Hope is right around the corner!
When I was growing up just south of Boston, we would always say “April showers bring May flowers.” That was New Englanders’ way of recognizing the often cool and rainy early Spring, but with hope for glorious days of sun and blooming flowers ahead. Because after brutal Winters, we all need hope. And what better place to find hope than in our gardens!
By now, you’ve probably already thought about—and planned—your garden for the upcoming season. And in more southern climates, you’ve even done some planting outside. I join you in eagerly awaiting the coming crops … and the hope of another Spring that arrives with the glory of new plants blossoming forth!
And just like a new Spring, GreenPrints has blossomed anew with high hopes for the future—as I reported in last month’s issue. We’ve greatly expanded the content in monthly magazine issues, and there really is something for everyone … including heartwarming stories like we’ve been publishing for 34 years (The very first issue of GreenPrints appeared in Spring 1990.) plus a whole lot more.
Here’s a quick summary of what’s new in this issue—I know you’ll find our new regular features valuable and entertaining:
- Gardening News: Executive Publisher Don Nicholas shares with you his monthly commentary, this time about attending a fairy-tale wedding among the glorious plants at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Texas. Saddle up for this story!
- Garden Planning: Every month, you get advice—and entertainment—about a practical, seasonal gardening matter. This month, Food Gardening Network’s Amanda MacArthur gives you some ideas about fun and whimsical ways to label the herbs in your garden. Not that you’d ever confuse parsley with cilantro!
- Cultivating Wisdom: Regular contributor Becky Rupp is featured every month, covering topics that divulge all sorts of facts you might not otherwise know. In this issue, Becky reviews some of the facts about rainfall and its effects.
- Garden Giggles: Perennial contributor Mike McGrath delivers his usual knee-slapping—sometimes gut-busting—humor about something in the garden. This month, Mike’s story about his challenges growing peach trees is guaranteed to make you laugh.
- Harvesting Health: This new column is my own piece—and this month, I cover the health benefits of eating asparagus … with a little history about its reputation for spurring urine.
- Gardening Life: These monthly gems are authored by GreenPrints Founding Editor Pat Stone—always funny and often thought-provoking. This month, discover what makes Pat tick as a gardener.
- Seasonal Thoughts: GreenPrints Editor & Publisher Christy Page shares her garden thoughts every month—and seasonally appropriate, of course! For this issue, Christy is patiently awaiting May flowers!
- Plants We Love: Every month, you get interesting and fun articles about three different plants. For this month, learn about hydrangeas, blueberries, and kumquats.
- Recipes from the Garden: Talk about practical! Every month, you now get tasty and easy-to-make recipes that use garden-fresh ingredients. In this issue, you can make 5 new recipes, from Lemon Zest Gelato to Italian Wedding Soup!
And then there are the perennials in every monthly GreenPrints Magazine issue:
- Stories from the Garden: These mainstays have been part of GreenPrints since our first year of publishing in Spring 1990—“gardening stories from the heart” that will lift your spirits and make you smile or laugh. And now, every story is audio-recorded so you can listen while you garden, shop, or drive!
- Books, Kits & Calendars: Every month, you get crafting projects that include keepsake StoryBooks, Story Collections, ArtPrints, Greeting Cards, and Calendars.
- Letters to GreenPrints: Read messages that readers have sent us—the good, the bad, and the ugly—A great way to connect with the thinking of like-minded gardeners. (Please send us your own feedback to share!)
GreenPrints is ready for you to read (and listen to)! Check out this entire issue, and you’ll see what I mean when I say, “There’s something for everyone!”
So please enjoy this issue and all the new—sometimes practical, always interesting—content it includes. And let me know what you think.
I’d truly love to hear from you.
Bill Dugan
Executive Editor
GreenPrints
P.S. Please email me with your feedback about the new-and-improved GreenPrints: bill@mequoda.com. I look forward to hearing from you. Or share your comments below, so all our readers can benefit.
