Sow and Grow

The journey from seed to harvest

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  • Battling the Harlequin Bug in My Garden

    Hello, fellow garden enthusiasts! Today, I want to share an unexpected encounter I had while inspecting my garden on this cool, rainy day. As I was admiring the remnants of my broccoli plant, I stumbled upon a bug I had never seen before.

    Curious, I turned to Google Lens for help, and it identified the insect as a harlequin bug. According to my research, this bug is definitely a foe in the garden world!

    Its cool in zone 7b…I thought dangerous bug season was over!!

    I found the harlequin bug on a broccoli plant that had been struggling but was attempting to regrow. I knew I needed to act quickly, especially since the same pests could harm my sweet potato plants nearby.

    Using Captain Jack’s Insecticidal Soap, I treated the affected broccoli plant. I also carefully plucked the harlequin bug and placed it in the soapy water to ensure it wouldn’t harm any other plants.

    To prevent further issues, I relocated the affected plant away from my sweet potatoes. This experience has reminded me of the importance of regularly inspecting our plants and being proactive in pest management.

    Have you encountered harlequin bugs or other garden pests? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below!

    Thanks for reading!! 🪴 Sow and Grow!

  • My Ideal Home

    What does your ideal home look like?

    For me, the dream begins with a two-car garage. It’s not just about parking space, but about having room for projects, storage, and maybe even a cozy corner for gardening tools or holiday decorations. It feels like a little extra breathing room for life’s odds and ends.

    Then there’s the wraparound porch — oh, how I’ve always loved the thought of it! I can imagine quiet mornings sipping coffee while the world wakes up, or evenings with a gentle breeze and the sound of crickets in the background. A porch like that isn’t just part of a house; it’s an invitation to slow down, sit a while, and enjoy the moment.

    Inside, I picture three bedrooms and two bathrooms — simple, comfortable, and just enough space for family and guests. I’d want each room to feel welcoming, like a space where people can truly relax and feel at home.

    And then, a loft. There’s something about lofts that makes me smile. They feel a little whimsical, like a secret getaway tucked inside the house. I imagine using mine as a reading nook, a quiet retreat where I could curl up with a book and a blanket, surrounded by soft light.

    My ideal home doesn’t have to be fancy or perfect, but it would be a reflection of what matters most to me: comfort, warmth, and a place where memories are made.

  • Tomato Season’s End & An Unexpected Find😌

    I think my tomatoes are pretty much done for the season. It’s been a battle against blight, and I’ve accepted that it’s time to clear out the bed. But as I was pulling plants today, I had a first in all my years of gardening — I found not one, but two tomato hornworms!

    She gave me a few good tomatoes 🍅

    One of them was covered in what looked like wasp eggs (nature taking care of business), and the other was just hanging on for dear life. I decided not to kill the lone survivor. Instead, I’m going to wait and see if it blossoms into the hawk moth (beneficial to gardens). Sometimes the garden still has surprises to offer, even at the end of a season.

    Happy Gardening 💕 Sow and Grow

  • 👮🏾‍♀️Trouble in Tomato Town 😧

    Good morning, gardeners!

    There’s trouble in Tomato Town, and I thought I’d give y’all the scoop.

    I stepped out into the garden this morning, eager to check on my tomato plants, and what did I find? A tiny little worm—barely there, but suspicious enough to raise my eyebrows. Could it be the start of a tomato hornworm invasion? I’m not sure, but I will inspecting for telltale signs more frequently!!

    The worm and the leaf he was on (the holes and the poo telltale signs of its presence)

    To make matters more interesting, we’re dealing with a bit of blight. I’m not sure where it’s coming from—it could be drifting down from the string beans or creeping up from the soil. Either way, I’ve sprayed a fungicide. I’ve also been clipping the affected leaves and stems off. Hopefully we’ll nip it in the bud.

    The black spots surrounded by yellowing is blight

    One side effect I’ve noticed: the flowers are blooming beautifully, but they’re not producing fruit. Instead, they’re yellowing at the stems and dropping off. I suspect the blight might be to blame for this flower drop. It’s definitely a head-scratcher, but that’s how things are shaping up in Tomato World today.

    The tainted buds

    I’ll keep y’all posted on how things go. In the meantime, happy growing—and may your tomatoes stay pest-free and full of fruit!

    Keep Sowing and Growing y’all!

    Raquel 🌿

  • 🌿A Garden’s Ups and Downs: One Watermelon Lost, Two Sunflowers Gained 🌻🍉

    Good morning, friends!

    Today brought both a travesty and a triumph in the garden.

    This morning, I discovered that one of the watermelons had dropped off the vine—just gone! I’m thinking the strong winds from yesterday’s storm may have been the culprit. It’s always a little disheartening to lose something you’ve been nurturing, especially when it seemed to be coming along so well.



    But nature has a way of balancing things out. I also woke up to two blooming sunflowers! What a beautiful surprise. I absolutely love sunflowers—their bold, golden faces always lift my spirit. I can’t wait to see the full range of colors from this particular variety. They’re already lighting up the garden with joy.

    That’s the rhythm of gardening, isn’t it? Some days bring losses, others bring little miracles. Over in the watermelon patch, there are still two strong melons hanging on and even more flowers popping up. So there’s still hope for another sweet harvest.

