My Aunt June (94 yrs and still going strong!) makes a similar salad but with a southwest flavor. She uses cucumbers, onions, green chilis and garlic. The dressing is rice wine vinegar and water (3/4 to 1/4 mix). I love it! My Aunt was born and raised and still lives on the farm her parents started when they came over from a small country just north of Germany back in the 1910s era. They started growing chilis on that land back in the 30s and found the ground in the valley down there to be perfect for the flavor of the chilis. My Aunt June Rutherford is well known in her field and has had many awards and accommodations for her many achievements. The Big Jim green chili is her biggest. It was named for her husband who had started this project and then got cancer and died at an early age. He was any adopted brother to my mom. His dad didn't want him to continue his schooling in high school. He wanted him to quit and work their farm. He went and asked if he could live with my grandparents and work for them and continue his education. They said yes and they had no room in the house on their dairy farm so they made him a small room out in the milking barn. (Truly amazing what ppl did back in those days years in the 20s and early 30s!) He went to college and did his thesis on agriculture in southern New Mexico. That's where he met and married my Aunt June. After this passing, my Uncle Payne Rutherford moved there from California to "help" my aunt take care of the farm. Not too much later, they married and June became my real aunt! There's several articles and a video or 2 featuring this dear woman. She reminds me of the Proverbs 31 woman! She could say jump and I jumped twice. She is truly amazing and I love her!!! Some of my love of gardening came from her love of the land and showing me a thing or 2 along the way. I have her bread recipe that uses a 10 pound sack of flour! When she baked their bread, she baked enough for a week. She made dinner rolls and cinnamon rolls and bread and other treats for a week and they ate it! We ate it. The best bread, ever!!! I've gone on enough about her, I guess. I saw that recipe Laura made and it made me think of the one June taught me so many years ago. Now, I gotta go chop up some green chilies and make me some! Happy gardening, y'all!!!

Anyone else literally hanging out for the view of Laura’s moms face when she saw the hellebore?! 😂

My family refers to you as “The Tomato Lady” (I found you searching for tomato pruning advice) and every day they ask “what did the tomato lady do today?” I can’t wait to tell them you planted with a hatchet. 🤣 Hey, it worked!! Thanks for another enjoyable video.

When the screen went black instead of showing her mom's face I was so sad.. I kept going back to see if something was wrong. 😁 She's the cutest, so I can imagine.

I just love Laura, "gee this doesn't fit" - chop, chop, chop - "there fits perfectly". It reminds me of the cat saying If I fits, I sits. LOL have a great weekend.

I feel like Laura gets more done in one day than I do in a month.

"I shaved off a little of the excess soil". In other words, I used an ax and wacked off the frozen soil to make it fit. I love your determination for gardening in the winter months. You're a delight to watch Laura as I sit in the warmth of my comfy home!

How many of the old-timers of Garden Answer thought of Aaron ~ when he did "The Bowl" cut on the weeping willow & pulling the Sun Flower (aka: Sun Flower Murder) - when Laura was "hacking" the dirt from the plant, to make it fit? I adored those: Aaron videos because American's Sweetheart handled that with such Grace! LOL!!!

For that spot in the kitchen: Go to a home improvement store, buy an 'upper cabinet'. Set it on the floor instead of hanging it on the wall. It will be the perfect height, depth and width. It will have 2 doors and 2 moveable shelves inside. You will need to place a top on it. Just cut a board to fit, paint it, and if you like, add a small molding around the edges of the board for aesthetics.

Laura leaving with the hellebores and suddenly, sedum! I almost heard "squirrel"! 😅 Everything was so pretty! Hope Benjamin had a great birthday!

That excitement on Laura's eyes when she is working, thinking, dreaming or making plans about Hartley is gold 🤩🤩🤩 More the over the piano 🤪

Even with a dusty floor, no heat, no nothing the Hartley is such a spectacular addition to the garden - a most awesome structure for sure ❤️👏

Who else could hear Laura's mom seeing the salad and saying "Ooh, how pretty!!"

I think you should put fairy lights on the branches in the Hartley 💙🥰

Did anyone else LOL when you saw the tiny hatchet??? 😂😂😂 greatest thing i think I’ve ever seen…

This was hysterical. A woman on a mission! I must be getting old - cannot for the life of me muster up this much enthusiasm for planting in the winter. That arrangement is beautiful.

