The University Area Community Development Corporation (UACDC) is leading the charge in fostering community engagement through its vibrant community garden located near the University of South Florida on 20th Street along with Care Coordinator Madison McGrath join us to discuss the myriad benefits of community gardens and shares valuable tips for establishing and maintaining gardens at home For more information, visit UACDC.org or call (813) 558-5212 Report a typo local lifestyle show focused on providing our audience with informative It features a variety of community organizations It is a marketing-friendly program dedicated to offering businesses the opportunity to showcase their company/products reach potential customers and gain results Grow Your Business With Us!For Sponsor Information:TBMorningBlend@wfts.com #inregister presented them with a row to call their own among his sprawling nursery of large vegetable and rose gardens on Perkins Road Jen grew up lugging buckets of food scraps to her grandparents’ compost pile and wandering through her grandpa Buck’s greenhouse absorbing early lessons in sustainability without even realizing it raising his first brood of backyard chickens paired with their shared passion for living in rhythm with nature became the foundation of the life and gardens Jen and Mike built together From their first backyard garden in Southdowns to the three homes they’ve made in Zachary the Gennaros grow plants that nourish their family raise animals with care and honor the process from start to finish the Gennaros began restoring the Ratcliff House a 121-year-old Victorian in the heart of Zachary’s historic downtown they realized that their family of six—Max 3—was who they had been preparing it for all along Mike soon set his sights on the cypress knees that overrode the front yard and caused drainage woes Max and Lucy began the arduous process of removing more than 400 of the native knots before Mike hand-dug 400 feet of French drains which redirect excess water from soggy soil he discovered his next mission: a gold-level Louisiana Certified Habitat recognized by the Louisiana Native Plant Society And they learned from friend and frequent podcast guest With a little bit of vision and a whole lot of enthusiasm Mike headed down I-12 to Beaver’s Abundance Native Plant Nursery in Prairieville To achieve the gold-level designation of the Louisiana Native Plant Society’s Louisiana Certified Habitat Program an outdoor space must have 75 native plant species or 75% native plant coverage “I wanted to portray the best of Louisiana,” Mike says which means there’s way less babysitting because native species will just do what they do,” he adds The Gennaros started the certification process alongside neighbor Deb Bellingham owner of the McHugh House Bed and Breakfast “Zachary didn’t have a single gold star on the native garden map when we started he moved on to the next question: What do we do about these fallen trees and tree stumps It didn’t feel right to uproot what remained of the catalpa cherry red oak and mulberry that called the yard home for decades “I kept looking at the mulberry and seeing an alligator who once ran the handmade furniture business Barn Dog Mill “But I did have to call my buddy over to show me how to start the chainsaw,” he says with a laugh He has since added chainsaw sculptures of a sasquatch and a bear which neighbors affectionately declare Zachary’s newest tourist attraction the Ratcliff House has blossomed into a backyard homestead boasting of chickens ever-wiggling “snorkie,” aka a Schnauzer-Yorkie they adopted through K9 Rouge Rescue last year Ever since that first row in her grandfather’s nursery the Gennaros have maintained a garden at each of their homes reminiscing on watching their two oldest toddle around the raised beds ahead of dinner “We tried to be frugal and only eat from the garden back then,” she says smiling down at the three raised beds on the side of their house making note of the patch of strawberries growing in the middle one “That’s Bobby’s strawberry patch,” she points recently turned three and now toddles around the raised beds at their newest home The native garden and backyard homestead are more than a collection of plants and animals— they are living reflections of the Gennaro family’s values Every bloom speaks to their belief in the rewards of tending something over time it’s a testament to their commitment to nurturing both land and legacy relaxing space – this California home now has the wow factor The current owners of this home in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood of L.A They did an addition and renovated in 1990 and were attached to the house where they had brought up their kids with the kids all grown and grandchildren on the scene they felt the house was long overdue a makeover The interior design team at Aaha Studio came up with a plan to modernize the property reconfiguring the layout and opening up the space Take the tour to discover how they achieved so much without making any major structural alterations (Image credit: Aaha Studio)The original home had been extended in the 1990s and had the feel of a quirky farmhouse bed and breakfast (Image credit: Aaha Studio)(Image credit: Aaha Studio)(Image credit: Aaha Studio)(Image credit: Aaha Studio)(Image credit: Aaha Studio)After The new-look streamlined exterior is unrecognizable from how the house looked before setting the tone for the dramatic changes inside 'The original dated exterior layout had many intercepting walls and closed-off spaces,' says Aaron Leshtz who cofounded Aaha Studio with Harper Halprin 'The goal was to modernize the aesthetic and strip away the additive and decorative detailing Bringing the original farmhouse bones into a more contemporary and clean vernacular.' The old kitchen was dark and cramped, so foremost in the designers' kitchen ideas was to brighten and enlarge the room the best solution to this was to reposition the kitchen entirely 'The interior renovation was aimed at bringing natural light into the space and reorienting the interiors for a better natural flow,' adds Aaron 'The new exterior windows and doors were a huge help to incorporate a modern aesthetic as well to allow better natural light throughout the kitchen is a centerpiece,' says Harper and living are three separate areas that all flow together and are connected by two large-format pocketing doors that connect an outdoor gathering space It is now the perfect entertaining space for large extended family gatherings.' Dining room ideas include a mix of natural tones to bring warmth to this smart entertaining space and a tongue-and-groove paneled ceiling with wood accent beams black painted horizontal shiplap accentuates the width of the room and frames the garden views through the large picture window Pocket doors lead from the dining space into the living room including inset cabinetry with metal mesh inset panels and a new fireplace surround and wood mantel Wood accent beams continue the modern farmhouse detailing from the dining room next door including removing various dropped ceilings to get maximum ceiling heights in the spaces,' says Aaron 'The ceilings have a lot of detail and were very heavily studied to incorporate various finishes We replaced all the interior doors and hardware and many of the interior wall finished to incorporate shiplap details as well as custom millwork throughout.' Visitors to the house who remember the previous entryway will be astonished at the transformation to the right from the get-go as Harper explains: 'We kept the placement of original entry stairs allowing for the incorporation of more natural light incorporating updated materials and finishes that tie into the millwork throughout the home The entry ceiling and transition to the stairway was a big design decision.' Upstairs, the primary bedroom reveals another dramatic update The streamlined contemporary space is all about simple The material choices for the bedroom reflect those chosen elsewhere in the home, embracing the modern farmhouse aesthetic with warm oak tones, crisp black and white accents, textures, and clean lines. A new window seat provides extra storage and makes a feature of the new window and views across the backyard In the bathroom the luxurious contemporary freestanding tub is the centerpiece along with a stunning vintage-style chandelier which makes the most of the extra ceiling height The light oak vanity is topped with glamorous marble Interior design: Aaha StudioPhotography: Amy Bartlam Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups. Karen sources beautiful homes to feature on the Homes & Gardens website She loves visiting historic houses in particular and working with photographers to capture all shapes and sizes of properties Karen began her career as a sub-editor at Hi-Fi News and Record Review magazine Her move to women’s magazines came soon after From Living Karen moved to Ideal Home magazine she started to really take an interest in properties you will then be prompted to enter your display name ExpandRcent concerns over rising food prices and food security have sparked a strong reinterest in gardening A delicious way to counter economic anxiety for potential green thumbs is to grow your own groceries but from potential cost savings to unbeatable flavors the University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator serving Will “I want you to grow success first,” she said citing the myriad ways to access the expertise shared by Illinois Extension including phoning the office for one-on-one advice “People still are yearning for that person-to-person contact.” noting that more recent concerns over rising food prices and food security have sparked a strong reinterest in gardening “The ability to grow your own food is a super power,” she likes to say Some vegetables are easier to raise than others “You need the right information … a simple technique change [can make] all the difference," Kuhajda said and long-term-producing plants over the summer can cut back on your food bill [preserving] quality and texture and vitamins We’re here to provide the educational key.” One requisite for success is six to eight hours of sun on vegetables And to keep critters from helping themselves to the produce cautioning that “You can’t apply things that are taste repellent” on edibles Working with soil to plant home vegetable gardens not only helps with food costs but experts say it can boost mental health vegetable gardening can be done successfully in containers on a patio or balcony “It’s not instantaneous – they are mid- to late-season crops," she said “Those are the crops that are going to provide a large amount of harvest for the amount of input You can preserve all of those – the easiest thing is freezing – for year-round use and that garden-fresh taste.” Turning them into refrigerator or traditionally preserved pickles is a good option “The dill pickle is a hot commodity these days.” To enjoy fresh cucumbers in an extended harvest Happy to share their expertise are volunteer Master Gardeners part of the University of Illinois Extension (Photo provided by University of Illinois Extension) For tomato lovers spurned in past attempts to grow the prized plant in containers “The ability to grow your own food is a super power.’ Use potting mix – never potting soil – in a container with a hole for drainage add a single layer of wood chips to decrease watering by 40 to 60 percent “Every living plant in northern Illinois [needs] 1 inch of water a week between rain and water,” she said suggesting you measure the rainfall in your garden [a tin can will do] If you insert your index finger up to the second knuckle and it’s dry Opportunities to rent a community garden plot are scattered across Grundy and Will counties, but the spaces are booked in a heartbeat by early spring, according to staff at the Plainfield Township Another is the Cooperative Community Gardens Program, launched in 2017, that’s a joint effort between the Village of Romeoville Parks & Recreation Department and the Lockport Township Park District When asked about residents’ interest this year “The garden rentals the past few years have been filling up within the first few months of registration registration was full within the first month of availability.” Illinois Extension Master Gardener volunteer Chris Blecker and participant Ralph show off produce grown in the gardens at Sunny Hill Nursing Home of Will County in Joliet Lending their expertise to community gardens are Master Gardener volunteers who are paired with them to provide participants with hands-on training such as identifying which tiny plant is the weed The generosity of gardens even extends to food pantries when organizations like churches set aside land on which volunteers grow fresh produce to donate Kuhajda believes in introducing very young children to gardening When they are encouraged to touch plants or help with planting in the garden they are more likely to try eating that food who has assisted many school and children’s gardens “Gardening teaches so much more to children besides horticulture – patience independent thinking and learning," she said noting that children’s exposure to nature is beneficial to their physical The health-related theme is reflected in one of the upcoming third-Wednesday presentations offered by the Morris Area Garden Club “Just being outside in your garden – spending time close to the earth in the natural world – is extremely healthy for our general well-being and our mood," club President Deb Favero said For November’s educational program, a member who’s a retired health care professional will focus on gardening’s health benefits. It begins at 6 p.m. Nov. 19 in the Morris Area Public Library One of the many pleasures is the opportunity to learn from each other This marks the 50th anniversary of the Illinois Extension’s statewide Master Gardener program first launched by Professor Floyd Giles in Will County inspired by the land-grant university’s commitment to extend practical college-based research into the community for its benefit The Extension is celebrating the program’s volunteers with special events across the state A wealth of Illinois Extension information is available, with Master Gardener webinars offered live as well as archived on the Extension’s YouTube channels. The organization’s website is brimming with easily searchable information and a duo’s wonderfully conversational gardening podcast is called “Great Growing,” Kuhajda said the Extension has the privilege of being able to draw on University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign experts to answer the toughest questions Renee TomellCovering the arts and entertainment scene in northern Illinois, with a focus on the Fox River Valley. Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network Love something you saw in Better Homes & Gardens Find products from the latest three issues here Ella Field is a copy editor and former contributing editor for Better Homes & Gardens magazine in the home and lifestyle areas she was an editorial assistant and editorial apprentice for Better Homes & Gardens Noah Webb / Interior Design: Kishani Perera March and April are months when a lot of northern gardeners give up and head south for a winter break My hubby and I were recently among them — spending several weeks in Costa Rica on a wildlife rain and cloud forest tour As we immersed ourselves in the tropical landscape column ideas abounded: among them how experiencing different landscapes impacts our moods and resonates with our spiritual centers The sight of the vast Pacific spreading out before us the feel of the hot sand underfoot and the moist air overhead the rasping of cicadas and the pungent scent of vegetation moldering in the shade of the exotic canopy overhead had a powerful immediacy about them the deserts of the Southwest are equally direct in their appeal to the senses from the intensity of the heat to the ghostly monochrome of the landscape in which even the hardiest of plants can struggle to survive The sheer scale of those such extreme environments can be overwhelming Subscribe: Check out our latest offers and read the local news that matters to you walking the confines my Little Traverse Bay garden is a far more subtle experience It shouldn't have taken shredded lily foliage to spot those red beetles going after some of my favorite plants And why did I dismiss curling leaves on our new apple tree as a potential watering issue when in fact the culprits turned out to be very visible and rapacious Japanese beetles my sheer relief after a hard winter at all those perennials in full bloom can overshadow the fascinating stories of flora and fauna going on right in my own backyard With the loss of trees from the powerful straight line winds several years ago the squirrel population burrowing in the yard visibly diminished But it took way too long to comprehend last summer that a solitary gopher hole had morphed into a sprawling network of underground tunnels in just in a single season — about as scary as the grubs we had fought off in the lawn several years before as ecosystems our down-home gardens don’t have to take a back seat to the more exotic landscapes of this world Even the smallest gardens offer the chance to use our senses to the fullest engage with nature in support of our plants and the "wildlife" that shares that environment Travel makes me appreciate my own garden more — to experience its mysteries anew our individual gardens can become precious places in which to rethink how we experience the world around us those gardens become a canvas upon which to express our deepest feelings about the natural world Author of the 2006 regional best-selling novel "Time in a Garden," Mary Agria has won six consecutive awards from Michigan Garden Clubs for feature writing since 2017 Her "An Itinerant Gardener's Book of Days," gardening novels and books on gardening and spirituality are available online and from local bookstores Research provides more evidence that food is a potentially overlooked exposure route to toxic ‘forever chemicals’ Produce grown in home gardens around a North Carolina PFAS plant contain dangerous levels of the chemicals, new research has found providing more evidence that food is a potentially overlooked exposure route to the compounds The study’s authors say findings point to much of the contamination resulting from air emissions which research increasingly suggests is an underestimated source of PFAS pollution The peer-reviewed paper found PFAS in all 53 samples it checked that were grown in five gardens from 2013 to 2019 within several miles of the plant in Fayetteville, North Carolina, owned by the chemical giant Chemours. “In some communities, exposure routes other than drinking water can be important and perhaps overlooked,” said Detlef Knappe, a North Carolina State University PFAS researcher and co-author. In a statement, Chemours noted the study covered a small geographical area, and the produce was grown before the company installed some air pollution controls. PFAS are a class of about 16,000 compounds used to make products resistant to water, stains and heat. They are called “forever chemicals” because they do not naturally break down and have been found to accumulate in humans. The chemicals are linked to cancer, birth defects, liver disease, thyroid disease, plummeting sperm counts and a range of other serious health problems. Read moreThough regulatory and most scientific scrutiny has focused on human exposures to the chemicals in water food is increasingly considered to be a main ingestion route The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) monitors for PFAS in annual testing that rarely finds the chemicals. But independent researchers have criticized the agency’s methodology which they allege is designed to make it appear as if food is less contaminated with PFAS than it may be and has since downplayed the risks of PFAS in food Knappe said the new research cannot be used to make conclusions about the broader food supply The levels of some of the chemicals the study found in produce present a health threat a child who eats just 10 blueberries from one of the gardens tested would consume levels of GenX a common PFAS compound produced at the nearby Chemours plant equivalent to drinking a liter of water with levels of the chemical above the federal limit Adults would have to eat about four times more blueberries to reach the same contamination levels but the problem is likely much worse because people often eat more servings of fruits and vegetables than that estimate there is no health risk data for the compounds found at the highest levels Free weekly newsletterA seven-week expert course to help you avoid chemicals in your food and groceries “We’re not able to capture the true risk … and that points to an urgent need – we need this toxicity data,” Knappe said Water-rich fruits and vegetables – such as strawberries blueberries and blackberries – showed higher levels than starch-rich produce generally showed lower levels because the chemicals have to travel further to get in the fruit The gardens in the study were largely watered with rainwater instead of groundwater and higher levels were generally found downwind When companies send PFAS waste into the air it eventually rains down or settles on the ground but in higher volumes around the pollution source Because the chemicals can take thousands of years to break down which Knappe theorized may owe to Chemours installing pollution controls in 2013 Chemours noted that in 2020 it installed more robust air emission controls that reduced over 99% of its emissions Still, testing in 2023 conducted by Knappe that was commissioned by the Guardian suggests PFAS levels in the air outside the plant remain higher than regulators and Chemours claim Overseeing all that grows here is a magnificent mother tree – a giant cypress in my neighbor’s yard I have seen six grown men in the tree at the same time and she protects the flora in our neighborhood March 20 is the first day of spring and as I look out at my garden I wonder at this growth of fresh life and I know I am not alone Sonoma County has around 500,000 people and about 200,000 dwellings all of which are a bit beastly and beautiful in their own way we inherited a yard which had seen better days The once groomed gardens were overgrown with weeds Its many footpaths were hard to navigate unless you were part goat The property was wild and in desperate need of TLC we now have the grounds in a semi-manageable state thanks to the kind help of our diligent gardener there is a kind of exotic beauty in the space The previous owner filled it with plants not from these lands The primary criterion for a new plant is that it survives with little or sporadic watering and thrive on inconsistent care The grounds are filled with a wide variety of plants and flowers aromatic red roses which refuse to give up As a nod to our local “Plant Magician” Luther Burbank we have dozens and dozens of Shasta daisies white petaled blooms stand in riots to brighten even the foggiest days there is a long horizontal footpath and bush — some 30 feet long Below the row is a small pond which is a welcome refuge for tree frogs who serenade us through spring and into summer which never bloomed until relatively recently It was only when the pond was ignored that a burst of growth happened The lilies sparked to life and graced us with their unreal we planted azaleas and hellebores around the exquisite rhododendron tree and dubbed it our Valentine Garden On one side yard are raised vegetable beds and on the other side an experimental garden complete with a Hugel Overseeing all that grows here is a magnificent mother tree — a giant cypress in my neighbor’s yard droughts and pest attacks for hundreds of years this cypress has witnessed it all and stayed strong the pale green lace lichen hold onto her branches I can arc toward the light and absorb all the beauty that is becoming during this time of growth Just think about the other 139,999 gardens and what they might have to offer each one is a nod to the marvels of nature A charming keeping room Pique by PK completed in a historic Uptown New Orleans home It's the perfect way to create a cozy nook by your kitchen trends have been less about new ideas and designs and more about bringing back vintage and traditional features And while there have been a lot of aesthetics and furniture pieces from bygone eras making a comeback there's a whole room returning to our homes – the keeping room Here's everything you need to know about this revived kitchen trend – and why it could be the feature you need to completely transform your home and the way you use it A keeping room is a small, cozy space or room off the kitchen for guests, family, and friends to relax and socialize before dinner is ready to be served. 'The keeping room is the ultimate place to unwind in any home,' explains Parker Kennedy, founder of design firm Pique by PK 'These entertainment-centered, cozy rooms are where most of my clients enjoy their favorite book or debrief after hosting extended family for holiday dinners These rooms bring family together while adding to the overall personality of any home,' adds Parker who has designed keeping rooms for many clients While many traditional features of the home tend to originate from Europe keeping rooms were a staple of homes in the southern parts of the United States with many of their roots beginning in New England They were created to be cozy living spaces to gather with family and partake in hobbies, and as they were often the room nearest the main fireplace they were often the warmest part of the home But this is also the very reason they began to fall out of fashion there was no longer the need to center the rooms of the home around a single fireplace so the keeping room disappeared from layouts altogether So, why are they now a dated kitchen trend comeback homeowners are eager to build and remodel their homes to forge a greater sense of connection,' explains Parker 'My clients want keeping rooms in their homes as a designated place for the family to gather and connect This vision often guides the design of these spaces into a very warm and inviting space that welcomes conversation and comfort,' he adds Even though keeping rooms are a hallmark of historic homes the way they are designed and used today has evolved They are no longer a room located for its warmth they are now desired for their social aspect 'The keeping room should absolutely reflect the personalities of those in the home and it’s one of the few rooms where I’ll encourage clients to include a large TV on the wall,' suggests Parker the keeping room should be styled for the use and needs of the family and the design of these rooms is often the most fun for that very reason.' have adopted the keeping room as the “internal living room,” meaning that living rooms are more and more used for hosting guests and are large enough for groups to comfortably socialize,' explains Parker 'The keeping room is instead more intimate and allows for family members in the home to debrief and connect