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Rosemary for the Holidays – From Kitchen Windowsill to Homemade Potpourri

There’s something timeless about rosemary this time of year. Maybe it’s the way its piney scent fills the kitchen when the world outside turns cold. If you’ve got a rosemary plant, treat it like the little evergreen friend it is.

Winter Care Tips:

Keep it where it can soak up 6-8 hours of sunlight a day—south-facing windows are gold.
Let the soil dry slightly between watering. Rosemary hates wet feet in winter.
Give it good airflow to prevent powdery mildew—no stuffy corners.

Creative Use:
Harvest a few sprigs, dry them, and mix with cinnamon sticks, orange peels, and a handful of cloves for a homemade potpourri. The scent will bring a warm, woodsy note to your home, a little reminder of summer hiding in winter’s chill. Below is a holiday potpourri recipe that I create to sell locally.

Ingredients

▢1 cup cranberries, fresh preferred but frozen are fine
▢1 large orange, sliced thin
▢1 large lemon, sliced thin
▢4 to 5 cinnamon sticks, 1 to 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon may be substituted
▢1 tablespoon whole cloves, 1 to 2 teaspoons ground cloves may be substituted
▢2 to 3 fresh rosemary sprigs, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary may be substituted
▢1 tablespoon vanilla extract, using essential oils is also an idea here
▢2 cups water

Instructions

stovetop cooking – Add all ingredients to the pot, cover with water, bring to a boil uncovered over high heat, and once boiling, reduce the heat to low so that it just barely simmers enough to create steam which is what creates the aroma. Tips – Make sure to remember to turn off your stove if you’re leaving the house. I also like to place this on a back burner that’s far from anyone’s hands who may be in and out of the kitchen since it’ll be there for hours. If the water level drops, add additional water, as needed.

Let me know in the comments if you make your own holiday potpourri

Bring Fresh Flavor Home This Holiday Season with the Culinary Herb Kitchen Kit

There’s something special about cooking during the holidays — the aroma of roasted herbs, simmering soups, and homemade sauces fills the kitchen with warmth and comfort. This year, why not make your holiday dishes even more flavorful and fresh with your very own Culinary Herb Kitchen Kit — now available in my Etsy shop!

Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting your gardening journey, this all-in-one kit makes it easy to grow a variety of delicious herbs right from your kitchen windowsill. It’s also a wonderful gift idea for foodies, gardeners, or anyone who loves adding a fresh touch to their meals.

🌿 What’s Inside the Culinary Herb Kitchen Kit

Each kit comes with 8 premium herb seed packets, carefully chosen to bring a burst of flavor to every dish you create:

Basil – Perfect for pesto, pasta, and salads.
Cilantro – A fresh favorite for salsas, curries, and garnishes.
Parsley – Great for soups, sauces, and everyday seasoning.
Thyme – Ideal for roasted meats, veggies, and marinades.
Oregano – A must-have for pizza, pasta, and Italian dishes.
Chives – Adds a mild onion flavor to just about anything.
Sage – Classic for stuffing, stews, casseroles, and savory meats.
Dill – Excellent for pickling, seafood, and creamy dressings.

Along with the seeds, the kit includes everything you need to get started:

✔ A Seed Starter Tray with Cover to create the perfect growing environment.
✔ A Durable Seed Packet Container to keep your seeds fresh and organized.
✔ An Easy Planting Guide Card with a direct link to step-by-step instructions to help you grow your herb garden successfully.

🌱 Perfect for Holiday Gifting

The Culinary Herb Kitchen Kit isn’t just a gardening starter — it’s a gift that keeps on giving. Imagine gifting a loved one the joy of snipping fresh basil for homemade pizza or adding homegrown thyme to roasted vegetables. It’s a thoughtful, hands-on gift that combines creativity, sustainability, and flavor.

🍴 Add Fresh Flavor to Every Meal

Fresh herbs elevate even the simplest dishes. With this kit, you can harvest your herbs right when you need them — no more last-minute grocery runs or wilted bunches in the fridge. Grow them in your kitchen year-round for fresh, vibrant flavor every time you cook.

Make your holiday season more flavorful and memorable with the Culinary Herb Kitchen Kit, now available at Printhousedesign on Etsy. Bring the garden indoors and add a touch of green — and a lot of flavor — to your kitchen!

🌙🌿 Nighttime Garden Visitors? Here’s How to Keep Them Away!

If you’ve ever woken up to find your flower beds trampled or your favorite plants nibbled down to stubs, you’re not alone. Deer, rabbits, raccoons, and other nighttime visitors can wreak havoc on even the most well-tended garden. While these creatures are just looking for a midnight snack, there are effective and humane ways to deter them from turning your yard into their buffet. Here are three tried-and-true methods to protect your garden and help keep wildlife at a respectful distance.

