Congratulations to all the mums and grandmothers around the world on Mother’s Day. ❤️ This Sunday turned out to be really lovely this year. In the morning the kids brought me flowers, which already made the day feel special. But what surprised me the most was something their teachers had prepared at school. Each teacher … More A Slow and Lovely Mother’s Day
I got busy potting out my tomatoes. And yes… I did it the way I always do — sowing them all together in one container instead of carefully placing one seed per pot like a more patient gardener probably would. I know the “right” way. One seed, one pot, neat and simple. But somehow I … More Potting Out Tomatoes and Seeding Flowers
We planted 350 strawberries. Yes—three hundred and fifty! My in-laws decided it was time to start a new strawberry field, and suddenly there we were, with boxes of tiny plants waiting to go into the ground. It sounded exciting… until we stepped outside. It was freezing. Only +8°C, but the wind made it feel much … More One Freezing Day, 350 Strawberries
I was lucky enough to spent some time with Līga from Cēsis Medieval Castle garden. It was two-hour lecture about raised beds and kitchen gardening and seed swap. It all happend in Gulbenes Library. And somehow, it felt like a piece of the Cēsis Medieval Castles kitchen garden had travelled to us. Līga Eglīte’s kitchen … More A Medieval Castle Garden Came to Gulbene
The raised beds are ready. Weeded, mulched, and quietly waiting — just like me. Now it’s that in-between time where everything looks prepared, but not much is happening yet. The sun teases a little, but I know better. The last frost here usually lingers until late May, and anything not frost-tolerant still has to wait. … More Waiting for Warmth
The 100th day of the year has its own quiet rule in Latvian garden — peas go into the soil. No discussions, no overthinking, no checking the forecast for the tenth time. No matter what, the peas are going in. Some years the ground is still a bit cold, some years it’s perfectly ready. It … More Peas Go In on the 100th Day
Last week was full of outdoor work. It felt like the garden was slowly waking up after winter. At the beginning of the week there was still plenty of snow around. It’s always funny how quickly things change at this time of year — one day everything is white, and a few days later you’re … More Cleaning the Greenhouse and Starting the First Seeds Outdoors
The weather outside is getting colder, and the days are starting to feel shorter. Autumn is slowly settling in, and I’ve been preparing myself for the usual quiet of the garden as the season changes. But today I had a lovely surprise. Some say that when the weather gets colder and colder, zucchini stops producing—but … More A Surprise in the Garden
I went to the garden and collected a few new beetroots and carrots – regular ones and purple ones. We had potatoes together with chicken legs; they made a hearty dinner. It’s such a rainy and cold day outside… perfect for staying cozy inside with comfort food. Jānis brought me a cinnamon roll, and the … More Vacation Day 25 – Rainy Garden Harvest and Cozy Evening
At night was heavenly—but not in the way you might think. The rain came down in a steady, soothing drizzle, and the air felt cool and damp, like the first whispers of autumn. Roads suffered… again. This morning—or perhaps more accurately, early afternoon, since we woke up late it was sunny! I went out with … More Vacation Day 21 – A Wet, Autumn-Like Evening
Finally, the tractor arrived to collect the hay we had mowed. Here, there’s a law that hay must be properly cleared from the meadows — you can’t just mow and leave it on the ground. So it was such a joy to see the hay being gathered, dried, and then rolled into neat bales! The … More Vacation Day 19 – Hay, Zucchini, and a Busy Yard
The morning started in the coziest way possible — after breakfast I took my coffe in bed. Jānis drove to the Gulbene to by some stuff for renovation and I was sipping my “morning” coffee (around 2PM😅). Jānis took out the package from Omniva, and my fabrics, threads, and zippers from a lovely little fabric … More Vacation Day 7: Fabric Delivery, Garden Tasks & a Full Moon Walk
Every summer, like clockwork, my mother-in-law’s garden bursts into full bloom—vibrant colors, lush greenery, and a sense of calm that only a well-established garden can bring. And every summer, I walk through it feeling just a little bit… jealous. Not in a bitter way. More in the way a beginner artist admires a masterpiece. Her … More A Walk Through My Mother-in-Law’s Blooming Garden
Today I finally sat down and spent an entire hour replying to all the blog comments I’ve been meaning to answer for days. I truly didn’t expect it to take so long, but reading your thoughts, memories, and kind words always makes me feel like I’m catching up with old friends. Thank you for taking … More Catching Up & A Cry for Help
I just realised it’s the last day of June!!!!June brought steady rain and moments of celebration — a month of quiet wins and the familiar chaos of real life. Here’s a look back at the goals I set at the start of the month and what we managed to accomplish. But first June gallery! How the June … More What We Achieved in June
When it comes to making a ziedu vainags (flower crown), you don’t need wire, thread, string, or tape. Nature gives us everything we need. With just wildflowers and smilgas (bentgrass or other strong wild grass), you can make a crown that stays firm, holds its shape beautifully, and brings joy both in midsummer and long … More Make your own Flower Crown!
