REVISED: February 13, 2026
Gardening Series, Part 3
Getting Your Seed & Plant Lists
Find out what's right for your garden's balance.
If you've been on the fence about gardening, this is your friendly, heartfelt nudge to fence-sit no more.
There are so many benefits. It's a brilliant way to save on groceries, and support your health too. And it's a tangible way to contribute something positive to our environment.
It is easier than you may think to grow some of your own food, or flowers and herbs to brighten your space — especially when you are consciously partnering with nature to do it. A big piece of land is not required.
You can grow food in containers, in small spaces, on a 12th floor balcony . . .
The foundation you build gardening with your nature partner will become your support in other areas of your life, and have a positive impact on the world around you.
If you need another reason why it's more important than ever to work with nature on your land and in your home environment:
Trump Administration Erases the Government’s Power to Fight Climate Change
[The New York Times, February 12, 2026]
Just because our federal government is no longer going to care for our land, water and air, doesn’t mean we can’t! You have the power in your hands to do something helpful. You can remain determined to go in the right direction. Remember:
Balance is stronger than imbalance.
It’s up to us, folks! Each of us needs to do what we can in our lives to change how we interact with our environment. As Machaelle has pointed out so many times over the decades and so clearly when she encouraged all of us to choose to be on the right side of history — you can partner with nature to be a change maker!
It's time to tak the leap!
Our weekly Gardening Series gives you just one step to do each week. And you don't have to do the entire series in one season! We bet spending a little time on gardening and getting to know nature as your partner will become the most looked-forward-to part of your week.
If you haven't yet: You must finish 
If you've already started this year or last year, but want to amend your DDP: Do that BEFORE you get your seed and plant lists.
To amend your garden DDP, write that first. Then hit the start button, tell nature you'd like to change your garden DDP and re-read the statements on page 22 of your Garden Workbook (Step 2), inserting your new DDP.
Now, let's turn to nature for something fun and full of discovery!
Keeping it simple, below are instructions for Gut Gardeners.
If you use PKTT and want to take your partnership up a notch, follow the steps for 2.0 Gardeners given below.
Gut Gardeners
Open your Garden Workbook to page 24 (this section is free online here) and find the last paragraph that starts, "Seeds and Plants." Just read this one paragraph and the sidebar.
Before you begin, read your DDP to refresh your memory about your stated goals for the garden. Hit your start button! Then enjoy choosing seeds and plants for your new garden.
2.0 Gardeners
Start on page 123 of the Garden Workbook and read through page 126. It's four pages and includes sample charts.
Set aside about an hour of quiet time to start. Then make a cup of tea, settle in at your desk or table (with your computer if you're following the tricks on page 125), read your DDP, hit your start button, and have fun!
A Handy Head Start & "Heads Up"
Don't wait to order your seeds and plants! Seasoned gardeners are ordering now. They know if you wait, you risk seeing "out of stock" instead of "add to cart" — and having difficulty finding those varieties that are perfect for your garden.
If you have never ordered from seed and plant companies and have no idea where to begin, we have listed several below that carry organic, heirloom and native seeds and plants. Some offer a full variety of conventional, hybrid, organic and heirloom. Many have a good master list to work from. You aren't required to work with just these companies. We have worked with a lot of other good seed companies over the years.
There are also many wonderful home gardeners sharing their seeds online. Remember to support your local family-owned nurseries and farms. You might even find what you need at your farmer's market in the spring. You want what is best for your garden, in light of your DDP.
These two have good master lists to use for testing which vegetables, herbs and flowers you'll need.
