Double B's Urban Heirlooms

05/26/2026

Worm castings are considered one of the best natural fertilizers because they don’t just “feed” the plant — they improve the whole soil system. 🌱

They’re great because they:

1. Release nutrients slowly
Worm castings contain nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and trace minerals in a form plants can access gradually. That means less risk of burning seedlings or overfeeding.

2. Improve soil biology
They’re full of beneficial microbes that help break down organic matter, support root health, and make nutrients more available to plants.

3. Help roots grow stronger
Castings improve soil structure, which helps roots access oxygen, moisture, and nutrients more efficiently.

4. Hold moisture without making soil soggy
They help soil retain water while still allowing drainage, which is especially helpful for raised beds, seed starting, and container plants.

5. Are gentle enough for seedlings
Unlike strong synthetic fertilizers or “hot” compost, worm castings are mild and safe for tender young plants.

6. Support disease resistance
Healthy soil biology can help suppress some harmful pathogens and reduce stress on plants.

That said, worm castings are not always a complete fertilizer by themselves. They’re amazing for soil health, seedlings, vegetables, herbs, and houseplants, but heavy feeders like tomatoes, corn, squash, and cannabis may still need extra nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, or calcium depending on the growth stage.

Best simple use: mix 10–20% worm castings into potting soil, or top-dress plants with a handful around the base and water it in.

05/24/2026

05/09/2026

My yearly tomato planting lesson! I left out one thing: you have to water the tomato plant in. When you’re done planting, use a Vitamin B-1 solution in water and water your plant deeply. That vitamin helps with root stimulation and getting over the shock of the planting. Happy Gardening!

03/07/2026

I got my master gardener certification so I get notifications for their upcoming classes. They have a really cool soil class on Tuesday at 7pm on Zoom. It’s open to anyone. I highly suggest attending to learn how your soil is the heart and soul of your garden.

https://www.multnomahmastergardeners.org/events/speakerseries/2026/3/10/soil-first-lessons-from-regenerative-farming-for-vegetable-gardeners?fbclid=IwdGRjcAQZhr9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEezDwoMqrh4zx2SUjT4bPkuGVA69KzyBkzNtpbRjmFo1ItW9PEM3YRruY_oKk_aem_n6dDoCh0KXfgLlEMaKT9-g

Vegetable gardeners know that thriving gardens start from the ground up. Join us for this engaging presentation as farmer and educator Jen Aron shares lessons learned from ten years of managing Blue Raven Farm with a soil-first, production-second approach. Read more…

03/01/2026

Prepping my soil with amendments and fertilizer for the spring. I aerated the soil with a broadfork and then applied the amendments and fertilizer. I didn’t learn this in my master gardener program; I learned this from 30 years of trying different things and ways. I’m never done learning. I’m probably still doing it “wrong”.

Is this how you should do it? That’s up to you. This is just how I do it.

01/25/2026

Wondering what to do and when to do it? Wonder no more!

https://www.metromastergardeners.org/calendar/jan.php

01/25/2026

Healthy soil starts now. Nutrients your plants need in spring and summer take time to become bio-available to your plants. Mulching and fertilizing beds now gives the beds the boost they need for success.

01/11/2026

As many gardeners start seeds in February and March, now’s the perfect time to get your seed stock ready—and that’s exactly what I’m doing in this video.

I’ve been prepping seeds I saved to share at upcoming swaps, including:
✨ Butternut
✨ Dill
✨ Fennel
✨ Onion
✨ Hyssop

If you’re heading to a seed swap in Gresham (or hosting one yourself), here are my seed swap prep tips:

🌿 Make it easy to grab & go
• Package seeds in small, clearly labeled bags
or
• Bring a larger bag of seeds plus mini bags and a pen so people can portion their own
👉 This works especially well for larger seeds or when you’re flexible on quantities

🌿 Educate + inspire
• Include a simple printout with:
• What the seeds are
• Basic growing tips
• Common “gotchas” to avoid

🌿 Tell people how to use the plant
This is my favorite part 💚

If someone isn’t familiar with a plant, I like to share the recipes I actually use: it helps people feel confident growing something new instead of letting it go unused.

Seed swaps are about more than trading seeds; they’re about sharing knowledge, food, culture, and community. I can’t wait for swap season 🌱

If you’re planning to attend one soon, what are you bringing to share? 👇

06/26/2025

🌱 In-Ground vs. Lasagna Gardening: My Results 🍅

I get this question all the time—should you plant directly in the ground, or do raised beds? And if raised beds, what do you fill them with?🪴

I LOVE the lasagna method of layering grass clippings, wood chips, bunny poo, paper shreds, dry leaves and compost with worm castings. I also throw in some sticks and various other debris like kitchen waste as I’m building the layers.

Whether you’re starting your first garden or wanting to try something new, these results speak for themselves!

🎥 Which method do YOU use?

03/07/2025

Just checking on all my seedlings! Still cotyledons, no true sets yet.