her first bubbles, Peanut, the pup, popped them just as quick, which, in turn, caused raucous giggles, producing even more bubbles and laughter! This Gma's spirits soar on days like this! Happy Friday all, no troubles here in Nerdin Gardens. Just bubbles!  05/12/2023

Nerdin Gardens: Sincere Follow Through Day in, day out, nature continues to bless us with an abundance of success in the back yard garden. All she requests in return is some tender loving care worked into the soil, along with sincere follow through.Isn’t that what our families, customer's and clients deserve as well?Happy Sunday all! 05/07/2023

A Silent Preyer in Nerdin Gardens A tiny, newly hatched praying mantis hung upside down beneath a daisy bloom for a short time, before suddenly becoming very hungry. "Should I dare to wander?"The prayer began to ponder.By remaining hidden under here,All hope of survival may soon disappear.So, after bravely venturing out and about,Unsuspecting insects scattered fast to re-route! In order to achieve a comfortable life, showing up diligently to perform is a requirement. When depending on others to provide results, everything delivered may be subpar or you end with nothing. What then? Venture out, take control over your life. Humans are meant to thrive by self-motivation but often fall short. Nature performs instinctively because survival depends entirely on an, 'on time, every time', work ... 05/06/2023

MAY the rest of your days... Spring has arrived in true, spectacular fashion and am grateful and thankful for the pops of colors plus the renewed inspiration and life force it brings. So, with that, I wish you all much happiness and... MAY the rest of your days be filled with love, light and bright, smiling faces!~Wanda Kubat-Nerdin 05/01/2023

We wet our plants! Today, on Earth Day, we are planting the garden to please Mother Nature. Soon, the honey bees and bumble bees will make a soft landing, pollinating all blooms to ensure a productive end result, through fruition. Maximum efforts with realistic expectations and consistent methods create a thriving environment, much like in business. While we are unable to control the weather, we can get up and show up every day.  And wet our plants if we want to!  Happy Earth Day all. 04/22/2023