November is a month for thankfulness. Each day, I make it a point to note at least one thing I am grateful for during this month. Sometimes, it’s something as small as a hot cup of coffee and a peaceful morning. Other times, it’s more significant, like the time I was thankful for the town police and fire department who came to my "rescue" after I locked my keys in my running car. READ MORE
November 2024
At The Gate
Club Notes
The Great Indoors
As the days grow shorter and the chill of Winter starts nipping at our noses, a delightful trend is blossoming in households across America: indoor gardening. Yes, folks, our gardens are no longer confined to the great outdoors! READ MORE
The November Garden: Embracing the Seasonal Lull
Ah, November - the month when the Earth's axial tilt starts playing tricks on us gardeners. Did you know that during this time, the Northern Hemisphere is tilting away from the sun at its maximum angle of about 23.5 degrees? READ MORE
Potatoes on Mars
In Andy Weir’s The Martian, astronaut Mark Watney, victim of a freak accident, has been left for dead on Mars. Now 140 million miles from home, stranded and incommunicado, but very much alive, he has to figure out how to survive on his own for four years. READ MORE
I know, but at least it’s not an old toilet out there by the road
Way back when, I decided to stop buying cheap (not ‘inexpensive’; I mean cheap!) gas grills that lasted about as long as a Bic lighter (I would have said Bic pen, but they lasted longer than the lighters; buying a four pack was a necessity, not an option—and I don’t even smoke! READ MORE
An Apple a Day?
In the crisp, refreshing days of Autumn, there’s perhaps no fruit more emblematic of the season than the humble apple. Whether bobbing for them at harvest festivals or biting into a perfectly ripe one on a cool afternoon, apples are a timeless symbol of the changing seasons. READ MORE
Plants Behind Glass
Bringing the garden inside is not a new idea. In the little city courtyards of Pompeii, frescoes enlarged the space with painted trees, flowers, and birds. In the Arabian deserts, nomadic tribes would remind themselves of oasis gardens by spreading ornate carpets, patterned and quartered like oriental gardens, on the hot, sandy floors of tents. READ MORE
(almost) Ground Zero
We interrupt our regularly scheduled garden story . . . because we have been severely interrupted ourselves. By Hurricane Helene. North Carolina’s Asheville—and our outlying community of Fairview—were the areas hardest hit by that monstrous tropical storm. We were featured on the national news for days in a row. READ MORE
A Season of Thankfulness and Cranberry Sauce
As Thanksgiving approaches, I am reminded of how precious time with my extended family truly is. I also realize how incredibly blessed I am, even though it can be trying at times. READ MORE
PLANTS WE LOVE
Mint Madness
Ah, mint. The herb that brings freshness to your dishes, zest to your beverages, and chaos to your garden! My journey with mint began as a child, assisting my father, a professional chef, in our family garden. READ MORE
The Great Cilantro Chronicles
In the lush, verdant world of Don Nicholas’s garden, there exists a plant that has baffled and bewitched me for years: cilantro. While I’ve had the pleasure of cultivating everything from tomatoes that seem to grow bigger than my head to basil that practically sings in the Summer sun, cilantro and I have been locked in a tumultuous dance. READ MORE
Bountiful Basil
I’ve always had a soft spot for basil. There’s something magical about this herb that brings a touch of Summer to every dish and garden. READ MORE
STORIES FROM THE GARDEN
Botanical Elocution
The nurserywoman approached me and asked, “May I help you?” I replied, “Yes. Can you direct me to your hostas?” “Our hostas are over here,” she said, leading the way. READ MORE
Battling for Lemons
In the sunny backyard of my family home in California, there stood a proud lemon tree—a dwarf in name, but a giant in stature, towering over us at 10-feet tall. With its dense foliage resembling a green cupcake speckled with yellow sprinkles, it was a sight to behold. READ MORE
Turkeys on Parade: A Daily March Through My Backyard
From my desk, I can see the entire backyard and the slough beyond it. Every day, just around noon, a family of wild turkeys embarks on a slow march across the yard, exploring the folds and furrows of the lawn in search of their daily feast. READ MORE
