Growing your own blueberries in the home garden By A.J. Heinsz-Bailey Why should you grow your own blueberries? Blueberry bushes have masses of white flowers in spring. In early summer, the bright blue fruits are delicious – and the plants have no thorns, making them easy to pick – and in the fall the foliage …
Creating a bee-friendly herbal oasis Story by Brenda Lynn An herb garden is an oasis of scents, textures, and flavors that add just the right zing to summer meals. But we aren’t the only ones who enjoy a burst of flavor on a hot summer day. Honeybees and other pollinators are drawn to the delicious …
Grow your own basil in the home garden By A.J. Heinsz-Bailey One of the most revered flavors of the summer herb garden is the annual herb basil (Ocimum basilicum). When one thinks of basil, the first thought that usually comes to mind is traditional Italian pesto. Basil has also been used in African, Asian, and …
Ten native shrubs and perennial plants to build a beautiful landscape Story and Photos by Yvonne Lelong Bordelon If you’d like to create a beautiful landscape that is also easy to maintain, consider giving native shrubs and perennials a try. Native doesn’t necessarily mean wild and unruly. There are hundreds of showy, hardy, low-maintenance indigenous …
Grow your own organic sweet corn at home Story and Photos by Kristi Cook My garden is a living quilt composed of each family member’s favorites. For my daughter, there’s purple asparagus to announce spring’s arrival. For my husband, it’s jungle-like plantings of okra destined for the fryer. And for my littlest one, I grow …
Don’t let your side yard be a bore Story and Photos by Mark K. Stickley-Godinez It’s a forgotten spot, a space we pass through without thought, or where we hide things like trashcans, woodpiles, or composters. And in most of them you truly want to just shut your eyes and run through it as quickly …
What’s new in the world of rebloomers Story by Helen Newling Lawson In 1995, there was a revolution in the plant world. That’s the year Encore Azalea hit the market. Suddenly, a classic spring bloomer was also a fall bloomer. We asked Buddy Lee, the noted plant breeder and horticulturist who developed Encore azaleas, if …
Creating a lush garden escape on your patio Story and Photos by Jennifer Williams An elaborate lush landscape in our backyards is typically thought of as large palms, Canna, Hibiscus, along with a swimming pool and some additional water features. Not everyone has the space for such an elaborate setup, but even a small patio …
Beat the garden bug blues this growing season Story and Photos by Dr. Blake Layton Looking forward to this year’s vegetable garden? So are many insect pests. Much like people, insects have strong preferences about which vegetables they like best. Tobacco hornworms love tomatoes but can’t stand cabbage or broccoli, while cross-striped cabbageworms’ preferences are …
Story and Photos by A.J. Heinsz-Bailey Three years ago, high school sweethearts became a married couple and then a new house with a bare yard became a garden on a budget. Sky and Tiffany Barker are creating a great garden a little at a time by doing it themselves. Parents and grandparents are nearby for …
