How to Make Fresh Coconut Milk (Caribbean Style)

Crack a coconut and you’ve just opened the door to half of Caribbean cooking — here’s how to turn that magic into fresh coconut milk.

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1. Why Coconut Milk Matters in Caribbean Cooking

Coconut milk isn’t just an ingredient in the Caribbean — it’s a tradition. It brings richness to savoury dishes like pelau, callaloo, oil down, and curry chicken, while also adding creamy depth to sweet treats like paimee, ice cream, sweetbread, and coconut mousse.

Unlike canned versions, fresh coconut milk delivers a warm, nutty flavour that brightens anything it touches. I prefer to use freshly made coconut milk in all my recipes because it just makes everything tastes better! You just can't beat that rich creamy coconut flavour. Making your own coconut milk is not rocket science.  Anybody can do it.  It just takes a little time and I'm not gonna lie to you: it's a little bit messy... but messy good! 

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2. What You Need

To make authentic coconut milk at home, all you need is:

• 1 dried coconut (brown shell)

• Warm water

• A blender OR grater

• Strainer, cheesecloth, or fine sieve (I use an organza bag)

• Bowl for collecting milk

                        Photo:  A  dehusked coconut               Credit: Shamela Rambadan

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3. Step-by-Step: Making Fresh Coconut Milk

Step 1: Crack and Clean the Coconut

Break open the coconut, pour out the water to drink or use later, and pry out the white flesh. Peel off any brown skin if you prefer a lighter colour, though it’s not necessary.

Photo: Coconut cracked open with pieces of flesh.        Credit: Shamela Rambadan

Step 2: Blend or Grate

Cut the flesh into small pieces.

• If blending: Add warm water just to cover the pieces.

• If grating: Grate finely, then pour warm water over the grated coconut.

The warm water helps release the oils and flavour — the “good stuff.”

Photo:  Coconut pieces cut into chunks before placing in the blender        Credit: Shamela Rambadan

Step 3: Strain and Squeeze

Pour the mixture through a cheesecloth or fine sieve (I use an organza bag) and squeeze firmly to extract the milk. This is your first press — the richest and creamiest.

If you need more coconut milk, return the leftover “coconut pulp" to the bowl, add more warm water, mix, and squeeze again. This second press is lighter but great for soups or curries.

 Photo: Squeezing blended coconut over a bowl      Credit: Shamela Rambadan

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4. How to Use Your Coconut Milk

Your fresh milk is ready! Use immediately or keep refrigerated for 2–3 days. It will naturally separate — just stir before using.

Popular Caribbean uses:

• Pelau

• Callaloo

• Oil down

• Pone / paimee

• Ice cream & sorbets

• Coconut bake

• Stews, fish broth, and curries

Tip: First-press coconut milk gives the richest flavour in desserts and stew bases. Second-press is lovely for simmering and thinning down sauces.

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5. Can You Freeze Coconut Milk?

Yes! I divide into small portions (½ cup or 1 cup) and freeze. It may separate when thawed, but a quick whisk brings it right back together. Perfect for meal prep.

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6. Making Coconut Cream (Bonus)

For extra thickness (think: ice cream, mousse, or a curry), use less water when blending. The thicker extract settles on top after chilling — that’s your natural coconut cream.

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7. A Simple Coconut Dessert to Try

A Simple Creamy Coconut Dessert (Using Fresh Coconut Milk)

Fresh coconut milk isn’t only for savoury dishes. It’s also the quiet secret behind many creamy Caribbean desserts. This simple dessert is included here to show just how easily fresh coconut milk can be used in sweet recipes — without turning this into a full dessert blog.

What You’ll Need

• 2 cups fresh coconut milk (first press for best results)

• 2–3 tablespoons sugar (to taste)

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot powder

• Pinch of salt

• Optional flavouring: vanilla, grated nutmeg, or cinnamon stick, 

How to Make It

1. Set aside about ¼ cup of the coconut milk and mix it with the cornstarch until smooth.

2. Gently heat the remaining coconut milk with sugar, salt, and your chosen flavouring.

3. Once warm (do not boil), stir in the cornstarch mixture.

4. Cook on low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and creamy.

5. Remove from heat, adjust sweetness if needed, and pour into small bowls.

6. Allow to cool, then chill until set.

A Quick Coconut Milk Note

Many modern recipes use canned coconut milk, but this dessert works beautifully with fresh coconut milk, especially the first press. The texture may be slightly lighter, but the flavour is fresher and more fragrant. If needed, simply cook a little longer while stirring to reach your preferred consistency.

