September drifts in on a cool morning breeze, carrying with it the scent of ripening fruit and the first hints of Autumn in the air. The garden has both a full and winding-down feel—tomatoes still warm from the sun, pumpkins swelling under broad leaves, and late blooms stretching toward the fading light.  READ MORE 

My son Ryan—ever the cutting-edge landscaper and my go-to source for what’s hot in horticulture—recently let me in on a secret: gas-powered tools are quickly becoming the dinosaurs of the landscaping world.  READ MORE 

The first time I truly understood the magic of seeds, I was standing barefoot in my garden, holding a sun-warmed tomato in one hand and a pair of kitchen shears in the other. I had just snipped the fruit from its vine and, almost instinctively, sliced it open right there in the garden.  READ MORE 

There are 28 references to weeds in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, and almost all of them are mean. Weeds, according to Bartlett's chosen quotables, are variously dull, fat, filthy, oozy, poison, and pernicious.  READ MORE 

That garden, you see, really IS (as I have previously reported/claimed) carved out of a small corner of old-growth forest. I had to take down about six trees to clear the space (less than half of which 'counted'  READ MORE 

The cheerful sunflower, with its golden petals and tall, commanding stalk, has long been a symbol of warmth, positivity, and nourishment.   READ MORE 

When I lived in Italy, all the women vigorously Spring-cleaned their houses before Easter. When the houses were spanking clean, the priest would come to them and bless them. Of course, since he had always come to our house, I asked him to continue doing so.  READ MORE 

This summer I had a most disgusting experience in my vegetable garden—the kind they don’t tell you about in those cheerful books and glossy magazines. It was back in August. August, the month when bushels of harvest fill your counters and freezer. August—when I had to trash our 30 tomato plants.  READ MORE 

There’s something special about gardening in September. Maybe it’s the gentler sunlight or the way the air smells just the tiniest bit like crisp apples and change. It’s not quite Summer anymore, but it’s not Fall just yet either—September is that lovely in-between where everything in the garden seems to take a deep, contented breath.  READ MORE 

As a kid, I thought spinach was just something my dad grew so we could practice our chewing. We’d pluck it from the garden and rinse the tender green leaves in the kitchen sink. Then he’d work his magic—tossing it in a big wooden bowl with red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper.  READ MORE 

As a child, I never knew fruit could feel fancy—until my sister Patricia arrived on my birthday with a box that looked more like a royal treasure chest than a food gift. Nestled inside were 12 golden Royal Verano pears from Harry & David, each one gently wrapped in gold foil like nature’s own Fabergé eggs.   READ MORE 

I can’t honestly say whether my father told me the massive rosemary bush on our front porch was related to the pine trees up in the Sierra Nevadas—or whether my kid brain just made the leap all on its own. After all, both had a strong, sharp scent. Both were tall and sturdy. And both played starring roles in my childhood.  READ MORE 

Sally’s party was the stuff of Summer dreams. Her Maine island cottage was alive with oldies blaring from a stereo perched on the deck, the tantalizing scent of barbecue mingling with the salty sea air, and a bowl of lobster swimming in butter that could make anyone swoon.  READ MORE 

I live in a mountain hideaway, a cozy home nestled in the heart of an apple orchard that feels like it was dreamed up by someone who took a few too many creative liberties. My days are drenched in shades of green, occasionally interrupted by the blush of apple blossoms that seem to wink at me as I pass by.  READ MORE 

"Is it real? Can I touch it?" my kindergarten students eagerly asked, their eyes wide with curiosity. I had just returned from Maui, clutching a fragrant lei that I had carefully protected during the 12-hour flight back to Philly. Seeing my determination, an airline attendant provided me with an ice pack and a Styrofoam box to preserve it.   READ MORE 

Gardening is about patience. You learn to live by the seasons, marking time by sunrises and sunsets until the next hard rain. But sometimes, you strike gold. You find that special place in your backyard or on your farm that grows anything, no matter what time of year it is. I found my gold mine right next to the concrete patio in my backyard.  READ MORE 

In mid-March 2020, as the world changed and fear of the coronavirus spread, I found myself separated from my mother, who was recovering from a stroke in a rehabilitation center. She was 95 years old, and the distance between us felt like an ocean of worry and grief.  READ MORE 

As I load the dishwasher, prepping for my morning battle with wiregrass, I glance out the kitchen window. The eternal struggle between that sneaky green invader and me never ends. Stones, mulch—no barrier can stop the relentless march of wiregrass. It's like an uninvited guest at a party who won't take the hint.  READ MORE 

It was shaping up to be the Summer I always dreamed of—my garden was bursting with tomatoes in every shade of red, yellow, and even a suspicious shade of purple. My green thumb had outdone itself. Heirlooms the size of small planets hung from the vines like ornaments, and the cherry tomatoes were practically popping off the plants.   READ MORE 

Verne, a retired timber faller and stalwart of the church, had started the garden on church-owned land with a noble mission: to donate fresh veggies to the local food bank.   READ MORE 

You might not think of garden-tending as one of the first waking thoughts for a prisoner. But Adam isn't your average prisoner. From 6:30 a.m., when the doors crack open until 10:10 p.m. lockdown, he may be found Iovingly tinkering with the makeshift garden that he and another inmate have inventively fashioned on top of a dusty 1980s era bookshelf.  READ MORE 

One fine Spring, feeling bold and adventurous, I decided to grow an assortment of peppers—everything from sweet bell peppers to feisty jalapeños, along with a few exotic ones with names I could barely pronounce. I planted those seeds with visions of fiery salsas, cheesy stuffed peppers, and culinary triumphs dancing in my head.  READ MORE 

The Adventures of Ladybug Lily is an absolute treasure for readers of all ages. From the very first page, this enchanting story sweeps you into the vibrant world of Lily, a courageous little ladybug with a big heart and an adventurous spirit.   READ MORE 

Allow me to whisk you away on a culinary adventure inspired by our recent escapades in London. Picture me and my dear wife Gail, wandering the vibrant streets of the greatest city in the western world, immersing ourselves in the rich tapestry of cultures, flavors, and traditions that make London truly one of a kind.  READ MORE 

As the morning sun peeked through the curtains of our cozy room at The Brown's Hotel, London's oldest gem, my stomach rumbled in anticipation of another day of exploration. Gail and I had decided to start our day with breakfast at the hotel's restaurant, and while I had indulged in the full English breakfast on our first day, Gail's choice of the lighter fare caught my eye.  READ MORE 

Once upon a time, in the lush green hills of Wales, there lived a mischievous rabbit named Rufus. Rufus was known far and wide for his love of adventure and his insatiable appetite for delicious treats. One day, while hopping through the countryside, Rufus stumbled upon a quaint cottage nestled in a cozy corner of the valley.  READ MORE 

Once upon a time, in the heart of Covent Garden, there stood a quaint little tavern with a big secret: their fish and chips were unlike any other in all of London.  READ MORE 

Ah, let me regale you with a tale of our recent culinary escapade in London, where we stumbled upon a delightful fusion of flavors that left my taste buds dancing with joy.  READ MORE 

Once upon a time, on a warm summer evening in London, we found ourselves invited to a colleague's cozy home for a quintessentially English dinner. Little did I know, I was about to embark on a culinary journey that would forever change my dessert preferences.  READ MORE