1. Use Scents They Can’t Stand

Deer and many other critters have a strong sense of smell, which you can use to your advantage. Certain scents are unappealing or even alarming to them. Try these natural repellents:

Plant deterrent herbs like lavender, rosemary, or mint along the garden’s border. The strong fragrance can mask the appealing smell of your veggies or flowers.
DIY spray: Mix water with a few drops of peppermint, garlic, or clove essential oil and mist it around your garden perimeter.
Commercial repellents: These often use ingredients like egg solids or predator urine (yes, really!) to create a scent that warns animals to stay away.

Reapply these repellents every few days or after rain for the best results.

2. Add Motion and Light

Animals that roam your yard at night rely on darkness and quiet to stay hidden. Motion-activated devices can startle them and make them think twice about coming back.

Motion-activated sprinklers: A sudden burst of water is harmless but startling enough to send most deer or raccoons running.
Solar lights or motion lights: Strategically placed lights that flick on when movement is detected can make your garden feel less like a safe haven for nighttime wanderers.
Wind chimes or reflective décor: Shiny pinwheels, aluminum foil strips, or old CDs can reflect light and create movement that deters curious animals.

3. Physical Barriers and Smart Planting

Sometimes, the best solution is a good defense.

Fencing: A sturdy fence—ideally 7 to 8 feet tall—can keep deer out, while smaller mesh fencing can protect against rabbits and ground-dwellers.
Raised beds: Elevating your garden makes it harder for animals to reach your plants and easier for you to protect them.
Plant wisely: Choose a few deer-resistant plants like foxglove, yarrow, or daffodils to line your garden edges. These aren’t appealing snacks and can act as a natural deterrent barrier.

Final Thoughts

Wildlife is a beautiful part of nature, but your garden deserves to thrive without nightly disturbances. Combining scent deterrents, motion-based tools, and smart barriers can make a big difference in keeping your flowers and vegetables safe. With a little planning and persistence, you can enjoy your garden in peace—without uninvited nighttime guests sneaking in for a late dinner.

🌸 Let Little Hands Grow Magic: A Kids Gardening Kit That Inspires Nature and Creativity

There’s something magical about watching a child’s face light up when they plant their first seed. Gardening is more than just a fun outdoor activity—it’s a hands-on way for kids to connect with nature, learn responsibility, and discover the wonder of growing something all on their own.

That’s exactly what inspired our Kids Gardening Kit, a playful and educational set designed to spark curiosity and creativity in young gardeners.

🐌 What’s Inside the Kit

This kit includes everything your little gardener needs to start their very own mini garden adventure:

Snail Watering Can – A cute and lightweight watering can that’s just the right size for little hands. The friendly snail design makes watering plants fun and helps kids learn how to care for growing flowers.
Kids Garden Gloves – Made from 100% breathable cotton, these gloves keep little hands clean and protected while still allowing them to dig, plant, and explore.
Wildflower Fairy Garden Seeds – A mix of colorful wildflowers that attract butterflies and bees. Each packet includes simple planting instructions, so it’s easy for beginners to follow along.
Terracotta Planter Pot – The perfect starter pot for growing fairy flowers or herbs on a sunny windowsill.

🌿 Why Gardening is So Great for Kids

Gardening teaches children patience, observation, and care. They learn how seeds grow into flowers, how to water and nurture living things, and how to celebrate small successes. It’s a simple, screen-free activity that encourages imagination, mindfulness, and outdoor play.

Plus, kids love the satisfaction of saying, “I grew this myself!”

🌼 Perfect for Any Occasion

The Kids Gardening Kit makes a thoughtful gift for birthdays, Easter baskets, homeschool nature lessons, or weekend family activities. Whether it’s their first garden or a fun seasonal project, this kit brings joy and learning together in one adorable set.

🛒 Where to Find It

You can grab your Kids Gardening Kit now in my Etsy shop, Printhousedesign, and start your child’s gardening adventure today.
Watch them learn, grow, and fall in love with nature—one tiny seed at a time. 🌱

What Plant Topic Should We Dig Into Next? 🌿

Hey plant friends! 👋

I’m planning some fresh new posts for the blog, and I’d love your help choosing what to explore next. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned plant lover, I want to make sure I’m sharing the tips you actually want to read about! 🌱

Here are a few ideas I’ve been thinking about:
🌵 Succulents — Easy care routines, how to fix overwatering, and ways to keep them thriving indoors.
🌿 Herbs — Growing them in small spaces, using them in the kitchen, and keeping them lush all year.
💨 Air Plants — Display ideas, watering tips, and how to keep them healthy and happy.
🌵 Cacti — Propagation tips, light needs, and the best soil mixes for desert beauties.

Now it’s your turn — what do you want to learn more about?
Tell me in the comments or send a quick message! I’d love to know what topics would help you grow your plant knowledge (and maybe your collection 😉).

Happy growing,

🌼 P.S. If you love plants as much as I do, check out my shop Printhousedesign — where you’ll find nature-inspired 3D printed planters, live air plants, and gardening gifts designed to bring a little green magic into your home. 💚