How to use neem oil Story and Photography by Brittany May Neem oil is created by pressing the seeds and fruits of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica), which is native to South Asia and India. Pure neem oil has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties. It is also a major ingredient in many …
Starting seeds during the cold months Story and Photography by Rebecca Stoner Kirts I first heard about the technique of winter sowing for starting seeds while I was listening to a podcast over a year ago. The hosts were homesteaders from Texas. They had extensive gardens and also sold plants. They propagated most of their …
Old wood vs. new wood Story and Photography by Andrea Dee Gardeners are sometimes stumped when it comes to pruning hydrangeas. Many gardeners have asked, “When do I prune and why isn’t this thing blooming?” But before you grab the shears, it is important to know if a hydrangea blooms on old or new wood. …
Have you ever considered “painting with plants”? Story by Susan Crawford Photography by Susan Albert We gardeners pride ourselves on the artistry of our landscapes, but I recently encountered a woman who takes the concept to a whole new level. Her name is Victoria Ritland and she creates framed “paintings” to display on easels in …
How to design and plant a knot garden Story and Photography by Karen Atkins Formal knot gardens have been popular for hundreds of years. They are beautiful, but also practical because they require very little maintenance. If you think knot gardens are too much trouble, trust us, they’re “knot”! Since Tudor times, gardeners have created …
Turn your pumpkins into planters with this fun project Story and Photography by Kathleen Hennessy Nothing says fall is here quite like pumpkins. An essential accessory at this time of year, pumpkins can be arranged on the porch or popped into fall containers. With this project, the pumpkins actually become the container. This quick and …
When Life Gives You Tomatoes … Story and Photography by Kathleen Hennessy If your end-of-the-season tomato harvest is filling up your counters, it’s time to make sauce. Even if you’re a novice canner, this recipe is very easy and flexible. Best of all, it tastes amazing. You may never go back to store-bought tomato sauce. …
How to bring nature indoors by pressing botanicals into beautiful art Story and Photography by Cindy Shapton Pressing botanicals is just one more way for plant lovers to get their fix while feeding the artist within. Just pick a basketful of your favorite flowers, herbs, leaves, seedpods, or whatnot to place between papers in a …
Try the Florida weave trellising system for your tomatoes Story and Photography by Kristi Cook I don’t know about you, but I there’s one thing about growing tomatoes that I don’t care for – caging them. No matter what type of caging system I’ve tried, be it the classic flimsy tomato cage, the sturdier cattle-panel …
How to make a whimsical chair planter Story and Photography by Carolyn Tomlin Creative gardeners are always on the lookout for unusual objects that provide a whimsical touch in the garden. Giving a second life to a discarded item is not only economical but adds a fun-loving spirit to your space. One such treasure was …
