The Dirt Beneath Our Feet

A watermelon rind, a shovel, and a backyard with lifeless soil led to an unexpected Fourth of July reflection about earthworms, healthy gardens, and the dirt beneath our feet.

A watermelon rind, a shovel, and a backyard with lifeless soil led to an unexpected Fourth of July reflection about earthworms, healthy gardens, and the dirt beneath our feet.

I encouraged everyone to grow with me this spring. What I didn't expect was that I'd be the one breaking all the rules. From squirrel disasters to rabbit candy, here's a June update from my own patio garden.

A quieter market morning became a reminder that farmers markets aren't just about buying local—they're about asking questions, sharing knowledge, and meeting the people behind what they make.

What began with my mother's favorite saying—"Salt water cures everything"—eventually inspired one of Backyard Bees' best-selling soaps. Discover the story behind The Mariner, a gentle salt brine soap inspired by family memories, traditional soapmaking, and the simple beauty of caring for skin naturally.

Do bees fly in the rain? When a summer 5K was canceled due to storms, I looked to my backyard honey bees for the answer and set out on a rainy run of my own.

Opening day at the Eisenhower Park Farmers Market brought blue skies, strong winds, spring honey, fresh greens, and a reminder that some things simply need shade.

A windy evening at Sunken Meadow State Park led to an unexpected question: how do honey bees remember their way home? From orientation flights to flower schedules, the answer is remarkable.

A collection of books that inspired a beekeeper to think more deeply about honey bees, honey, stewardship, purpose, and the world beyond the hive.

A chapter from A Honeybee Heart Has Five Openings reminded me that a hive is more than a wooden box. It's a home, a responsibility, and the beginning of a beekeeper's relationship with the wider world.

The summer run series at Heckscher State Park became a fragrant reminder of how honey bees use scent to find flowers, navigate their world, and remember where food can be found.