You have beautifully landscaped your house, carefully designing and implementing the garden of your dreams. But the unsightly utility box continues to stick out, seemingly mocking you every time you step outside to enjoy your lovely garden. How can you possibly disguise the necessary eyesore? After all, it’s designed for, well, utility, not aesthetics. As …
Serena Manickam
I have discovered that garlic is a wonderfully easy and enormously satisfying crop to grow. After planting and mulching my softneck garlic cloves in early November, I mostly ignore that section of the garden until the summer harvest time. And then the fun begins: loosening the soil with a digging fork, giving each stalk a …
There’s something timeless about an old oak tree. Maybe it’s the swing that hangs from one of its branches, the cool shade it casts on summer afternoons, or the way it’s quietly witnessed years of backyard memories. But when it comes to landscaping beneath one, things get tricky. You might picture a lush, green lawn …
What if, instead of being the source of a groan-inducing, time-consuming chore (mowing), your lawn became a food source? Imagine ditching the mower for fresh fruits, veggies, nuts, and even eggs. There are many reasons to grow food, not lawns, and the transition from grass to greens can be relatively simple. No matter how big …
I love planting a row of sunflowers along my vegetable garden fence. Their tall stalks add another level to the garden, and their large, yellow flowers bring sunny cheer. More than visual interest, though, sunflowers provide other benefits to the garden. They attract bees and other pollinators, which are essential for crops like squash and …
A feathery, fast-growing annual, dill is a great herb to add to the vegetable garden. Despite its distinct flavor, dill can be used to season all kinds of dishes, from salmon to classic pickles (and my favorite, dilly beans!). It also provides significant advantages in the garden, deterring pests with its pungent aroma and attracting …
Looking to add some elegant rosy hues or striking hot pink tones to your garden? The following perennial pink flowers will provide beautiful color year after year. Pink perennials also bring an incredible range of textures and forms, from airy spires to full, romantic blooms. Whether you prefer soft blush tones or bold magenta pops, …
While lavender essential oil is difficult to make at home on a small scale, homemade lavender-infused oil is easy and accessible. Lavender‑infused oil captures the plant’s calming scent and gentle skin‑soothing properties without the need for specialized equipment. It’s a simple way to bring the essence of your garden indoors, turning fresh or dried blooms …
The colorful, adaptable wildflower bee balm plants make a great addition to flower beds, cottage gardens, tall borders, and herb gardens. But what should you plant with it? The list below includes some of the best companion plants for bee balm, whether for benefits to either plant or simply for well-matched beauty in the garden. …
Because peas grow vertically on a trellis or other support, plenty of space remains at their base for tucking in other vegetables or herbs. When companion planting, though, it is important to choose the right plants to grow together, as some provide wonderful benefits to each other, while others can hinder growth. Peas are a …