Who knew you could be an intrepid plant hunter in your own backyard? Ellen Zachos, thatās who. In her new book, Backyard Foragingā65 Familiar Plants You Didnāt Know You Could Eat, Ellen describes a variety of edibles, from the more commonāJerusalem artichokes, elderberries and crab applesāto those in the āwho knew?ā category. Written in an […]
The lush rains this spring have invited every last weed seed in my yard to sprout, right when Iād rather be planting. But this is also the most important time for weeding. At least weeds are easier to pull from moist soil. The key to garden sanity is to win the early battles. Itās essential […]
The Chelsea Flower Show is one of the biggest and most prestigious events on the annual gardening calendar and the 2013 run – which came to a close at the end of last week (May 25th) – was no exception. Despite being hosted by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) across the Atlantic in the heart […]
Samuel Untermeyer enjoyed an early career as a corporate lawyer, but he later became famous for trust-busting, perhaps most famously, against J.P. Morgan. He also successfully fought to save the 5 cent subway fare. He was one of the most prominent Jews in America, and the first lawyer to earn a one million dollar fee […]
Nasturtium is a genus of seven plant species that comes from the cabbage family – and itĀ hasĀ been singled out as being ideal options for those who are looking for something to populate hanging baskets with. It was suggested that they could also be well suited to potting – and in either case they are a […]
Gardeners are faced with a wide range of difficulties to overcome throughout the year – not least of which is the prevailing problem of pests. While it has to be acknowledged that gardens are inevitably going to become hotspots for all kinds of wildlife, some can become the bane of a green-fingered enthusiast’s life as […]
With so many widely varied species of plants and flowers to choose from, it can be very difficult to commit to a manageable number to grow. Nowhere is this truer than in a greenhouse, where the individual has a much greater degree of control over the environment. Indeed, this gives them the ability to grow […]
Gardeners are clearly spoilt for choice when it comes to picking out a set of plants – and never is this truer than for the greenhouse grower. These controlled environments give the individual an unparalleled degree of control over the kind of conditions plants are subject to – and this has many advantages. For instance, it […]
Gardening can be a very relaxing activity – especially in warmer climates like this one, when there is so much in bloom that it can be difficult to work out where best to start. However, it would appear that this impression might not be passed on to younger generations, as a new study has indicated […]
The delights of the fast-approaching summer months are likely to get green-fingered individuals in the mood to get their hands dirty in the garden, potting plants and making necessary additions to their greenhouses. But for many horticultural enthusiasts, this time of the year can mean drumming up inspiration for the direction to take their outdoor […]
Why consider a gardening app? Letās compare: The New Sunset Western Garden BookĀ costs $23.47 at Amazon, features 768 pages, and weighs four pounds. The New Sunset Western Garden Book mobile appĀ costs $19.99 through Inkling, totals one gigabyte, and weighsāwell, how heavy is your phone or iPad? While the Sunset Western Garden Book has long been […]
Iām being forced out of my comfort zone this year. Like many shade gardeners, Iāve been over-dependent on impatiens for color, and Iāve been planting the same arrangement of white, pink, lavender-blue and violet impatiens in a bed at the end of a long walkway in my shady garden for a decade or more. But […]
