I got a late start with gardening this year because of the unusually cold weather, and I finally started getting things in the ground a couple of weeks ago. I almost regretted it last week, when the temperature dropped to 34 degrees one night—ack! But everything seemed to pull through okay…and I’m excited to keep planting.
Here’s what I’ve got so far.
Italian Oregano. This is going to be The Year of the Herb in my garden. I’m just in the mood.
Greek Oregano, too!
I’ve also got dill for egg salads, chicken salads, pasta salads, and deviled eggs.
And sage for chicken dishes, pasta dishes, etc.
Rosemary, for everything because I love it so much, and basil in the background. The basil took a real beating with the cold weather last week and the wind since then…but as soon as the weather stays hot, it’ll take off like crazy.
I planted lavender, because it’s glorious.
Look—even Kitty Kitty loves it!
And tons and tons of thyme.
On the vegetable front, I’ve got lots of peppers. They’re a little traumatized from the weather over the past week, but again…once it gets hot, they’ll be good.
Same with my okra. I planted a lot. Have you ever picked okra, then walked inside, washed it, cut it in half lengthwise, sprinkled salt on it, and eaten it?
Then you haven’t lived.
And the tomatoes…OH, the tomatoes. I think I have 20 plants in the ground right now, and I need to be physically restrained to keep myself from planting more. They’re getting along fine; I’ll put the cages around them later this week.
Aside from that, I’ve planed mini eggplant, cucumbers, squash, melons, and a ton of sunflower seeds—different varieties—and I’ve put all the horses on notice that if they take one step toward the sunflowers, they’re grounded for the summer.
They were quaking in their boots!
Ree Drummond is the founder of The Pioneer Woman and a lover of butter, basset hounds and life on the ranch! Ree started her blog in 2006, and now millions visit ThePioneerWoman.com every month for her trusted recipes and fun family stories. Here’s what she has been up to since it all began:
New York Times Bestselling Author
Ree has written two memoirs (Black Heels to Tractor Wheels, and Frontier Follies) plus nine bestselling cookbooks:
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl (2009)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food from My Frontier (2012)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays (2013)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinnertime (2015)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Come and Get It! (2017)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: The New Frontier (2019)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Super Easy (2021)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinner’s Ready! (2023)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: The Essential Recipes (2025)
Food Network Host
Since 2011, Ree has been sharing simple, family-friendly recipes—and the occasional kitchen prank!—on her award-winning show The Pioneer Woman, filmed right on Drummond Ranch. Ree is also a regular judge on Food Network competitions, including Christmas Cookie Challenge.
Founder, The Pioneer Woman Collection
Ree has been creating and selling kitchen and home products at Walmart since 2015 and she’s involved in designing every piece and pattern. The line now includes best-selling appliances (you have to see the floral blender!), plus hundreds of pieces of cookware, tableware, and more. Ree doesn’t like to play favorites but the Agatha print has a special place in her heart.
Restaurant and Hotel Owner
Together with her husband Ladd, Ree has opened several bustling businesses in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, including The Pioneer Woman Mercantile—a bakery, restaurant, and general store that draws visitors from across the country (many come for the biscuits alone!), P-Town Pizza, Charlie’s Ice Cream Shop, and The Boarding House, a charming hotel with eight different rooms decorated by Ree and Ladd.
Media Personality
Ree appears regularly on national TV shows like Today, Good Morning America and more—all while managing to keep flour off her shirt.
Wife, Mom and…Grandma!
Ree’s kids (daughters Alex and Paige and sons Bryce and Todd) are all grown up, and as of December 2024, Ree is the proud grandma of the cutest baby ever, Sofia Scott, born to Alex and her husband Mauricio. Ree still cooks for Ladd (and the kids when they’re home), and she also looks after a few mischievous ranch dogs.