Pilfered Petals: A Tale of Greed and Gardens
In the quaint hamlet of Chelsea, Vermont, nestled amidst towering trees and fragrant blooms, a delightful tale unfolds – a tale of love, loss, and an irresistible penchant for peonies. READ MORE
A Comedy of Mother-Daughter Gardening Misadventures
The stage is set with a quaint garden scene, complete with flowerbeds and a mishmash of whimsical garden ornaments. The sun shines brightly overhead as Mother and Daughter enter, carrying pots and gardening tools. READ MORE
Flourishing in Winter
In the depths of Winter, amidst the challenges of adapting to a new climate and lifestyle, I found solace and inspiration by surrounding myself with the beauty of nature. Having grown up on a tropical island, the transition to a Winter wonderland was daunting, but I was determined to keep the spirit of my island home alive within my new surroundings. READ MORE
Plant At Your Own Risk
Thirty years ago, my husband Kim and I moved into a new home, our blank-slate yard a vast expanse of dirt. Eager to create a lush, colorful garden, I hastily planted a border with two rosebushes, a bougainvillea, and some donated yellow cannas. READ MORE
The Legacy of Three Rosebushes
Growing up in Trenton, Michigan, our house was always adorned with a particular charm—a solitary rosebush, steadfast against the side of our home. Its blooms, a radiant crimson, seemed to glow even brighter under the sun. READ MORE
The Blueberry Battlefield
The morning ritual of adding a handful of blueberries to my Frosted Flakes was more than just a breakfast routine; it was a symbolic gesture, a tribute to the fallen soldiers of my backyard battleground – the Blueberry Bushes. READ MORE
A Garden-Variety Love Story
Our porch is now enclosed with windows to keep the rain, wind, and eventual snow out. This also gives my flowers one more month of normal moisture and warmth – if the sun cooperates. READ MORE
Message from a Guava
In the bustling cities of India, gardening is not just a hobby; it's an adventure. Every dedicated gardener battles pollution, mischievous animals, and even human skeptics who see plants as nuisances. Growing up, gardening was a family affair for us. READ MORE
Introducing our new Garden Giggles Story Collection
If you’ve ever found yourself chuckling while wrestling with a hose, or having a deep conversation with a plant only to be interrupted by a nosy squirrel, then you’re in for a treat with the Garden Giggles Story Collection. READ MORE
GARDEN TO TABLE JOURNEYS
Introduction to Our Thanksgiving Recipe Collection
As someone who cherishes Thanksgiving as the most food-focused holiday of the year, I am thrilled to share with you a selection of recipes that have become staples at my family’s Thanksgiving table. READ MORE
Green Bean Gourmand’s Perfect Green Bean Casserole
Once upon a time in the cozy little town of Plymouth, there was a Thanksgiving feast to be planned, and one dish was set to be the star of the show: the perfect green bean casserole. READ MORE
Dad’s Orange Cranberry Relish
Growing up in the Sacramento Valley, our family was blessed with a garden that yielded fresh produce year-round. Our bountiful cranberry harvest, combined with the zesty citrus from our neighbors' trees, resulted in a cranberry citrus relish that has been a family staple for decades. READ MORE
A New England Thanksgiving Tale
Thanksgiving in New England has always been a cherished tradition for our family, filled with warmth, laughter, and an abundance of delicious food. Growing up at the knee of a professional chef, I've spent countless hours in the kitchen experimenting with various recipes and techniques. READ MORE
Spicy Cornbread Revelry: A Thanksgiving Twist with European Roots
In the realm of my father's culinary wizardry, a delectable spicy cornbread dressing emerged. Far from the ordinary Thanksgiving fare, it became a celebration of flavors READ MORE
The Origins of Pilgrim Pumpkin Pie
Once upon a time, on the edge, of a new and unexplored land, the Pilgrims settled in Plymouth. It was their first Thanksgiving after a harsh winter, and they were keen to celebrate their survival and newfound friendship with the Wampanoag tribe. READ MORE
Letters to GreenPrints
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