About

Welcome! May I humbly introduce myself. I am Blythe Kaufman: wife, mother of three and life-long gardener. My earliest memories are helping my mom in the garden. We had perennial flower beds and always a large vegetable garden. In my adulthood, I kept that love of gardening but focused more on plants that could help feed our family of five. Shortly after starting to practice as a dentist, I was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition affecting my collagen which has caused disability, pain and joint dislocations. Getting down on the ground to garden was out of the question and much of the heavy work was also not possible. Thus, my kids became my hands. Over years my presence in the garden with them helped them to identify a little garden seedling with two leaves as a tomato, lettuce or weed. Given my limitations, we adapted some of our gardening to raised beds that are waist high to allow more ease of caring for the plants. Those with bad backs may also like this idea or anyone who prefers to stand as opposed to kneel while they garden. The plants you see in our garden are a joint effort in our family. Everyone helps. You will see some pictures of the kids through the years in the garden. They are growing up quickly  but I venture to guess they will never forget the time they spent in the garden. It is a way of life that we have embraced. Although we live in an urban/suburban area on a small piece of land (.25 acre) we try to squeeze as many food producing plants into the space as we can. We enjoy the simplicity of life one experiences when one helps to bring food to the table. 

We are located in West Hartford, Connecticut USA where winters are cold and our last spring frost tends to fall around May 15.

It has always been a blessing to have a kitchen garden but given the world events it is even more important to take the dive into gardening. We will be taking you along with us as we garden all four seasons. We have traditionally used almost no pesticides and very little fertilizers relying on old techniques that involve improving soil quality with organic matter from your yard and kitchen. We plan our garden using companion planting principals to help improve the health of the plants and limit disease and harmful insects. Certain plants have a beneficial and even protective effect on other plants. We share our exact garden plan with you so you can join us on this journey.  Thank you all!

                                                    ~Blythe