The word “Summer” evokes a cascade of joyful images—bright sunshine, beach outings, picnics in the park, and a festive atmosphere that pervades every corner of life.  READ MORE 

Hello green-thumbed comrades and fellow plant enthusiasts! It's your intrepid gardening reporter, Don Nicholas, back from a horticultural expedition that took me straight to the heart of English gardening wisdom—the Royal Horticultural Society in London!  READ MORE 

At our home, crafting fresh-cut flower and herb bouquets has become a cherished tradition. For dinner party hostess gifts, we often present aromatic herb arrangements, while my daughter delights in bringing colorful garden blooms to mark the last day of camp or the first day of school.  READ MORE 

There’s a long history of helpful medicinals from plants. Just for starters, we’ve got aspirin from willow bark, digitalis from foxgloves, quinine from the cinchona tree; and codeine from opium poppies …  READ MORE 

Many things are my fault. The forsythia is/are not one of them. They were here when we moved in. Actually there were more forsythia(s) then in the front of the house but we wanted to see the front of the house so I ‘dug one up.’  READ MORE 

Watermelon is not just a staple of warm-weather gatherings; it’s also a nutritional powerhouse packed with health benefits. While its juicy, sweet flesh is a beloved treat, the healthful qualities of watermelon make it a standout among its melon relatives.  READ MORE 

The attic bedroom of our old farmhouse is where we hide magic: the tiny Christmas trees that appeared by the beds on Christmas morning; the tiny cannabis plants, years later, hid­den in the same place (but this time from me); the Venus Fly Trap, for my youngest's tenth birthday.  READ MORE 

Oh, she’s dead. She is dead. I mean, she’s had her cantankerous moments before. Those times when she wouldn’t start no matter what. The days when she sputtered around all weak like she’d never get down to any real work.  READ MORE 

I have always found the expression “The Dog Days of Summer” to be amusing. As a child, Summer was just Summer. I didn’t care how hot it was. I don’t remember ever noticing the humidity. We didn’t even mind when it rained.  READ MORE 

Ah, the delightful world of clematis – the divas of the garden, the floral acrobats that effortlessly twirl their way into our hearts. As a proud clematis enthusiast, I've spent years nurturing my own green companion, a vivacious viner that wraps itself lovingly around my lamppost.  READ MORE 

Once upon a cocoa-laden time, deep in the wilds of Central and South America, a mystical tree reigned supreme—the cocoa tree. Its scientific moniker, Theobroma cacao, whispered of its divine essence, literally translating to "food of the gods."  READ MORE 

When my wife Gail and I first moved to the suburbs, we found ourselves with a backyard that was, to put it mildly, intimidating. The previous owners had cleaned it up and rototilled it, leaving us with a blank canvas that screamed, "Do something with me!"  READ MORE 

It was a bright Summer morning, and anticipation bubbled within me as I geared up to pluck my first juicy tomatoes. After a whole Summer of care, from water to fertilizer (even a fortress-like fence to ward off the pesky deer), I had forgotten about the true culprits—those squirrels.  READ MORE 

Alright, I'll confess. When I should be out in the garden battling my perennial nemesis, the wisteria-from-hell, I often find myself lost in the depths of my computer screen. Picture this: a serene Summer afternoon, the sun gently kissing the earth, and there I am, engrossed in a digital world of online dating.  READ MORE 

It's a balmy Summer evening in Atlanta, and as the warmth of a gingerbread-house-like home envelops my husband and our trio of children, I slip away to the garden, a twinkle in my eye. Fully armored against mosquitoes, I clutch my cherished spade, an heirloom from my Italian grandfather, Giovanni.  READ MORE 

One Summer, our quest for culinary excitement led us to the Krueger Pepper Farm in Wapato, Eastern Washington's heartland. The region, known for its orchards and onions, became our haven for peppers of all kinds.  READ MORE 

As the lazy days of Summer bid their farewell, gardens everywhere overflow with nature's green bounty. Yet amidst this abundance lies a menace, a verdant invader lurking in unsuspecting gardens and kitchens alike—zucchinis.  READ MORE 

Standing beneath the sturdy boughs of an oak tree, I find myself enveloped in a profound sense of reverence for this remarkable species. Amongst the countless trees I've encountered, it is the oak that holds an irreplaceable space in my heart.  READ MORE 

At the age of 10, with a cabbage plant in hand for an "eco-friendly" project, I found myself thrust into the world of gardening. Thankfully, I had the guidance of Grandpa, a seasoned gardener who had spent decades nurturing all manners of flora.  READ MORE 

Ah, the joys of gardening—a pastime I sorely miss, thanks to an incident involving eggplants that left me red-faced and eggplant-less. Let me regale you with the tale of how my green thumb led me down a path of unexpected hilarity and mild embarrassment.  READ MORE 

On the rugged cliffs and winding trails of Bailey Island, Maine, a fragrant dance of rugosa roses (Rosa rugosa) unfolds, their sweet and peppery scent mingling with the salty sea breeze. Amidst the thorny green hedges, these blossoms, in hues of wedding white and Popsicle pink, offer nature's gifts in June and September.  READ MORE 

Allow me to whisk you away on a culinary adventure inspired by our recent escapades in London. Picture me and my dear wife Gail, wandering the vibrant streets of the greatest city in the western world, immersing ourselves in the rich tapestry of cultures, flavors, and traditions that make London truly one of a kind.  READ MORE 

As the morning sun peeked through the curtains of our cozy room at The Brown's Hotel, London's oldest gem, my stomach rumbled in anticipation of another day of exploration. Gail and I had decided to start our day with breakfast at the hotel's restaurant, and while I had indulged in the full English breakfast on our first day, Gail's choice of the lighter fare caught my eye.  READ MORE 

Once upon a time, in the lush green hills of Wales, there lived a mischievous rabbit named Rufus. Rufus was known far and wide for his love of adventure and his insatiable appetite for delicious treats. One day, while hopping through the countryside, Rufus stumbled upon a quaint cottage nestled in a cozy corner of the valley.  READ MORE 

Once upon a time, in the heart of Covent Garden, there stood a quaint little tavern with a big secret: their fish and chips were unlike any other in all of London.  READ MORE 

Ah, let me regale you with a tale of our recent culinary escapade in London, where we stumbled upon a delightful fusion of flavors that left my taste buds dancing with joy.  READ MORE 

Once upon a time, on a warm summer evening in London, we found ourselves invited to a colleague's cozy home for a quintessentially English dinner. Little did I know, I was about to embark on a culinary journey that would forever change my dessert preferences.  READ MORE