Gardener's Greenroom

These gardens were the kitchen gardens you might imagine growing right out the back door of a French country farmhouse. Lush, productive, and well-kept, you might envision ripe tomatoes, bushy herbs, bulbing onions, and cucumbers growing on a trellis. Pole...

Pumpkin growing contests have sprouted up all over the country. Some are quite formalized and others less so (the weigh-in for my local contest is at a taphouse, after which celebrations are held). Growing huge pumpkins is a passion for...

This easy Cowboy Caviar recipe is a fresh, colorful dip made with produce straight from your own garden, including black beans, pinto beans, corn, tomatoes, peppers, cilantro, and onion. Tossed in a zesty homemade dressing, it’s a healthy and crowd-pleasing Tex-Mex...

If you’ve noticed your grocery bill creeping up lately, you’re not alone. Prices for everyday staples and items including lettuce, cucumbers, and fresh herbs are rising, and those little increases add up fast. There is an alternative that’s affordable, rewarding,...

Gardening With Kids Introducing kids to the garden (no, don’t step on that!) can be an exercise in patience. Depending on their age and interests, they may be more or less interested in the paths and processes of a garden....

Growing sunflowers is the perfect summertime hobby. It’s inexpensive, doesn’t need to take much room, creates joy, and you’re likely to be successful even on your first try.  I’m always amazed by tall flowers. And, of course, sunflowers are at...

Seed tapes and seed discs are planting aids that can be helpful to new gardeners, time-limited gardeners, and those with issues related to eyesight or dexterity. They make quick work of planting tiny seeds in beds and containers, and they’re a great way to get kids interested and let them help in the garden. 

I don’t know about you, but I crave green salads in spring. After a winter of eating mostly carbs and root vegetables, my body needs the vitamins and nutrients that greens bring to the table.  There's something special about a...

Growing herbs sounds intimidating for new growers. A person recently told me that they had trouble growing tomatoes, so they’d never manage to grow herbs. In fact, the opposite holds true. Many herbs are quite easy to grow and forgiving...