June Life

Sort-of Noodles, The Death of "Mama," Hardcore Gardening, and more!

Jun 15, 2025

Hello!

Before launching Basker, I created a small research study on horticultural therapy. Since no one had really heard of the practice before, I wanted to find out what people thought about it and how they’d want to practice it. I had a lot of hypotheses going into the interviews – and I was right about some, but very wrong about one of them.

I thought most people would want to do private sessions, but all but one person preferred groups. They said they craved connection, they were excited about the potential of new friendships, and one person liked the idea of being able to share how they feel with strangers (because they might not see them again).

These findings made me really excited to offer group sessions. You can see all the details for our first group sessions (virtual + in-person) on June 28th here, and I’ve included it again at the end of this email.

*IN-PERSON GROUP*
(DOWNTOWN CHARLESTON)
June 28th at 9am-10:30am ET
SIGN UP!

*VIRTUAL GROUP*
June 28th at 3pm-4:30pm ET
SIGN UP!

The deadline to sign up is Friday, June 20th.
Space is limited, so if you’re thinking about joining, sign up!

Alright, go get your June things.

Love,
Jessica

This week on INSIDE + OUTSIDE PODCAST

I talked with

Jessica DeFino

, the award-winning beauty reporter and critic. We talked about the connection between nature and body image, playing with worms, a love/hate relationship with hiking, and one of the biggest beauty trends she’s seeing right now.

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or my website.

The Things That Freaked My Week

Some things I’m currently thinking about…

INSIDE
Too Much
I cannot wait for this show!

How play is important for adults (sorry for the Oprah link)
“In fact, play is essential to our sanity.”

Don’t Call Me “Mama” via Vogue
Thank you,

Amanda Hess

for writing everything I’m thinking. Let’s also add ditching the “Boy Mom” narratives as well.

Two books I read this month:
The Better Sister by Alafair Burke (bonus, it’s now a TV series! My friend Chance and I read the book and then watched the show as a long-distance, Book-Turned-TV-Show Club).

You May Now Kill The Bride by Kate Weston (I want this to be a TV series!)

Kelp Noodles
I’ve been eating a lot of kelp noodles lately with smashed cucumbers, tofu, carrots, a handful of herbs, and Hetty’s peanut sauce (thanks to

Allyson Holleb

for the heads up on this sauce).

The key to great kelp noodles is to soak them in hot water with lemon and salt. It softens them and makes them less weird (not sure how else to describe it). And if you’ve never had them before, they taste nothing like “kelp” aka the sea. They have a super neutral taste that makes them the perfect vessel for a peanut sauce and veggies.

Clone
For quick hits of headline news and stories without having to look at the actual news or social media. I also love how they show what visitor number you are in top corner.

Why many digital natives would not give their kids smartphones via The Guardian

OUTSIDE
Carolin Ruggaber
UNREAL. I mean technically her work is inside…but she uses flowers…so…

Have you heard of Hardcore Gardening? via House & Garden
Maybe not what you think.

My interview on Superbloom! Kristen (the founder of Superbloom) makes her interviews look like magazine spreads. She’s amazing. So even if you don't want to read me wax on about flowers…go for the photos!

Sneeboer Serrated Garden Scoop
It was named RHS Chelsea Sustainable Garden Product of the Year and it’s sold out. I want it.

More citrus
I have gotten so many messages from friends who listened to my episode with Joey Hernandez who want to grow citrus now! So here are some cool citrus books if you want to explore the citrus world more (one is definitely a $splurge$, but so cool).

The Book Of Citrus Fruit
The Gourmand's Lemon / A Collection of Stories and Recipes
Citrus: A World History
The Little Citrus Cookbook

GROUP SESSIONS: Learning To Grow Cut Flowers

*IN-PERSON GROUP*
(DOWNTOWN CHARLESTON)
June 28th at 9am-10:30am ET
SIGN UP!

*VIRTUAL GROUP*
June 28th at 3pm-4:30pm ET
SIGN UP!
Deadline to sign up is June 20th

For the group session, you don’t need any experience or a green thumb to participate. You also don’t need a big yard/garden either (growing in pots is still a garden)! Just bring yourself and a notebook.

What you’ll learn:
• An understanding of your growing zone + what to grow and when
• How to read a seed packet
• Annuals vs. Perennials
• How to design your garden bed or pots
• Why cut-and-come-again flowers are the hero of any garden
• How to grow from seed
• The best resources for your growing needs (seeds, tools, etc.)
• Economical and sustainable ways to get the most out of your garden

Some benefits of learning to grow:
• Finding more calm and managing stress
• Creating a deeper connection to self
• Feeling more creative
• Finding new ways to get offline
• Building more social connections
• Creating more resilience + patience
• Finding opportunities to move your body
• Making your space feel more special

Other details:
• You can choose to share or not share in the group (you won’t ever be forced to talk)
• This is a beginners workshop - so if you’re an experienced gardener, this might not be the best fit for you

Cost: $75 per person

*IN-PERSON GROUP*
(DOWNTOWN CHARLESTON)
June 28th at 9am-10:30am ET
SIGN UP!

*VIRTUAL GROUP*
June 28th at 3pm-4:30pm ET
SIGN UP!
Deadline to sign up is June 20th

******

What people are saying…
“I've been garden-curious for years but really didn't know where to start or what I could even grow with the small space I have outside my rented apartment.

Within one conversation, Jessica got me so excited about the possibilities, and now I can't wait to get my hands in the soil every day!”

- Jessica G, Los Angeles

While I’m not on IG anymore…I still love sharing. Check out the Basker feed (updated weekly)!