Serve plain or topped with a sprinkle of nutmeg, toasted coconut flakes, or fresh fruit.

Fresh coconut milk is one of those simple kitchen skills that makes every dish taste more Caribbean. Once you try it, you might give the canned version some serious side-eye. LOL.

Happy Cooking! 

The Grey-Haired Gardener

Using Eggshells in the Garden: A Simple, Smart, Sustainable Choice

 These eggshells have been rinsed, dried/ baked in the oven and now ready for grinding

I’ve always saved my eggshells. Not because I expect miracles, but because they feel like one of those quiet garden habits that just makes sense. Over the years, though, I’ve noticed eggshells get talked about as if they’re some kind of instant fix for every plant problem under the sun—and that’s where expectations can go sideways.

Used thoughtfully, eggshells do have a place in the garden. Just not in the way they’re often hyped. This post is about how I use them, what they actually do, and why they fit so nicely into a simple, smart, sustainable gardening approach.

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What eggshells actually are

Eggshells are made mostly of calcium carbonate. Calcium is important for plant health, but here’s the key thing to remember: eggshells break down slowly. Very slowly.

That means they’re best thought of as a long-term soil support material, not a quick plant tonic. Once you look at them that way, they start to make a lot more sense.

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What eggshells are good for

Used properly, eggshells can be genuinely helpful:

• They contribute calcium gradually as they break down

• They’re a useful addition to compost piles

• Finely crushed shells add a bit of grit and structure to soil

• They support overall soil health over time

The common thread here is patience. Eggshells work quietly in the background, not on a deadline.

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What eggshells don’t do

This is where things often get muddled.

Eggshells:

• Don’t fix blossom end rot overnight

• Don’t replace good watering habits or balanced soil care

• Don’t do much at all when tossed into the garden whole

Calcium issues in plants are often linked to inconsistent watering, not a lack of calcium in the soil itself. Adding eggshells won’t solve that kind of problem on the spot.

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🥚 Eggshell Myth, Gently Busted

Myth: Eggshells instantly fix blossom end rot.
Reality: Eggshells break down slowly. Blossom end rot is usually caused by irregular watering rather than a calcium deficiency in the soil.

Eggshells support soil health over time—but they’re not an emergency treatment.

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How I prepare my eggshells

This part makes all the difference.

I collect my eggshells, rinse them well, and then bake them in the oven. Baking kills any bacteria, dries them completely and makes them easier to grind. Once cooled, I grind them in the food processor until they’re well crushed.

This step matters. The finer the shells, the faster they’ll begin to break down and interact with the soil.

I aim for a gritty texture, but you can grind the eggshells finer. It's a matter of personal choice

I crush my eggshells using a mini food processor

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How I use eggshells in my garden

Most of my crushed eggshells end up in the compost, where they have plenty of time to do their slow, steady work.

Occasionally, I also use finely ground shells directly in the garden. I sprinkle them lightly in beds and, in some cases, around particularly tender plants. I’ve noticed that the gritty texture seems to discourage slugs from lingering—especially around juicy new cattleya roots. It’s not something I present as a guaranteed solution, just a practical observation from my own garden.

As with most things, moderation is key. Eggshells are a supporting player, not the main act.

Adding a little ground eggshell helps to deter slugs in my garden. This has worked for me. No harm in trying it in your garden

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When eggshells make sense (and when they don’t)

Eggshells are most useful:

• In long-term garden beds

• As part of compost or ongoing soil improvement

• When you’re thinking seasons ahead, not days

They’re less helpful:

• In containers that need quick nutrients

• When plants are already stressed and need immediate attention

Seen in the right context, they’re a quiet but worthwhile habit.

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A simple, smart, sustainable choice

Using eggshells won’t transform your garden overnight. What they will do is help close the loop—returning something from the kitchen back to the soil instead of sending it to the bin.

That’s the kind of gardening I aim for: simple, smart, and sustainable. Small choices, made consistently, with a long view in mind. 

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💬 Let’s talk

Do you use eggshells in your garden? I’d love to hear how—or what you’ve found works better for you.

 Happy Gardening! 🥚

 The Grey-Haired Gardener

Kumquats: The Citrus You Eat Skin and All

                                                            Sun ripened kumquats on the tree             

I’ll admit it—I check my kumquats every single day.
Not because I don’t trust them, but because watching them slowly colour up on the tree is one of those small garden joys that never gets old.

If you’ve ever wondered what a kumquat is, how to grow one, or when it’s actually ready to pick, this tiny citrus deserves a closer look.

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What Exactly Is a Kumquat?

