March is a time of rebirth. Spring is upon us, the temperatures are warming, and our gardens are seeing the benefits. The month may start dark, cold and gloomy for most of us, but by the end of the month we should all be holding a seed of hope for Spring.  READ MORE 

In my cozy town of Plymouth, nestled among bakeries and antique shops, there exists a store that proudly dedicates itself to all things pickled. I’m talking about cucumbers, of course, but also carrots, radishes, cabbage, and, perhaps unexpectedly, spicy mango and rosemary-infused lemons!  READ MORE 

The first warm days of March are approaching, and soon I'll be in the garden, tea in hand, surveying the Winter's aftermath. This year, I'm especially excited because my seven-year-old daughter Ruby will be tending her very own raised bed – the one she started last year.  READ MORE 

"Winter is icummen in," wrote Ezra Pound, in a fit of poetic ill temper. "Loud sing goddam."  READ MORE 

“How did it come to this?” is admittedly a question I have asked out loud more than once. But this was the first time it was at 3:00 a.m. on a freezing cold April night as I feverishly try to turn the frosted-to-the-metal knobs of an ancient Weber grill ...  READ MORE 

Chamomile is a one-of-a-kind plant that you should consider growing. Whether it’s the delicate, daisy-like blossoms or the sweet, calming scent they release, chamomile has a way of making its presence known—softly but powerfully.  READ MORE 

A little boy I once knew was passionately devoted to his toy penguin and could not be parted from it. On a long journey, he was holding the penguin out of the car window when it was discovered that somewhere, perhaps miles back, its body had fallen off, leaving the child lovingly grasping one flipper.  READ MORE 

I tell myself there are two kinds of gardeners: those who start their own seeds and those who don’t.  READ MORE 

If Kermit the Frog could pick a favorite month, I bet it would be March. After all, March is a month of green. Think about it—how many green-themed events happen in March? How many of them do you celebrate? For me, March is all about green.   READ MORE 

For many home gardeners, radishes are like the training wheels of gardening. They grow quickly, thrive with minimal fuss, and deliver instant gratification. You sow the seeds and in as little as three weeks—voilà! You’re munching on a peppery, crunchy delight.  READ MORE 

Broccoli has always been the underdog of the vegetable world, often overshadowed by its flashier cousins like spinach and kale. But this humble "little tree" has a regal lineage, tracing its roots back to ancient Rome, where it was considered a delicacy.  READ MORE 

As I was pondering the corned beef and cabbage recipe featured in this issue, I realized something remarkable: cabbage has quietly crept into my life as one of my favorite vegetables. It’s the unassuming star behind coleslaw, the tangy soul of sauerkraut, and the stalwart base of countless other recipes I adore.  READ MORE 

The yard was a wild expanse, an untamed canvas of green, encircled by thorny brambles that whispered secrets on the wind. It was October, and the rains had come, cloaking the land in a veil of mist. We had just moved to a house on a hillside, and from the echoes of childhood dreams, I began to weave an old-world English cottage garden into existence.  READ MORE 

I am a bean gardener. Not just any bean gardener, mind you—I am one because I love to eat beans. There's something deeply satisfying about seeing big glass jars full of dried beans in the pantry. Colorful, multi-colorful actually, those jars say to me, "We are here to help you and yours get through the Winter."  READ MORE 

Have you ever felt that serene calmness while listening to the sound of a fountain? I had always dreamed of having one, but convincing my husband, Don, that it would add ambience to our patio was a different story. It took years to convince him that the trickling water would create a sanctuary of natural sounds in our small urban lot.  READ MORE 

If you had told me I'd ever trade my California haven, complete with fragrant roses and free fruit, for a New York City apartment, I'd have laughed you out of the garden. But life has a funny way of uprooting us, and as retirement beckoned, I found myself transplanting to the concrete jungle.   READ MORE 

I have a confession to make: I'm a compulsive gardener. People often praise my green thumb, insisting that I can coax life from even the most stubborn of seeds. "Valerie can grow anything," they say with awe. But there's a secret I harbor, a dark cloud looming over my otherwise verdant thumb—I can't grow radishes.  READ MORE 

Ah, the robins, with their puffed-out chests and adorable strut, embody the heralds of Spring. But behind their charm lies a mischievous streak that tests the patience of even the most ardent admirer of the season's awakening.  READ MORE 

Every year, I attend a big plant swap in a neighboring town hosted by a group of gardeners I affectionately call "The Ladies." This dedicated group is known for their strong opinions, generosity, and their eco-conscious, anti-box-store plant stance.   READ MORE 

In a local community designed for the over-55 crowd, a hidden gem exists—a community garden where residents can continue to nurture their green thumbs even after downsizing. Within this vibrant garden, two distinct age groups coexist: the "youngsters" aged 55 to 74, and the "old-timers" aged 75 and up.  READ MORE 

When my son Dan started kindergarten 23 years ago, parents decided to replace the old, lethal metal playground with modern wooden structures. The school, built in the 1960s on a capped landfill, definitely needed a facelift.  READ MORE 

The minister gazed thoughtfully over his congregation and asked, “What will be your legacy?” Naturally, we all mumbled, scratched our heads, and avoided eye contact like we’d just been asked to do a pop quiz.  READ MORE 

More and more, less and less seems to get planted in the grounds and gardens here. Could it be because I live on a road named Pandora? Hardly. I'll be 67, November, on disability, with three areas of my spine injured pretty badly. (I've had five gruesome spine fusion surgeries.)   READ MORE 

At dawn, Thumbelina woke with cheer, As sunlight kissed the trees so near. She hopped aboard her nutshell boat,  READ MORE 

Prepare to be transported to a charming world where the wisdom of nature meets the magic of storytelling.   READ MORE 

The Irish are known for their warm hospitality, hearty meals, and a knack for turning even the simplest ingredients into culinary magic. With this collection, we invite you on a flavorful journey that combines the rustic charm of Irish traditions with a garden-to-table twist.  READ MORE 

As my wife Gail and I embarked on our culinary escapade through the bustling streets of Dublin, little did we know that our taste buds would be swept away on a tidal wave of smoked salmon delight.   READ MORE 

As Saint Patrick's Day approached last year, my wife Gail and I were eagerly preparing for our annual celebration. Ever since we moved to Plymouth we've been fortunate to be surrounded by neighbors with deep Irish American roots.   READ MORE 

When my father and I first started our Family vegetable garden in Sacramento, we planted potatoes almost as an afterthought.   READ MORE 

As a boy, I marveled at how quickly my father could whip up a loaf of Irish soda bread. With no yeast to fuss over, this hearty bread seemed like magic, transforming from pantry staples to a warm, crusty masterpiece in under an hour.  READ MORE 

Growing up, Shepherd’s Pie was the ultimate comfort food—a dish that united our family around the dinner table with its hearty flavors and creamy mashed potato topping. When we began growing our own vegetables, we reimagined this Irish classic, adding layers of fresh garden peas, carrots, and herbs to create a lighter, brighter version of this timeless dish.  READ MORE 

When Gail and I first visited the charming Irish countryside, we were captivated not just by the rolling green hills but by the warmth of the people and their undeniable passion for food. In a tiny pub, we discovered sticky toffee pudding—a dessert so rich and indulgent that it felt like a sweet embrace after a brisk walk along the rugged coastline.  READ MORE 

During our trip to Dublin, Gail and I stumbled upon a quaint café that boasted desserts infused with Irish cream liqueur. Intrigued, we ordered a slice of Irish cream cheesecake. One bite was enough to convince us we’d discovered the perfect marriage of Ireland’s love for dairy and its world-famous liqueur.  READ MORE