We all have them – so why not EAT them? Dandelions, that is! With tough times for many, we have this FREE, nutrient-packed food right in our yards and fields, so let’s make the most of it!

Dandelions are bioaccumulators, meaning their deep tap root pulls minerals and nutrients from the subsoil that many other plants can’t access. As the tap root grows, it also helps break up compacted soils – a benefit any gardener can appreciate.

When it comes to food, dandelions can pass along all those collected nutrients to us. And there are numerous ways to enjoy them!

The young spring greens are delicious in salads and can even be found on restaurant menus. In many Asian cultures, they’re considered a delicacy, and you can sometimes find them at farmers' markets or even purchase dandelion seeds from certain mail-order seed companies.

As the greens mature, they can become bitter, but they make a fantastic sauté with butter, onion, and bacon (because, let’s face it, everything is better with bacon).

The root also holds value. When dried and ground, it makes an excellent coffee substitute. This caffeine-free, acid-free version is a great choice for those with dietary restrictions.

For those who enjoy something sweet, dandelion jelly is made from the flowers, resulting in a lovely sunny yellow treat that’s sure to lift your spirits during the winter months.

And that’s just the beginning – there are so many other possibilities! Dandelion wine, dandelion sandwiches, medicinal uses, dandelion beer... even dandelion mushroom calzone! (Check out the recipe here: Mother Earth News - Dandelion Recipes).

Instead of trying to eradicate these plants, we should embrace them and find more ways to enjoy them. Spread the word to your friends!

Remember, when foraging, always do your research. Make sure the area you’re collecting from hasn’t been treated with pesticides.

Composting is one of the most rewarding aspects of gardening for me. There’s something truly amazing about watching food scraps and yard waste transform into rich, dark compost. If you’re into worm composting, it’s even more fascinating—you can see the process happen right before your eyes. The worms munch through your kitchen scraps and produce some of the best soil amendment around. And yes, I’ll admit it—I get genuinely excited about worm poop!

My compost pile began with simple ingredients: grass clippings, leaves, and veggie scraps. But over time, I’ve discovered that many everyday items can also be composted. Shredded newspapers, old paper towels, pasta, pencil shavings, and even dust bunnies can safely be added to your pile. Plus, by composting these items, you’re keeping them out of the landfill.

If you already compost, I challenge you to inspire one friend to start. And if you’re new to composting, now’s the time—get started! A basic compost pile can be made simply by using inexpensive fencing to create a ring and filling it with your yard debris. Or, if you prefer a more polished look, compost tumblers are a great choice, though they’re often too small for larger needs.

There’s no secret formula for making great compost, but it helps to balance “brown” (dry) materials with “green” (fresh) ones. It’s really that simple. As your compost breaks down, it can be used in garden beds, as a top dressing for lawns, or mixed into container plantings. It’s free, nutrient-rich soil—what could be better?

If you’ve ever read gardening blogs (and I know you’re reading this one, so you’re on the right track!), you’ve probably come across posts about gardening in small spaces. My question to most of them is—are they for real? Sure, they look beautiful, but how many of us actually have a garden that looks that good?

I believe in real-life gardens, so today, I’m sharing not one, but two gardens that are 1/10 acre or less. These gardens are managed by regular people—not professionals—and they have full-time jobs (well, one happens to be a garden writer!). Their gardens may not always be pristine, but they produce real food and are true examples of what small-space gardening can look like in real life.

The Micro-Farm

Michael and Jeremy manage their 1/10-acre garden in Pennsylvania. They’ve made the most of existing plantings, engaged with curious neighbors, and overcome the limitations of their space. The back part of the lot is home to chickens, ducks, and rabbits (they’ve joked about adding a donkey, but think it might be a bit much).

The perimeter is lined with perennial fruits, herbs, and ornamental plants, all surrounding a small lawn area shared by three big dogs and a cat. Their ultimate goal is to incorporate more edibles, including vines and possibly espalier fruit trees.

As you approach the house, a compact vegetable garden, surrounded by picket fencing, is home to annual veggies. The plants are spaced close together to maximize space and help with weed control. Tomatoes, however, didn’t thrive in the limited space, and with the owners’ love for variety, they sought out a solution.

Enter the neighbor’s unused patch of grass. Despite the neighbor’s concerns about kids sneaking down the alley to steal tomatoes, it turned out to be the perfect spot. What it has brought instead are visitors—around six people stopped by during my brief visit. Once you get past the "guard" dogs, the place feels inviting and full of life.

Paradise Lot

Eric Toensmeier and Jonathan Bates, along with their families, manage a 1/10-acre lot in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Technically, their garden could be called a food forest, but I simply call it fun. Their goal is to be able to step into the garden at any time of year and find something to eat.

Using permaculture principles, their garden features a blend of edible trees, shrubs, and perennials, as well as the usual annual vegetables. Every plant has a role—some are edible, some enrich the soil by fixing nitrogen, while others attract pollinators and beneficial insects.

A four-season greenhouse shelters winter vegetables, while a small pond provides a haven for water-loving plants.

One of their goals was to show neighbors that a small backyard can be so much more than just grass. While their neighbors haven’t yet embraced the idea, the garden continues to draw interest.

Today, it’s become a teaching garden, with visitors from around the world stopping by to learn what’s possible in such a small space. If you’re looking for a great winter read, I’d highly recommend picking up Paradise Lot.

So, how’s that for small-space gardening?