The hottest Gardening Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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A Perfect Autumn Sweetheart Cassoulet

Kate Hill's Gascon Year Journals • 1278 implied HN points • 26 Oct 24
🍲 Food & Drink Gardening
  1. Fall is full of delicious pumpkins and squashes, which can inspire various tasty dishes. They are popular in the markets and can be used in soups, stews, and even stuffed dishes.
  2. A special type of cassoulet using pumpkin has become a cozy meal for chilly days. This Sweetheart Cassoulet combines the warmth of traditional cassoulet with the sweetness of pumpkin.
  3. It's easy to get creative in the kitchen with seasonal ingredients. Using leftover ingredients can lead to new, tasty meals that celebrate the flavors of autumn.

Homesteading: Mason Jars Mania

Who is Robert Malone • 25 implied HN points • 18 Mar 26
🍲 Food & Drink Gardening
  1. A simple sealed Mason jar completely changed home food preservation by turning seasonal surplus into reliable, year‑round food and boosting household resilience.
  2. Home canning lets you avoid many industrial preservatives and gives you more control over food quality; jars quickly become central, reused tools that multiply faster than you expect.
  3. “Maintenance‑free” landscaping often fails, so it’s better to accept some work and build a living, no‑till kitchen garden with compost and cover crops to produce real food.

Substack Reads: The business of air miles, Bowie’s favorite books, and cold compost

read • 16116 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
💼 Business Gardening
  1. Frequent-flier point programs were initially designed for occasional free flights, but evolved into turbo-charged schemes for travelers to earn points quickly.
  2. Weighing ingredients in cooking can make a big difference in recipes, especially in baked goods, where even small variations can impact the final texture and taste.
  3. During winter, composting slows down as decomposition rates decrease, signalling a time for compost piles to rest and wait for the warmer season for active decomposition.

Homesteading: Small Wonders

Who is Robert Malone • 22 implied HN points • 09 Mar 26
🍲 Food & Drink Gardening
  1. Spring gardening is in full swing — seedlings started in hydroponics and under lights are being hardened off, transplanted, and protected from frost with netting and the greenhouse. Sturdy homemade tomato cages beat flimsy store-bought ones, and cherry tomatoes are easy to freeze for storage.
  2. Animal care and seasonal chores dominate daily life, from removing stock-tank heaters and managing horse blankets to pruning fruit trees and tending emus, geese, and chickens. Egg production is back and stored produce and meat are being used up and preserved for the year.
  3. Small, unexpected moments of wonder — like a bobcat running alongside a horse on a forest ride — bring joy and make the ongoing work of homesteading feel meaningful.

Idea gardens

Austin Kleon • 3976 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Gardening
  1. Creative ideas grow like plants, and they take time to develop. Just like gardening, you need to nurture your ideas to see them flourish.
  2. Not every idea will succeed, and that's okay. Some ideas might not grow well or will need more attention as you work on them.
  3. It's important to revisit your ideas over time. By looking back at your creations, you can see what ideas are worth pursuing and what needs to be pruned away.
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Activist Exhaustion and Monty Don

The View from Rural Missouri by Jess Piper • 2567 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Gardening
  1. Sometimes taking a break from activism to engage in a calming activity like gardening can help rejuvenate and refocus your mind.
  2. Engaging in gardening or similar activities can be a form of work that brings peace and joy, without the stress of politics or activism.
  3. Finding moments of beauty and relief in nature through gardening can provide a sense of sustenance and rejuvenation amidst the challenges of activism.

More ideas from the garden

Austin Kleon • 2857 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Gardening
  1. Sometimes, taking a little from others can lead to beautiful growth, just like how clippings can sprout into new plants.
  2. It's hard to tell at first if a new idea is good or bad, like wondering if a weed will become a flower - you have to wait and see.
  3. Great things can come from messy situations; even a tiny seed can become a beautiful tree if given the right conditions.

November 2023 Newsletter

David Lebovitz Newsletter • 4284 implied HN points • 01 Nov 23
🍲 Food & Drink Gardening
  1. The newsletter discusses the tension in Jerusalem and the importance of listening to different perspectives.
  2. Bakers and aid workers play crucial roles in providing food to those in need.
  3. The author shares personal insights on gardening, making hot sauce, and preparing for the winter season.

