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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 …
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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 …
Reasons to Love Heart-shaped Tomatoes
While I love many tomatoes – I’ve grown over 100 varieties on my Seattle city lot in a season – heart-shaped tomatoes hold a special spot in my affections. They …
The Marvelous Potato Harvest Story
The potato is one of the most versatile, nourishing, and comforting foods in the world. It’s no wonder that cultures from America to Ireland, Germany, and beyond embrace potatoes as …
How to Choose and Use a Vacuum Sealer
As any enthusiastic gardener or home cook will tell you, there’s no greater heartbreak than seeing your lovingly grown vegetables or favorite snacks go bad before their time. Enter the …