You know, what would look amazing in the Hartley, instead of that table? Another Galloway urn!! Perfect size and height, and great as a centerpiece!! Imagine that, filled with ever changing seasonal arrangements, and a beautiful chandelier above it... 😍😍😍

Laura it looks fabulous with those beautiful lemon yellow flowers peeking out and then Russell being bright orange adds a nice color too. Russell loves you so much and he follows you everywhere it is so so cute. Russell needs his own KZfaq channel just a thought. I know who has time, but Russell is a whoot and we enjoy watching him sneak into your videos unexpectedly. Hey many blessings coming your way. Best wishes

My son and I were laughing are heads off with the axe today! Get it girl. Lol. You brought us so much peace today with no school/work on this snow day. Thanks for all you do!

One of the funnier GA videos I've seen. Stopping abruptly for new plants while trying to quickly exit with an armful- honestly, so relatable. And then using a hatchet and reciprocating saw to complete a planter. 😂 But like most projects Laura does- it looks absolutely perfect. I'm excited to see the Hartley come together in the next year.

I REALLY like it when you show us what you do on a daily basis.

To fill the lower level of the cold frames in front of the Hartley, you could consider a "hugelkultur"-type process. Put smallish diameter (4-6") logs or branches on the bottom , cover/fill spaces with raw wood chips and potting soil, then another layer of smaller branches (2-3"), more chips & potting soil just to fill the pockets,and then your Espoma potting soil on top layer. I also innoculate with mycorrhizae as I'm filling the bottom layers. The logs and branches hold moisture like sponges as they decay, and take a long time to do so. It's really made an amazing difference in my raised beds!

I'm glad I'm not the only one that runs around half the day just gathering the right tools and supplies for a project. Thanks for taking us along!

honestly you could put a weed surrounded by more weeds in that Hartley and it still would look beautiful!! I'm excited to see my Hellebore plants this Spring once our cold snap ends (Indiana 6a) I love the salad making and seeing your light bulb project! Thanks for always making us feel like family. Happy birthday to Benjamin!!

Time stamp 10:36-10:45 made me belly laugh. Laura chopping away. 🤣🤣🤣 I was watching this while folding laundry, made it so much better. Thanks for keeping it real! It inspires me to try new things, and it's okay if I change my mind three, four, five times.

I love Laura! Anyone else notice when her eyes fixated on the container she ended up using in The Hartley? I could almost smell the smoke from her brain slamming on the brakes and then changing her mind. Love the hatchet / axe work - I knew I’m not the only one that does that kind of thing. Russell has the best cat life ever!

My favorite part was when Laura looked at the camera with a "how convenient that this is right here" look when she picked up the hatchet before going at the branch hahaha

I'm currently going through minor depression and an anxiety attack, watching your videos really calms me down and makes me smile, not to mention Russel, Benjamin, Samantha Grace and your family too. I am so very much grateful for your videos and how your enthusiasm on creating beautiful garden. So thank you ❤

6 things I discovered about Laura this year (it's only been a coupla weeks!) 1. Laura in garden center = kid in candy store. Mommy, I want this & this & this... ooh, and that & that... 🥳 2. Laura = super strong. I was almost convinced she'd lift that cement pot one handed. Almost. 💪 3. Laura + Russel = psychic connection. Exactly what she doesn't want him to do, he does. 😂 4. Laura = fantastic piano player. That 3 second snippet was enough, people. 5. Laura in 2022 = red bull on steroids. 😳 She's just zipping through stuff this year. What an amazing women. Seriously, is there anything she can't do?? Which brings us to - 6. Laura = certified genius (certified by her youtube family). Thank you Laura, for constantly brightening up our days with your natural effervescence. Keep on shining! 🤗😍

The arrangement you put in the Hartley is really perfect. Laura I have to tell you though, you and that hatchet cracked me up. That looked like something only I would do. It will be so exciting to watch the Hartley evolve and all the magic you will put inside.

“Never underestimate the right tool for the job” watching our dear Laura hacking away at that branch then switch to the saws all. 😄👍🏻 Been there, done that! 🙋🏻‍♀️Lol The planting looks PERFECT in the Hartly!! Love starting my mornings with you all!!

What fun to watch on this gray cold winter morning! I enjoy watching as I have my morning coffee!!!

