The Bowery
Tales and Lessons about growing all things green on the Coast of Maine
Browse by Category
Top 10 Tomato Growing Tips
Yesterday I spent the morning seeding tomatoes (they take a while to get started) and as I was gearing up for the season I thought about who wasn't seeding them ... I mean isn't everyone? It [...]
My Dinner Plate Dahlias
This year I'm trying to reign-in my dinner plate dahlia obsession. I always have this fantasy of rows upon rows of dahlias. But space is a hot commodity for me on my little farm, so let's just assume that I'll be [...]
To Seed or Not to Seed?
Propagation is one of my favorite garden tasks. It's just a big word to describe a couple simple techniques for starting new plants. Seeding vs. Cuttings There's seed (which I'm sure everyone is familiar with), cuttings (think of it as cloning, but [...]
Herbs 101 : Basil
There is nothing like going into the garden and picking some herbs to freshen your home, or your food! In this Basil 101 post, I'm going to share a few tips to ensure your gardens will [...]
My Top Ten Flowers to Grow
Even though professionally I'm an herb grower, you can still find lots flowers tucked in and around the farm. I have this Top 10 Annual Flowers that I need to grow rolling around in my head. Every [...]
The Backyard Gardener is Here!
I wrote a book. The Backyard Gardener. And it's finally here! The first copies have arrived. I cannot believe I'm holding my book in my hands! The Backyard Gardener Book! This all started with an email from [...]

Meet the Blogger
I’m Kelly, a small-scale, organic herb farmer, author and speaker growing in coastal Maine. I believe I was born in the wrong era, am deathly afraid of snakes (ironic, I know) and garden stalking is completely reasonable behavior in my opinion.
An enthusiastic gardener, I want to share with you detailed, cutting-edge growing techniques, tricks and tips so your gardens will be brilliant and your neighbors will be jealous!

The Backyard Gardener
Grow delicious—and gorgeous—vegetables, herb and flowers in your backyard with this comprehensive guide. The Backyard Gardener is every organic gardener’s must have, brimming with mouthwatering photographs, helpful planting suggestions and tried-and-true techniques.
I’m big on sharing. Information hoarders are my pet peeve, so I made sure this book had it all—answers for the newbie-gardener’s burning questions as well as innovative growing techniques for the connoisseur. Dive deep into crop rotation with me! Learn why I think plant stacking is essential, and how sheet mulching changed the way I garden. In this book you’ll get details on the whole enchilada, from the nitty gritty of seed starting, succession sowing and pest control to how-to harvest, store and preserve your vegetables, herbs and flowers. That beautiful, bountiful garden you’ve been fantasizing about is right at your fingertips, and everything you need to be successful right out of the gate is right here!
Available now at
Signed copies
If you’d like to buy a signed copy and support a local Maine business in the process, you can find signed copies of The Backyard Gardener at Sherman’s in Portland, Freeport, Falmouth, Bar Harbor, and more locations. Click below to get more information.