{"id":9771,"date":"2026-02-14T09:26:13","date_gmt":"2026-02-14T14:26:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?p=9771"},"modified":"2026-09-27T08:53:56","modified_gmt":"2026-09-27T12:53:56","slug":"tabula-rasa-and-the-imagined-garden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?p=9771","title":{"rendered":"Tabula Rasa and the Imagined Garden"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Our winter white landscape makes it all too easy to impose impossible garden dreams on this seemingly empty canvas. But this is not the blank slate it appears as now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This landscape was in a 20 year relationship with prior caretakers. Under their nurturing, it became a beautiful lawn-covered park and deer refuge, overlooking stunning mountain views.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Equipped with a pool\/cabana, covered porches, and a shed, much of the layout is already set in stone (and concrete).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It’s lovely just as it is. But this is someone else’s vision of beauty. And I can’t wait to apply a very different design sensibility to this underpainting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reformed Permaculturist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Garden design is a form of fortune telling. Because plants take so long to mature, we can’t plan for who we are today. We have to ask ourselves “who do I want to be” and “how do I want to live\/engage in this space in the years to come?” Then we have to imagine our answers, knowing that choices we make today will also influence who we become later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently, I consider myself reformed Permaculturist. I embrace systems theory because it would be madness not to. I ascribe to the ideals of people care, earth care, fair share. Yet I am not a purist and this is not my religion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I also shamelessly indulge my aesthetic sensibilities that sit at the intersection of French Mediterranean, English Cottage, Italian Renaissance, and Arcadian style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I consider whimsy and curation of color as critical as getting guilds right and obtaining a yield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

And I think it’s an entirely rational decision to sacrifice principle for peonies and practical for playful because I need more than a feast for my stomach. The garden is fuel for creativity, food for thought, and salve for the soul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As much as I love wild nature, in a home garden, I am deeply drawn to the cultivated, romantic, ornate, and ordered. But is this who I want to be in the future? Will I still want to spend half my Saturday mornings studying and trying capture the play of morning light on a single flower to better see the peppering of pollen, the crenulations on the petals, and the tiny nectar drunken insects blissfully asleep after breakfast? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Yes, I think I will. <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But I also want to delve more deeply into the intellectual, categorical, and historical study that goes along with it. I want to be part of the the passionate and relentless pursuit that led plantspeople to seek and evolve plants so beautiful we can’t take our eyes off them, so fragrant we want to bath in them, and so divinely delicious we’ll wait years for a first harvest. And I want to pursue design and planting perfection even though I know they are mythical destinations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

And that’s why our snow white landscape has led me to deeper thinking on John Locke’s and the idea of Tabula Rasa. Seeing this landscape as a sheet of white paper, upon which I can design my future garden and future self, makes it much easier to imagine how this garden will help me fill in the white pages in my brain, that are ready and waiting for me to fill them fresh content from my life.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

John Locke’s ideas also deeply influenced some of the best early American gardeners including George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison (three of whom gardened in Virginia too). They all spent significant mental and physical energy devoted to imagining their landscape canvases and shaping them in ways that would influence the their human development, the experiences had by family and guests, and the course of garden history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, John Locke’s most famous contribution was his philosophical influence on the framework and language that underpins our American democracy. But Locke (like so many great philosophers) was also deeply passionate about plants. He had an extensive seed collection and exchange network. He hobnobbed with renowned botanists and kept a herbarium which he meticulously catalogued and preserved. And he actively cultivated these interests to grow in others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With more of my life behind me than ahead of me, I want to keep John Locke’s idea that “the highest perfection of intellectual nature lies in a careful and constant pursuit of true and solid happiness” ( Essay Concerning Human Understandin<\/a><\/em>g) as my target. Challenging work that forces me to learn\/adapt\/keep up with technology, gardening, reading, writing, cooking, decorating, languages, world exploration, and cultivating appreciation will continue to be my key pathways toward that ideal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Similar to the way Monet planned and planted his garden to inspire his paintings, I want to create a garden that inspires philosophical inquiry, the study of history, and technologically forward thinking. (Of course, it will offer opportunity to paint, provide inviting places for conversation on important (and sometimes frivolous) topics, and do a fair bit of meal enhancing.) And I specifically want to use this garden to shape myself into the person I want to become. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nature and nurture hold hands. We can’t become our best selves in environments which don’t support human mental and physical health. But we also can’t have those environments if we don’t cultivate the intelligence to create, maintain, and enjoy them. The intersection of these influences and how they scaffold each other is the line of inquiry I am centering this new garden adventure around. