Hey there, welcome to grow a good life
Thanks for Stopping By!
I am Rachel, gardener, writer, recipe developer, and photographer behind Grow a Good Life. I’m thrilled to have you join me on this journey of growing, preserving, and savoring fresh, organic food.
Here at Grow a Good Life you will find vegetable gardening tips and recipes to help you grow organic food, preserve the harvest, and create delicious meals from fresh ingredients.
Gardening is in My Blood
Growing up in a small New England town, my family’s extensive vegetable gardens and the rituals of preserving the harvest were just part of everyday life. My grandparents and great-aunt worked tirelessly in those gardens, passing down their wisdom and love for the land. But back then, I didn’t fully appreciate the magic happening right in our backyard.
It wasn’t until later, when I had my own space to cultivate, that I truly understood the joy and satisfaction of growing your own food. Fast forward to today, and my little corner of rural Maine is a testament to years of learning, experimenting, and embracing the simple pleasures of gardening.
With over two decades of experience under my belt and 500 square feet of vegetable garden space, I’ve tried just about every trick in the book, from raised beds to square-foot gardening, to growing food in containers, no-dig gardening, and growing crops vertically to save space.
And let me tell you, there’s nothing quite like the taste of a homegrown tomato or the satisfaction of harvesting a basket full of fresh produce.
Grow, preserve, and savor
fresh organic food with our
vegetable gardening tips
and recipes.
Preserving the Harvest
But it’s not just about growing food—it’s about preserving it too. With an abundance of fruits, vegetables, and herbs at my disposal, I’ve become somewhat of a preservation enthusiast. From canning and dehydrating to freezing and root cellar storage (no root cellar required!), I’m always looking for new ways to make the harvest last.
Gardening now provides substantial food to feed our household. I grow enough food to keep our basement storage area stocked with a year’s worth of home canned food including vegetables, tomatoes, salsa, meals in a jar, pickles, jams, jellies, and fruit.
In addition, I freeze peppers, blueberries, broccoli, strawberries, and other bounties from the property. In my basement storage, you will also find enough potatoes, garlic, winter squash, and onions to last until spring.
Home Cooking from Scratch
And when it comes time to cook, well, that’s where the real magic happens. Drawing inspiration from my New England roots and my Italian and French-Canadian heritage, I’ve developed a collection of recipes that celebrate the flavors of the season.
From hearty soups and comforting stews to vibrant salads and decadent desserts, each dish is made with love and a dash of creativity.
Some of the most popular recipes are Zucchini Garlic Bites, Tourtiere French Canadian Meat Pie, and New England Style American Chop Suey.
You Too Can Grow a Good Life!
But more than anything, Grow a Good Life is about embracing a lifestyle of self-sufficiency, mindfulness, and connection to the natural world. Whether you’re tending to a small container garden on your balcony or dreaming of homesteading on a few acres of land, I’m here to be your guide, your cheerleader, and your source of inspiration.
So thank you for being here. Thank you for joining me on this adventure of growing, preserving, and savoring the good life. Together, let’s cultivate a life filled with fresh, organic food, shared meals, and the simple joys of the garden. ~ Rachel