Yesterday was one of those rare days that felt like a gift. The sun finally made an appearance after a month of grey skies and drizzle. I didn’t even realize how much I had missed it until I stepped outside and felt its warmth on my face. And yes—believe it or not—I even got a … More A Sunny Day and Nature’s Goodies
I finally did it—I planted and seeded the furrows. This year I have 4! It’s ridiculously late in the season, I know. Normally by now, the garden would already be showing signs of life, and I’d be sharing photos of sprouting rows or eating baby carrots! But this year… this year has been strange. It … More Late Seeds, Soaked Soil, and a Bit of Hope
This weekend felt like a little celebration—I finally planted out the monthly strawberries I grew from seed earlier this year! Watching them grow from tiny specks in the soil (it takes a lot of patience; they grow slowly) to strong little plants has been a gratifying process. These aren’t your usual garden strawberries; they’re monthly … More Planting Out Our Homegrown Strawberries 🍓
Saturday night turned into early morning. I couldn’t fall asleep—wide awake until 4AM. Maybe it was the full moon, maybe it was the one cup of cola I had (and I never drink caffeine!), or maybe just life’s current chaos, but sleep simply wouldn’t come. I had restless legs, and I stepped outside, thinking some … More 4AM: Can’t believe my eyes
As you know, I ended up with almost 100 tomatoes by accident…. I was so ready for tomato season—so ready to get my hands into the soil, to watch those little green plants thrive. But reality had other plans. We lost about half of our tomatoes. It started with the weather. It’s been so cold—unusually … More Garden Diary: I Lost Half of My Tomatoes…
I can’t recall a spring quite like this one—so cold for so long! These past few weeks have felt more like late March than May, and it’s starting to wear on me. By now, I’d normally be busy in the new garden (at least in the greenhouse), hands in the soil, finally planting out my … More A Cold Spring and Tomato Troubles
May brings fresh energy and blooming beginnings. This month, I’m focusing on garden tasks, creative projects, and grounding routines like journaling in my grimoire. With no big renovation plans (maybe just the bathroom…), I’m choosing to slow down, reflect, and enjoy the rhythm of spring—especially with Nelle turning thirteen! … More May Goals & Intentions
A 100 km trip for new trees brought more than just magnolia and cherry saplings—it stirred memories of last spring and a surprising sadness for a once joyful place. Now, with soil under my nails and hope in my heart, I plant anyway. … More A Spring Trip for Trees
A few weeks ago, I decided it was finally time to sew some radishes. It wasn’t a big, planned-out gardening moment—more like a spontaneous little joy. I looked at one of our circular raised beds and thought, “Why not make it a bit more fun?” So instead of planting in straight rows, I made a … More A Spiral of Radishes
Today’s post will be a bit longer. I love being back to nature and enjoying its wild bounty, like nettles, which offer both nourishment and healing, reminding me of the incredible gifts the earth provides. While most people rush to get rid of nettles, I welcome them—especially this time of year. Today, I went into … More Nettles – My Springtime Secret Weapon
Spring has arrived—or at least, that’s what the past few days wanted us to believe. The sun finally broke through, the air warmed up to a delightful +14°C (57F), even reaching +16°C (60F) in the afternoon. It felt like a reward after the long, dark winter. Birds sang louder, the soil softened, and the first … More The False Spring and the Inevitable Frost
March passed quickly, and while I didn’t have official goals, plenty still happened! Now that April is here, it’s time to focus on what’s ahead. Spring is in full swing, which means more outdoor work, gardening, and home projects. Here’s what I’m aiming for this month: Home & Renovation Gardening & Outdoor Work Family & … More April Goals & Intentions
March flew by in a blur, and while I never set official goals for the month, plenty still happened! Looking back, I realize that even without a plan, we made solid progress in different areas—home, garden, and personal life. So, let’s go through what we actually got done in March! Let’s start with the gallery … More What We Achieved in March