Kumquats are small citrus fruits, but they break all the usual citrus rules.
Instead of peeling them, you eat them whole—skin and all.

The peel is sweet, the flesh is tart, and together they create a surprisingly balanced flavour. They’re bite-sized, bright, and once you get used to them, a little addictive.

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Why Kumquats Are Perfect for Home Gardens

One of the things I love most about kumquats is how well they behave in small spaces.

They are:

• Naturally compact

• Very productive for their size

• Excellent for container growing

• Well-suited to patios, balconies, and small gardens

Even a single tree can carry a generous crop, which makes kumquats a great choice for home gardeners who want fruit without needing a large yard.

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A Quick Garden Note: Seeds vs Grafted Plants

This is worth knowing if you’re tempted to plant a seed.

Kumquats are not reliably true to type when grown from seed. That means a seed-grown plant may not produce fruit identical to the parent—flavour, size, and quality can vary.

My tree is grafted. I started with a cutting from a fellow gardener and grafted it onto Cleopatra Mandarin rootstock. The graft took, and the tree has been healthy and productive ever since.

Grafted plants are generally the better option if you want consistent results and good fruit quality.

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Growing Kumquats: The Basics

Kumquats are not fussy, but they do have a few non-negotiables.

Sun:
They love bright, full sun.

Water:
Regular watering is important, especially for potted plants, but good drainage is essential. Soggy roots and citrus do not get along.

Soil:
Well-draining soil is key. Whether in the ground or in a pot, drainage makes all the difference.

Feeding:
A citrus-friendly fertilizer keeps the leaves healthy and supports flowering and fruiting.

They grow well in tropical climates like the Caribbean and are also popular with gardeners in temperate regions.

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Flowering, Fruiting, and Patience

Citrus teaches patience.

After flowering, small green fruits appear and then take their time slowly developing and changing colour. It’s normal to see green, yellow-orange, and fully orange fruit on the tree at the same time.

Resist the urge to rush the harvest—kumquats reward patience.

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How to Know When Kumquats Are Ready to Pick

This is the part everyone asks about.

A ripe kumquat will:

• Be fully orange in colour

• Feel slightly soft when gently squeezed

• Come off the branch easily

• Smell citrusy and fresh

Picking too early usually means a very sour surprise. I let mine fully colour up on the tree—and yes, I check them daily.

This is also when a quiet happy garden dance may occur.

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How to Eat and Use Kumquats

Kumquats are wonderfully versatile.

You can:

• Eat them fresh, whole, and unpeeled

• Add them to salads

• Make preserves or marmalade

• Candy them

• Use them for juice or infused water

They’re one of those fruits that feel fancy but are actually very simple.

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Common Kumquat Growing Mistakes

A few things to avoid:

• Harvesting too early

• Overwatering, especially in pots

• Poor drainage

• Not enough sunlight

Get those right, and kumquats are surprisingly forgiving.

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Final Thoughts

Kumquats may be small, but they bring a lot to the garden—beauty, flavour, and a steady sense of anticipation as they ripen.

If you’re looking for a citrus that’s productive, compact, and just a little bit different, kumquats are well worth growing.

And if you find yourself checking them every day?
Welcome to the club 🍊🌱

 Happy Gardening! 🍊

 The Grey-Haired Gardener 

Southern Blight: Why Plants Suddenly Wilt (and What I Do)

                                                    Rotting at the  soil level is one classical symptom of southern blight

Southern blight is one of the most frustrating problems I deal with in my garden here in Trinidad. Plants look healthy one day… and collapse the next—even when the soil is moist.

How I know it’s Southern Blight

I look right at the soil line. The signs are usually there:

• Sudden wilting

• Soft rot at the base of the stem

• White, fluffy growth around the stem

• Tiny tan or brown “mustard seed” balls on the soil

Once I see this, the plant rarely recovers.

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What Causes Southern Blight?

It’s caused by a soil fungus that loves:

• Heat

• Humidity

• Poor drainage

The fungus can survive in soil for years, so quick action really matters.

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What I Do Right Away

To stop it from spreading:

• Remove infected plants completely (roots and all)

• Don’t compost them—bag and dispose

• Clean tools after handling infected plants

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How I Manage It Long-Term

1️⃣ Improve Drainage

Southern blight thrives in wet soil.

• Space plants well

• Avoid mulch touching stems

• Water at the base, not overhead

2️⃣ Use Limestone Carefully

Southern blight prefers acidic soil.

• Limestone raises pH and discourages the fungus

• It also adds calcium and helps clay soil over time

Here in Trinidad, fine limestone (like Enlasa’s) works quickly because it dissolves fast.