Give him a 🫂 tomorrow and i wish you all happy birthday, and the cake will be beautiful 😍 ❤

After Laura mentioned that she couldn’t wait to see Mom’s reaction to her finding the Hellebores, my screen faded to black. I got a little nervous because on the Sopranos whenever the screen faded to black… we’ll 😳. Hopefully Mom didn’t take it too badly 😂. The arrangement looks lovely Laura!

I love it when you show different things that you do; moving containers, planting and cooking! Especially cooking- I feel like I get to know you better and I appreciate that😃

Anyone else feel special to be here for the Hartley's first arrangement? 🌻

I live in California and we have had spring like weather (though slightly chilly) for the last couple of weeks and one of my Hellebores was full of blooms about 6 inches tall or so. I had to cut a few and bring inside (I'm a florist and can't resist flowers!) Now I'm just itching for actual spring!!

Laura and the hatchet…🤣🤣🤣 The arrangement is Beautiful as Always! Love the concrete table!

I can’t imagine that everyone’s dream greenhouse would be a Hartley. They are so beautiful

Fairy lights on the branches put on a timer….that would be awesome to see in the Hartley.

I love the table and feel it's a much better fit in the Hartley. I'm sure Target would have a narrow organizer with drawers or bins to fill the space but, I immediately thought, "Yay, another antique shopping trip with Mom!" The arrangement is gorgeous, the salad looks yummy, and Happy Birthday to your Benjamin Bud. 😊💙

“I need a box” or a box truck lol. Love your channels!! I always find myself smiling through all your videos. Thank you for such great content ❤️

The arrangement looks like a natural vignette you’d see in the winter garden. Very cool!

I SPY landscape lighting!!!! Can’t wait to see your video that does the overview of what you’re planning for the lighting (please, pretty please?). Adding lighting will give you a whole new category of interest. Now you’ll start to think about night/light interest in addition to winter interest. Based on your entry driveway, I chose an Autumn Blaze maple for the center of our driveway circle. When it was in full autumn color last year, and the lights were on, it looked like it was on fire!

Winter wonderland. I love the fact that if there is a spot available, whether in the Hartley, greenhouse, or in the house, your eye catches something beautiful that is growing. You have created a peaceful place to be.

The Hartley is so beautiful, even empty. Watching you pot these plants gives me the itch. I'm in Nebraska and we have had unusual warm weather, yesterday was 58°. I did some winter jug sowing and have been checking to make sure they stay moist. Those plants are beautiful.

Laura, you are one crazy momma! The gleam in your eye when you picked up that axe!!!! Beautiful floral arrangement, as usual. I can’t wait until the Hartley is finished. Thank you for giving me a chuckle with my coffee this morning.

When I watch you and your love of plants it warms me and I realize I’m not crazy.

Absolutely love the arrangement in the Hartley! You CAN teach an old dog new tricks. Hand in plastic bag while cutting the Jalapeño. Who has time to look for gloves? Brilliant! Plus, I saw the post of Benjamin’s glorious birthday cake!🥰

Laura...I would never get rid of that cool tree branch. It has so many possibilities. Hard to find something natural with that kind of structure. Hope Benjamin and Samantha Grace have Happy Birthdays!

Such a Beautiful Arrangement. The cake turned out Awesome! I am sure Benjamin had a great day. Mine is always Brighter when I watch your Videos! Thank you so much for sharing.

The centerpiece looks good. Now just add some tiny fairy lites so you can see if from the house.... then maybe soon you can hang some little red hearts for Valentines Day! Love it!

I am so excited to see Hartley starting its journey.

I love when you said "we did it!". I was urgimg you on cutting that branch. Your spontaneous exclamation was precious.

Dang…that arrangement! That Hartley! That pot! And oohhhh, that table!!! 😍

Literally had to pause this video and comment. Your excitement for the Hartley is like a child getting their favorite toy; so fulfilling…however, I’m just dead from laughter watching your “squirrel” moment at the garden center, changing your mind about the container, tossing the soil bag, hacking the branch, and your quiet conversations with yourself as you think out loud about what to do. I laugh with you not at you as it’s like a window into my daily life! Thank you for the giggle and the confidence in knowing I’m not alone! Just priceless 🤣🤣🤣 P.S. quite disappointed we didn’t get to see Mom’s reaction though😉🤣

I’m cracking up 😂 at the hyper speed chopping, thank you for making my early morning just perfect ❤️

Beautiful arrangement for the Hartley! Put some fairy lights in those branches and it would be perfection!