after dinner on a long day or over coffee each morning,' he adds while the keeping room feels more personal A keeping room should be the perfect balance of stylish relaxing space for the whole family and loved ones there are a few furniture and decor pieces worth introducing to elevate your space the keeping room is directly associated with the kitchen so make sure there are some design cues or some sort of thread running through both so they feel cohesive and connected so a foot stool for putting your feet up at the end of the day is a must This fringed design is made from velvet in rich more intimate design of a keeping room makes it perfect for family photos and gallery walls And pretty frames like these are an essential element A drinks cabinet is a fun way to bridge the gap between the kitchen and keeping room This wooden design feels elevated and appropriate for a living space Part of Target's Threshold™ collection designed with Studio McGee collection this throw pillow is a cozy yet timeless choice for a keeping room Lighting is a great way to connect a kitchen and a keeping room – especially wall sconces This brass design is sculptural and functional No keeping room is complete with out cozy additions like a throw blanket This large knitted blanket comes in four colors it feels like the perfect continuation to create homier kitchen designs Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups While I love every part of interior design kitchens and bathrooms are some of the most exciting to design and playful decor elements to explore and experiment with If you dream of your flower borders and containers filled with glorious color this summer May is a fantastic month to sow annual flower seeds Many easy-to-grow flowers producing blooms of different colors I have picked seven of my favorite annual flowers to plant in May These selections can give drama in flower beds and be cut for vases to display in the home and more can be started from seed this month They are all annual flowers I have grown from seed as a professional gardener for many years and I provide tips for sowing and maintaining plants Whether you want bright blooms for flower beds or easy-to-grow flowers for container gardens the following are a selection of some of the best annual flowers to plant in May that can bring dazzling color to any space Amaranthus, known as love lies bleeding is a unique and stunning ornamental annual amaranthus produces distinctive cascading blooms predominantly in shades of purple or light pink Amaranthus is an easy annual to grow in spring The flowers can be started indoors earlier in the year or sown directly into the garden in May once the risk of frost has passed and the temperatures reach 60-65°F Sow seeds outdoors where the amaranthus is to flower and cover with a thin layer of soil Keep the seeds well-watered and amarathus will germinate within 7-10 days Thin the seeds as they appear to at least 12 inches apart and the annual plant should flower around 12 weeks after sowing and last until the first frosts while bi-colored varieties can also suit many different tastes These fast-growing flowering annuals are easy to grow from seed directly into a sunny spot in the garden Simply press the curvy calendula seeds into the soil and cover them lightly and they should germinate within two weeks Calendula will flower profusely through summer. Deadhead plants for a long display, or harvest calendula seeds to sow again next year can make fantastic cut flowers thanks to their long vase life bachelor’s button varieties can also be pink and you can get a spectacular display through summer and into fall While you can plant cosmos seeds indoors in spring to get earlier flowers May is a time to sow seeds directly into their growing position Pick a full sun position and rake the ground to a fine consistency before sowing the seeds 2-3 inches apart and keeping the soil moist Thin seeds to around 12 inches to give plants space to develop. It is also good practice to pinch the tips of all types of cosmos when the plants reach around 12 inches as this can give you longer stems and more flowers Once the risk of frosts has passed for your climate and the soil warms to 55-65°F in spring, you can plant nasturtium seeds directly into the soil The seeds want to be planted at just under an inch deep and at a minimum of six inches apart Strawflower, or Helichrysum, is a great plant for a cut flower garden and a must for anyone passionate about dried flowers the blooms are delicate and come in different colors Where you sow the flower in May depends on your climate It is best to sow seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frosts in colder areas while warmer climates can sow outdoors after the frosts have passed The seeds want to be pressed onto the surface of compost or soil and kept moist for good germination Space the plants at least 12 inches apart and support the stems if you live in a windy area Bright, cheery, ever-popular with people and pollinators, it is no shock that growing sunflowers is on many gardeners’ to-do lists every year And they are simple flowers to grow from seed that come in a wide range of colors and sizes Most people will picture the classic yellow sunflower, but there are sunflower varieties in shades of red and orange - some are even bicolor You can plant sunflower seeds indoors or outdoors in May Either sow the seeds into individual large pots to start indoors and plant out next month or pop them directly into the soil around an inch deep space seeds at least six inches apart and thin to around 18 inches when the seedlings appear Sow these Amaranthus seeds in May for plants that reach 3-5 feet and put on a spectacular display with their cascading red flowering heads A mixture of bachelor’s buttons for blooms in shades of white This mix of strawflower seeds produces brilliant 2-3" blooms bursting with dozens and dozens of tiny petals that are ideal for cutting or drying it is better to wait until fall for more favorable conditions He has worked as a professional gardener in historic gardens and specialises in growing vegetables That passion for growing extends to being an allotmenteer and producing how-to gardening guides for websites Drew was shortlisted for the New Talent of the Year award at the 2023 Garden Media Guild Awards May is a fantastic time to sow and plant vegetables – here are my top picks for the month May offers huge opportunities for planting vegetables as many popular crops can be added to any productive garden this month so here are my picks for the best vegetables to plant in May I am an experienced vegetable gardener and have grown crops for over a decade Whether on my home plots or in the walled kitchen gardens I worked in as a professional gardener I have always sown lots of seeds in May - both indoors and outdoors while heat-loving crops can be sown indoors to plant outside in the weeks ahead which are all suitable for planting this month too To help you plan your vegetable garden here are my choices for some of the best vegetables to plant in May Butternut squash is now regularly seen in stores with its distinctive bulbous-ended shape and light yellow color. It is worth considering growing butternut squash as they have a nutty flavor Where you start the seeds this month may depend on your climate or preferences. You can sow seeds indoors early in May into large modules or small pots filled with seed starting compost Plant the seed on its side an inch deep in the soil and place the container where it can enjoy temperatures of 65-70°F for good germination and the seedlings are at risk of being nibbled by slugs and snails when they appear Once the frosts have passed and the soil warms to at least 50°F in spring, you can plant Swiss chard seeds directly into the vegetable garden The large seeds should be planted 2-4 inches apart in one-inch deep drills with 12 inches between rows Keep the soil moist and thin the seedlings to at least six inches apart as they develop Keep plants well-watered and weed-free and you can expect to start harvesting Swiss chard after around 35-40 days for baby leaves French beans come in either climbing or dwarf varieties and different types produce green The earliest sowings are made indoors and seedlings transplanted outdoors in May or sowing can be done directly into the growing position this month Plant the beans two inches deep in the soil either two per cane for climbing varieties or four inches apart in rows spaced 18 inches apart for dwarf ones Cover the beans with soil and keep moist for good germination with plants transplanted to their final position there may be two different stages of planting leeks to get done this month Early and mid varieties sown earlier can be transplanted into deep holes in the ground this month Make each hole six inches deep and six inches apart from the other Trim the roots of the small leek and place it in the hole before filling with water This planting method blanches the stems for a sweeter taste Late varieties can be sown in May to give harvests throughout winter and spring Sow the seeds into half-inch deep drills and thin to an inch apart once they germinate These seedlings can be transplanted once they reach 6-8 inches tall These traditional winter crops have a long growing season, so if you do want to grow parsnips for sweet roots in the colder months then May is a perfect time to do so - if you haven’t sown them already Parsnips are renowned for being tricky to germinate. However, if you use fresh seeds (the viability of seeds is short so fresh is always best for parsnips) and wait until the soil has warmed to a steady 50-55˚F it will improve your chances either into half-inch drills or individual planting holes placing three seeds every six inches and thinning the clusters once the seeds germinate but it may take a few weeks to see the first signs of growth popping through the soil they can be sown indoors or outdoors this month Plant your pumpkin seeds indoors in individual pots to germinate somewhere warm and plant out next month sow the seeds outdoors in warmer climates with temperatures above 68˚F in May Place two or three seeds into holes at least an inch deep in the soil and cover with a cloche to protect the seedlings from cold temperatures or pests Pumpkins need space to grow and tend to germinate quickly Sow the clumps of seeds at least six feet apart and keep only the strongest seedling once they emerge Rutabaga, also known as swede or Swedish turnip, is an easy vegetable to grow and you should plant it from late May to harvest in the fall They have a longer growing season than turnips (which they are related to) and the roots do best when they mature in the cooler fall temperatures sowing a half-inch deep into rows spaced 15-18 inches apart Don’t sow the seeds too thickly and then thin the seedlings to a spacing of eight inches when they develop as irregular irrigation can cause the rutabaga roots to split and impact your harvest Waltham is a very popular variety of butternut squash to grow It produces uniformly shaped fruits and is ready to harvest around 85 days after sowing French Garden is a bush type of French beans It is high-yielding and grows 5-6 inches long American Purple Top is a reliable variety of rutabaga that produces 3-6 inch long roots that are yellow with purple shoulders and start them somewhere warm and bright to get plants off to the best start a British kitchen brand that has developed somewhat of a cult following deVOL is a renowned kitchen designer and maker of kitchens With a social media following of over a million and counting a two-time Emmy-nominated TV series called 'For The Love Of Kitchens' and a prestigious King's Award for Enterprise much more than just a kitchen design company If you're scrolling through the pages of Homes & Gardens hoping to discover the most wonderfully stylish kitchen ideas you will likely regularly spot this much-loved British kitchen brand and their highly fanciable kitchen case studies from around the world My kitchen style is very much old and new but mostly I enjoy finding things that feel soulful and unusual I love traditional styles such as Victorian and Georgian, but with a contemporary twist. Decorating with artwork is something I like to use to add a big a splash of quirkiness to stop it feeling too obvious I like a mix of styles rather than sticking wholeheartedly to one look. Decorating with vintage pieces is an absolute must for me I like big grand things even in small spaces I’m not big on lots of little bits and bobs unless they are carefully displayed to create a collection It all began in a delicatessen! I was working part-time as my children had moved up to senior school, and I wanted something a little more than being a full-time mum. Paul O’Leary had a little shop called deVOL, they made freestanding kitchens and he used to buy his lunch from the deli He approached me one day as he thought I looked like a middle-aged lady who might relate well to his customers but I did have a passion for design and art a chance encounter that changes your whole life deVOL was a tiny shop with a handful of employees in a little village in Leicestershire With a lot of support and help from Paul and his little team I found myself; I loved the creativity I was able to demonstrate and I found that for the first time in my checkered working career Helen ParkerSocial Links NavigationCreative Director at deVOLHelen is the Creative Director at deVOL a leading British kitchen design company that mixes classic and contemporary Helen has been the creative director at the company since 