Tip: Work it into the soil and water it in. Keep it away from plant stems.

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3️⃣ Build Better Soil

Clay soil + moisture = trouble.
I add organic matter regularly:

• Compost

• Aged manure

• Leaf mould

  Adding compost helps build better soil                 Credit: Greta Hoffman on Pexels.com

Raised or slightly mounded beds help a lot—especially for bodi, tomatoes, and sorrel.

Raised beds help to drain excess water from roots        

Credit: Helena Lopes on Pexels.com

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4️⃣ Rotate Crops

I avoid planting susceptible crops in the same spot every season.
Better options include:

• Corn

• Chives

• Amaranthus(Bhaji)

• Cassava and sweet potato

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The Takeaway

Southern blight is tough—but manageable.

What works best in my garden:
✔ Fast removal
✔ Better drainage
✔ Limestone (in moderation)
✔ Healthy soil

Once the soil improves, the plants do too 🌱

 Happy Gardening!

 The Grey-Haired Gardener

Periwinkles (Vinca): The Flower That Almost Grows Itself

Looking for non-stop colour with very little effort?

Periwinkles — also called vinca (or “old maid,” as we grew up calling it) — are one of the easiest, most reliable flowering plants you can grow.

They love heat, shrug off drought, and bloom like they’re paid by the flower.

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🌸 Why Grow Periwinkles?

• Thrive in full sun & hot weather

• Bloom continuously

• Perfect for beds, borders & pots

• Low-maintenance and beginner-friendly

• Available in white, pink, red, lavender, magenta & bicolours

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☀️ Sun & Soil

• Full sun = best flowering

• Well-drained soil is essential

• Avoid soggy ground (they hate wet feet)

  

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💧 Watering

• Water regularly when young

• Once established, water sparingly

• Overwatering causes more problems than underwatering

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🌱 Feeding

• Light, balanced fertilizer every 4–6 weeks

• Too much fertilizer, especially Nitrogen = leaves, not flowers

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✂️ Propagation

From seed: Easy in warm conditions
From cuttings: Snip, strip lower leaves, plant — roots form quickly

Seed pods along the mature stem             Seed pods and tiny black periwinkle seeds 

Recently thinned out Periwinkle seedlings in a seedling tray

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🐛 Pests & Problems

• Aphids on new growth

• Spider mites in very dry weather

• Root rot from overwatering

Good drainage prevents most issues.

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🌼 Simple Care Tip

Trim leggy plants occasionally for bushier growth — no deadheading required.

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🌿 Final Thoughts

If you want colour without commitment, periwinkles are hard to beat.
They’re tough, cheerful, and bloom through heat that makes other plants give up.

Happy garden dance! 💃🌸

The Grey-Haired Gardener

👉 Want more easy, heat-loving plants for Caribbean gardens?
Visit The Grey-Haired Gardener for simple tips, real-life growing advice, and plants that actually cooperate.

Cardboard as Mulch: Simple, Smart, Sustainable

What Cracked Soil Taught Me About Mulching

We’re barely two weeks into the dry season, and the ground has already started to crack. I didn’t notice it at first—until the grass was cut and the soil was left exposed. That’s when the cracks appeared, running through the ground like tiny fault lines. What caught my attention even more was the contrast: in areas where I had laid flattened cardboard boxes months ago to control unruly grass, the soil beneath was still slightly moist, with far fewer cracks. That small, unintentional experiment reminded me of something we often overlook in our gardens—bare soil suffers, and mulching matters.

                                Bare soil cracks quickly once the dry season begins

A Dry Season Wake-Up Call

In the Caribbean, the transition into the dry season can be sudden and unforgiving. Once vegetation is removed, soil is left exposed to sun, wind, and rapid moisture loss. Cracked soil isn’t just unsightly—it’s a sign of stress, compaction, and declining soil health.

An Accidental Mulching Experiment

I originally laid cardboard on the ground simply to control grass that had grown out of hand during the rainy season. No grand plan. No soil science experiment. But when the dry weather arrived, the results were impossible to ignore. Under the cardboard, the soil remained darker, cooler, and noticeably more moist than the surrounding exposed ground.

                                    Under cardboard, the soil stays cooler and more alive

Why Bare Soil Is a Problem

Leaving soil uncovered allows moisture to evaporate quickly, soil temperatures to rise, and beneficial organisms to retreat deeper underground—or disappear altogether. Plants growing in these conditions experience more stress, require more frequent watering, and struggle to establish healthy root systems.