October 2023 newsletter

David Lebovitz Newsletter • 4363 implied HN points • 01 Oct 23
🍲 Food & Drink Gardening
  1. The author missed writing the September newsletter but enjoyed taking a break in Sicily.
  2. In France, 'Non' doesn't mean being rude; it's about valuing personal time like vacation and work-life balance.
  3. When dining in France, tipping is not mandatory as service is included in the price, but leaving a little extra for good service is appreciated.

What's New: Canning, Quick Hydroponics, and More

OK Doomer • 96 implied HN points • 05 Feb 26
🍲 Food & Drink Gardening
  1. The project turns prepping and homesteading into simple, accessible steps so people can prepare affordably and practically where they live.
  2. Recent additions include canning and quick hydroponics, with expanded sections and upcoming DIY solar cooker guides, all collected in a growing downloadable illustrated PDF.
  3. The guide is evolving and community-driven, welcoming reader input and supported by donations and subscriptions to keep updates coming.

Grow Herbs, not Vegetables

Life Since the Baby Boom • 1844 implied HN points • 13 Jul 25
🍲 Food & Drink Gardening
  1. Growing herbs at home is more convenient than buying fresh herbs from the store. You can always have the flavors you need ready to go for your meals.
  2. Vegetables may be expensive and time-consuming to grow for small amounts, especially if you don’t like them. Stick to herbs that provide better taste and are easy to maintain.
  3. Herbs like basil, rosemary, and thyme often thrive well and can enhance your cooking, making it more satisfying than growing less useful veggies.

A Place For All Your Garden Questions (and All Your Garden Wisdom)

Culture Study • 1102 implied HN points • 08 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Gardening
  1. There's a new space for anyone to share garden questions and experiences. You can talk about plant problems, successes, or gardening tips with others.
  2. The initiative started as a side project to share gardening energy and tips without taking away time from actual gardening.
  3. It's important to keep the space positive and respectful, making it a fun place for everyone to discuss their gardening adventures.

Survival Illustrated: We're at 90 Pages

OK Doomer • 141 implied HN points • 11 Jan 26
🚌 Education Gardening
  1. A 90-page PDF of the project is now available with new sections like seed saving and pest management, and the layout has been formalized in InDesign to improve appearance and make printing easier.
  2. The author is moving into sanitation and plans to add more detail on additional crops and batteries, and they’re asking readers for suggestions and typo reports.
  3. They’re planning a ~150-page micro-guide for print by spring covering planting, foraging, rain harvesting, food storage and preservation, emergency sanitation, and basic solar setups, and may release updated print editions annually with an optional dedication page for supporters.

How to Eat Weeds

OK Doomer • 144 implied HN points • 01 Jan 26
🍲 Food & Drink Gardening
  1. Many common weeds are edible and packed with nutrients, so they can supplement your diet in an emergency or simply help lower grocery bills.
  2. You can both forage wild weeds and grow them yourself, so it pays to start learning and preparing seedlings before spring.
  3. There are detailed guides, experts, and online resources that cover more edible plants and their medicinal uses if you want to learn more.

Back to The Wilderness

Points And Figures • 1092 implied HN points • 26 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Gardening
  1. The author shares his nostalgic visits to his family's cabin in Minnesota, highlighting the long-standing connection to the place.
  2. He recalls the challenges of staying connected while living in the woods, including the evolution from no electricity to having modern comforts.
  3. The author reflects on family memories and traditions, especially the love for gardening and the significance of planting trees that honor his family.

Prepping, in an Apartment?

OK Doomer • 99 implied HN points • 05 Jan 26
🍲 Food & Drink Gardening
  1. You can grow useful food in an apartment — microgreens, herbs, and small containers add real nutrition and flavor without much space.
  2. Small-scale systems like grow closets and flexible solar panels make urban growing more reliable and let you expand even in tight spaces.
  3. Practical care matters: watch container weight on railings, use drip pans and spill mats, and avoid standing water to prevent mold and damage.

A Garden in the Desert

Caravanserai with Samantha Childress • 628 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🏝 Travel Gardening
  1. Moving to a new place can surprise you with unexpected weather and surroundings.
  2. A garden can offer a peaceful oasis with the opportunity to grow fresh produce and connect with nature.
  3. Patience is essential when tending a garden as it takes time for the plants and lawn to grow and flourish.