2011 passionate about the signature understated approach deVOL takes to designing kitchens I have since found there is a word for this My favourite streets are those around Spitalfields in East London I have an unhealthy interest in everything that has gone on in this area over the centuries and now I love nothing more than to wander it’s all so beautifully old and carefully preserved things that feel as if time has stood still houses where people don’t change the windows another place where things are far more likely to stay the same These people seem less intent on always having to change things I am not one for changing for changing's sake I like to enhance a space with beautiful things but I like those things to be very carefully considered so even if they are new whether you are starting from scratch or want to update your current space this book is filled with gorgeous projects and ideas to help Designing and styling our showrooms has become my thing I love the process of imagining how I want a room to look and sourcing every tiny little item that will then dress the room I spend so long imagining the finished rooms down to every little detail and scour the antiques fairs and eBay for special things that are just perfect for every little spot There is such a thrill when you see the rooms take shape and you can unpack boxes of treasures that you’d forgotten about that we get the most beautiful images to show the world I always know if a room has worked for me if the images look good it’s one of the most important things to me The styling of an image for a photoshoot and getting a beautiful shot is where I am at my happiest deVOL has gone from kitchens to a whole range of accessories for the home all these beautiful things have a historical background We wanted to sell things that used to be easy to find or they have been reinvented or modernised classic things to put in our homes and showrooms We have recently made the most beautiful solid brass door knocker just because it's impossible to find a proper one and it reminds us of the houses in Spitalfields We don’t have a plan; we just make what we can’t find We have so many dream clients from all over the world, those with the big Manhattan apartments or the tiny Brooklyn basements have been truly exciting for us, our clients in America have embraced us wholeheartedly. The classic city of Bath in South West England has also brought us some very special clients since we opened in 2023, their homes are quite possibly the most beautiful. Big windows, high ceilings, incredible light, and so many original features. There's nothing more beautiful than a Bath townhouse basement kitchen, full of stone and atmosphere. These kitchens are the best to photograph, the light is unbeatable, bouncing off the honey-colored stone. Helen Parker, Creative Director of deVOL The West Coast of the USA is our next move. Starting in New York was scary, but the most fun, and we are hoping this will be the same. The buildings are different, low and modern, so creating the deVOL look may be more challenging, or maybe we will go more West Coast ourselves and embrace the light and warmth to create a slightly different feeling in our showroom. UK EditorSophia Pouget de St Victor is the UK Editor at Homes & Gardens leading the editorial direction for the UK facing Homes & Gardens website and timeless design inspiration tailored for a UK audience She has previously worked in the luxury homes and interiors industry and studied Garden Design in London where she mastered her passion for creating landscapes that have a visceral impact on their onlookers While she adores a wide variety of interior styles she prefers interiors with a uniqueness that challenges any definable style there's little she finds more indulgent than walking down Pimlico Road and admiring the window display at Robert Kime; she has always found his interiors perfectly judged for a home that exudes an easy Sophia lives in West London with her partner the view from my kitchen window was framed by a tremendous scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea) who towered over the brick homes below — a 150-year-old remnant from before the farmland and forests of the Bronx were built-up into city dwellings The tree endured dramatic change and continued to anchor the space The hustle and bustle of the neighborhood below was mirrored with wild activity in the canopy: a shifting cast of songbirds and woodpeckers and a nesting pair of kestrels all called the tree home I often think of the longevity and impact of this oak The extra time and effort spent on proper tree planting is a small investment for the long dividends paid by a tree in the garden The old oak had luckily grown with ample distance from homes but not all trees have such harmonious placement and other factors that your new resident tree will encounter in their (hopefully) long life Select a tree species adapted to the site conditions and carefully narrow down the exact planting spot based on the mature height and width it can achieve Give the tree room to spread branches and fill the space over time rather than planting for immediate impact Remember that a new tree you have purchased has already lived through a series of circumstances that shaped its growth thus far I do a bit of tree detective work before even putting a spade in the soil Most young trees and shrubs are available to the home gardener in nursery pots where they have been grown in specialty potting soils that are fluffier and faster draining than any native soil they will encounter Check these containerized trees for rootbound conditions Pull or cut roots that have matted or coiled inside the pot to prevent them from continuing to spiral and constricting the tree in the ground carve off the exterior layer to stimulate new root growth into the surrounding soil after planting larger specimens are often delivered with a root ball dug directly out of a nursery field contained by a shroud of fabric and sturdy wire cage In the case of these “balled and burlapped” trees fine roots that do the lion’s share of absorbing water are often cleaved off during the digging process and depending on where the tree was originally grown the soil may have drastically different characteristics from their new home specialty nurseries may ship young trees bare-root with no potting mix or field soil at all More: Dandelions, fiddlehead ferns and more: Central Mass. a great place to forage for wild food More: 'Don't worry, bee happy': Spring is here, and with it comes our most important pollinators Give your tree some compassion: like a child moving to a new school the move to your landscape can be foreign and frightening for a newly planted tree Your tree is not adapted to the strange soil They may have had a steady diet of fertilizer or spent their winters in more southern locales It is your job to fully immerse the tree into the conditions of their new home while minimizing the shock of the move Here are a few key tree planting steps for success: ⬤Plant during spring or fall to allow the tree to set new roots when soil moisture is high and the likelihood of extreme temperature swings is lower ⬤Prepare a hole twice the diameter of the root ball The depth of the hole should be measured so that the root-flare the area at the base of the trunk where it begins to widen ⬤Provide abundant water for at least the first year but ideally for the first three years after planting A newly planted tree is less tolerant of drought than one with fully established roots Establishing roots should be a gradual process so quell any expectations for rapid growth the first season and simply enjoy your new tree as they take their time offers ecologically focused tips and helpful stories for home gardeners from New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill CEO Grace Elton and Director of Horticulture Steven Conaway New England Botanic Garden creates experiences with plants that inspire people and improve the world The column is published on the third Sunday of the month 22 Words the same iconic brand behind the glossy pages of your favorite home inspiration magazines—has a Walmart-exclusive line that’s packed with stylish high-quality outdoor pieces at prices that’ll make you do a double take these finds will have your space looking designer-level luxe on a DIY budget and just enough retro charm to feel elevated but not try-hard The cushions are plush and weather-resistant (because adulting includes not panicking when it starts to drizzle) and the matching table is the perfect landing spot for cocktails Whether you’re hosting friends or just zoning out with a podcast this set brings the vibe—without blowing the budget Light up your pathways the easy (and eco-friendly) way with these solar-powered path lights Forget fumbling with wires or replacing batteries; these little beacons soak up the sun’s rays by day and cast a helpful glow by night tireless butlers illuminating your garden strolls Their sleek matte black design adds a touch of understated cool proving that practical doesn’t have to be drab and they’ll diligently guide your way It’s outdoor lighting for the effortlessly enlightened Unwind in style with this pair of Better Homes & Gardens Lilah wicker patio lounge chairs Their elegant woven design brings a touch of relaxed sophistication to your outdoor space perfect for soaking up the sun or enjoying a cool evening breeze these chairs offer a cozy spot to settle in with a good book or a refreshing drink The durable wicker construction ensures they’ll withstand the elements making them a stylish and long-lasting addition to your patio Nothing levels up an outdoor hangout like a fire pit that actually looks stylish. This Modern 42″ Gas Fire Pit checks all the boxes with its sleek and hidden propane tank compartment that keeps things looking clean The easy push-button ignition gives you instant flame and up to 60,000 BTUs of warmth perfect for chilly nights or setting the mood at a party making it a smart and good-looking addition to any backyard setup The Better Homes & Gardens tabletop torch offers a stylish and portable way to add ambiance to your outdoor space This compact lantern features a concrete base and emits a warm flickering flame powered by the included wick it creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere for evening gatherings the citronella option can also help keep insects at bay this tabletop torch is a charming and functional outdoor accent they bring the kind of understated elegance that makes any patio feel thoughtfully styled wrapped in fabric that shrugs off sun and spills like it’s no big deal Built on a rust-resistant frame and finished with clean lines they’re made for everything from solo morning coffee to evening cocktails with friends Shade your outdoor sanctuary with a dash of vintage flair courtesy of this Better Homes & Gardens fringed patio umbrella brings a touch of breezy bohemian style to your deck or patio this 7.5-foot umbrella offers welcome relief from the sun’s rays and let the fringe sway gently in the breeze – you’ve officially upgraded your shade game with a touch of retro cool There’s something about a high-top dining table that makes every meal feel just a little more relaxed—and a lot more fun This five-piece set combines clean lines with earthy textures featuring four bar-height chairs wrapped in handwoven black wicker and a sleek faux-concrete tabletop that looks custom (but costs a whole lot less) It’s made to withstand the elements thanks to its rust-resistant metal frame so you can leave it out from spring through fall Whether you’re hosting wine night under the string lights or just soaking up a slow Sunday breakfast this set instantly makes your patio feel like a stylish outdoor café Add a touch of natural texture and effortless style to your décor with this two-pack of Better Homes & Gardens linen pillows these 20×20-inch pillows offer comfortable support and a relaxed aesthetic The beauty of these pillows lies in their versatility allowing you to perfectly complement or accent any sofa Mix and match different hues to create a personalized and inviting atmosphere throughout your home These linen pillows are a simple yet impactful way to update your space with color and comfort Use it as an ice bucket for drinks on the patio or a centerpiece filled with fresh blooms or packaged snacks The soft white finish and subtle ribbed texture give it a polished look while the woven-style handles add just the right touch of casual charm and blends in seamlessly with nearly any outdoor or indoor setup A true multitasker that keeps your space both functional and put-together There’s something magical about the right lighting, and these clear globe string lights bring exactly that kind of glow With 20 warm white bulbs stretched across 20 feet they add just enough sparkle to transform any patio or balcony into a space that feels intimate and inviting Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or just winding down with a glass of wine the soft incandescent light sets the perfect mood You can even connect up to three sets for larger spaces cozy atmosphere that makes your backyard feel like an extension of your living room Anchor your patio space with the stylish and durable Better Homes & Gardens 7 x 10 Indigo Diamond Outdoor Rug The striking indigo diamond pattern adds a touch of modern elegance and visual interest to your outdoor décor Its generous 7 x 10 size is perfect for defining seating or dining areas on your patio this rug is designed to withstand the elements while providing a comfortable surface