February is here, and while the cold lingers outside, it’s all warmth and love inside. Whether you're snuggled in front of a fireplace or cozied up with a blanket across your lap, it’s the perfect time to curl up with your favorite gardening books, catalogs, and, of course, the latest issue of GreenPrints  READ MORE 

In the good old days, nearly every American had a direct connection to farming. Back in the 1950s, about 10 percent of the labor force still worked in agriculture, but today, it’s less than 1 percent. As we find ourselves in the 21st century, our farms face a growing challenge: a shortage of human hands to help bring food from field to table.  READ MORE 

The first time I brewed tea from flowers I'd grown myself, I was transported back to my grandmother's garden, where she would carefully collect chamomile blooms in her worn wicker basket each morning.   READ MORE 

Valentine’s Day, it turns out, owes a lot to Geoffrey Chaucer, the 14^th-century author of The Canterbury Tales. It was Geoffrey who pointed out – in a 1375 poem titled Parliament of Foules – that February 14^th was the beginning of the birds’ mating season, thus adding a spark of romance to a day that until then had been a memorial to a decapitated Christian priest.  READ MORE 

They all go marching down—through the beds, where they evict—the tomatoes, boom boom boom. The canes go marching three by three, the little one stops to take a, eh—rest—and they all go marching down— to the cars—where they drive off—with the keys, boom boom boom. . .  READ MORE 

There’s really nothing quite like hot peppers. Whether it’s the vibrant red, orange, or green hues or the fiery kick they deliver to your taste buds, hot peppers have a way of making their presence known. As a staple in cuisines around the world, these small but mighty pods elevate dishes with their bold heat and distinctive flavor.   READ MORE 

My eldest stepson came into my life like a whirlwind. He was a wild and beautiful child, never still, always dirty, charming ­and provocative. He regarded me, with just suspicion, as some­one who had diverted the attentions of his father, so he gave me a hard time.  READ MORE 

"Bee, I'm afraid I have to work late tonight. I've got a whole batch of radio scripts to write, and I'm way behind. You go on to bed. I'll come up later." "All right, Pat, but don't work too hard. You'll need some rest." My wife was fooled, I was sure of it. So what if I'd been using that lame excuse for two weeks now? Her response didn't have the slightest tinge of suspicion.  READ MORE 

February is often referred to as the month of love. It is the time when we celebrate Saint Valentine’s Day, honoring the patron saint of love. Several legends surround Saint Valentine. One legend suggests he was a Roman priest who performed weddings in secret, defying Emperor Claudius II’s orders.   READ MORE 

When I first planted jalapeños last season, I imagined myself as a mild-mannered gardener—until those little green fireballs began to grow. Suddenly, I wasn’t just tending plants. I was flirting with danger—culinary danger!   READ MORE 

Once upon a time, before carrots gained their iconic orange hue, they were wild things—bitter, pale, and purple. Some say they were so earthy-tasting that even rabbits rolled their eyes. But like all good things, the humble carrot's story is one of transformation, migration, and, yes, even rebellion.  READ MORE 

There’s something undeniably majestic about oak trees. With their branches outstretched in triumph, they stand like guardians of the forest, quietly watching as centuries pass and countless squirrels plot their next heist. These squirrels, by the way, are the original acorn investors, stashing more than they can eat—many of which sprout into new trees, creating nature’s most adorable “stockpile” system.  READ MORE 

My hands ache, bone-deep pain spawned by prolonged exposure to frigid air. Moisture frosts my eyelashes and stings my cheeks. I scan the vicinity for my husband, but he's gone. "Coward," I mutter. I warm my fists in my pockets, then bend back to the task. Fingers numb, I keep dropping the toothbrush. I probably shouldn't blame him, but I can't help it.  READ MORE 

They chuckle when I begin cultivating tomatoes indoors, under artificial lights, seemingly in the midst of Winter. It’s not even the end of February, they jest. "She's quite the character," they whisper. "Always prattling on about gardening. Goodness, have you seen the state of her fingernails?"  READ MORE 

Valentine’s Day buzzed through the high-school halls like a whirlwind of anticipation, but for me, it wasn't about expecting grand gestures from my husband, John. As the girls chatted excitedly about what gifts they hoped to receive, I found myself explaining, yet again, that I didn’t need extravagant displays of romance. Their shock was palpable.  READ MORE 

We had been in our new house for just a few months. My youngest daughter was four months old, and my eldest was almost three. Moving to a new country with young children and no family nearby, staying home with them made sense. It started casually. I just wanted to hang a couple of potted ivies on the patio outside our bedroom windows to add privacy.  READ MORE 

On one of those bleak, cold days at the end of February, when my eyes were yearning for the vibrant colors of Spring, I loaded the kids into the SUV and headed to the nearest nursery.   READ MORE 

In the heart of February's chill, Summer finds its way to my doorstep—not in the form of sunshine or warmth, but through the mail. Bundled in layers against the frosty air, I venture out to the mailbox, anticipation warming me more effectively than any coat ever could.  READ MORE 

After 18 months of neglect, the state of my garden was predictable. It had gone to wrack and ruin, a casualty of my intense involvement in the Sandwich Generation, managing the simultaneous life transitions of my loved ones.   READ MORE 

I’ve always had a black thumb, much to my grandmother's chagrin. She could grow anything, and I grew up marveling at her abundant garden. The fresh produce was a delightful bonus, but despite my admiration and her guidance, I seemed destined to doom every plant I touched.  READ MORE 

Through most of my childhood, there were a few possible answers to that question. One: “She’s under the deck, playing Huck Finn.” Two: “She’s at the train tracks, looking for her smashed pennies.” Three: “She’s out front under the faerie bush, daydreaming.”  READ MORE 

People are like plants I've been thinking Some are big, bold and sassy  READ MORE 

“Nurtured by Nature” isn’t just a collection of stories; it’s a love letter to the profound bond between humans and the natural world. Within these pages, you’ll find 21 heartfelt tales that explore how gardens and nature transform lives, nurture communities, and teach us to embrace life’s ups and downs.  READ MORE 

Welcome to Garden to Table Journeys, a collection of romantic dinner recipes designed to warm your hearts and feed your souls this February.   READ MORE 

This Tuscan Bean and Tomato Stew comes from the tradition of "cucina povera," or the peasant cooking of Italy, where fresh, local ingredients were used to create simple yet nourishing dishes.   READ MORE 

Every winter, when the Boston chill settles in, Gail and I find ourselves escaping to warmer shores. Last year, we made our way to Saint Martin, landing just in time to celebrate Valentine's Day on the island.   READ MORE 

Gail and I have traveled the globe, each destination offering its own special charm, but nothing has captured our hearts quite like Paris.   READ MORE 

When Valentine’s Day rolls around and Gail and I find ourselves at home, we’re often torn between dressing up and heading out to one of the wonderful restaurants nearby or staying in and cooking together.   READ MORE