As Winter approaches, I anxiously peer out my window. While I am not a huge fan of snow in general, I love the first snowfall of the year. There is something almost magical about it. The way the sky slightly darkens and the glittering snowflakes float through the air takes my breath away.   READ MORE 

This is your intrepid gardening reporter, Don Nicholas, bringing you the latest in the world of horticulture. Today, we’re diving into the aromatic world of vanilla beans, exploring their journey from lush Latin American farms to your favorite desserts. Buckle up for a tale as rich as the vanilla pods themselves!  READ MORE 

Winter can feel like the end of the gardening season, especially for those of us who rely on fresh produce from our backyard plots.  READ MORE 

It’s December, the month that features Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and Pearl Harbor Day, as well as such lesser under-appreciated holidays as National Sock Day, National Llama Day, World Pear Day, and (on December 27th) the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness.  READ MORE 

It’s early December and I’m out driving when some folks at my public radio station call me with a Big Idea: Let’s send poinsettias to five stations that are on the fence about picking us up—they really like my weekly gardening show...  READ MORE 

As the holidays are upon us and the air has already turned crisp, there’s one little fruit that often takes center stage at the season’s festivities: the cranberry. Whether it’s simmering on the stove for Thanksgiving dinner or adding a pop of tartness to a fall salad, cranberries are a staple of the season’s culinary landscape.  READ MORE 

I'm not the first person who fell in love with a tree. Xerxes (according to John Evelyn) halted his army of 170,000 soldiers because he had been smitten by a plane, or sycamore, tree. He even covered it with "gold, gems, necklaces, scarfs and brace­ lets, and infinite riches," which he took from his concubines and other "great persons."  READ MORE 

I’m out in the forest alone—well, I do have my chain saw and beat-up pickup for company. I smell the crisp, fresh air. I bask in the November sun, whose thin light both warms me and reminds me why I’m here. I relax a moment in the still, open quiet of the North Carolina woods.  READ MORE 

The holiday season always seems to carry with it a sense of magic. The air is filled with warmth and love, even in the coldest weather. For me, as the decorations go up and holiday songs fill the house, I am reminded of the Christmas Eves when my girls were still little. I cherish the simple traditions we created together.  READ MORE 

When it comes to appetizers, there’s one unsung hero that often gets overlooked in favor of its flashier, more decadent counterparts. I’m talking, of course, about celery. Yes, the humble stalk that is so often relegated to the role of a garnish or, at best, a delivery vehicle for dips and spreads.  READ MORE 

Ginger’s journey began in the lush rainforests of Southeast Asia, where it has been cultivated for over 5,000 years. It wasn’t long before this spicy root made its way along the ancient trade routes, finding fans in ancient Greece, Rome, and China.  READ MORE 

Bananas are one of my favorite fruits, something I eat almost every day. Whether blended into a smoothie, munched on straight from the peel, or dressed up in a decadent banana split with homemade ice cream and toppings, bananas are just plain fun.  READ MORE 

The mid-December morning broke clear and crisp, the landscape covered in hoarfrost and a light overnight dusting of snow made it a Winter wonderland. With the early morning sunrise providing a pale pink glow – this was, indeed, a perfect Christmas card, for sure. It was as if we were in a giant snow globe.  READ MORE 

One crisp Winter morning, I opened the window to let a bit of fresh air into my writing room when a peculiar sound caught my attention: a rattle, then rapid scratching, a scraping of something against metal, followed by dull thumps. As I listened, the sounds grew more frantic; then came a brief silence.  READ MORE 

There's an ache that accompanies the days of late Summer. The perennials, having lived their brief moment of glory, lay spent and sheared to ankle height. The sugar maples and aspens, though still largely green here in Peterborough, Ontario, begin to betray their autumnal undergarments—and it won’t be long now before they disrobe completely.  READ MORE 

"Hannah, you have four flowers in the garden of your heart," Sally replied after I mentioned she had everything I wished for on her charming Maine island, with glittering waves, sea air, and peace surrounding us this day.  READ MORE 

If longer, warmer hours of Autumn are referred to as the "dog days of Summer," then I call these current shorter Winter days my "catnap days of Winter." I've found a way to extend, or at least like a cat, get the most from shorter, sunny Winter days.  READ MORE 

In the heart of deep Winter in northern California, I found myself signing away on the paperwork for my dream home—a quaint bungalow I had longed for.   READ MORE 

The old Catalpa tree was a haven for the birds each Spring. As its leaves grew, songbirds established their nests, hidden among the Catalpa's floppy green foliage. The nestlings, though invisible, made their presence known with constant chirping while their parents frequently brought food.  READ MORE 

“Before we spend the day helping me in the bonsai garden,” said Grandfather, “there are a few things you need to know." “You tell us the same thing every time,” said Jenn. She picked up a tiny juniper tree, gnarled and planted in a blue ceramic pot half the size of a teacup.  READ MORE 

There’s an old joke that goes: How do you know if someone is a gardener? Don’t worry, they’ll tell you. Gardeners are a proud bunch, always quick to remind you that their job is a mosaic of roles—handyman, cropper, weeder, meteorologist, caretaker, and, as I recently discovered, a carpenter of raised beds.  READ MORE 

Step into the enchanting world of Santa's Garden with our newest Storybook, where every page is filled with the magic and warmth of the holiday season.   READ MORE 

Welcome to Garden to Table Journeys! As executive publisher, it’s my pleasure to share some of my favorite holiday cookie recipes with you this season.   READ MORE 

Nestled in the heart of the New Hampshire mountains, Gail and I recently attended a family wedding and found ourselves staying at the picturesque Owls Nest Resort. Surrounded by stunning landscapes and crisp mountain air, we were in the perfect place for a serene getaway.  READ MORE 

Once upon a time, in a cozy little kitchen tucked away in a snow-covered town, there was a baker who dreamed of sunshine. As the snowflakes fell gently outside, they yearned for the warmth of a tropical breeze, the sound of waves gently kissing the shore, and the sight of palm trees swaying lazily in the sun.   READ MORE 

Dark chocolate isn't just a treat for the taste buds; it's a treasure trove of health benefits! Rich in antioxidants, dark chocolate helps combat free radicals, supports heart health, and even improves brain function.   READ MORE 

When I think about holiday cookies, there’s one that stands out above the rest: my dad’s raspberry butter cookies. These little gems are not just delicious, but they carry with them a story of tradition, family, and the joy of harvest time.  READ MORE 

As the sun sets over my backyard garden, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia for my favorite cookie—chunky peanut butter cookies. They’re a delightful blend of familiarity and just a touch of the exotic, thanks to the chunky, roasted peanuts that give them their signature texture.  READ MORE