Welcome to Seasonal Simple Life

Join me in creating a self-sufficient, sustainable life through gardening, preserving, and simple living.
Every season offers fresh opportunities to grow your skills and reconnect with nature’s rhythms. Angela of Seasonal Simple Life 

Latest Posts

April Reflections: Learning From Spring’s Unpredictability

April Reflections: Learning From Spring’s Unpredictability

April doesn’t ease you in gently. One day you’re in shorts, the next you’re back in your down jacket — and somehow the cherry trees are blooming through all of it. In these April reflections, I share how to live with April’s restless energy rather than against it: in the garden, at home, and in yourself.

What to Sow and Plant in April: Kickstarting Your Vegetable Garden

What to Sow and Plant in April: Kickstarting Your Vegetable Garden

April marks the thrilling moment when your vegetable garden truly springs to life. As soil temperatures warm and the danger of frost diminishes, this month offers a prime opportunity to sow seeds and plant out a wide range of crops that will sustain your harvest through spring and into summer. For gardeners of all skill levels, April is ideal for both indoor seed-starting—think leeks, brassicas, lettuce, tomatoes and members of the cucurbit family—and direct sowing outdoors of cool-season favourites like broad beans, peas, carrots, radishes, rocket, spinach, beetroot and salsify. It’s also a great time to transplant hardy seedlings such as lettuce, cabbage and leeks, and to set out bulbs and roots like garlic, onions and potatoes once they’ve been hardened off. With thoughtful timing and a little soil preparation, you’ll be well on your way to a productive growing season.

From the Garden

March Reflections: The Season of Transition

March Reflections: The Season of Transition

March is not a clean arrival — it’s a dance between winter and spring. One day the sun warms your face and the crocuses push through the soil; the next, winter takes the stage again for one last performance. In these March reflections, I share what this season of transition asks of us: in the garden, in our homes, and in ourselves.

Dirt, Seeds, and Potential: What to sow and plant in March

Dirt, Seeds, and Potential: What to sow and plant in March

March is spring with a hint of winter—that magical transition when my too-clean fingers start itching to dig in the dirt.
Indoors, start tomatoes for outdoor growing, greenhouse cucumbers, and pre-sprout potatoes on a sunny windowsill. Sow lettuce every few weeks for continuous harvest. Don’t forget nasturtium—it protects cucumbers from pests while adding edible flowers.
Outdoors, hardy vegetables like sugar peas, early carrots, broad beans, and spinach can handle the cold with protective fleece. Transplant February-started lettuce and strawberries after hardening them off gradually.
Label everything—you won’t recognize seedlings later. Get out and have fun in the dirt!

From the Pantry

Pickled Zucchini: From Garden Surplus to Flavour-Packed Treasure

Pickled Zucchini: From Garden Surplus to Flavour-Packed Treasure

Every gardener knows the cycle: the first zucchini of the season is a celebrated trophy, but by number ten, the family is in full revolt. If you’re watching your zucchini plants with a mix of pride and panic, this pickled zucchini recipe is your salvation. This simple preservation method transforms your garden surplus into flavor-packed jars that will brighten winter meals for months to come. The best part? No salting required, any size zucchini works (even those that have grown into baseball bats), and the recipe comes together in under an hour. With a tangy brine infused with curry, dill, and mustard seeds, these pickles are perfect for sandwiches, cheese boards, or mixed into potato mash for an unexpected flavor boost. Stop letting those zucchini go to waste—turn your overflow into a pantry treasure you’ll actually be excited to use all year long.Claude is AI and can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.