Last autumn (see here: https://latvianmom.com/2024/10/27/planting-tulips-and-daffodils-our-winter-greenhouse-experiment/), we planted tulip bulbs in terracotta pots and left them in the greenhouse (see here: https://latvianmom.com/2025/02/17/bringing-winter-into-the-greenhouse/), curious to see if they would sprout earlier than those in the garden. With winter behind us, we almost forgot about them—until about two weeks ago, when we spotted the first green shoots breaking … More Update on Our Tulip Experiment: A Surprise in the Greenhouse!
I was ready to sit down and reflect on my intentions—only to realize I never made any for March! Life has been busy, and somehow, March slipped right past me. But that just means it’s the perfect time to go back and review what I had planned for February. Let’s see how things went! I … More Looking Back at February’s Goals (Because I Skipped March…)
Remember this post? Yesterday, I finally made time (though I had absolutely no will) to prick out the tomatoes. It was one of those tasks I kept putting off, but I powered through… and now I have around 120 tomato plants. That’s 100 too many. I only need about 20—some for my garden, and maybe … More The Great Tomato Overpopulation of 2025
I had already seeded enough tomatoes for this season, so when I found an old packet of seeds—expired four years ago—I was ready to throw it away. They were so old, I didn’t even think they had a chance. But at the last moment, I thought, Why not? and decided to plant them in the … More A Tomato Surprise: The Ones I Almost Threw Away…
At the end of January, I sowed many seeds — tucking them into soil-filled water bottles, leaving nature to do its magic. Now, as the days grow longer and the sun climbs higher, it’s time to check on them. The bottles have been sitting outside, exposed to cold, snow, and rain. Their lids off, letting … More Waiting for Nature’s Touch
I don’t know where to start. Lately, life feels heavy. The flu, the renovation, dentist appointments, leaving the rented flat, and endless to-do lists leave me stretched thin. Some days, it’s hard to believe things will get better. I’m trying to accept that it’s okay to feel this way — to let the hard days … More Holding On Through Hard Days
It’s happening—my first cucumbers are out! 🌱 It always feels a little magical to see those tiny green leaves emerge, full of promise. And it’s not just the cucumbers—my leeks are starting to grow too! Of course, the cucumber is an indoor one. It’s way too early to plant them outside, but just knowing that … More The First Seedlings Are Sprouting!
I couldn’t make the title shorter, sorry :). As the days are still too cold in Latvia. We start sowing seeds late April or May outdoors. I can’t wait and I’ve been busy sowing seeds indoors and outside in water bottles – winter sowing. What I’ve planted so far. Winter Sowing ’ve already started a … More Starting the Season: What I’ve Sown Indoors and in Winter Sowing so far
This year, I decided to try something new in my garden: winter sowing! It’s something I’ve read a lot about but never attempted until now. The process involves sowing seeds in containers during the winter months, and letting nature take its course until spring arrives. While I’ll have to wait until April/May to see the … More Winter Sowing: My First Attempt
Introduction:I’m excited to set my intentions and focus on what matters most this month. Here’s what I hope to accomplish and how I plan to make the most of these 28 days. Personal Goals: Family & Relationships: Gardening: Fun and Creativity: Renovation: That’s about it, let’s see if I can keep up with the plan … More February: Goals and Intentions
I had all my seeds in the shoe box and in the plastic box with the lid. It’s not like I can’t live like this, but it’s so good to have a beautiful box that is made specially for seed packet storage. I love small beautiful things that make everything MUCH BETTER! As you know, … More Galvanized v.s. Frog Seed Box
I only meant to buy one seed storage tin. Really, I did. But after spending far too much time browsing, I just couldn’t decide. So, instead of choosing, I bought both! 🎉 And honestly? No regrets. I now have two beautiful seed storage tins from Burgon & Ball, each with its own charm and purpose. … More I Couldn’t Resist – So I Got Two Seed Boxes!
