The Nurse Farmer

11/04/2026

🍂 Y'all, November is officially here! Down here in Mobile, the air is getting crisp, and I am checking my inbox daily waiting on the email that says my winter onion starts are ready for planting. I love this time of year!

But I know that as the thermometer drops, some of us start feeling a little hesitant. If you’re living with arthritis, chronic pain, or COPD, looking at a cold garden can feel more like a chore than a joy.

In my latest blog post, I’m sharing how we can slow down, protect our joints, and keep growing. Just because the temperature is dropping doesn’t mean the growing has to stop!

Grab a warm cup of coffee and come read my guide to safer cold-weather gardening. Let’s keep doing what we love, together.

👇 Read my new post below:

November is a two-fold season for me. First, it’s a time to gently put the summer garden to bed and prep the soil for next year. At the same time, just because the temperature is dropping doesn’t mean the growing has to stop! Right now, I’ve got collard greens, broccoli, beets, cauliflower, an...

11/03/2026

✂️ Let’s talk about harvesting those beautiful fall greens and broccoli heads! If you have arthritis in your hands or tendinitis in your wrists, using heavy, stiff garden shears can leave you aching for days.

Here is a safer tip from The Nurse Farmer: Switch to lightweight, spring-assisted garden snips. They do most of the squeezing work for you, which protects your grip strength and keeps those finger joints happy. Pair that with a sturdy garden stool so you can "sit and snip" instead of bending over, and you’ve got a recipe for decreasing your pain while you harvest!

11/02/2026

Well, hello friends! 🍂

I have a confession to make today, and I promise it’s a funny one!

You all know me as a college-educated Registered Nurse and a passionate gardener... but lo and behold, nature recently decided to humble me!

My latest video is: "A Registered Nurse Who Is Not Smarter Than a 5th Grader: My Hilarious Garden Mix-Up!" 🎥😂

Earlier this year, I thought I accidentally planted a cantaloupe seed right in the middle of my sunflower garden. Instead of pulling the vine up, I decided to let it grow, eagerly waiting for some sweet, late-season cantaloupes.

Well, I finally went to check on my "cantaloupes" today, and... let’s just say they look a lot greener, longer, and bumpier than I expected.

Watch the video to see the hilarious reveal of what was actually growing among my sunflowers! 🥒🌻

Sometimes, our little "mistakes" in the garden—and in life—turn out to be the most wonderful, unexpected blessings. If we are too quick to pull things up when they don't look right, we might miss out on a beautiful surprise.

Click the video below to laugh along with me: 👇

Tell me in the comments: Have you ever had a hilarious mix-up in your garden or kitchen? Please tell me I’m not the only one! Let’s laugh together below! 👇

Let’s keep gardening, creating, and thriving together! 🧡

11/01/2026

🍂 Y’all, it seems like as soon as November hits, the whole world wants to rush into the holidays. But out here in the garden, everything is slowing down. My collards are taking their sweet time, and I'm waiting for my winter onions so I can get them in the soil.

Sometimes, we feel frustrated when our bodies force us to slow down due to pain or fatigue. But nature shows us that there is beautiful, quiet work happening even during the slow seasons. If you’re feeling a bit slow-moving yourself this month, take a deep breath. You are right on time. Good things take time to grow.

10/31/2026

Well, hello friends and Happy Halloween! 🎃👻

The big night is finally here! My porch is all decorated with my handmade painted okra ghosts and my rustic tin can Jack-O'-Lantern luminaries. I can't wait to light them up this evening and watch them glow.

Creating these simple, joint-friendly crafts has brought me so much joy this month, and I hope they have inspired you to bring a little handmade magic into your own home, too.

Whether you are welcoming trick-or-treaters, enjoying a quiet evening with a cozy movie, or admiring the autumn moon, I wish you a night filled with warmth, laughter, and peace.

Remember to keep your walkways well-lit and stay cozy tonight! 🕯️🍂

Tell me in the comments: Are you lighting any candles or luminaries tonight? Share a picture of your Halloween decorations if you have one! 👇

Let’s keep gardening, creating, and thriving together! 🧡

10/30/2026

Hello friends! 🍂

Have you ever tried using paint pens? They were a new concept to me, but I am officially hooked!

In my new Painted Okra Ghosts video, I show how using lightweight paint pens instead of traditional brushes can make detailing so much easier for stiff fingers. They require very little grip pressure, making them a fantastic tool for adaptive crafting.