Channel Your Inner Oma: Simple Homemade Sauerkraut That Actually Tastes Amazing

Channel Your Inner Oma: Simple Homemade Sauerkraut That Actually Tastes Amazing

Every autumn, when the sharp, tangy scent of fermenting cabbage fills the kitchen, you know winter comfort food season has officially begun. If you’ve been settling for mediocre store-bought sauerkraut, it’s time to discover how ridiculously simple it is to make your own at home. With just cabbage, salt, and a little patience, you can create sauerkraut that’s tangier, crunchier, and infinitely more satisfying than anything from a jar. This traditional German recipe requires no special equipment—just a bowl, some jars, and the willingness to knead some cabbage. Whether you’re piling it alongside creamy mashed potatoes, tucking it into a flaky strudel, or serving it as a wine-braised side dish, homemade sauerkraut transforms simple meals into something special. Watch this ancient preservation method work its magic right on your countertop, and channel your inner German Oma as you create jars of probiotic-rich goodness that will last all winter long. Once you see how easy it is, you’ll wonder why you ever bought it from the store.

From Orchard to Jar: 4 Heavenly Pear Jam Variations

From Orchard to Jar: 4 Heavenly Pear Jam Variations

When my colleague brought over two buckets of freshly harvested pears, I knew I wanted to create something special beyond classic pear jam. These four heavenly pear jam variations capture everything from warm autumn spices to bright summer flavours, each bringing its own unique character to your breakfast table. Try the velvety Pear Jam with Spices featuring vanilla, ginger, and cardamom for cosy autumn mornings. The Pear Jam with Rosemary offers a fresh, herbaceous twist that’s perfect for cheese boards. For something sophisticated, the Pear Jam with Riesling adds subtle fruitiness and depth. And the kid-friendly Pear-Blueberry Jam with Cinnamon combines three seasons in one jar. Each recipe follows the same simple process and uses just a handful of ingredients. Whether you’re working with freshly picked pears or windfall fruit that needs quick processing, these creative variations will help you preserve the harvest in delicious new ways.

From the Kitchen

Vanillekipferl Recipe (Austrian Vanilla Crescent Cookies)

Vanillekipferl Recipe (Austrian Vanilla Crescent Cookies)

When my mom baked Vanillekipferl each December, their vanilla scent filled our house and my brother and I could barely resist sneaking them warm from the oven. These traditional Austrian vanilla crescent cookies are more than a recipe—they’re a holiday ritual. Let me show you how to make these beloved Christmas cookies that disappear faster than you can bake them.

Authentic Spaetzle Recipe: German Egg Noodles in 20 Minutes

Authentic Spaetzle Recipe: German Egg Noodles in 20 Minutes

If you’ve ever visited Southern Germany, you’ve likely encountered Spaetzle—and if you have, you know how delicious they are! These traditional egg noodles, whose name translates to “little sparrows,” are a beloved staple in Southern German cuisine. The best part? They’re surprisingly easy to make at home with just four simple ingredients: flour, eggs, salt, and milk (or water). Unlike store-bought versions, homemade Spaetzle have an unbeatable tender texture and fresh flavor. The dough is pressed through a special tool (or even a colander) into boiling water, where the noodles cook in just 2-3 minutes. Serve them as a side dish with beef and gravy, or turn them into a main course like cheesy Kässpätzle. With this traditional recipe and helpful pro tips, you’ll master this classic German dish on your first try.

Home and Hearth

About Me

Imagine growing your own herbs on a windowsill, turning summer tomatoes into winter comfort, or creating your own gentle soaps with ingredients you can pronounce.

These aren’t impossible dreams—they’re your next small steps toward a more self-sufficient life.

Whether you’re planting your first seeds or you’ve been gardening for years, every season offers fresh opportunities to grow your skills, reduce your footprint, and reconnect with the natural rhythms that sustain us all.

 

 

 

Angela of Seasonal Simple Life

Hi, I’m Angela, the “face” behind Seasonal Simple Life. Welcome to this blog!

Do you dream of creating a colourful and lively vegetable garden where you’ll cultivate all the vegetables you want?

Without chemistry but diversity and many tried and tested varieties that will fill your harvest basket with healthy and tasty fruit and vegetables?

In the evenings, the flavour of freshly cooked tomato sauce flows through the house; winter will come, eventually, and your pantry won’t fill on its own…

Do you want to live a seasonal simple life, decorate your house, craft things that make you happy and add beauty to your home?

Let’s do this together!

If you want to learn more about me, click here.