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the Backyard<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On the broader world stage, it also feels more important than ever to keep John Locke’s contributions top of mind. When we remember that our civil contract and American ideal is that government exists for the preservation of life, & liberty, & the pursuit of happiness (our inherent human rights)<\/em> — and that we all have potential to become unchained from our conditions of birth as long as civil society supports free access to opportunities to educate ourselves<\/em> — it becomes easier to hold our ground and grow ourselves in ways that will overcome any temporary tyranny trying to trump these ideals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have never been perfect in our implementation of these ideals. Abuses of power and breaking faith with the the population is a repetitive theme throughout history. Yet, if we holdfast to noble targets, and re-set our sights upon them regularly, we still move in the direction of something true and worthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tabula Rasa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Observation, sensation, and reflection are the primary architects of our thoughts, beliefs, and ultimately our destinies. What we study now, what we contemplate, what we do with our days — that input influences what kind of artists we become while creating our human realities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It may be harsh winter now, but spring is around the corner. And I am readying myself to become a new kind of gardener. Even when activity is hampered, preparation doesn’t have to wait. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first delivery of garden materials arrived just before the storm. And today, the snow has cleared, the soil is warm enough, and I am ready to start laying the groundwork for the new design. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below are some before photos of the areas I will be focusing on first. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I am using ChatGpt to help catalogue my plants, plan timing, fine tune organization. It’s also pretty good at converting photos to line drawings to help you see the bones of your landscape (or try on colors for your new chicken coop.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There will be much more to capture and catalogue here on Simplestead as the garden takes shape. But now, now it is time to act by establishing beds, readying planting areas, and getting the framework ahead of the arrival of live plants and baby chicks!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Our winter white landscape makes it all too easy to impose impossible garden dreams on this seemingly empty canvas. But this is not the blank slate it appears as now. This landscape was in a 20 year relationship with prior caretakers. Under their nurturing, it became a beautiful lawn-covered park and deer refuge, overlooking stunning […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":115001847,"featured_media":10080,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_wpcom_ai_launchpad_first_post":false,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"{title}\n\n{excerpt}\n\n{url}","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[81346],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9771","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-garden-posts"],"yoast_head":"\nTabula Rasa and the Imagined Garden - Simplestead<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?p=9771\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Tabula Rasa and the Imagined Garden - Simplestead\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Our winter white landscape makes it all too easy to impose impossible garden dreams on this seemingly empty canvas. But this is not the blank slate it appears as now. This landscape was in a 20 year relationship with prior caretakers. Under their nurturing, it became a beautiful lawn-covered park and deer refuge, overlooking stunning […]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?p=9771\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Simplestead\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Homesteadhappy\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-02-14T14:26:13+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-09-27T12:53:56+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/20240508_073757-2-1024x768.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"768\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Tasha Greer\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Tasha Greer\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"15 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/simplestead.com\\\/?p=9771#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/simplestead.com\\\/?p=9771\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Tasha Greer\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/simplestead.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/76883eedf0968c4d3b472daed1332511\"},\"headline\":\"Tabula Rasa and the Imagined Garden\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-14T14:26:13+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-09-27T12:53:56+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/simplestead.com\\\/?p=9771\"},\"wordCount\":1299,\"commentCount\":2,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/simplestead.com\\\/?p=9771#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/simplestead.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/01\\\/20240508_073757-2.jpg?fit=4080%2C3060&ssl=1\",\"articleSection\":[\"Cultivate\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/simplestead.com\\\/?p=9771#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/simplestead.com\\\/?p=9771\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/simplestead.com\\\/?p=9771\",\"name\":\"Tabula Rasa and the Imagined Garden - Simplestead\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/simplestead.com\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/simplestead.com\\\/?p=9771#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/simplestead.com\\\/?p=9771#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/simplestead.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/01\\\/20240508_073757-2.jpg?fit=4080%2C3060&ssl=1\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-14T14:26:13+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-09-27T12:53:56+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/simplestead.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/76883eedf0968c4d3b472daed1332511\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/simplestead.com\\\/?p=9771#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/simplestead.com\\\/?p=9771\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/simplestead.com\\\/?p=9771#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/simplestead.