Eggplant stars in a wide range of international dishes, from eggplant parmesan to moussaka, and it can even be grilled for a fun addition to a summer cookout. Its meaty texture is delicious, no matter which style of cuisine you choose. Plus, you can’t beat fresh garden-grown eggplant (over the chewy stuff you find at …
Serena Manickam
Although a staple in the produce section of the supermarket, cauliflower is less often seen in home vegetable gardens, due to how difficult it can be to grow (or so I’ve noticed among my own community). Like other brassicas, cauliflower is a cool-season vegetable that is a heavy feeder and susceptible to significant damage from …
While we all appreciate a garden bursting with vibrant color, the most memorable outdoor spaces go beyond the visual—they delight all five senses. A truly captivating garden doesn’t just look beautiful; it smells intoxicating, feels inviting, sounds alive, and sometimes even tastes sweet (hello, edible herbs!). This season, enhance your garden’s sensory experience by planting …
Many invasive plants started innocently, as ornamental landscape plants in gardens or as agricultural or other functional plants. Only after these nonnative species were introduced did we realize their aggressive nature in this new environment, as they rapidly spread and outcompeted native plants. In addition to damaging native ecosystems, invasive plants in New Hampshire also …
Landscaping under any tree can be challenging, thanks to the dense shade cast by the branches and the abundance of thick roots in the soil. But black walnut trees (Juglans nigra) seem to be in a category all their own; nothing will grow anywhere near them! Although landscaping under black walnut trees may feel like …
Easy to grow and easy to love, mint is among the most common perennial herbs. Whether you grow peppermint, spearmint, chocolate mint, pineapple mint, or common garden mint (or one of the many other varieties!), knowing the best companion plants for mint can help you grow healthy, happy plants. First, it’s helpful to know the …
Cool, crunchy cucumbers are great in salads, pickled, or even eaten plain with a little salt (or is that just me?). These wonderful summer veggies can grow well in all sizes of vegetable gardens, since proper trellising means they take up very little horizontal space. In addition to providing the proper growing conditions, choose some …
We all have that one problem tree in the backyard around which nothing will grow. The ground under the branches displays little more than patches of bare soil. If you’re reading this post, your problem tree might be a spruce, or perhaps you’re simply searching for inspiration on landscaping for under your spruce trees. Whatever …
It’s beyond frustrating to look out your window and see your garden stripped clean—flowers gone, leaves chewed, and stems standing like sad little reminders. If your yard is starting to feel more like a deer buffet than a flower bed, it’s time to fight back (beautifully). Deer will avoid certain plant varieties due to bitter …
Tired of weedy, bare patches in the shady corners of your garden? Shade-loving ground cover plants are the secret to transforming those tricky spots into lush, low-maintenance oases. These hardworking plants do more than look pretty—they act like living mulch, helping to suppress weeds, lock in moisture, and prevent soil erosion. And while it can feel …