Date Archives: May 2022

If you are a first-time homebuyer, one of the things you might be excited about is that you can have a yard big enough for a garden. Our real estate agents can help you find the perfect property where you can grow your own vegetables and work on a new hobby for years to come. Get started with these easy-to-grow plants perfect for the area's climate.

• Bush Beans – Bush beans are probably the safest bet if you want to grow a vegetable that you can't mess up. Plant them. Keep the weeds away and watch them grow!

• Corn - Corn, along with beans and squash, make up the three sisters of the garden. The corn creates the foundation for the beans to grow around, and the squash creates the base. When all three are cooked together, you have succotash.

• Peas – Peas are exceptionally easy to grow but difficult to harvest. Since you can eat them right from the garden, you will often find children grabbing handfuls for a quick snack. Watch out for the adults too!

• Cherry Tomatoes – Cherry tomatoes are almost as hard to harvest as your peas. Once you get a few on the vine, though, you can harvest them for a salad or as a garnish for one of your home-cooked meals.

• Summer Squash – Summer squash is also extremely easy to grow and is known as one of the staples for many families who garden from year to year. You can find various types of squash growing at many St. Louis homes for sale.

• Garlic – Garlic is similar to onions and will produce a strong odor as it matures. It is easy to grow and you can harvest it as you need it.

• Cucumbers – Cucumbers look a lot like squash, but the plants have smaller leaves. Both squash and cucumbers grow quickly once they begin to appear on the vine. Harvest them when they are mid-size for the best texture and taste.

• Radishes – Radishes grow very fast. You may be able to plant and harvest twice during the summer months if they don't get too hot.

• Leafy Vegetables – Leafy vegetables like lettuce and kale are easy to grow and will provide you with everything you need for a tasty summer salad.

• Garden Herbs - No garden is complete without a little flavor. Many herbs are easily grown in your garden or in small pots in your kitchen. Rosemary, oregano, basil, parsley, and thyme can all be grown in your garden and harvested fresh whenever you need them. 

Other Tips for Your First Garden

Besides picking out the right plants to grow in your first garden, you also have to keep in mind how you'll keep pests away from your sprouting plants. In our corner of Missouri, rabbits, squirrels, and even deer are known to cause havoc in some gardens. Luckily, there are a couple of ways you can keep them at bay and protect your garden.

• Fencing – a variety of materials can help you keep any pests away. 
  
  
• Hot Pepper Sauce – Sure, you might like spicy food, but rabbits don't. Mix a hot pepper sauce with dish soap for a natural (and spicy) way to deter them from your garden.
  
  
• Identify the Plant Pests Like the Most - Are pests targeting one plant in particular? Head to your garden store and see if you can surround this plant with chicken wire to give it extra protection.

If you're ready to dive into gardening and are looking for the perfect home, contact us today. We can help you find a yard perfect for your gardening goals. 

Mother's Day is right around the corner. It's an opportunity to spend some quality time with your mom and to reflect on the impact she's had on your entire life. 

If you're looking for a place to spend time with mom this Mother's Day, our real estate agents have a few ideas. Check out these great Mother's Day brunch restaurants in the St. Louis area!

• The Wheelhouse - 1000 Spruce St, St. Louis, MO 63102
  Located in a downtown renovated industrial space, The Wheelhouse is a perfect Mother's Day brunch spot. The kitchen opens at 10 am on Saturday and Sunday, offering up brunch staples like waffles, Benedicts, and omelets. The Wheelhouse is also open late on Fridays and Saturdays, with a full bar and an assortment of creative pub grub. It's a great place to take your mom that's just minutes from many St. Louis homes for sale. 
  
  
• Chris' Pancake & Dining - 5980 Southwest Ave, St. Louis, MO 63139
  It's right there in the name. If you're in the mood for pancakes, there's no better place than Chris' Pancake & Dining. This beloved institution has been serving St. Louis breakfast for more than 25 years, including classic pancake, egg, hash brown, and meat combos. Breakfast is served all day (during open hours, 7 am to 4 pm), so there's never a bad time to enjoy a great Mother's Day breakfast. Chris' serves some excellent mimosas as well. 
  
  
• Living Room Coffee & Kitchen - 2810 Sutton Blvd, Maplewood, MO 63143
  Some of the best coffee in the St. Louis area is made and served at Living Room Coffee & Kitchen. This local small-batch coffee roaster does all their own roasting in-house, and you can really taste the freshness in your cup. They also serve some tasty breakfast and lunch fare, including sandwiches, burritos, and several healthy vegan and vegetarian options. Living Room Coffee & Kitchen is located in Maplewood, a short drive from St. Louis and a stone's throw from countless Maplewood homes for sale. 
  
  
• Turn - 3224 Locust St, St. Louis, MO 63103
  Offering healthy, delicious takes on classic American comfort food, Turn is a can't-miss option for Mother's Day brunch in St. Louis. Avocado toast, biscuits and gravy, brioche French toast, and grilled salmon sandwiches are just a few highlights of their brunch menu. The folks at Turn also serve excellent espresso drinks, as well as boozy brunch drinks, including bloody Marys and a next-level blood orange mimosa. 
  
  
• Prasino St. Charles - 1520 S 5th St #110, St. Charles, MO 63303
  Prasino St. Charles is an outstanding brunch spot that offers up an eclectic assortment of locally sourced farm-to-table food. Breakfast is served daily until 3 pm, and lunch is served starting at 11. Omelet and eggs Benedict options are breakfast highlights, while the lunch menu includes some excellent tacos, flatbreads, and salads. Be sure to check out these St. Charles homes for sale nearby.
  
  
• Egg - 2200 Gravois Ave, St. Louis, MO 63104
  Nationally recognized and routinely ranked as one of the best breakfast/brunch restaurants in St. Louis, Egg is the perfect place to enjoy brunch on Mother's Day. This cozy contemporary-industrial diner serves killer breakfast food, often incorporating global flavors. Unique omelet specials are offered daily. Everything is made from scratch in-house using local eggs, produce, and meats. 
  
  
• Olivino Tasting Bar - 120 W Main St, Washington, MO 63090
  Enjoy a delicious brunch combined with a cooking demonstration when you stop by Olivino Tasting Bar near Washington homes for sale. The secret behind the tasty brunch fare? The olive oil, which is all available for purchase! Take your mom there to celebrate Mother's Day, or surprise her with one of their gift baskets. They also have another location in the St. Charles area. 

Contact us today to learn more about life in St. Louis. If you're ready to find your dream home here in Missouri, our real estate agents are here to help every step of the way.