The thing that sticks out

Austin Kleon • 2098 implied HN points • 09 May 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Gardening
  1. It's important to know what to keep in your work and what to remove. Sometimes, cutting out parts you love can help your overall project grow better.
  2. You can take pieces from your creative work, like plant cuttings, and use them in new ways. This allows you to explore fresh ideas or directions.
  3. Giving things time to settle before you repurpose them can make a big difference. Just like letting cuttings dry before replanting, patience is key in creating something new.

Well Being: Broccoli, A True Superfood

Who is Robert Malone • 22 implied HN points • 04 Feb 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Gardening
  1. Broccoli — especially young broccoli sprouts — is a top source of glucoraphanin that converts into sulforaphane, a signaling compound that turns on the body’s detox, antioxidant, and cell‑regulation systems and may lower cancer risk over time.
  2. That conversion needs the enzyme myrosinase, which cooking often destroys, so eating raw sprouts, pairing cooked broccoli with mustard (or using supplements that include myrosinase) improves how much sulforaphane your body actually gets.
  3. Growing organic broccoli sprouts at home is easy and gives you a very concentrated, low‑residue source of these protective compounds that are best eaten raw or added after cooking to preserve their benefits.

Inside the Dahlia Wars

Culture Study • 3103 implied HN points • 03 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Gardening
  1. Dahlias have a rich history and diverse range of varieties, making them popular among collectors for their beauty and unique characteristics.
  2. The dahlia community faces challenges like disease control, competition for rare varieties, and shifting norms around pricing and ownership.
  3. There is a growing trend among millennials to turn hobbies, like dahlia growing, into side hustles, reflecting a desire for productive and monetized leisure activities.

An Illustrated Guide to Growing Food

OK Doomer • 74 implied HN points • 15 Dec 25
🍲 Food & Drink Gardening
  1. A detailed illustrated guide to growing food and survival is being developed. It’s already over 40 pages and will have a print edition.
  2. The current pages cover basic food gardening techniques and include sample fruit and vegetable profiles that will be expanded.
  3. Planned additions include how to set up solar-powered and manual pumps to move water through a garden, followed by sections on urban gardening methods and strategies.

Early-Spring Outsiders

Into the Hedge • 119 implied HN points • 19 Apr 24
🍲 Food & Drink Gardening
  1. The farm received help from friends and family to prepare for an expanding bird operation, showing the importance of community support in running Hedgerider.
  2. Moon the goose is thriving despite being alone, showing resilience in animals and the efforts taken to keep her company.
  3. Garlic Mustard, an early-Spring plant considered invasive, can be a tasty and nutritious food source when harvested correctly, showcasing the potential of wild edibles.

The Monday Media Diet with Meg Daly

Why is this interesting? • 482 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🍲 Food & Drink Gardening
  1. A media diet doesn't just mean consuming less media; it means being picky about where you get your information. Look for sources that report facts without pushing an agenda.
  2. Reading can be more rewarding when you choose bestsellers, as they often have wide appeal. This way, you're more likely to enjoy what you read.
  3. Cooking can bring people together and create lasting memories. Sharing good meals and laughter around the dinner table is a cherished experience.

Homesteading: December Dreaming

Who is Robert Malone • 22 implied HN points • 30 Dec 25
🍲 Food & Drink Gardening
  1. Running a small farm means training employees and setting clear routines so things keep running smoothly when you travel.
  2. Winter brings special chores and setbacks—watching animals for cold-related illness, fixing broken equipment, and getting beds prepped and bulbs planted for spring.
  3. Managing animals and produce is both rewarding and hands-on: use stored harvests to feed livestock, adjust breeding and sales strategies, and accept wildlife as part of a healthy ecosystem.

Paid content: Parables for pruning an apple tree

Wood From Eden • 336 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
🍲 Food & Drink Gardening
  1. Pruning an apple tree is important for its health and growth. It helps the tree produce better fruit and stay strong.
  2. There are techniques to prune effectively that can improve the overall structure of the tree. Learning these can make caring for a tree easier.
  3. Knowing when and how to prune is key to successful gardening. Timing your pruning can lead to the best results for your apple tree.

