Susan Patterson

Hello and welcome to my page. If you enjoy learning about natural health, homesteading and gardening, you have come to the right place. My life journey has taken me to many great places and I consider it a privilege to share information with others to educate, inspire and encourage. As a Certified Health Coach and Master Gardener,  it is my desire to come alongside you as you strive for a balanced life that celebrates all you can be! When I am not coaching others or writing about health you can find me outdoors where I enjoy hiking, biking, organic gardening, homesteading, creating recycled art, photography and being adventurous!

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backyardvitality.com •

Awesome Alternatives to Conventional Lawns

There is nothing quite like the perfect picture lush green lawn, right? Unfortunately, no matter how lovely lawns are, they are not particularly eco-friendly. The good news is, there are many super cool, attractive alternatives that are totally earth-friendly. Here are some figures from Wildones Natural Landscapers, Ltd. that may have you thinking twice about your traditional lawn. • None 67,000 pounds of synthetic pesticides are used on U.S. lawns each year. • None $25,000,000,000 is spent on
Tropical Health •

5 Delicious Things You Can Do With Raw Goat's Milk (and how to safely source it)

Raw goats milk is often a hot topic of conversation. Fans of milk pasteurization argue that there is no way to ensure the bacterial safety of the product. Proponents of the raw movement, on the other hand, say that it contains more vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, trace elements, enzymes, protein, and fatty acids than cows milk. Unsurprisingly, the latter is correct. Keeping food as close as possible to its natural state is always the healthier option. Of course, it is important to purchase qua
backyardvitality.com •

Why Late Summer and Fall is a Great Time for Landscape Projects

Your mind may not be on landscaping as the late summer/fall pushes in and the first nips of cold air bite at your heels. However, this is actually one of the best times to plan and execute a landscape project that you can fully enjoy next season! There are a couple of reasons why I reserve any major landscape projects for the late summer or fall. The first is that it is cooler and easier to do physical work than in the dead heat of summer. The second reason, and probably the main reason, is tha
backyardvitality.com •

How to Throw the Perfect Succulent Planting Party

Succulents are all the rage these days and with good reason. They are cute, colorful, and full of interesting texture. They are easy to work with and make the perfect live addition to any indoor or outdoor space. Their versatility means that they can be incorporated into any style from rustic to modern and dressed up or dressed down. If you have not had the opportunity to host a succulent party for friends and family, now is a great time. Here are some tips to ensure that your planting party is
backyardvitality.com •

It's Late Summer: What You Should Be Doing in Your Garden

In some places in the country, hints of fall are on the doorstep, while in others, the summer sun continues to beat down hard. No matter where you live, there are certain things that you need to be taking care of in your garden now. Some of these things will ensure that you have a solid fall harvest, and others will ensure that you prepare your beds for the next season to come. Either way, here is a great checklist to help you give your late summer garden the love it deserves. You may notice th
Rural Sprout •

The Secret Tomato Pruning Trick For Huge Harvests

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our Affiliate Disclosure here. Have you ever selected and planted a beautiful young tomato plant only to find it growing erratically and under-producing? Or perhaps your plant buckles over under the weight of too much fruit? What you might be missing in your tomato care regimen is a really good pruning method. That’s right, when and how you prune your tomato plant has a great deal to do with what kind of plant you will grow and the harvest you will
backyardvitality.com •

Delicious Cool Weather Crops You Can Plant This Fall

Though it is sad to think of it, the end of summer is here. As you enjoy the last few weeks of warmth and sunshine, you are probably busy in the garden, getting everything prepared for the winter and harvesting your late summer veggies. But don’t put those tools away quite yet, as long as you have at least 60 days before your first expected frost, there are plenty of veggies you can plant today and enjoy in just a few weeks. Fall gardening is an efficient way to maximize the growing season, and
backyardvitality.com •

Soil Building 101: Start With the Best and Your Plants Will Deliver

“The cause of plant disease is poor nutrition and an unhealthy soil ecosystem. The fate of plants is as inseparably entwined with that of the soil as our fate is entwined with theirs. If we want to eat nutritious food we need to take care of the soil, for we too are part of this web of life.” – Heide Hermary If you have heard it said that your plants are only as good as the soil that they are grown in, you have heard correctly. Even starting your garden with the highest quality plants does not
backyardvitality.com •

These Bug Killers Won't Harm Your Kids or Pets

Pesticides are a bitter pill. Without them, our lawns and gardens could quickly become overrun by pests. When we use them, they pollute the soil and water and even the air we breathe. Children and pets are more susceptible to harm from the toxic chemicals found in conventional pesticides. For one thing, they typically stay closer to the ground, rolling and crawling on the grass most of the time. Their bodies are smaller, which means they get a higher dose per weight. They also tend to sniff the
backyardvitality.com •