underfoot Enhance your patio’s look and feel with this beautiful and practical outdoor accent piece Equip yourself for a variety of gardening tasks with this comprehensive 9-piece stainless steel tool set from Better Homes & Gardens This collection provides a range of essential implements these tools are designed to resist rust and withstand the rigors of outdoor use The set offers a practical and long-lasting foundation for any gardener whether a beginner or an experienced green thumb Create a cozy conversation spot with this charming 4-piece wicker patio set this set provides an inviting arrangement for outdoor relaxation it offers style and longevity for your patio or deck The plush cushions with washable covers also ensure comfortable seating that lasts This set offers a perfect blend of comfort and classic outdoor style Shade your patio in style with this delightful blue scalloped patio umbrella Its charming scalloped edge adds a touch of playful elegance to your outdoor space The vibrant blue hue provides a refreshing pop of color this umbrella offers practical sun protection with a crank lift for easy opening and a three-position tilt to adjust to the sun’s angle throughout the day Stay cool and stylish under this delightful and functional patio accessory Step into peak patio chic with this wicker egg chair whimsical design practically begs you to curl up with a good book (or just your phone – no judgment) The woven wicker adds a touch of bohemian flair while the comfy cushion promises hours of swaying relaxation It’s the perfect spot to hatch brilliant ideas or simply escape the world for a bit Consider it your stylish outdoor escape pod Just try not to lay any actual eggs in there Elevate your plant display with this stylish resin planter from Better Homes & Gardens The sleek black finish and modern round design bring a contemporary touch to any indoor or outdoor space creating visual interest and allowing for better air circulation they are lightweight yet sturdy and weather-resistant This set offers a sophisticated and affordable way to showcase your favorite plants and enhance your home or patio décor The Better Homes & Gardens Ventura 6-piece conversation set offers a comfortable and stylish way to enjoy your outdoor space this set provides ample seating for gatherings and relaxation weather-resistant powder-coated steel and featuring plush cushions with washable covers it’s designed for longevity and easy maintenance The modern design enhances any patio or deck creating an inviting conversation and outdoor living area Add a splash of color and comfort to your outdoor seating with these Better Homes & Gardens outdoor pillows these pillows instantly enhance the style of your patio they are designed to withstand the elements and maintain their beauty season after season The plush fill provides comfortable support for lounging and relaxation These pillows offer an easy and affordable way to refresh your outdoor décor and create an inviting and stylish atmosphere The Better Homes & Gardens Tarren wicker outdoor accent chair offers a stylish and comfortable addition to your patio or deck Its woven wicker design brings a touch of natural texture and relaxed elegance to your outdoor space this chair provides a cozy spot to unwind and enjoy the fresh air The sturdy steel frame ensures durability for long-lasting outdoor use Whether you’re creating a cozy reading nook or adding extra seating to your conversation set this wicker accent chair offers both style and comfort Showcase your plant cuttings in style with this Better Homes & Gardens wood and glass round propagation station Featuring a sleek wooden stand and glass vessels it provides an elegant way to observe root growth This station allows you to easily propagate your favorite plants and create new additions to your indoor garden Its modern design adds a touch of botanical charm to any shelf it’s perfect for plant lovers who enjoy expanding their collection and sharing cuttings with friends Extend your outdoor enjoyment into the cooler evenings with this Better Homes & Gardens 36-inch round propane fire pit This fire pit adds a modern touch to your patio or backyard it provides ample warmth for comfortable gatherings A convenient tank hideaway keeps the propane tank neatly concealed The easy-to-use ignition system allows for quick and effortless start-up Gather around the warm glow and create lasting memories with this functional and attractive outdoor centerpiece Elevate your plant display with the Better Homes & Gardens 12-inch Celeste resin planter The woven wicker-like texture brings a touch of natural bohemian style to your indoor or outdoor space creating visual interest and allowing for better airflow it offers a lightweight yet sturdy and weather-resistant home for your favorite plants This planter provides a stylish and affordable way to showcase your botanical collection and enhance your décor Gather ’round this Better Homes & Gardens Kennedy Pointe steel outdoor dining table where meals and memories are made (and maybe a few spills This table’s sturdy steel construction is ready to brave the elements from surprise summer showers to enthusiastic barbecue feasts Its wood-like finish adds a touch of modern sophistication to your patio or deck and enjoy countless outdoor gatherings around this durable and stylish centerpiece Settle into serenity with the Better Homes & Gardens Ventura woven rocking chair your personal porch-sitting command center This chair’s gentle sway is scientifically proven* to reduce stress (results may vary The handwoven design adds a touch of laid-back elegance to your outdoor space perfect for sipping iced tea or contemplating the mysteries of why squirrels bury nuts in your flowerpots Claim your comfy outdoor throne and rock your worries away *Probably not actually scientifically proven Illuminate your outdoor evenings with a touch of whimsical charm using these Better Homes & Gardens solar-powered willow tree string lights Forget tangled cords and embrace the sun’s free energy as these 200 warm white LEDs twinkle to life at dusk or that slightly suspicious-looking garden gnome for an instant backyard glow-up minus the fleeting lifespan and questionable diet Enjoy enchanting evenings without raising your electricity bill – Mother Nature foots this light show Sink into sublime comfort with the Better Homes & Gardens Brookbury cuddle chair This generously sized patio armchair is designed for ultimate relaxation offering plenty of space to curl up with a book or simply unwind after a long day The woven wicker frame and plush cushions invite you to settle in and enjoy the fresh air Its stylish gray complements any outdoor setting making it the perfect spot for solo lounging or cozying up with a loved one Transform your space into a magical haven with these Better Homes & Gardens 240-count warm white LED curtain fairy lights Cascading like a gentle waterfall of soft illumination these lights create a truly gorgeous and enchanting ambiance The warm white glow adds a cozy and inviting feel ideal for intimate gatherings or peaceful evenings you can easily drape them to create a stunning backdrop or a whimsical curtain of light instantly elevating any setting with a touch of ethereal beauty Bring a warm and inviting Mediterranean feel to your outdoor space with the Better Homes & Gardens Trezza 3-piece terra cotta patio chat set earthy tones of the terra cotta-colored wicker evoke a sense of sun-drenched relaxation This set typically includes two comfortable chairs and a coordinating side table perfect for intimate conversations and enjoying the outdoors the steel frame and weather-resistant wicker are designed to withstand the elements Create a cozy and stylish retreat on your patio or balcony with this charming set Make a bold and stylish statement in your outdoor space with this Better Homes & Gardens 9-foot black fringe patio umbrella while the eye-catching fringe trim adds a touch of sophisticated flair and bohemian charm you can easily angle the umbrella to stay cool and protected from the sun throughout the day Elevate your patio or deck with this striking functional umbrella that combines practicality and high style The Better Homes & Gardens Brookbury outdoor double chaise lounge offers the ultimate spot for shared relaxation it comfortably accommodates two people for lounging by the pool Crafted with a durable steel frame and plush weather-resistant cushions in a neutral beige this lounger invites you to unwind in style The adjustable backrests allow each person to find their perfect angle for sunbathing or reading Create your outdoor oasis for comfortable companionship with this inviting double chaise lounge The Better Homes & Gardens Camrose farmhouse wicker loveseat swing offers a charming and relaxing addition to your porch or patio this swing features a handwoven wicker frame in a warm brown tone Plush cushions invite you to sit back and gently sway perfect for enjoying peaceful moments outdoors The sturdy construction ensures durability while the hanging design adds a touch of whimsical elegance Create a delightful spot for conversation and unwinding with this comfortable and stylish loveseat swing The Better Homes & Gardens Tarren 5-piece dining set offers a contemporary and stylish setting for outdoor meals This set typically includes a sleek dining table with a powder-coated steel tabletop and four comfortable dining chairs crafted with steel and wicker The black finish adds a modern touch to any patio or deck this dining set provides a perfect spot for enjoying al fresco dining with family and friends Sign-up to the latest news from Better Homes and Gardens Disclaimer: By joining, you agree to our Privacy Policy & Terms of Use Looking for the most recent Better Homes and Gardens TV show recipes Here you can take a sneak peek at what Colin Fassnidge and Clarissa Feildel are cooking this week Here you can also find 10 of the most recent recipes featured on the show.   Each week, Colin and Clarrisa share inspiring yet achievable recipes, ranging from a meal as simple and hearty as spaghetti bolognese to never-before-shared family recipes (Clarissa’s curry puffs are just one of many examples).  Looking for a recipe from Better Homes and Gardens TV but can’t find it here? Try using the site search bar, check out the list of the most popular BHG recipes of 2024, or send us a DM via Instagram @bhgaus and tell us what you’re looking for Tune into Better Homes and Gardens on Friday nights at 7pm on Seven. Catch up on previous episodes by streaming them on 7Plus Get ready to rethink everything you thought you knew about the humble meatloaf…because once you’ve tasted Colin’s Colin’s meatloaf is made with rosemary Served with tomato confit and melted mozzarella cheese it’s like a meatloaf and parmigiana all rolled into one Everything tastes better with cheese…including last night’s roast dinner Dressed up with some garlicky croutons and a zesty lemon-mustard dressing your leftover roast meat and potatoes will be even yummier than they were the night before Clarissa’s sharing a simple recipe using some local native ingredients so you can try a taste of the Red Centre at home This cultural journey will truly take your breath away quickest and most indulgent chocolate mousse you can make zesty-ness of the orange and the sweetness of the honeycomb complement each other perfectly to create a party in your mouth This tamarind fish curry is light on spice A good curry starts with a good curry paste so Clarissa will show you how to make a sweet and sour flavoured paste that will give you an authentic taste of Malaysia stuff pumpkin with herbs and spices and bake then open up and shower with fresh toppings –it’s bloomin’ delicious!  