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/01\\\/20240508_073757-2.jpg?fit=4080%2C3060&ssl=1\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/simplestead.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/01\\\/20240508_073757-2.jpg?fit=4080%2C3060&ssl=1\",\"width\":4080,\"height\":3060},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/simplestead.com\\\/?p=9771#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/simplestead.com\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Tabula Rasa and the Imagined Garden\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/simplestead.com\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/simplestead.com\\\/\",\"name\":\"Simplestead\",\"description\":\"The Antidote to a Simple Life\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/simplestead.com\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/simplestead.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/76883eedf0968c4d3b472daed1332511\",\"name\":\"Tasha Greer\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/f6c34286ab0505cf4f2ae05d139ac1552d4a42617c776ef3adefebfbbb04c15a?s=96&d=identicon&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/f6c34286ab0505cf4f2ae05d139ac1552d4a42617c776ef3adefebfbbb04c15a?s=96&d=identicon&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/f6c34286ab0505cf4f2ae05d139ac1552d4a42617c776ef3adefebfbbb04c15a?s=96&d=identicon&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Tasha Greer\"},\"description\":\"I am the author of Weed-Free Gardening and Grow Your Own Spices.\",\"sameAs\":[\"http:\\\/\\\/simplestead.com\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/simplestead.com\\\/?author=115001847\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Tabula Rasa and the Imagined Garden - Simplestead","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?p=9771","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Tabula Rasa and the Imagined Garden - Simplestead","og_description":"Our winter white landscape makes it all too easy to impose impossible garden dreams on this seemingly empty canvas. But this is not the blank slate it appears as now. This landscape was in a 20 year relationship with prior caretakers. Under their nurturing, it became a beautiful lawn-covered park and deer refuge, overlooking stunning […]","og_url":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?p=9771","og_site_name":"Simplestead","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Homesteadhappy\/","article_published_time":"2026-02-14T14:26:13+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-09-27T12:53:56+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1024,"height":768,"url":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/20240508_073757-2-1024x768.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Tasha Greer","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Tasha Greer","Est. reading time":"15 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?p=9771#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?p=9771"},"author":{"name":"Tasha Greer","@id":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/#\/schema\/person\/76883eedf0968c4d3b472daed1332511"},"headline":"Tabula Rasa and the Imagined Garden","datePublished":"2026-02-14T14:26:13+00:00","dateModified":"2026-09-27T12:53:56+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?p=9771"},"wordCount":1299,"commentCount":2,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?p=9771#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/20240508_073757-2.jpg?fit=4080%2C3060&ssl=1","articleSection":["Cultivate"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?p=9771#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?p=9771","url":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?p=9771","name":"Tabula Rasa and the Imagined Garden - Simplestead","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?p=9771#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?p=9771#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/20240508_073757-2.jpg?fit=4080%2C3060&ssl=1","datePublished":"2026-02-14T14:26:13+00:00","dateModified":"2026-09-27T12:53:56+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/#\/schema\/person\/76883eedf0968c4d3b472daed1332511"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?p=9771#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?p=9771"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?p=9771#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/20240508_073757-2.jpg?fit=4080%2C3060&ssl=1","contentUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/20240508_073757-2.jpg?fit=4080%2C3060&ssl=1","width":4080,"height":3060},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?p=9771#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Tabula Rasa and the Imagined Garden"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/","name":"Simplestead","description":"The Antidote to a Simple Life","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/#\/schema\/person\/76883eedf0968c4d3b472daed1332511","name":"Tasha Greer","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f6c34286ab0505cf4f2ae05d139ac1552d4a42617c776ef3adefebfbbb04c15a?s=96&d=identicon&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f6c34286ab0505cf4f2ae05d139ac1552d4a42617c776ef3adefebfbbb04c15a?s=96&d=identicon&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f6c34286ab0505cf4f2ae05d139ac1552d4a42617c776ef3adefebfbbb04c15a?s=96&d=identicon&r=g","caption":"Tasha Greer"},"description":"I am the author of Weed-Free Gardening and Grow Your Own Spices.","sameAs":["http:\/\/simplestead.com"],"url":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?author=115001847"}]}},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paFa9w-2xB","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4596,"url":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?p=4596","url_meta":{"origin":9771,"position":0},"title":"The One Thing Every Gardener Needs","author":"Tasha Greer","date":"May 16, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Let me offer you the most important piece of advice I know to help you enhance your garden, your skills as a gardener, and your pleasure in having a garden. Create a comfortable place to sit in the garden and plant yourself there as often as you can. Increase Subliminal\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Cultivate"","block_context":{"text":"Cultivate","link":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?cat=81346"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/herb-and-spice-garden-area.