Want to Attract More Wildlife - Here is What You Should Do

If you are anything like me, there is nothing more enjoyable to you than sitting on your patio in the warm twilight air, sipping a cup of tea and watching the birds and insects trill around your garden. You don’t have to live in the heart of the country to enjoy this vision, either. Even if you are in an urban area, there are ways that you can, and should, be encouraging wildlife to find sanctuary in your yard. Here are a few tips and tricks to make your garden a natural paradise…no matter where
Tropical Health •

The Good News About Keeping Chickens (#3 Might Surprise You)

It may seem like raising chickens is an activity reserved for those with sprawling outdoor spaces, and fresh country air. However; you can actually start your own coop today, and with just a little effort you will be enjoying fresh eggs, compost, and a multitude of other benefits from your feathered friends. Here are just a few reasons you should start keeping chickens in your backyard. Buying eggs from the grocery store can often feel like you’re gambling with your health and the health of you
backyardvitality.com •

What is No-Till Gardening and Why it Works

No-till gardening is essentially a method of creating garden beds over the ground without digging it up. The bed is built up in layers to the desired height, and the seeds and seedlings are then planted in it. If you’ve heard of lasagna beds, then No-till garden beds may sound familiar to you. Although both types of beds are built up in layers, they mainly differ in the materials used for layering. Lasagna beds utilize a composting technique wherein organic raw materials like paper, cardboard,
Tropical Health •

How Putting Sugar on Your Lawn Could Save the Bees

Most of us have had at least one unfortunate encounter with the tail end of a bee. Often, it is easy to think of these flying insects as mere pests, or irritating creatures to keep away at all costs. We see…we swat. Making every effort to avoid bees and their painful stingers. However, bees are actually an essential part of our fragile ecosystem and should be protected whenever possible. Though you may not have noticed their disappearance, others certainly have. Since the 1990s, beekeepers have
backyardvitality.com •

Succeed at Gardening with Succession Planting

When you finally find a vegetable that is easy to grow and produces a prolific harvest, it is tempting to plant rows upon rows of that particular plant. However, this can often lead to a boring palate when you end up having to eat the same vegetable day in day out. Succession planting is a strategy to avoid this scenario. Planting is staggered to get harvests over a longer period of time, instead of having one or two major collections. In relay planting, any single vegetable is planted in succ
Tropical Health •

3 Reasons to Grow Your Own Sprouts Indoors (and how to do it)

The concept of sprouting seems to be a topic of rising popularity amid the natural community as people begin to discover the health benefits of these tiny sprouted seeds. However, the idea of growing sprouts can be a little confusing at first, and it may seem easier to just purchase a package of fresh sprouts at your local grocery store. On the contrary, growing your own sprouts at home is an incredibly time-friendly and straightforward process. Plus, you’ll be able to eat your greens in a matte
Natural Living Ideas •

8 Recycled Christmas Gift Ideas That Help Save the Earth

This Christmas, instead of spending a ton of money on a gift that negatively impacts the Earth, how about giving gifts made using mostly recycled materials? The holiday doesn’t have to be a burden on the environment, with just a little effort and imagination, it’s easy to reduce the environmental impact of the season. You can give more while spending less by giving these gifts that are much more personal and unique. And, if you’re especially short on time, we’ve added a few recycled Christmas gi
Tropical Health •

9 Ways to Use Lavender That You Have Never Thought of Before

The lavender plant is not only prized for its’ exquisite scent and beautiful blossoms, but it is also utilized as a potent essential oil that is well-known for its relaxing and soothing capabilities. You may have seen lavender-scented candles or made your own natural room spray with this essential oil, but using this herb as a scent booster is only one way to take advantage of its amazing benefits. It has been used for thousands of years as an antibacterial and antiseptic agent, plus it has been
Natural Living Ideas •

11 Health Promoting Houseplants That Make Great Holiday Gifts

With Christmas just around the corner, you might be starting to work on your gift list for friends and family. While you could go for the ol’ standby gifts like slippers, jewelry, games etc., you could also consider a living gift that keeps on giving all year round. Giving a plant for a gift is a great way to celebrate life, happiness, and friendships. There are numerous low maintenance, health-promoting plants that are a beautiful addition to any home and don’t require their recipient to have
Natural Living Ideas •

11 Ways To Have An Abundant Winter Garden No Matter Where You Live

Though the warm summer and spring months are the most popular and easy times of the year to grow crops, fall frosts don’t have to stop the harvest. It is possible to grow a bountiful garden throughout even the most frigid winter months if you follow these simple steps. Though those residing in states such as Florida and Louisiana are unlikely to share frost concerns, the majority of the country experiences difficult winters from time to time. Gardeners in the less temperate states have often me

Pruning a Begonia | DoItYourself.com

The family of begonias is highly versatile and can be grown outside in flower beds, in container gardens, or indoors as a houseplant. Begonias come in a rainbow of colors sure to please anyone. Begonia pruning takes a little getting used to, but it's not all that difficult. Just follow these simple steps for great results. During the growing period, it’s only necessary to prune begonias if they start to become overgrown or to encourage new and more bushy (as opposed to tree-like) growth. Tubero
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