My Retirement Garden
“In the year 2000, do you think we’ll still be alive?” Fourteen-year-old me was chatting with my girlfriends in 1972 about a date so far in the future it seemed …
the compost
Too Many Tomatoes? or Frozen Lettuce?
Which shall it be? The frozen lettuce just happened, while the too-many tomatoes is yet to occur (but is as sure a certainty as President Clinton is to ... well, …
Tips for Managing Bugs in Compost Bins
I don't want to write about bugs in compost bins any more than you want to read about it, but it happens, so here we are. Don't worry; I'm not …
How to Keep Animals Out of Compost Bins
Composting is the gift that keeps on giving. I love turning food scraps, cardboard, grass clippings, and other green and brown materials into a usable and nutritious soil amendment. It …
Keyhole Gardens for Beginners
If spring weather has you feeling excited about fresh herbs and produce from your backyard, you might want to try keyhole gardening. Even aspiring green thumbs can easily master this …
How to Make Bokashi Compost in 5 Easy Steps
Whenever I get to write about composting, I get that feeling you have when you’ve discovered a great new TV show and want to share all about it with your …
Legacy in Bloom
“The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life.” – Rabindranath Tagore …
Mulch Magic: A Guide to Non-Toxic Garden Ground Covers
Let me tell you about my love affair with mulch—it's the unsung hero that transformed my garden from stressed to blessed! …
Why Rhubarb Leaves are Toxic and What to Do with Them
While many gardeners swoon over rhubarb's ruby-red stalks and dream of homemade pies, this popular perennial comes with a catch that gives some of us pause. Sure, those tart stems …
Is Cow Manure Fertilizer Safe for Vegetable Gardens?
If you've ever driven through farm country at the right time, you're already somewhat familiar with cow manure fertilizer. That's one of those rare times in life where I think …
