Hi Friends! Fall is finally here! I am off to Marburger Farms Antique Show for an early signing opening day!! Come see me from 8:00 am-3:00 pm right across from the front offices and in front of the picnic tables in the food court.

This is an old map I found but maybe it will help you maneuver your day!! Also signing up for Katie from Roundtop newsletter has really helped me maneuver all of roundtops shows, diners, and nighttime happenings! Looking forward to saying hi to all!.. and now for the post!

I was so inspired by the fresh veggies which my friends produced in their own home gardens that I decided to give it a try myself!

What I didn’t know is that to have a spring garden, the soil must be prepped in the fall. So….. I may not be able to have a pumpkin patch this year but come next spring, I might be able to have my own farm to table right from my own backyard!!

Raised bed gardens seem to be the way to go when starting a garden at home. Whether you choose containers or build a frame box from wood or stone, elevating the garden gives you more control over drainage and soil composition. For me, it also seems less overwhelming as I can start with one small plot.

If you are not a do-it-yourselfer, I found this and a large selection at Walmart! When deciding where to place your new garden remember just like in real estate, location is key!  Choose an area that receives a minimum of 6-8 hours of direct sunlight as veggies grow best in full sun!

Stephanie, who shared her salsa recipe made from her own farm to table veggies, started with two L-shaped raised beds in her own yard. Preparing the soil, she uses a mix of Blue Micro Life and cottonseed meal for her fertilizer. She loves Wabash Feed & Garden, a Houston staple for over 100 years. I have shopped there for hardware, pet stables, and their antiques! One more reason to visit!

Stephanie always enlists help from her daughter and her cute grandson Klaus! Kids love the garden! There are all sorts of tips on how to get the perfect soil. A good garden mix amended with compost and organic fertilizer topped off with a good quality native mulch is what Buchanan’s Native Plants recommend. Stephanie’s trick is to mix a couple of 50lb bags of the cottonseed meal into your soil. This way earthworms, nature’s greatest composters, will be attracted to your gardens and do the heavy lifting for you to create that perfectly balanced soil!

The one thing I know for sure is water… you must water even before there are plants in the dirt! The City of Houston permitting office sells rain barrels and compost bins. They’re compact and can fit into your car! For those that don’t have sprinkler systems, this is a great cost-saving way to water your garden.

This is one of my client’s gardens! I love that flowering plants are mixed in as well and all the beds are not only for veggies!! Such a beautiful decorative element!

Edible flowers are the new Haute addition to any meal. Southern Living shares which ones to plant and what they taste like! Some I even have at my own home and didn’t know they were snackable!

If it all seems too overwhelming-indoor herb gardens are a great way to bring a bit of freshness to your cooking and beauty to your kitchen at the same time!

How darling is this to get your kids or grandkids to learn how things grow! Start seeds in ice cream cones and plant in the ground—cones are biodegradable!

Another great gem in Houston, to find unique and helpful gardening tips and tricks, is The Houston Farmer’s Market. After talking with Stephanie and hearing her mention all of the wonderful vendors, I had to check it out for myself!

From produce & spices to health remedies & specialty cookware you won’t leave empty-handed. If you decide to visit this vibrant gem in the city, make sure to swing by North Side Banana Co. They have been at the market for 60 years (and counting)! I left with some of the freshest, best-tasting bananas, beets, and apples! Look for Farmer’s Markets in your own area!!

With the holidays coming up, the perfect gift is on everyone’s mind!! We even can ship them directly to your friends and family with a special personalized note from me. You can either order online or send Elizabeth@segretofinishes.com an email. if you would like boxes of 6 shipped to your address email Elizabeth rather than purchasing on the website as we can provide better shipping prices. A gift that will give your design enthusiast inspiration for years to come!

I am always getting requests for the sold-out Segreto books. Ambrose Furniture was rearranging things and found a box of 4 hidden. They said they are happy to ship. Just email ambrosefurniture@hotmail.com or call. them at 9979-822-4071. Thanks, Joshua

Till next week, XO Leslie