January is a time for new beginnings and fresh starts. It marks the beginning of a new calendar year and a brand-new chapter we get to write. For some, it’s a time to make resolutions—setting goals to achieve within the year. For others, it’s a period of reflection, looking back on the past year to consider what truly matters and how to carry that forward into the new year.   READ MORE 

Happy New Year, fellow green thumbs! As the clock struck midnight and the calendar flipped to 2025, gardeners around the globe were busy making resolutions to grow bigger, better, and more bountiful gardens this year. After scouring the world (and a few garden centers), I've compiled a list of the top gardening resolutions for 2025.  READ MORE 

I find that one of the most delightful secrets in gardening is edible flowers. Imagine that this Winter, while everything outside is gray, your windowsill is alive with color—bright marigolds, purple chive blossoms, and freshly bolted basil flowers.   READ MORE 

I read my first garden book surreptitiously, at the age of nine, at Girl Scout camp. Girl Scout camp, from my point of view, was not the happy and team-spirited experience portrayed on the chocolate-mint cookie boxes.  READ MORE 

We now travel back in time to (Dare I say it?) 1985 or 1986. I put those AirTag things on my wallet and keys so I’d have half-a-prayer of finding them, but alas memory is not so easily recovered. Although I did finally nail the “remember three words” part of one of those “Just how feeble are you?” visits my medical insurance makes me endure once a year to make sure I’m not dead yet: “Dog, boy, flower.”  READ MORE 

Few herb plants exude as much allure as basil. Whether it's the bright aroma that fills the air when the leaves are brushed or the vibrant green foliage that catches the eye, basil has a way of capturing attention. As one of the culinary world's most beloved herbs, basil finds its way into everything from fresh pesto to refreshing drinks, elevating dishes with its distinct flavor.   READ MORE 

Roses have been a part of gardening history as far back as we have records. In ancient China, Babylon, India, Egypt, Greece, Rome, and Europe, we know they were grown not only for their medicinal proper­ties but also for their beauty. In many a leg­end a rose was the pivotal signal of great change. In my life, too, roses changed my destiny.  READ MORE 

Last month in this column, I described our experience living in the area of Western North Carolina severely hit by Hurricane Helene [see “(almost) Ground Zero”]. Our part of Fairview wasn’t one of the most impacted sections—they were five to 15 crow-fly miles away.  READ MORE 

January is a time for new beginnings and fresh starts. That can sometimes be hard for a person like me, as I am a creature of habit. I like having the same rituals and traditions year after year, holding fast to the comforting rhythms that give shape to the passage of time.   READ MORE 

I never thought I'd be the kind of chef to fuss over a sprig of greenery. After all, I cut my teeth in the kitchen of a small-town diner where the menu was as straightforward as a meatloaf sandwich on rye. My father, a professional chef himself, had given me the basics: keep it simple, keep it tasty.  READ MORE 

Once upon a time, in the highlands of the Andes, a humble tuber began its journey to become one of the most beloved and versatile foods on the planet. Yes, we’re talking about the potato—a starchy, knobby little vegetable that has shaped history, sparked innovation, and found its way into kitchens (and hearts) around the world.  READ MORE 

I’ve been a lifelong fan of maple trees, perhaps even before I understood where my beloved maple syrup originated. As a kid, maple syrup was the magic elixir that turned pancakes into something worth leaping out of bed. And yes, I’m the kind of guy who goes out for breakfast and asks the waitress for the real maple syrup—agreeing to pay an extra dollar or two for the privilege.   READ MORE 

Being an organic gardener, I steer clear of pesticides, much to the delight of the Japanese beetles who seem to have my garden programmed into the GPSes of their minuscule insect brains. These tiny terrors have an uncanny knack for sniffing out my precious plants, turning them into their own personal buffet.  READ MORE 

In the midst of a sticky Manhattan summer in 2005, my search for a new home led me to an unexpected discovery – a small image of a tree trunk and green bushes. Little did I know, this image would mark the beginning of my profound connection with seasons and the role they play in nature and gardening.  READ MORE 

Summer gardening was a family affair, but Winter brought a different kind of challenge. Layered against the chill, I'd brave the cold to tend our plants with our faithful dog, Jackson, always by my side. His loyalty knew no bounds, even when faced with the frosty air.  READ MORE 