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/herb-and-spice-garden-area.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/herb-and-spice-garden-area.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/herb-and-spice-garden-area.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/herb-and-spice-garden-area.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4094,"url":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?p=4094","url_meta":{"origin":9771,"position":1},"title":"Early Spring Garden","author":"Tasha Greer","date":"April 3, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Spring gardens are slow to wake. Day by day, they brighten a bit more. Blooms begin. Foliage fills in. Then one morning, you step outside and find the world transformed by life. This morning -- a blustery, cold one set against the backdrop of a bright sun -- it feels\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Inspiration"","block_context":{"text":"Inspiration","link":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?cat=107"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/white-gate.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/white-gate.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/white-gate.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/white-gate.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/white-gate.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":620,"url":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?p=620","url_meta":{"origin":9771,"position":2},"title":"How to Plan An All-Purpose Herb Garden","author":"Tasha Greer","date":"January 26, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"If you are looking for inspiration on starting an all-purpose herb garden for cooking, teas, medicine, livestock, and more -- take a look at my post over at the amazing Morning Chores homesteading reference website. https:\/\/morningchores.com\/herb-garden-planning\/ While you are there, check out a few more herb-related posts to give you\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Herbs"","block_context":{"text":"Herbs","link":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?cat=31197"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/herb-and-flower-gardening.png?fit=918%2C523&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/herb-and-flower-gardening.png?fit=918%2C523&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/herb-and-flower-gardening.png?fit=918%2C523&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/herb-and-flower-gardening.png?fit=918%2C523&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2237,"url":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?p=2237","url_meta":{"origin":9771,"position":3},"title":"Weed-Free Gardening, Superfood Gardening Summit, and More Posts Soon!","author":"Tasha Greer","date":"July 17, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Hey Everyone! I'm sorry... I disappeared again! It's been a fabulously full summer. So many amazing, unbelievable things happening! I'll be getting back to regular posts soon. But in the meantime, I wanted to give you some updates on why I've been missing in action so long. Superfood Garden Summit!\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Inspiration"","block_context":{"text":"Inspiration","link":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?cat=107"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/composite-flower-show.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/composite-flower-show.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/composite-flower-show.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/composite-flower-show.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/composite-flower-show.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3739,"url":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?p=3739","url_meta":{"origin":9771,"position":4},"title":"The Walled Garden","author":"Tasha Greer","date":"February 26, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"I've been enamored with the idea of a walled garden forever. Okay... not actually forever. It's only been since my first trip to France (over 20 years ago) when I saw how beautiful they could be. Before that, walls around yards defined property lines, increased privacy, and gave cats a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Cultivate"","block_context":{"text":"Cultivate","link":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?cat=81346"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/granite-paths-and-herb-bed.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/granite-paths-and-herb-bed.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/granite-paths-and-herb-bed.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/granite-paths-and-herb-bed.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/granite-paths-and-herb-bed.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":450,"url":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?p=450","url_meta":{"origin":9771,"position":5},"title":"The Power of a Well-Planned Potager","author":"Tasha Greer","date":"August 24, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Do you want your garden to produce food even with 4 weeks of neglect in extreme heat and dry weather? Then plant a well-planned potager garden.","rel":"","context":"In "potager"","block_context":{"text":"potager","link":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?cat=1070496"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/potager-flowers.jpg?fit=1123%2C611&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/potager-flowers.jpg?fit=1123%2C611&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/potager-flowers.jpg?fit=1123%2C611&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/potager-flowers.jpg?fit=1123%2C611&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/potager-flowers.jpg?fit=1123%2C611&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/20240508_073757-2.jpg?fit=4080%2C3060&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9771","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/115001847"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=9771"}],"version-history":[{"count":82,"href":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9771\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10980,"href":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9771\/revisions\/10980"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/10080"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9771"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9771"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9771"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}