January feels like the longest month for gardeners in Latvia. It’s cold and dark, and there’s nothing I can start indoors just yet. But February is so close, and with it comes the first chance to start sowing seeds. The gardening year of 2025 is just around the corner, and I’m beyond excited—especially because this … More Dreaming of Green: Counting Down to Seed Sowing
With winter just around the corner, we decided it was the perfect time to plant our tulip and daffodil bulbs. 🌷🌼 Instead of planting them outdoors, we opted to keep the pots inside the greenhouse for the winter. It’s a bit of an experiment—we’re curious to see if the extra protection will give them a … More Planting Tulips and Daffodils: Our Winter Greenhouse Experiment
As the days grow shorter and the garden veggies ripen, it’s the perfect time to start canning! You can read about my first experience with water bath canning. There’s something incredibly comforting about having a homemade soup base on hand. With a busy work schedule and limited time to cook during the day, I decided … More Canning: Preserving Beetroot Soup Base for Cozy Days Ahead
This summer was like a juggling act gone wild! Between renovations and work, my greenhouse turned into a jungle, but surprise! My little yellow tomatoes flourished amidst the chaos. They’re so tasty that the kids can’t resist munching them straight off the vine. As it turns out, chaos can be delicious—who knew? Note to self: more tomatoes next year! … More Summer Chaos, Renovation, and the Tastiest Tomatoes
Since we bought our house, I planted a small patch of mojito mint next to the greenhouse. It’s been a constant struggle, with the surrounding plants overtaking its space and the soil not being ideal for mint. Adding to the challenge, I didn’t have a reliable water source for it. Despite these difficulties, I managed … More The Mojito Mint Comeback—A Garden Experiment
When you think of walnuts, Latvia might not be the first place that comes to mind, right? The first time I encountered a Latvian walnut tree was in Vērmanes dārzs, a beautiful park in Riga. I was struck by the tree’s majesty and resilience, knowing it had weathered countless harsh winters. Since that moment, I’ve … More The Resilient Walnuts of Latvia: A Hidden Gem
OMG! I give up (you know I don’t)! Even those who are gardening for ages haven’t seen so many weeds in one plot! Wow! If you walk to my furrows, you will get lost! You can’t find them! If you don’t know the potatoes, carrots, onions, beetroot, beans, peas, etc are there – you can’t … More Why I’m Leaving Gardening!
Goodmorning Sunday, Yesterday after having fun we went to the manor, to do grass trimming and deal with greenhouse. Deal – because my eggplants and paprika can’t wait much longer! They need beds! Janis went trimming grass and I looked around for a solution to make beds inside the greenhouse for my plants. We ordered … More Working in the greenhouse
Yesterday was a lovely day with my biggest girl Nelle, who turned 8! EIGHT! Can’t believe! The day started as planned – with a crown for Nelle and balloons in closet! After that, I and Linna did a photoshoot for the family :). That means Linna took picture of us, and then I took of … More Nelles Birthday
We have a veggie garden, that is 40 meters long and 15 meters wide field. 19 rows in total. Don’t know if the word “row” is the right one, but check the picture below. If there is another word how to call this – let me now in the comments below! Why in rows!? Simply … More Veggie garden
a day in the life of a latvian mom 