Tips and Tales from the New Age of Small Farm Living
In a world where tomatoes are shipped thousands of miles, and honey often hides behind syrupy imposters, small farmers are bringing food production back to the backyard—or at least the …
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How to Repel Rabbits from Plants
Rabbits are the most adorable little critters. They twitch their little noses and hop around, making the world around them seem like an idyllic meadow, even if you’re in an …
Banana Peppers: A Love Story Between a Gardener, a Sandwich, and a Surprisingly Prolific Plant
A long time ago—back when Subway sandwich shops seemed like the height of lunch sophistication—I discovered banana peppers.
At the time, my routine was simple: walk to the neighborhood Subway for …
Autumn Chores
When I lived in Italy, all the women vigorously Spring-cleaned their houses before Easter. When the houses were spanking clean, the priest would come to them and bless them. Of …
The Perilous Pepper Parade
One fine Spring, feeling bold and adventurous, I decided to grow an assortment of peppers—everything from sweet bell peppers to feisty jalapeños, along with a few exotic ones with names …
Tussie-mussie and Timeless Traditions
Sally’s party was the stuff of Summer dreams. Her Maine island cottage was alive with oldies blaring from a stereo perched on the deck, the tantalizing scent of barbecue mingling …
How I Became a Sunflower Salesman (By Accident)
Verne, a retired timber faller and stalwart of the church, had started the garden on church-owned land with a noble mission: to donate fresh veggies to the local food bank. …
The Great Tomato-tastrophe!
It was shaping up to be the Summer I always dreamed of—my garden was bursting with tomatoes in every shade of red, yellow, and even a suspicious shade of purple. …
Apple Orchard Antics
I live in a mountain hideaway, a cozy home nestled in the heart of an apple orchard that feels like it was dreamed up by someone who took a few …
The Accidental Meditative Garden
As an idea, I think almost any garden is a meditative garden. Some, like Japanese rock gardens, are established with the intention that they will be a place of reflective …