Cardboard as Mulch: Simple, Smart, Sustainable

Using cardboard as mulch checks a lot of boxes:

• It upcycles waste that would otherwise be discarded

• It suppresses weeds without chemical weedicides

• It breaks down naturally and adds carbon to the soil

• It encourages soil life as it decomposes

It’s not fancy, but it’s incredibly effective.

                Dead grass, millipedes and adding carbon to the soil as it decomposes-win,win,win!

Less Water, Fewer Weeds, Happier Plants

Mulching with cardboard reduces moisture loss, keeps soil temperatures more stable, and limits weed growth by blocking light. The result? Less watering, fewer weeds to battle, and plants that cope better with dry-season stress.

             The area under the cardboard is weed free. How's that for chemical free weed control?

What’s Happening Below the Surface

Lift the cardboard and you’ll often find signs of life—millipedes, insects, and rich, crumbly soil. These organisms play a vital role in breaking down organic matter, improving soil structure, and supporting plant health. Healthy soil isn’t silent; it’s busy.

                                                Millipedes at work — a sign of active, healthy soil

More Benefits Than You Might Expect

Mulch also reduces soil splash during watering or rainfall, lowering the risk of soil-borne diseases reaching plant leaves. It protects shallow roots from heat stress and helps plants lose less moisture through their leaves during extreme conditions.

Mulching Beyond Cardboard

While cardboard works beautifully, it’s not the only option. Leaves, grass clippings, coconut husk, and wood chips can all serve as mulch. The key is simple: keep the soil covered.

The Takeaway

Bare soil is vulnerable soil. Mulching doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive to be effective. Sometimes, the simplest solutions—like a flattened cardboard box—can make the biggest difference, especially during the dry season.

Has Cardboard worked as a mulch or any other visible benefit for you? Share in the comments. we'd love to hear from you. Who knows, you may just inspire another fellow gardener.

 Happy Gardening!

 The Grey -Haired Gardener 

Rainy Day Rescue: When You Can’t Garden, You Propagate

 A rainy-day propagation ritual

The rain started before dawn and hasn’t let up. It drums steadily on the roof, pools in the garden beds I should be weeding, and quietly cancels all outdoor plans. There’s a list somewhere—always a list—of things that need doing outside. But today, the garden has decided otherwise.

Rain droplets on the window glass      Image Credit : Plantpool images - Pexel.com

When you can’t garden, you propagate.

I could clean the house. I should clean the house. But my eyes keep drifting to the potting bench in the covered shed, and suddenly I’m thinking about that leggy dahlia, the roses that could use a trim, the succulents spilling confidently over the edge of their pot.

This is how rainy-day propagation begins. Not with planning, but with that restless energy that needs somewhere to go.

                                Image Credit : Karolina Grabowska - www.kaboompics.com

There’s something deeply satisfying about setting up a small propagation station when you can’t be in the actual garden. I clear a space on the potting bench and gather my scissors, a few pots, and whatever rooting medium I have on hand. It’s gardening scaled down to fit under cover, but it scratches the same itch.

                                   Image credit: Anna Shvets - Pexels. com

The work itself is meditative. I snip, trim, and tuck cuttings into soil or set them carefully in water. Each one feels like a small act of faith—that roots will form, that new growth will come, that a few weeks from now I’ll have something to show for this grey afternoon. There’s no rush, no pressure. Just the quiet rhythm of making more from what I already have.

Quiet Work with a Long View

What I love most is that propagation is a long game. These cuttings won’t be garden-ready today or tomorrow. They’ll sit on the potting bench through more rainy days and sunny ones, quietly doing their invisible work beneath the surface.

By the time they’re ready to go back outside, I’ll have half-forgotten the afternoon that started them. But they’ll be there—small, green proof that rainy days aren’t lost days.

And honestly? Future me is always grateful.

Those cuttings become fillers for plants I’ve been meaning to replace. They turn into gifts for friends who admire a plant and ask, “Where did you get that?” They become insurance against my own forgetfulness—or the garden’s unpredictability.

                                                      Image Credit: Anna Khomutova- Pexels.com

So if you’re stuck inside today, watching the rain and trying to convince yourself to tackle the housework, maybe give yourself permission to ignore it. Pull out some pots instead. Take a few cuttings. Start something small that will quietly grow into something more.

The house will wait. It always does.

But that perfect propagation moment—when you’re itching to garden and have nowhere else to be—that’s worth capturing.

What about you? When the rain keeps you inside, what gardening work calls to you? I’d love to hear what keeps your hands busy and your mind in the garden when the weather won’t cooperate. Share in the comments—you might just inspire someone else’s rainy-day rescue.

 Happy Gardening!

 The Grey-Haired Gardener