I absolutely love hellebores but adding that branch brought so much drama to the planter, I'm in love! Your planters always blow my mind because you use stuff I would've never thought of

You picked the perfect table, pot and plants ...heaven in a Hartley 🌿💚🌿

Russell is a big attraction--such a character. The Hartley arrangement is stunning. xo

Oh my, Laura, you’re so talented and a natural comedienne with the axe and a bit later with the saw 😂

Hi, Laura from Iowa! Watching the snow come down- supposed to get 8-10 inches! So pretty on the evergreens! Before Christmas, I planted a 3 foot baby spruce- keeping an eye on it! Loved the stick arrangement! So, here i sit, watching it snow, thinking of my side yard, and what to do under 2 story high lilacs that run all the way down the side of the house clear to the back fence! Glad Russell came along to "supervise!" Happy Birthday, Benjamin!- love and thanks to all of you! 💗❄️💗❄️💗

Love the arrangement! The only thing it’s missing is some fairy lights 🤩

The pot came beautiful! Can only how beautiful you will make the Hartley! Love that Russell goes everywhere with you, so sweet!

Love it when you include recipes. But, also like the plant education. Thank you, Laura. Happy Birthday, Benjamin! Do want to see his Cake.

I would give anything to have just a fourth the energy Laura has!

Why does it give me so much satisfaction to watch you clean up your plants? Who knows?

This video had me cracking up! When one sees blooming hellebores RUN, do not walk to grab them up. Then using a hatchet to “trim” (read: hack away) the sedum soil. And then after planting sweetly saying “see it’s perfect, they all fit!” 🤣🤣🤣. I loved it. Thank you for the variety today and the inspiration to carry on in winter. Happy birthday to Benjamin!

Have you thought about using Huggel Culture for your cold frames? I used it underneath my large raised planting beds. It helped to fill in the large bins before adding all of the peat moss, soil and compost. Your new greenhouse is an absolute dream!

Laura your excitement is so refreshing to see, then you got out the hatchet and I was laughing out loud. Beautiful arrangement as always.

First 10 seconds and I’m just in love with Russell! He is attached to Laura at the hip!! ❤️🐱❤️ Great video!

This makes me so excited about the Hartley this season! If it can look beautiful with a dirt floor just imagine how it’s going to look when it’s all done! 😍 So happy for you Laura!

When Laura started swinging that axe, I thought of The Shining! Here’s Laura! I laughed out loud when you excitedly exclaimed, “they all fit!” I know no plants were harmed making this video! Love Garden Answer and your family. Sincerely, Susan

That centerpiece with hellebore and branches: chef’s kiss. Perfect.

Another great video Laura! So first you had me laughing during the visit to the garden center 😂 being completely in your Laura-mode, but then total flip in the greenhouse when you casually raised the axe slowly and said, “basically just hacking off the frozen soil“. Didn’t know what to do first, laugh or gasp. 😂😲😆 Lol Then with the branch, when you raised the axe again, no words, just the look on your face that said “Yep nothin’ to it, just another ordinary day in the greenhouse”. And I was grinning and laughing again with the speeded up hacking! Sounded like a helicopter (I work for a company that makes them!). Then finally when you said, “We did it!”, I felt like your partner in crime! I always love your videos but I got such a big kick out of this one, and Russell was the cherry on top! 😀 Thank you for always keeping us inspired, motivated, chuckling, grinning, gasping and laughing! 💚🤎

Love the arrangement, Laura! I felt it was like a present for me as is my birthday today and watching you is my relaxation. Happy Birthday to Benjamin and all the best to all of you! 😘🤗

You have no idea how much I love seeing something with natural brick. My head explodes everytime I see a renovation show painting brick. Good thing they weren't in New England or in Europe 100+ years ago or there'd be no historic buildings unpainted. :0 Love the brick!

The Hartley is so beautiful on its own but u are gonna make it such a magical place. I've been watching ur journey for over 5yrs and I'm so excited with every season change. Thank you again for inspiring me to grow something and just try it. I absolutely love watching ur videos.