The Of of Of

Opaque Hourglass • 259 implied HN points • 22 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Gardening
  1. Haiku poems emphasize the power of silence and the impact of what is left unsaid.
  2. Writing a haiku requires appreciating the importance of silence and mastering the art of restraint in words.
  3. The difficulty in creating a good haiku lies in the challenge of balancing what is said and what is left unsaid.

Summer is the explosion of fruit while caterpillars are the explosion of juice

Soaring Twenties • 92 implied HN points • 30 Jul 25
🍲 Food & Drink Gardening
  1. Summer is a time for fresh fruits, like tomatoes, which require a lot of attention to grow well. It’s a rewarding experience to grow your own food.
  2. Hunting for caterpillars on plants can be a fun and engaging task, helping to protect the crops. Keeping an eye on pests is important for a successful garden.
  3. Making salsa is not just about following a strict recipe; it’s about enjoying the process and the flavors that come together from fresh ingredients. Cooking can be a joyful and creative activity.

Stolen plants always grow

Austin Kleon • 919 implied HN points • 22 Apr 22
🎭️ Culture Gardening
  1. Plants taken from their original spot can still grow and thrive. This shows that sometimes, taking a chance can lead to something positive.
  2. Many myths exist around publishing and what it takes to succeed. It's important to separate fact from fiction in the industry.
  3. Life after fame can be challenging for pop stars. Some find that the attention they craved comes with heavy burdens and unexpected changes.

Homesteading: And then there were two

Who is Robert Malone • 21 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
🍲 Food & Drink Gardening
  1. Having a companion for animals, like Gizmo the emu, can make a big difference in their happiness. Getting Joey the male emu was a great choice to keep Gizmo company.
  2. Emus have interesting social behaviors and can establish a pecking order. Gizmo is the boss around Joey, but they seem to get along well without fighting.
  3. Growing food on a homestead takes planning, like planting garlic and vegetables. The greenhouse is doing well, and there's promise for future harvests.

Paid content: Packing the spring box

Wood From Eden • 240 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🍲 Food & Drink Gardening
  1. Packing a spring box is an important task for preparing for the season. It involves organizing and storing supplies that will help with gardening and planting.
  2. Creating a rational vegetable garden can lead to better productivity and more enjoyable gardening experiences. Planning ahead and using resources wisely is key.
  3. Paid subscriptions can provide access to special content that dives deeper into gardening topics. This can help gardeners learn more and improve their skills.

Want to Grow Your Own Food During The Apocalypse? Sound like Fun?

OK Doomer • 139 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🍲 Food & Drink Gardening
  1. Many people think they can't grow food, but that's not true. With persistence and experience, anyone can start a garden.
  2. Starting a garden helps with sustainability and can lower grocery bills. Even city dwellers can grow food in small spaces.
  3. The real challenge often comes from local rules and the opinions of others. It's important to start now and gain experience, even if it feels tough.

How To Grow Your Seeds

Adapt : Survive : Prevail • 58 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🍲 Food & Drink Gardening
  1. Any seed can be sown outdoors at the right time, except for Echinacea.
  2. If you prefer to start seeds indoors, ensure a warm, sunny location or use lights and a heat mat.
  3. Sunflowers, summer squash, and winter squash are best directly sown, but can be transplanted with CowPots to minimize root disturbance.

Why gardening is my religion

The Recovering Academic • 197 implied HN points • 11 Oct 22
🍲 Food & Drink Gardening
  1. Consider exploring the 'why' behind your actions, as it can provide anchoring and clarity in challenging times.
  2. Gardening can be a sustainable practice as it promotes local food production and reduces energy consumption from transportation and storage.
  3. Gardening can offer a sense of belonging, connect you to your roots, and become a meaningful ritual for homemaking and honoring the land.

Homesteading: Pig Weed cometh

Who is Robert Malone • 13 implied HN points • 20 Nov 25
🍲 Food & Drink Gardening
  1. Pigweed is a big problem for farmers because it has become resistant to many herbicides, making it hard to control. It thrives in compacted, nitrogen-rich soil and can produce a lot of seeds, which add to the issue.
  2. The new miniature cows on the farm are adorable and require special care to help them grow strong. It's also a challenge to manage pigweed stickers that can be harmful to both people and animals.
  3. Bananas used to taste a lot better than they do now because of the switch from the Gros Michel variety to Cavendish. Many plants are being replaced due to diseases, which could change the banana market again in the future.