There’s nothing quite like the simple joy of watching colorful birds flock to your backyard feeder. But then, a familiar foe appears: the squirrel. These acrobatic, little thieves can empty a feeder in minutes, leaving nothing for the birds. If you’re tired of watching squirrels get the best of your bird feeding efforts, you’re in …
Landscaping
It’s OK to love yourself, but sometimes, it can become a vice. We’ve all encountered someone who seems to have a PhD in turning any conversation back to themselves. You try to have a meaningful interaction, but you’re always sucked into a vortex where your thoughts, feelings, and opinions just vanish, and theirs are projected …
Sometimes, your space feels functional, but it lacks personality and polish. Do you look at a room and feel like something is missing, but you can’t quite put your finger on what it is? You’ve painted the walls, arranged the big furniture, and maybe even remembered where you put the TV remote. Often, it’s the …
Garden planning often feels like a mix of hopeful ambition and a quiet prayer to the weather gods. We pore over catalogs, dreaming of lush landscapes, only to sometimes find our efforts rewarded with plants that either take over the yard like an invading army or sulk in a corner and refuse to perform. Some …
When you admire a towering oak or a vibrant maple in your backyard, you’re only seeing half the picture. Beneath the surface lies a sprawling, intricate world that is arguably more fascinating than the branches and leaves above. Tree roots are the real heroes of the plant world, pulling off amazing feats of engineering, communication, …
The holiday season is synonymous with feasting, but savoring the weeks ahead doesn’t mean you have to compromise health for tradition. Making healthier holiday choices won’t require skipping your favorites (or skipping meals); a few simple ingredient swaps can boost nutrition while still retaining flavor. Sometimes that means adjusting portion sizes, adding more protein and …
Watching home design shows can feel like a masterclass in making a space beautiful. You look at your room filled with mismatched furniture, and you immediately know how to transform it into a perfectly curated masterpiece. It’s easy to feel like that level of design is out of reach without a television crew and a …
The garden may be asleep, but that doesn’t mean the gardener gets to hibernate. Winter is more than just a dormant period; it’s a unique opportunity to focus on the tasks that often get overlooked during the hustle and bustle of spring planting and summer harvesting. This quieter season lends itself perfectly to planning, organizing, …
For generations, gardeners and farmers have turned to a small, unassuming publication for wisdom on weather, planting, and just about everything under the sun. The Old Farmer’s Almanac is a staple in many households, its yellow cover a familiar sight on bookstore shelves and kitchen counters. It feels like it has been around forever, offering …
You’re just sitting enjoying your guacamole, and someone asks, “What’s your body count?” or “How come you don’t have any kids yet?” Some people often seem to forget the basic rules of decency, or don’t understand that some topics are best left untouched. They will pry into your personal life, make unsolicited comments on your …