Among the myriad joys of canine companionship lies the simple pleasure of daily walks through our neighborhood's well-trodden paths. While my faithful hound sniffs out the earth's stories, my gaze ascends to the intricate silhouettes of trees against the Winter sky.   READ MORE 

If someone says, "If you’re going to go, go big!" should you listen? Well, my wife and I did when we bought our 117-acre abandoned farm in middle Tennessee. It was more scrub and trees than cultivable land, but hey, we were up for a challenge.  READ MORE 

Plants are wreaking havoc on my marriage. All kinds of plants. Geraniums. Begonias. Aloe Vera. Bamboo. Rubber plants. They've invaded my home, turning it into a botanical garden. My wife's newfound passion has transformed her into a green-thumbed enthusiast, leaving me feeling like a reluctant member of the green-fingered brigade.  READ MORE 

If I were a seed, snug in a sponge, suspended above a reservoir of water, I might just panic at the mere thought. But then again, who knows what kind of plant I'd become? Perhaps a flower with a zigzag stem from shaking fear, or a vegetable yielding wonky green beans.   READ MORE 

I stumbled upon it amidst a clutter of forgotten treasures as I ventured into the depths of our cellar, a repository of 30 years worth of keepsakes and memories. Each item, once cherished, now seemed like a relic of a bygone era, ready to be relegated to the realm of discard. Yet, one find sparked a cascade of nostalgia—the maple tap.  READ MORE 

The light and fluffy snowflakes continued to fall onto the windshield as I pulled into the snow-covered parking lot of the medical center for my shift as the nursing supervisor. Outside, the world was white in my hometown of middle Tennessee-already four inches of fallen snow with more expected.  READ MORE 

Tomato season starts in January when the ground is still frozen and a few tiny red tomatoes cling to lingering vines like ornaments dusted with snow. They are splashy color images of what could fill seed catalogs and the Winter gardener’s empty head with visions of sandwiches decked with the garden’s bounty.  READ MORE 

If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping outside your kitchen door to pluck fresh herbs for your culinary creations, or if you’ve been curious about the historical and cultural significance of herbs in American life, Herb Gardening in America is the guidebook you’ve been waiting for.  READ MORE 

Welcome, dear readers, to a culinary journey that celebrates the magic of garden-fresh ingredients and time-honored family recipes. In this collection, we are delighted to share with you the treasured dishes that have been passed down through our family for generations, each lovingly refined and perfected over the decades.  READ MORE 

Growing up in a suburban neighborhood just outside Sacramento, California, I was fortunate to have a professional chef as my father. He wasn't just a master in the kitchen; he was also an avid gardener who transformed our backyard into a lush oasis of fresh vegetables and herbs.  READ MORE 

Once upon a time in the vast, untamed plains of Texas, a group of rugged cowboys roamed the land with their trusty steeds. These cowboys, known for their grit and determination, also had a surprisingly keen sense of culinary adventure. Among them was a legendary cook named Buck, who could turn the simplest ingredients into hearty, flavorful meals.  READ MORE 

Once upon a time, in the rolling hills of the Scottish Highlands, a shepherd named Angus discovered the secret to happiness: a hearty bowl of lamb stew. Angus, known for his thick brogue and even thicker beard, spent his days tending to his flock of sheep and his evenings concocting culinary masterpieces over an open fire.  READ MORE 

Nestled in the woods of Plymouth, Massachusetts, on a charming dirt road, stands what some claim to be the oldest English-speaking tavern in North America. This historic tavern, with its creaky wooden floors and the scent of the sea lingering in the air, has been a gathering place for locals and travelers alike for centuries.  READ MORE 

Once upon a time in the burgeoning culinary landscape of America, a humble yet hearty soup was born. It all started with the early European settlers who brought with them their cherished recipes and culinary traditions. Among these was a simple, nutritious, and beloved dish: broccoli soup.  READ MORE 

In the heart of the Sacramento Valley, where winter's chill was more of a gentle reminder than a biting cold, our family Garden thrived. The frosty nights kept farmers on their toes, but the relatively mild climate allowed us to harvest bountiful crops, especially tomatoes, well into the fall.  READ MORE 

Imagine the rolling waves of the open sea, the crisp salt air filling your lungs, and the camaraderie of fellow sailors as you embark on yet another voyage aboard the mighty USS Enterprise. As a lifelong sailor, I've always found comfort in the familiar, and nothing was more comforting on those long journeys than a hearty bowl of navy bean soup.  READ MORE