About GardenWithMe

Welcome to GardenWithMe! I'm Randy, and this is my personal gardening blog where I share what I've learned from five years of intensive backyard gardening. If you're looking for honest, practical advice from someone who's made (and learned from) plenty of gardening mistakes, you're in the right place.

Why I Started This Blog

After years of working in IT, I discovered my true passion in an unlikely place—my backyard. What began as a small herb garden quickly spiraled into a full-blown gardening obsession. Now, my 800 square foot yard is packed with raised beds, vertical gardens, and every sunny spot I could find.

I started this blog because I remember how overwhelming gardening felt when I was starting out. There's so much conflicting advice online, and it's hard to know what will actually work in your specific situation. My goal is to share the real, practical knowledge I've gained through hands-on experience—the kind of advice that comes from actually getting your hands dirty.

What You'll Find Here

I write about what I know from personal experience:

  • Practical Techniques: Real-world advice for home gardeners, especially those working with limited space
  • Honest Reviews: What actually worked for me (and what didn't)
  • Seasonal Guides: Timely advice based on what's happening in my zone 6b garden
  • Problem-Solving: Tackling the challenges I've faced, from pest problems to crop failures
  • Growing Food: My main passion—especially heirloom tomatoes, herbs, and unusual vegetables
  • Organic Methods: Sustainable, natural approaches that work in a home garden setting

My Approach

Every article I write comes from real experience. I'm not claiming to be a master gardener or a horticultural expert—I'm a passionate home gardener who loves to experiment, learn, and share. You'll get:

  • Real Experience: Advice based on what I've actually tried in my own garden
  • Honest Takes: I'll tell you about my failures as well as successes
  • Practical Focus: Solutions that work for real home gardeners, not just in ideal conditions
  • Detailed Guidance: Specific varieties, exact measurements, and timelines based on my experience

About My Garden

I garden in zone 6b with an 800 square foot backyard that I've transformed over the past five years. My garden includes multiple raised beds, container gardens, a small berry patch, and a year-round herb garden. I specialize in growing heirloom tomatoes (I try at least 8 varieties each season), maintaining herbs for cooking, and experimenting with companion planting and organic pest management.

Want to learn more about my journey? Check out my full author page.

Fresh Content

I publish new articles regularly, sharing what I'm learning in real-time throughout the growing season. Whether it's a new technique I'm trying, a problem I'm solving, or seasonal advice for what to do now in the garden, I keep things current and relevant.

Let's Connect

Gardening is always better when we learn from each other. Have a question? Want to share what's working in your garden? I'd love to hear from you at [email protected].

Let's grow something great together!