With springtime in the air and the days getting longer, you may well be daydreaming about your garden or flower bed and the quiet weekend hours you hope to spend there in the weeks to come. But knowing what to plant as temperatures climb and precipitation patterns change around the world can be a challenge. […]
By Brian Barth Where I come from — the Deep South — iced tea is a religion. Traditionally, most Southern families make it with Lipton tea bags, a little lemon and a lot of sugar. The sole ingredient in those Lipton bags is black tea, which comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. The species was […]
By Jillian Mackenzie Spraying chemicals in the yard is a tempting shortcut for many a home gardener looking to protect a tasty crop or a bed of flowers. But weed killers aren’t necessary, and they may be linked to health risks. To embark on a natural plan of weed suppression, start by deciphering your yard’s […]
Food gardens can be beautiful — a cherry tree in full bloom, the mesmerizing foliage of trout back lettuce — but purely ornamental gardens can also be edible. You might be surprised at how many of the plants in your flower border have distinct culinary properties. 1. Daylily Sauté the unopened flower buds in salt […]
By Brian Barth Most gardeners accumulate a cornucopia of partially used seed packets. After all, who’s going to plant 500 lettuce seeds? After a few years, the germination rate drops significantly after the expiration date and you end up buying new packets. A “chaos garden” is the lazy person’s way to use up those old […]
By Brian Barth There are insects that feed on plants and those that feed on other insects. In your garden, you want as many of the carnivores as possible so that the herbivores won’t devour your crops. Unfortunately, the predators don’t always show up in time to save your broccoli seedlings from those little white […]
By Brian Barth The world of fruit is far more expansive and exciting — not to mention flavorful — than the dozen or so varieties on offer at your local supermarket would suggest. Ever try a translucent white mulberry? How about a jujube — the fruit, not the candy? You’re unlikely to find any of […]
By Brian Barth Early spring is the time to dream big about your garden. This year, I’m going to grow 10 varieties of tomato — and I will not let a weed be among them! But any grand vision, if it is to be executed, must be matched with the right implementation plan and tools. […]
By Brian Barth Looking to spice it up this year in the old vegetable patch? Plant breeders are always rolling out new varieties and reviving forgotten heirlooms that offer tantalizing tastes. Here are a few to consider. 1. Habanada Pepper Row 7 Seed Company, the new seed supplier founded by chef Dan Barber of Blue […]
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