    Just another day in my gardening world. 🌱

    Happy growing, y’all.
    — Raquel 🌻

    😊😌

  • From Garden to Table: Dishes Im Dreaming Up

    What foods would you like to make?

    There’s something special about walking through my garden and thinking, “What can I make with this?” As things begin to ripen and fill out—tomatoes, green beans, herbs, and more—I find myself dreaming up all kinds of fresh dishes I’d love to try.

    Here are a few meals and snacks on my garden-inspired wish list:

    🍅 Fresh Tomato Salad – Sliced tomatoes with basil, olive oil, and a sprinkle of sea salt.

    🧈 Herb Butter – Chopped parsley, dill, and thyme mixed into soft butter for fresh bread.

    🫘 Garlic Green Beans – Crisp-tender beans tossed in garlic and a splash of lemon juice.

    🫑 Pickled Peppers – A little tangy, a little spicy, perfect for topping sandwiches or snacking.

    🥒 Cucumber Water or Salad – So cooling and light on a hot summe


    I haven’t made all of these yet, but just imagining them is part of the joy. The garden isn’t just for growing—it’s for inspiring what happens in my kitchen, too.

    What are you making from your garden right now? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear your ideas and favorite summer recipes!

    Happy harvesting and happy cooking,
    Raquel 🌿
    Sow and Grow

  • “Trouble in Tomato town — Dealing with Blossom End Rot”😒

    It’s been a beautiful season in the garden, but my tomatoes have hit a bump in the road—blossom end rot. If you’ve experienced it, you know how disappointing it is to see those dark, sunken spots appear just as your tomatoes start to ripen

    From what I’ve learned, blossom end rot is often caused by a calcium deficiency or an issue with how calcium is absorbed due to watering inconsistencies or imbalanced soil. So now I’m at the point where I need to dig a little deeper—literally.

    I picked up a product that’s supposed to help, but I’m holding off on using it until I test my soil. I want to make sure I’m treating the right problem and not just guessing.

    Soil testing feels like a big next step in my gardening journey, and I’m actually excited about it. It’s one more way I can learn and take better care of my plants.

    Have any of you dealt with blossom end rot? Did soil testing help you get to the root of the problem? I’d love to hear how you tackled it—and what worked (or didn’t).

    Until next time, I’ll be out in the garden, learning, growing, and trying to give my tomatoes their best shot.

    Happy growing, 
    Raquel 🌿 
    *Sow and Grow*

    The product im going to try, after I test my soil.
    Blossom end rot. These poor tomatoes didn’t stand a chance.

  • 🌱 A Buzz Of Hope In My Green Bean Patch

    Hello friends! 🧚🏽‍♂️

    I just had to share a little gardening joy with you today. Over the past few weeks, my green bean plants have been full of beautiful blossoms—so many flowers, but not a single bean in sight. I’ll admit, I started to wonder if something was wrong. Was I watering too much? Not enough? Were my beans just feeling shy?

    But this morning, something amazing happened. As I made my usual walk through the garden, I saw a tiny miracle in motion: a couple of busy bees, happily buzzing around my green bean patch! 🐝✨

    Pollinators had finally arrived, and I could’ve danced with joy. I took a closer look—and guess what? Tiny green bean sprouts have started to appear! It’s such a beautiful reminder that sometimes, nature just needs a little time… and a little help from our pollinator friends.

    So if you’re waiting on your plants to bear fruit—don’t give up hope. Keep watering, keep watching, and trust that your garden is doing its quiet work.

    Happy growing!🪴

    Raquel from Sow and Grow

  • From Buckets to Blossom: My Gardening Journey 🪴



    🪴 Sow and Grow

    Hi friends,

    I’m so excited to share a bit more about my gardening journey with you. It’s hard to believe it’s been about four years since I first dipped my hands into the soil and started growing things. Back then, I didn’t have raised beds, garden plots, or even a plan—I just had a few buckets and a big dream.

    I remember lining up those plastic buckets on my little patio, filling them with soil, and planting whatever seeds or seedlings I could get my hands on. Tomatoes, peppers, herbs—you name it, I tried it. And to my surprise, they grew! Not perfectly, not all at once, but enough to spark something in me. There’s something so satisfying about watching a tiny seed grow into something you can actually eat or enjoy. 🌿

    Over the years, I’ve learned through trial and error (and a few YouTube videos!) what works best for me. I still love container gardening—it’s great for small spaces—but I’ve also branched out into beds and planters as my space and confidence have grown.

    A few of my favorite gardening products that I always reach for:

    🪴 Good bagged soil – which I enrich with Gardentone (my fav😊 I use it in all of my pots and beds

    🐞Captain Jacks Deadbug (and also his Insecticidal Super Soap) – my go-to for pest control.

    🥔 Grow bags – perfect for root veggies like potatoes and carrots.

    💧 A good watering wand – makes a big difference on hot days.


    Gardening has taught me patience, joy, and even a few life lessons. It’s become more than a hobby—it’s a quiet sanctuary, a creative outlet, and sometimes even my therapy. 😊

    Whether you’re working with a backyard or just a few buckets on a balcony, I hope my story encourages you to keep growing—wherever you are.

    Happy planting,
    🌸 Raquel
    Sow and Grow❤️

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