I’m Sarah-Manon. Yup, two names, because I came into this world with enough personality for at least two people, and my parents just rolled with it.
I recently joined the writing staff at Planter, and I must say… I’m rooting for this new chapter already! I’m proudly holding it down for the European continent. Born and raised in the lowlands (aka the Netherlands), I now call a little farm at 900 meters altitude in the Black Forest (Germany) my home. With a market garden and some arable land, we’ve started a sanctuary that’s slowly growing into a centre for plant-based food transformation. Super coolsiez, if I may say so.
Besides this out-of-control hobby, I work as a freelance writer and journalist, mostly for organisations accelerating a just food system for humans, nature, and our fellow animals.
The world can feel like a dark and heavy place sometimes. What drives me most in my writing is the hope that I can show others what I see: the wild beauty, the quiet magic, and the stories that bloom in the cracks. There’s so much wonder out there. So many beautiful stories worth sharing.
I hope that after reading one of mine, your heart feels a little more rooted, and a little more open.
The Garden’s Turning Point [Pinned]
Gardening is not just about following a set of guidelines, it’s much more than that. It’s about observing, listening, and building relationships with those we’re working alongside: the plants, the soil, the weather. This post will be a little different than usual. Let me take you with me as I reflect on a quiet but significant shift, my garden’s turning point.
‘‘Nuchter’’ I grew up in a small village in the Netherlands, where we have a particular word to describe our outlook on life: ‘’nuchter’’....
How To Use Straw In Your Garden Right Now
Having grown up in the countryside, one of the things I missed most when I lived in the city as a student was the smell of late summer. That warm, cereal-like scent of freshly cut straw was always the signal that the season was shifting. Now that I’ve moved back to the countryside, and even mowed for the very first time myself on a giant John Deere tractor, I can confidently say: the smell of straw is back, folks....
Too Many Tomatoes? Here Are 6 Surprising Ways to Use Your Harvest!
We just took over a farm, and the previous owner planted about 150 tomato plants. You might think that’s a crazy amount, and yes, it absolutely is. But here’s the thing: we also run a micro-bakery and head to the market every week to sell our bread. And what goes perfectly with fresh bread? Tomatoes! Unfortunately, this summer’s weather has been all over the place, and a lot of our tomatoes have split....
Plant Your Protein
Part of why I turned to gardening was for resilience. That quiet confidence of knowing I’ll always have access to food. Understanding what it took from the earth, and what it gives back, tastes like freedom. Like peace, in a way. It also made me think more deeply about what nourishes me. And if there’s one nutrient the world seems fixated on right now, it’s protein. Every other product at the supermarket screams “high-protein” or “protein-packed”, gym culture has practically rebranded it as a religion, and new research keeps surfacing about how essential it is for our health....
The Ancient, Funky, and Fabulous Method Known As: Lacto-Fermentation
While home fermentation is a natural and rewarding process, it does involve live bacteria. To keep things safe and delicious, be sure to follow the safety guidelines included at the end of this article.
It’s peak harvest season, folks! If you’ve ever watched RedLeaf Ranch on YouTube, you can probably hear him yelling it already: “ABUNDANCE!”
Because that’s exactly what many of us are experiencing in our gardens right now. The beds are bursting with produce and while it’s a blessing, it can also be a bit… overwhelming....
Cool Crops, Cozy Harvest
Oh, summer. How I love you.
It’s mid-July, and the breeze here in the mountains feels like a warm hug. Most folks are busy harvesting courgettes the size of baguettes and, no doubt, cursing their once-again runaway mint. I’m standing in my garden with a fresh cup of (yes, mint) tea and a question: What do I want to eat in the fall?
Because while summer is in full swing, this is actually the secret season to sow again....
Love in the Veggie Patch: Understanding Cucurbit Reproduction
Growing up with fairytales, I came to believe that love is everywhere. Sometimes, you just have to look a little closer to notice it. It doesn’t always look the way we expect. It can take different shapes and happen in places we’d never think to look. Even… in your veggie patch. Let me explain. As you prepare for a season of abundance, you’ve been nurturing your zucchini plants for weeks. The vines are sprawling, the leaves are lush, and then: boom, flowers!...
