Amanda Blum
Freelance writer
Amanda writes about smart home technology and gardening.
MORE BY Amanda
Why Every Gardener Needs a Visual Diary
Pictures are a much easier commitment than journaling, and you’re already doing most of the work.
What Your Garden Needs Is a Power Drill
They make drill bits specifically for creating holes to plant bulbs.
You Should Put Your Coffee Table on Casters
I could easily get at dog toys that had disappeared, give clearance to my Roomba, and actually wash my washable rug.
How to Organize Your Fridge Without a Million Plastic Bins
I realized the reason my fridge did not look picture-perfect was because I live in a house with a regular sized appliance.
Take These Steps to Keep Diseases From Ruining Your Garden
Don't let viruses and fungus ruin a healthy garden.
Use Cheap LED and Solar Lights for Pro-Quality Landscape Lighting
You don't need electric lighting to make your yard look stunning at night.
Construct a DIY Solar-Powered Water Feature for Your Garden
It wasn’t just the crows; all the local birds were dancing about enjoying themselves in the fountain.
How to Harvest Free Food on Your Next Vacation
Travel is the perfect excuse to hunt for some free harvests of the stuff you'd normally spend a lot on
You Should Plant Artichokes and Asparagus Right Now
Get your perennial vegetables in the ground and they'll come back year after year, saving your money at the supermarket.
These Homemade Syrups Are Better Than the Stuff You See on TikTok
Do you need a syrup bar? You do not. Might you enjoy some homemade syrup? Absolutely.
Six Places to Find Inspiration When You Don't Know WTF to Eat for Dinner
Food ennui is real. For whatever reason you’re experiencing the culinary blahs, you can beat the “nothing sounds good” blues.
It's Time to Start Growing Your Own Seedlings
Inflation has hit the garden center. This is the year to grow your own damn tomatoes from seed.
Five Things That Could Save Your Life If You're Immunocompromised
As the entire world shifts back into “normal” (best of luck with that), we have a different reality.
How to Get Reimbursed for COVID Tests Before Insurance Stops Paying
Private insurance could still choose to cover COVID testing, but hahaha.
Start These Ferments Now and Use Them All Holiday Season
There’s lots of reasons to DIY the stuff, the least of which is that bubbles make people happy.
This Tomato Crème Brûlée Is the Perfect Fall Indulgence
The resulting brûlée will have a delightful pink color, with a creamy texture, but that slight hint of tomato acidity and a light scent of vanilla.
This Tomato Tart Is a Fitting Monument to Your Last Summer Tomato
It's easy to make, has very few ingredients, comes together fast, and is incredibly good-looking.
Make This Strawberry Salsa Before the Season Is Over
Picking strawberries is exhausting, and processing them is a pain in the ass that I often let go on just a little too long.
Why You Should Stop Growing Tomatoes and Give Peas a Chance
Yes, you can grow your own food. Start easier and enjoy al fresco pea snacks all spring.
There's a Whole World of Rabe Beyond Broccoli
You should be eating rabe, and the world is full of it—especially right now, in the flush of spring.