Click the link below to watch the quick, silent tutorial and see these handy pens in action.
👻🎃

Welcome back, friends! 🍂In today's video, we are making Easy DIY ...

10/29/2026

Well, hello friends! 🍂

As we approach the very end of October, the mornings here in Mobile have a lovely, crisp chill to them. It is my favorite time of year to take a warm cup of coffee out to the porch and just sit quietly before the day begins.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about how much pressure we put on ourselves to constantly be "doing." We feel like we always have to be cleaning, planting, crafting, or fixing.

But the fall garden teaches us a different lesson. It shows us that there is a beautiful, necessary time for resting, letting go, and just "being."

If your joints are feeling a bit stiff with the cooler weather, or if your energy is low today, let this be your gentle reminder: You do not have to hurry. It is okay to slow down and match the gentle pace of the season. ☕🍁

Tell me in the comments: What is your favorite way to cozy up and rest on a cool fall morning? Let’s share some warmth today! 👇

Let’s keep gardening, creating, and thriving together! 🧡

10/28/2026

Hello friends! 🍂 Happy Halloween!

Can you believe we’re near the end of October? The air is crisp and this weekend is the big celebration.

If you’ve been following along with my blog this month, I hope you’ve enjoyed exploring "The Healing Art of Halloween: Easy DIY Garden Art for Older Gardeners."

Whether you painted a few friendly okra ghosts to hang on a wreath, tapped out a glowing tin can luminary, or simply practiced "The Art of Pacing" in your daily life, I am so incredibly proud of you.

Remember, the goal of adaptive crafting isn't perfection—it’s about finding joy, keeping our hands active, and protecting our well-being along the way.

If you are looking for some gentle inspiration on how to bring the joy of the autumn season into your life without the physical strain, it’s not too late to read my latest article. Grab a warm cup of coffee and click the link below to visit my blog and learn how the art of pacing can keep you creating comfortably:

I want to wish you all a safe, comfortable, and very happy Halloween. May your porches be bright and your hearts be warm! 🎃✨

Are you displaying any handmade decorations on your porch for Halloween? I’d love to hear about them (or see pictures!) in the comments!

Let’s keep gardening, creating, and thriving together! 🧡

Hello friends! I often talk about crafting and creating yard art as a form of gardening. You see, gardening isn’t limited to growing flowers, fruits, herbs, and veggies. Gardening is also about creativity—creating crafts and yard art to make our outdoor spaces even prettier. Creating yard art is...

10/27/2026

Hello friends! 🎃

Did you know that simply touching soil has been clinically proven to lower stress levels and boost our mood? If you’ve been staying indoors because of physical limitations, I want to help you safely rediscover the joy of the dirt.

My free "Safe Gardening Wellness Checklist for Older Adults" is designed to give you the confidence to step back outside safely, comfortably, and on your own terms.

Click the link below to join our newsletter family and download your free guide today. Your garden is waiting for you! 🌻

Healthy tips from my farm, to your home… From a member of the most trusted profession. Sprouting vegetables from seed, growing herbs in containers, working in the soil, creating yard art, and cooking healthier foods are a few of my creative & fun ways to live a healthier life.

10/26/2026

Well, hello friends! 🍂

Have you ever had a tiny, unexpected mishap completely trigger your frustration and anxiety? What is it about those little things that can make us feel so overwhelmed?

I am sharing a very honest, personal video with you today: "When Little Mistakes Trigger Anxiety: How to Find Peace in the Garden." 🎥✨

Recently, I was finishing up my tin can Jack-O'-Lanterns. I applied a clear sealant to protect them from the weather, and lo and behold, the black paint smeared. Of course, I felt that familiar wave of frustration and anxiety creeping in.

But instead of letting that stress take over, I practiced what I preach. I stepped away.

In this video, I want to share why taking a "rest period" when things go wrong is so important for our minds and our bodies. When we stop and give ourselves time to think, we often realize that a "mistake" is actually just a "perceived mistake." My smeared pumpkin? It actually looks wonderfully rustic, and I love it!

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by the little things lately, click below to watch. Let’s take a deep breath together: 👇

(P.S. If you want to try making these rustic luminaries or my cute okra ghosts, both step-by-step tutorials are available on my page right now!)

Tell me in the comments: How do you help yourself calm down when a little project doesn't go as planned? Let's support each other below! 👇

Let’s keep gardening, creating, and thriving together! 🧡