The arrangement for the Hartley sitting in center is beautiful but the fast motion of you chopping away at that branch is so hilarious OMG can I say kind of scary 😂 🤣 Love your creativity even in the winter time you’re my favorite KZfaq channel and when you don’t post makes for a sad day, but everyone needs a break.. ☃️❄️❄️☃️

You always make the most beautiful plantings with hellebores! I'm still swooning over the pots flanking your double doors from last year!!. So pretty!

Okay, have to admit I didn’t expect that branch to fit - it looked massive!! But it looks perfect! 😍

Sedum… Laura’s version of “squirrel!!” 👀😂. Literally stopped her in her tracks! Such fun, doesn’t matter what the plan of the day is. Cutting back sad plants, potting glorious new ones for the stately Hartley, feeding the chickens and making a cucumber salad. I enjoy every moment! Hope Benjamin had a wonderful birthday!

I fully love everything about this arrangement from the surprise blooming helebores and sedum(great axing job tehehe) to the branches and cement table. Have you thought about adding lights to the branches for nighttime? fyi...I have filled containers as deep as the cold frame by using composted materials(ie grass clippings & leaves) in the bottom and then topping off with potting soil. It works wonderfully as it degrades beneath the plant roots. Thankyou for your continued inspiration.

It's comforting to know I'm not the only one that forgets about some plants. I forgot to water a pot in my front yard flower bed and it's toast too! :( Oh well, there's always Spring, gotta love the joys of gardening. Thanks again for all you share, you're the best!

What a great move! That little table looking great in the Hartley entry way! I think that a combination of water fountain with a planter would also look great in the middle of the entry way! Well, something for you to think about....the best of both worlds....water foutain and plants😍! Thanks for sharing the cucumber salad with us! Hugs to your parents and happy birthday to Benjamin for the 3rd time🙃😊❤(so confused with the dates)

New Gardner in Ohio: I can see your vision for the Hartley. It is going to be just Beautiful. I love the winter arrangement and finding Hellebores with blooms was a rewarding find.

🤣🤣🤣 Laura and her Helibores!! And might I add, the only one who can confidently hack away at a rootball and know that it will work! Love that gal!! 💪🏻🥰❤️

You are just AMAZING! So many gifts, talents, and abilities in one person! And what a blessing that you share so much with us!

Always love spending time with you, Laura! Thanks for taking us along with you. 🥰

What a beautiful winter arrangement that is gorgeous I love the structure of the branches inside the pot with those flowers! Russell look like a superhero flying right up on top of the edge of that wall I wish we could jump like that! 😂

Love seeing Laura’s Mom, she is just so sweet. Missed her…..must have blinked…Happy Birthday Benjamin and enjoy the cake 🎂.

Russell makes me laugh. My cat would never go out in the snow. Just looks at it thru the garden doors. There’s Russell walking right thru it all. Lol

Love, love, love the pot with the Hellebores. I want a green house just like this....wouldn't it be nice! You are going to enjoy this so much.

I really love the arrangement. It’s like a miniature landscape inside the Hartley. I have two hellebores to plant up, I may need a third to recreate it.

Did u hear the chickens saying “ that root ball is too big we need an axe”. I love how you have a tool for everything and you look so excited when you head to the barn to find it. Love you so much.

I wasn’t entirely sold on the branches. It had a Nightmare at Christmas vibe to me. But once it was in the Hartley and we got the view from the distance I absolutely love it! Such a great idea. Hope the cake turned out beautifully. I’m sure it did and Benjamin loved it. Quick tip for other moms with littles… I would buy a Lego or Action Figure or Car that my sons were really into and stick them on top of a very basic cake. Homemade, store bought - didn’t matter. They loved it. I once did a Star Wars scene with a Ben Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker (action figures) and molten lava (strawberry jam with chunks of Oreo cookie). It looked disgusting 🤢 but my 18 yo STILL talks about what a great cake it was. 😆 They have such pure hearts at that age. Happy gardening everyone!

Loved the inspiring cleanup on violas. I'm in 9b and my leggy xmas violas are getting hammered by the wind. Now it occurs I can trim them down and give 'em a break. Thank you Laura! You're the best!

"plants everywhere". Yes that's my (and every plant lover's) creed. When we see empty areas, we feel the need to enhance it with a plant of some sort. . :-)

I am so inspired by your enthusiasm and creativity. Could watch you all day...So, fun, than you!