In this corner of our blog, we delve into the vibrant tapestry of gardening, exploring how it transcends the boundaries of mere hobby or sustenance, and instead, becomes an integral part of who we are.
For many of us, our forebears were hardworking farmers who toiled the land, and as time passed, we transformed into gardeners, keeping the age-old tradition alive. It’s a connection that has shaped our spirit and our soul for centuries, grounding us in the earth beneath our feet and the stories written in the soil.
The tales you’ll discover here are as diverse as the petals in a summer garden, yet they share a common thread: the belief that the gardening life is about so much more than just the practical aspects of planting, growing, and harvesting. It’s a vibrant, living art that intertwines with our lives, enriching the experiences of our families, friends, and neighbors. It’s a cultural touchstone that weaves its way into the very fabric of our society.
This section of our website features a collection of talented authors, each a member of our Food Gardening Network, and collectively, they bring you a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. Their stories are not just educational; they are a source of inspiration and, above all, they are fun.
So, whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a curious novice, we invite you to explore the wisdom, creativity, and joy that emanate from our gardening life category. Join us as we dig deeper into the rich soil of our collective heritage, sowing seeds of knowledge, nurturing connections, and harvesting inspiration along the way. Welcome to a world where gardening is more than just a pastime; it’s a way of life.
I admit that I don’t know all of the saints. I’m aware of some of the well-known saints, like St. Anthony, the Patron Saint for Lost Articles. He’s a favorite of one of my friends. But the Encyclopedia Britannica points out that there are more than 10,000 saints recognized by the Catholic Church, so I […]
There’s no end to the places we can find gardening and planting inspiration. For me, sometimes it’s a good meal that includes a variety of vegetable that I’m not familiar with, or the way a particular color of flower looks against a cloudy Summer sky. Other times, inspiration strikes in the guise of a memory. […]
Buongiorno, my fellow flavor fanatics! It all started so innocently—just a little Italian Wedding Soup on a rainy day, a biscotti or two at breakfast, maybe a splash of Sangiovese for good measure. But before I knew it, I had drifted headlong into a full-blown love affair with Italian cuisine. Not the touristy kind that […]
I don’t usually let garden bugs live in the house, but did I ever tell you about the time I had a pet spider? It wasn’t all that long ago, actually. The spider was small, maybe the size of a nickel. It was black with two bright green eyes that shone in the light. I […]
It’s no wonder why hospitals and mental health facilities build healing gardens for their patients. There is no such place that can change your mindset so easily than the scent of a lilac tree in bloom, or fresh-cut grass on bare feet. Of course, sometimes what’s meant to be your own personal healing garden can […]
Cutting your flowers is a great way to naturally decorate the inside of your home and add a little color. Some gardeners even go as far as to specifically grow them to display them indoors. However, once they’ve been cut, they won’t last forever. Follow these tips to know how to keep your cut flowers […]
Zinnias are one of my favorite flowers, and growing zinnias has been an adventure for me, so when I caught the title of this piece, I knew it would be a good one, no matter the outcome. But this story reminds me of all the flower gardeners out there. I have two friends who run […]
Thirteen years ago my husband, Mark, and I bought a rectangular little house on a rectangular green grass lawn. It reminded me of the little plastic houses on the board game Monopoly. We had barely finished unpacking the dishes when my head started spinning with my elaborate plan. It was time to bring my deepest […]
There’s something magical about a New England summer. The sun lingers a little longer, the salt air makes every sandwich taste better, and your neighbors suddenly start gifting you bags of zucchini. And as executive publisher of Green Prince , I consider it my seasonal duty—no, privilege—to turn all that garden bounty into something edible […]
Imagine buying a home and finding out that someone planted you a surprise garden! I find many sweet stories of mini gardeners when I page through our library of GreenPrints issues, but as the mom of a little sunflower-lover, this one touches my heart a little extra. In this story, “Secret Sunflowers” by Mary Anglin-Coulter, […]
