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 …
Gardening
Want your home to feel like a warm welcome before guests even knock? A few well-placed flower pots on the front porch can work magic—instantly boosting curb appeal and turning your entrance into a cheerful, colorful oasis. A beautiful flower pot can turn an ordinary front porch into something you’ll enjoy coming home to. It’s …
There’s something about the way a sweet-smelling rose can stop you in your tracks, filling the air with fragrance and making even an ordinary day feel a little more romantic. If you’ve always dreamed of having a garden filled with blooms that delight your senses every time you step outside, you’ll need to plant 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 …
Strawberries bring sweetness and fun to any backyard space. Their compact size, white blossoms, and bright fruit make them a favorite for gardeners of all ages. And they’re surprisingly easy to grow with the right companions by their side. When properly cared for, strawberry plants will provide you with plump, juicy berries for several years. …
With their tall, elegant spires and bell-shaped blooms, foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea) bring a touch of fairytale magic to any garden. They are beautiful on their own, plus they create a lovely backdrop for shorter flowers and plants. Native to Europe and now in many parts of the U.S. (zones 5–9), these striking biennials (or short-lived …
Few things are more satisfying than walking through the garden on a hot summer day and biting into a juicy sun-ripened tomato plucked straight from the vine. Or harvesting fresh veggies and herbs for a homegrown meal, you can be proud of because you produced the ingredients yourself. There is an unparalleled joy in growing …
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 …
We are building a new home for our family, and I’m dreaming of a garden at our new place. With so much to do when you build, I’m afraid we won’t have time for a garden this year, and I can’t imagine life without a garden. So, I’ve been reading up on no-work gardening and …
Every year on April 22nd, Earth Day reminds us that even the smallest actions can have a big impact on the planet—and if you’ve got a patch of soil (or even a few pots on the patio), you’re already in a great place to start. As gardeners, we’re natural caretakers — of our plants, our …