Melt in your mouth cookies that resemble traditional butter biscuits but they’re easy to make and are deliciously addictive While they’re traditionally made for celebrations during Lunar new year you can enjoy them anytime you want.   pork and water chestnuts for a lovely crunch you won’t even realise you’re eating something healthy Colin’s sharing his secret to making the fish batter crispy Served in a milk bun with a herby homemade tartare sauce this recipe is guaranteed to be a hit…even with people who don’t like fish Add in so much more flavour by steaming your whole chicken in its own juices Serve with sautéed leeks and enjoy your salt-crusted creation Create theatre at the dinner table with this whole steamed snapper recipe this fragrant dish is perfect for your next dinner party Think you’ve got nothing in the fridge for dinner because there might be a pasta sauce hidden in there somewhere Colin’s making a delicious green pasta sauce with broccolini baby spinach and loads of herbs…but really whatever green veggies you have wilting in the bottom of your fridge will work well cinnamon and vanilla syrup plus the perfect pastry top The Better Homes and Gardens TV show is on every Friday night at 7pm on Channel 7. Tune in to see amazing dishes from Colin and Clarissa Colin brings his signature cheeky Irish flair to Better Homes and Gardens joining the top-rating lifestyle program during its 30th anniversary year and becoming the latest ingredient in Australia’s favourite Friday night tradition author and television presenter Clarissa Feildel has always had food at the heart of everything she does Clarissa’s Nyonya/Chinese and Sri Lankan background has given her a melting pot of dishes in her repertoire which she uses every day when feeding her family for your chance to WIN $25,000 cash or curated gift set Get Your Copy! Order Your Almanac Today! The Almanac Garden Planner - Use It Free for 7 Days Plan your 2025 garden with our award-winning Garden Planner Try Now If you grow tomatoes or other crops in the same garden bed year after year you’re likely to notice an increase in pests and diseases Take a moment to learn about the basics of crop rotation In the mad rush to get the garden planted in the spring we forget all about something as important as crop rotation which helps to slow the spread of garden pests and plant diseases. In the example of tomatoes simply moving the tomato plants across the garden to where the squashes grew this past year is enough to throw off those hornworms take a moment to practice crop rotation while planning out your spring garden The concept of crop rotation is simple: It’s the practice of not planting the same crops in the same place in back-to-back years By not planting the exact same vegetables in the exact same spot every year you can avoid having pests and diseases continuously build up in the soil. If you move the crop the pest or disease has no host on which to live rotate a vegetable (or vegetable family) so that it grows in a particular place once out of every 3 to 4 years if you planted tomatoes in the same garden bed year after year they’re more likely to be hit by the same pests or diseases that affected your tomato crop last year So you’d want to plant them in a different bed in the following year you could plant tomatoes in their original spot again The purpose of crop rotation is not only to avoid pest problems but also to consider the soil health and the nutrients that different plants need from the soil The key to successful crop rotation is “all in the family.” Even though tomatoes they are kissing cousins in the same botanical family but some have only one member that we would grow in a home vegetable garden like putting brassicas with legumes and lettuce to make rotations easier There are exceptions to crop rotation; perennial vegetables and herbs shouldn’t be moved yearly since they stay in the ground year-round. For example mint spreads quickly and is often best contained to one bed and asparagus needs to settle into a spot for several years before it’s ready to be harvested.  Members of each family often suffer from the same pests and diseases so planting a variety of crops from different families is a good way to lessen (or slow down) pest and disease damage.  soil-borne diseases can build up after years of growing the same plants in the same place Crop rotation might not cure all your disease problems moving crops around can make it harder for overwintering pests to find their first meal come springtime Crop rotation also benefits the health of the soil structurally Plants with different root lengths benefit the soil by aerating it in different ways creating channels for air and water as they seek out minerals in the subsoil They bring these minerals closer to the surface where other plants can use them next year Another aspect of crop rotation is alternating “heavy” feeders (plants that use a lot of nutrients) with “light” feeders (plants that use less nutrients) to reduce nutrient demands on your soil Heavy feeders, including corn, lettuce, broccoli, tomatoes, and cucumbers, require a lot of nitrogen to produce their flowers, fruit, and leaves. To rest the beds, plant carrots, potatoes, beets, or onions plant legumes such as peas or beans as they accumulate nitrogen-fixing bacteria on their roots don’t pull these plants up; clip them off and let the roots decay in the soil They will leave behind nitrogen that is accessible to next year’s plants with 3 years being the minimum recommended the best way to rotate annual vegetables is to group them by their plant family since they are susceptible to the same pests and diseases and also have similar maintenance requirements all plants in the cabbage family are best grown together as this makes it easier to net them against cabbage moths and birds—and there’s no risk of accidentally passing on crop-specific soil-dwelling pests and diseases to the next crop A handy way to set crop order is to give each plant family a shade relating to the colors of the rainbow as shown below. Using this order of rotation is optional but it helps to make sure that the soil is in the correct condition for the following crop The numbers listed in the diagram tell you: Rotating small gardens can be more challenging, given the lack of space, but it’s still important. See our Four-Bed Crop Rotation Plan for Small Gardens.  Crop rotation is not as complicated as it sounds particularly if you are growing different amounts of a variety of crops Just roughly sketch your garden and write down what you have planted (It can also be helpful to keep a list of the variety names.) This is where the online Garden Planner really shows its usefulness Rather than having to remember a complete planning history of which vegetables were grown where over the past 3 to 5 years and which family each vegetable belongs to the tool just takes care of that for you.  so that you can quickly see at a glance which family it belongs to. When you plan a new season it remembers what you have planted before and shows a red warning signal if you should avoid planting a vegetable in the area.  Try out the Vegetable Garden Planner (for PC & Mac) so you can understand its amazing benefits Bottom-line: The simplest rule is to grow your crops in different areas Crop rotation is the best preventative medicine you can give to your garden A simple garden plan will be your best friend next year when it comes time to decide where those tomatoes should go.  Do you utilize crop rotation in your vegetable garden I grow tomatoes in containers on a five story rooftop in a city The Editors In reply to by bob (not verified) As long as you haven’t seen signs of pests or disease there’s no reason not to reuse some of your soil You should be able to sufficiently refresh it by mixing in new soil/compost and fertilizing properly Read more about preparing soil here: https://www.almanac.com/preparing-soil-planting It's confusing to read Potatoes under the heavy-feeders group and then a couple of paragraphs afterward to read to plant potatoes in beds of heavy feeders later In reply to by SG (not verified) I've seen a lot of that with fake news media Two thumbs up for high quality information presented in a simple easy to understand manner Everything you need to know about gardening in one huge place ©2025 Yankee Publishing Inc., An Employee-Owned Company1121 Main Street | P.O These evergreen trees make beautiful living privacy screens or focal points in almost any yard Megan Hughes has a passion for plants that drives her to stay on top of the latest garden advancements and time-tested ways of growing great plants She travels regularly to learn about new plants and technology and is closely connected to the innovation side of the horticulture industry She has more than 25 years of experience in horticulture Evergreen trees are woody plants that keep their leaves or needles year-round rather than dropping them for winter like deciduous trees do so it's best to avoid planting them if you have small children or pets/livestock around Among the fastest growing evergreen trees are Leyland cypress The easiest evergreen trees to grow are those that are native to your climate and planted in their preferred conditions Is the yew really poisonous to you Yew You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience The city of Franklin will help initiate the Garden Club of Virginia’s 2025 Historic Garden Week by holding a tour of homes and gardens along its historic Clay Street on Saturday Historic Garden Week runs from April 26-May 3 this year and includes tours statewide The Franklin Tour will be hosted by the Franklin Elizabeth River and Nansemond River Garden clubs and will feature five properties: Woods Hill at 1501 Clay St. Tickets are on sale at www.vagardenweek.org for the Franklin Tour: Homes & Gardens Along Historic Clay Street with separate rates for tickets purchased in advance and those purchased the day of the tour Proceeds go to fund the restoration of Virginia public gardens and a research fellowship program “Excitement is blooming in Franklin!” said Holly Gizzi one of the chairpersons of the Historic Garden Week Franklin Tour As she issued a formal invitation for people to experience the tour and marvel at the floral artistry of the Elizabeth River Franklin and Nansemond River Garden clubs — each space bursting with creativity and charm.” The Franklin Tour brochure notes that the headquarters for the tour will be High Street United Methodist Church located at 31164 Camp Parkway in Courtland Facilities will be available there as well Tour ticket holders should check in at the headquarters where they will obtain wristbands that are required for access to each featured property The brochure notes that there will be designated street and field parking in the vicinity of each featured property on the tour and a map will be provided to help locate these areas Refreshments will be available at The Drake House under the carport from 1-3 p.m. and they will be provided by Elizabeth River Garden Club The following special activities will be part of the Franklin Tour experience Oxford Languages defines “plein air” as “denoting or in the manner of a 19th-century style of painting outdoors that became a central feature of French impressionism.” “There are seven plein air painters joining us on tour day adding another layer of beauty to the already stunning homes noting that the painters will include Elizabeth Blanchard Gizzi said the wet painting sale and reception at Rawls Museum Arts will run from 4-8 p.m She shared some thoughts on why the overall tour is an important event “The Historic Garden Week Franklin Tour is more than just a beautiful day out the proceeds are used to preserve and restore historic public gardens in Virginia “This event offers a unique opportunity to welcome guests from near and far providing a glimpse into the charm and character of our town “Whether it’s the elegance of historic homes the artistry of garden and floral design or the inspiration of plein air painters capturing the moment in real time the tour is sure to spark imagination and appreciation,” she continued “Guests may leave inspired to try their own floral arrangements take an art class or bring home an original painting.” She said that the Franklin Tour day is one “that empowers educates and showcases the very best of Franklin — from our talented artists and garden clubs to our vibrant local shops this event is a heartfelt invitation to experience the spirit of Franklin — a community that is welcoming The Franklin Tour brochure put the city in historical context noting that it became incorporated as a town in 1876 “Clay Street is one of its main thoroughfares a charming area featuring homes and gardens many of which are part of a Camp family legacy that began when three Camp brothers built their logging and paper operations,” tour officials state in the brochure “A stroll down Clay Street passes stately mansions and small cottages and is reminiscent of a time gone by visitors will appreciate a variety of architectural styles which is the first stop on the Franklin Tour The tour brochure includes the following summary of Woods Hill: “This historic 17-acre estate represents a collaboration between 20th-century Virginian masters landscape designer Charles Gillette and architect Alan McCullough Listed on the National Register of Historic Places its history dates back to a small gas station and a log cabin restaurant known as ‘The Shack.’ After working closely with both architects to transform the structures and their children moved into their new brick home in 1951 It features old English bond brickwork and overlooks a newly created and landscaped pond The library and foyer were crafted from reclaimed church pews and Carter’s Grove inspired a hallway arch the interior has a distinct equestrian and fox-hunting theme The owner and her father shared a love of riding she has focused on sustainability in the garden She plans to introduce new plant varieties that can weather climate change and adapt to different light requirements due to tree loss while preserving the estate’s wonderland of color when the azaleas The brochure includes a disclaimer advising caution as the Woods Hill property contains uneven terrain is owned by Wilson and Ruth “Cookie” Drake The tour brochure includes the following summary of The Drake House: “A distinctive yellow ranch built in 1974 by Smiley Atkinson (Cookie’s father) The current owners celebrated their wedding reception in their new home The landscaping design has grown to include evergreen shrubs and trees the sunken living room conveys the atmosphere of an Italian garden; another room conjures a beachy coast The owners’ love of color and individual style is evidenced by their choices of custom upholstered pieces rugs and window treatments above the plantation shutters They recently transitioned the great room into a safari-inspired space Black floors and white paneled walls provide a striking backdrop for the brightly colored chairs tropical and striped fabrics and zebra rugs This third stop on the tour is owned by George Lee and Jill Thorpe The tour brochure includes the following summary of The Thorpe House: “This charming story-and-a-half Colonial home built in 1946 for Caroline ‘Carrie’ Savage Camp one of the founders of Camp Manufacturing Company While an additional wing and front porch were added in 1954 The dining room once had a call bell beneath the dining table and private butler’s quarters above the den The butler’s quarters were later transformed into a family living space connecting the upstairs spaces with a hallway with a large den with cypress wood paneling and a full-service wet bar hidden behind double doors that reveal a high-end bourbon collection the yard and garden were overgrown with old trees and invasive plants roses and willows have transformed the outdoor space.” This fourth stop on the tour is owned by Dean and Kristina Russell The tour brochure includes the following summary of The Russell House: “Since purchasing this turn-of-the-century home the new owners have embarked on numerous projects to merge structural improvements with their artistic vision They replaced the downstairs carpeting with hardwood flooring adding intricate borders of contrasting wood to specific rooms and a striking starburst design in the foyer All parts of the painted staircase were stripped and restored to their natural wood finish collected and custom-created by the owners where a nine-piece crown molding with a stenciled insert adds a refined touch were reconfigured to improve flow and functionality owner-built pirate ship connected to a pre-existing playhouse The playhouse has a newly rebuilt barn-style roof complete with repurposed shingles from Great Fork Church in Whaleyville.” This fifth stop on the tour is owned by The Elms Foundation The tour brochure includes the following summary of The Elms: “Listed on the National Register of Historic Places a founder of the Camp Manufacturing Company symbolizes the success of an industrial empire that shaped southeastern Tidewater Camp Manufacturing evolved into Union Camp The lumber and paper industries developed by Camp and his brothers after the Civil War revitalized the region’s economy The Camp family has created cultural and educational resources for the Franklin area through philanthropic foundations These foundations are now administered from The Elms This Victorian-style home reflects 19th-century tastes for ornate design include woodwork made from rare North Carolina shortleaf curly pine The hall and staircase showcase the distinctive graining of the shortleaf curly pine while a collection of Dorothy Doughty porcelain birds and a hunt scene painting add to the decor Set on seven acres of gardens and shaded by old trees the property is known as the ‘Santa Claus House’ thanks to its annual rooftop display of Santa and his sleigh For more information on the Historic Garden Week Franklin Tour www.facebook.com/historicgardenweekpsf or @historicgardenweekpsf on Instagram There are four games on the college basketball schedule on Monday that feature MEAC squads 10-2 MEAC) are traveling to face the North Carolina Central Eagles (12-17 The Miami Heat (28-31) are at home in Southeast Division action against the Washington Wizards (11-48) on Monday,… The Washington Capitals’ Dylan Strome and the Ottawa Senators’ Tim Stutzle are two of the best players to… The Norfolk State Spartans (25-4) will look to continue a 14-game winning stretch when visiting the North Carolina… Thanks to these budget-friendly linens and organizers I'm no longer embarrassed to let guests help themselves to a towel Your guide to getting that dream machine for less If you're dreaming of cozy coffee mornings at home you'll want to shop for the best coffee maker deals it's possible to snag that dream machine for less As Homes & Gardens’ kitchen appliance editor I know my way around the best coffee maker deals I've tested the best products on the market and shadowed a barista to make sure I know the best when I see it I'm constantly tracking the prices of our favorite machines so you can get the best coffee maker deals without spending hours researching we've got you covered with these editor-approved deals including: when to shop the best coffee maker deals If you're unsure which coffee maker to choose in the sales, my comprehensive guide to the best coffee makers is a good place to start This covers all the bases and I will help you find the right brewing method for your taste and budget I keep the page up-to-date with the latest deals If you already know what type of machine you're looking for I've covered more specific categories below These are the first machines I would look for in the sales They are the highest-rated coffee makers at the top of our buying guides It's a good idea to put these 5-star machines on your wishlist before the sales kick-off so you can rest assured you'll invest in a high-quality coffee maker deal The clue is in the name: this is a professional quality machine which delivers barista-worthy results Breville's machine is the perfect balance of hands-on and automated it’s the best espresso machine that I’ve tested Read more in our full review All you have to do is tap a screen to gain access to over 52 styles of coffee Read more in our full review This was our favorite automatic machine for ages sleeker models beat it to the top position It's still a really great machine and I've seen it as much as 50% off in the sales this year if you love quick lattes and cappuccinos – you'll want to keep an eye out Read more in our full review This coffee maker can brew anything from a single shot to a whole carafe of coffee It's easy to use and one of the most affordable models on the market That's why it's the 5-star-rated winner of our buying guide this year Read more in our full review This is the best single-serve coffee maker on the market and there's a huge range of delicious flavors to choose from It's one of the fastest coffee makers we've tested Read more in our full review The Espro P7 makes the best French press coffee and cold brew you'll ever taste double-insulating walls and the finest filtration This made the best cold brew coffee maker of all the ones I tested and feels more premium than the price tag suggests Read more in our full review This is the number one in so many ways: it's the first moka pot design and it's the best in all moka pot buying guides Read more in our full review The event is held annually in mid-July (with an additional fall event in October) Prime Day brings deep discounts across Amazon’s extensive selection of coffee makers I found savings of up to 55% off on brands like Keurig early access to lightning deals and extra savings on select items sweeten the deal even further I also discovered that those new to Prime can qualify for a free 30-day trial – so everybody can enjoy the discounts and speedy delivery it's an excellent time to shop for coffee makers with sales often extending through the entire holiday weekend and into early September As one of the last big sales events before the holiday shopping season Labor Day sees some generous discounts on coffee makers It’s a great opportunity to pick up drip coffee makers Black Friday to Cyber Monday is a famously great weekend for coffee lovers and bargain hunters alike and many top coffee brands get in on the action (Nespresso De'Longhi and Philips all run Black Friday coffee maker deals) – so these are the perfect days to score a machine you’ll love without breaking the bank Whether you’re after a classic drip machine the Black Friday coffee maker deals offer options at every price point I always recommend looking at the iced coffee and cold brew coffee makers at this time of the year as summer appliances are often drastically reduced in the Winter If you miss a Black Friday coffee maker deal or want to compare prices Cyber Monday is a second chance to score major savings across brands and models the Cyber Monday prices aren't as low as they are on Black Friday itself Wayfair and Walmart run holiday season discounts on everything from entry-level brewers to premium espresso machines I've seen coffee maker deals on brands like Nespresso especially on their older or smaller models documenting price drops and comparing prices so we’re always ready when the biggest discounts hit I’m always on the lookout for value-packed bundles that include extras like milk frothers so I check early and late in the day to catch midnight drops Before we feature them or recommend you buy them each machine will have been tested by our experts and compared to models from top brands like Breville we test how a coffee machine fares on making espresso This allows us see the range that a coffee maker has across milky coffee as well as more intense and flavorful shots if a coffee maker claims to be able to make a vast menu of different coffees we'll test them all and let you know about them in our 'special features' section We make sure to use the same coffee beans in each test so that we can compare how well the flavors and aromas of the coffee has been extracted We'll make notes on everything from aesthetics to cleaning and maintenance, so that you can get a holistic idea of what these machines are like to live with before you invest in them. If you'd like to find out more, you can visit our dedicated page to learn how we test coffee makers Kicking off with Black Friday coffee maker deals and closely followed by Cyber Monday coffee maker deals this is the best time of year for kitchen appliance deals But you can usually find a great deal on a coffee machine all year round Lydia HaymanSocial Links NavigationKitchen EditorLydia is the Kitchen Appliances Editor for Homes & Gardens testing everything from air fryers and mixers to juicers and coffee machines She trained in Culinary Arts at Leiths School of Food & Wine and previously served as the Recipe Editor for Mindful Chef Gardens and urban agriculture are encouraged in the Raleigh Strategic Plan and the Community Climate Action Plan The many benefits of gardens and urban agriculture include increasing access to healthy locally grown food; preserving green spaces; and providing community connections that bring people closer to nature and the soil This page provides information about different types of gardens and urban agriculture found in the City of Raleigh and provides additional information to assist those looking to start their own Information is divided into two categories: Agriculturally Based Gardens which are focused on the production of food and consumables; and Non-Agriculturally Based Gardens which do not directly deal in the production of consumable goods A home garden is generally owned by a single-family or two-family residence and is used to grow fruits Learn more about home gardens Community gardens are areas of land managed and maintained by a group of individuals to grow and harvest food crops and/or non-food ornamental crops Crops are generally used for personal or group use Learn more about community gardens An urban farm grows food-producing or ornamental plants and crops for sale on-site or off-site Examples of what an urban farm might produce include bees or small to medium-sized farm animals.  Learn more about urban farms One out of every three bites of our food is made possible by pollinators like bees Pollinators and pollinator gardens protect species and habitat essential to a sustainable food system.  Learn more about pollinator gardens Learn more about rain gardens Several City of Raleigh departments provide education and workshops related to gardening and pollinators View current opportunities on our events page Unified Development Ordinance Buy Compost and Mulch Wake County Cooperative Extension Wake Soil and Water Conservation District Wake County Food Security Wake County Food Security Plan Office of Sustainabilitysustainable.raleigh@raleighnc.gov This feedback widget is not intended for customer service issues This feedback is reviewed monthly to help us improve our site. For immediate customer service please refer to our staff directory It's amazing how a simple tweak can make such a big difference I lived in Iran as a little girl and spent every summer and school holiday there after we left That special time living in my grandmother's Tehran apartment influenced my habits for a lifetime One thing my grandmother always did was wash every fruit and vegetable as soon as it came home before drying and putting them in her fridge crisper drawer It made her product last twice as long and kept that space immaculately clean Experts say it’s a brilliant cleaning tip to stop grime build-up and mold in your crisper drawer and stop your fridge from smelling there’s a cultural focus on bacteria and viruses The most ill I’ve even seen some of my relatives from the west be has been when they ate unwashed fruit or vegetables in Iran most Persian households clean fresh produce with water and dish soap then wash and dry everything properly before placing them in the fridge drawer says my grandmother’s habit makes her smile ‘She’d line everything up at the sink the moment she got home Karina adds that washing produce right away isn’t just about removing dirt or pesticides, though that’s obviously a win and crucial for creating a non-toxic home ‘It’s one of those subtle habits that creates a cleaner You’re less likely to find mystery liquids pooling at the bottom of your crisper drawer and it just makes you more likely to eat the good stuff when it’s ready to go.’ I’ve learned to be a bit selective when doing this habit at home such as leafy greens or soft berries such as raspberries don’t love being washed and stored unless you really dry them thoroughly or consume them soon after or cucumbers always get the full wash-and-dry before they go in.’ The benefits of my grandmother's fridge trick are: Karina adds, ‘It’s one of those old-school nostalgic cleaning tips that seems simple but ends up being a smart little act of self-care and organization and your food’s more likely to get eaten All prices were correct at time of writing Never forget about your fruits and vegetables again with this organizing set these non-toxic storage boxes help any moisture drain off increasing the longevity of your fresh items even more Make use of vertical space in your fridge with this clip on under-shelf drawer food-safe fridge liners to size and use to keep your fridge even cleaner My grandma always used liners to keep her fridge clean and I do too Next, learn what things you should never do to your fridge if you want to avoid costly repairs and early replacement Punteha van TerheydenHead of SolvedPunteha was editor of Real Homes before joining Homes and Gardens as Head of Solved she wrote and edited lifestyle and consumer pieces for the national press for 16 years working across print and digital newspapers and magazines She’s a Sunday Times bestselling ghostwriter BBC Good Food columnist and founding editor of independent magazine has tested and reviewed the latest robot vacuums and spending weekends personalizing her newly-built home tackling everything from plumbing to tiling and weatherproofing MONROE COUNTY — Spring begins March 20 It’s now time to start planning this year's home gardens “Vegetable plans are good to think about now when it’s too cold to do anything outdoors,” said Ned Birkey local farmer and Michigan State University educator emeritus Birkey offers some home gardening planning tips Also learn about home gardening workshops coming up "Think about the amount of sunlight the garden area gets any previous use of the soil and herbicides companion plantings and ways of keeping pests or varmints out," Birkey said "Those more serious gardeners will think about where to rotate vegetables to minimize disease persistence of the leftover plant material in the soil," Birkey said "Companion planting is a good way to better utilize limited space allow two-or-more crops growing together for nutrient better reserved for really serious gardeners," he said What crops should I plant?Birkey identified the “10 healthiest fruits and vegetables that people can grow in a home garden” from “The Old Farmer’s Almanac.” “Most of these do not take up a lot of space,” Birkey said Gardening workshops from Bedford Flower and Garden ClubBedford Flower and Garden Club meets monthly at the Bedford Branch Library Subscribe Now: For all the latest local developments, breaking news and high school sports content. Previous Coverage: Monroe County Library System offering free seeds The Monroe County Library System has a Seed Library Seed packs are given for free at the Bedford Maybee and South Rockwood branch libraries — Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com A well-designed living room isn’t just about aesthetics it’s about creating a space you look forward to relaxing and retreating within Whether you're retreating to the lounge after a long day or seeking the perfect spot to work from home The best living room maintains a balance of curation and coziness is the recipe for a living space that fulfills your daily needs and best represents your style Our 40 inspirational ideas will guide you on where to start with your living room design Featuring advice from expert interior designers and the Homes & Gardens team our list of living room inspiration is filled with timeless ideas designed to suit all interior design styles Whether you prefer a minimalist aesthetic or a more eclectic look, small but intentional design choices and living room trends can have a lasting impact ensuring your space remains both practical and beautiful These expert-backed tips and creative ways to bring lasting style and personality into the heart of your home are sure to inspire Choosing the right living room color scheme is one of the most impactful ways to shape the mood and style of your living room Whether you’re drawn to warm neutrals the key is finding a scheme that complements your home and personal style ‘Remember that any room is a sum of various parts so try and create a mood board with as many elements as you can get your hands on think about the aspect of your room (north west) – a color you have seen in a magazine or friend’s house may not respond in your room so sampling is essential try and paint large swatches that you can move around the walls at different times of day to see how the color transitions in all-natural light conditions.’ If you don't know where to start, knowing how to make a mood board will help you create a useful tool that will prove essential to achieving the interior project of your dreams Whether you prefer a digital approach using platforms like Pinterest and Canva or a hands-on method with paint swatches a mood board provides a clear direction for your space Color drenching the idea of painting every surface in a single is a decorating technique that is gaining popularity for creating more cocooning living room spaces The key to successful color drenching lies in choosing a color that complements the natural light and overall mood you want to evoke in the room ‘One such trend is color drenching – painting the walls and even the ceiling one color for a welcoming We’d always recommend really thinking about how that color will interplay with the light in your room and trying samples first to make sure you love it.' double drenching is a technique to consider Coined by paint brand Little Greene their experts explain it as the 'dramatic transformation of a space by painting two or more related colors on all available surfaces to achieve an even more accomplished "wow factor" in a room.' 'Look for art and accessories to bridge the divide between varying hues in your room and provide visual interest.' Decorating with dark colors in your living room can evoke a sense of sophistication intimate atmosphere that invites relaxation curvaceous furniture that's modern but welcoming it's essential to balance them with touches of light and warmth to prevent the space from feeling too heavy or closed off you wish to use a dark color on your living room walls to create a cozy be sure to balance out the darker shades with pale colors and add a touch of warmth with accent colors in furniture and accessories When it comes to creating an inviting living room, warm, earthy colors are a timeless choice and rich clay evoke a sense of calm and comfort making them perfect for spaces where you want to relax and unwind Interior designer Sophie Ashby reveals that nature provided the inspiration for this scheme’s welcoming ‘The palette was inspired by Holland Park in London and features neutral colors: greens incorporating peacock feathers as well as leaf motifs.’ 'Warm neutrals are best when paired with rich accent colors – think deep green, terracotta, or midnight blue – to create inviting, sophisticated spaces,' adds Michelle Murphy, founder of DEMI RYAN earthy neutrals create a serene foundation for any living room there’s no need to shy away from incorporating bolder colors into your design scheme Bolder hues can be used to create a sense of drama or inject personality into your space. It's all about how you use them – whether you choose to color drench, try out an accent ceiling, bring in colorful furniture There are a few ways to pull off such a daring look This ensures your room stays cohesive and creates a reference point for each color Or keep the colors in a similar shade or tone Matching tones will keep the room feeling unified mix up a monochrome look by incorporating various shades and tones of a single color Tonal color schemes are easy on the eyes, however, they don't have that same wow factor as a contrasting color scheme By pairing colors from opposite ends of the color spectrum – such as black and white or emerald green and blush – you create an exciting dynamic that draws the eye and adds drama to the room And they needn't be as jarring as they sound This living room designed by Bethany Adams Interiors brings together two bold clashing colors and yet the neutral backdrop ensures it still feels chic and doesn't overwhelm High contrast schemes offer instant impact and are perfect for creating a space that feels energetic and modern As designer Marie Cloud explains Use a neutral base for walls and large furniture pieces accentuating with darker or metallic accents.' This coastal living room idea features a calming neutral color palette achieved with a white paint shade and layers of neutral and pale blue furniture peaceful living area that invites you to lounge and relax Using the best calming colors, Sara Malek Barney from BANDD/DESIGN says we focused on creating a balance between modern architecture and more traditional The clean lines and open layout provided a contemporary backdrop and texture through the furniture and textiles.' While certain shades like neutrals and pale blues nod to the nautical look patterns and textures pay homage to the style subtly When it comes to designing a living room, the layout is just as important as the color scheme and decor. A well-thought-out living room layout can make even the smallest spaces feel open and inviting while also ensuring the room serves its practical purpose One of the most crucial steps in designing a living room is planning your layout early in the process It’s easy to get carried away with choosing furniture and decor but without a clear plan for how everything will fit into the space it’s easy to overlook the room’s functionality UK-based designer Tiffany Duggan of Studio Duggan believes careful planning is all-important when it comes to design and since your living room ideas are quite literally the center of your home 'Measure and plan where you are going to put each piece of furniture and make sure you have sockets in all the right places before you get decorating or ordering,' she says So rather than ignoring these less-than-ideal spots embrace them as opportunities to enhance the layout even the most awkward corners can be transformed into functional stylish areas that make the most of the space you have and highlight original character features Think of it as the window seat's sophisticated older cousin Every square foot matters so creating a multi-functional living room is more important than ever The living room is often the heart of the home Designing the space to serve multiple purposes helps make the most of your square footage creating a dynamic environment that adapts to your needs throughout the day or an ottoman that also functions as a coffee table 'Multifunctional layouts are key,' adds Michelle Murphy and adaptable spaces will help to cater to both work and relaxation.' When it comes to maximizing space and adding an element of sophistication to your living room custom floor-to-ceiling storage is a total game-changer Not only does it provide a sleek and organized way to store books or electronics but it also offers the opportunity to integrate decor elements that complement the room’s aesthetic 'In 2025, living room design is all about blending functionality with beauty,' advises Kelsey Matyas, founder of Kelsey Deirdre Designs 'Floor-to-ceiling built-ins around the entertainment area offer both ample storage and a stylish focal point.' 'By using sleek materials and clever shelving you can keep the space organized while enhancing its overall aesthetic – creating a room that's both practical and visually stunning.' One of the most important aspects of a well-designed living room is how it encourages social interaction Creating distinct conversation zones within the space can help establish an inviting atmosphere that encourages flow and connection whether you’re entertaining guests or simply relaxing with family 'Create conversation zones using floating furniture arrangements with the sofa pulled away from walls to define spaces.' Sarah Latham of Latham Interiors adds: 'Sunken living rooms are also making a comeback Embracing your space for purposeful conversation and entertainment isn't an idea of the past and setting your living room space lower than surrounding rooms is taking shape again.' Where once living rooms were somewhere we watched TV in the evenings, they're now invariably sitting rooms, homework studies for kids, home offices for adults and, of course, movie rooms – which is why searches for broken-plan living rooms are rising sharply While open spaces offer a sense of flow and light closed-plan layouts provide a level of intimacy and functionality that some homes crave If yours is a long living room you can divide it semi-permanently without closing off an area of the room entirely most permanent way to do so is with a wall of glazing which can include doors – allowing family members some time apart to pursue different activities while keeping the room feeling spacious and open To give you an atmosphere of warmth and welcome arrange seating for relaxation and conversation – not focusing on the TV By placing the television off-center or subtly integrating it into custom cabinetry you can avoid making it the focal point and instead emphasize other aspects of the room 'In this room, the armchairs and sofas face each other across an upholstered ottoman, on which a tray of drinks or afternoon tea could be placed,' says interior designer Jojo Bradley 'The comfortable furniture is softened further with cushions that invite you to relax and settle in for a while.' Of course, we all love to Netflix and chill so the TV should be within view of most or all the seating. You can try to stylishly hide the TV with cleverly concealed cabinetry or sliding panels to get rid of the big black box when it isn't in use From wainscoting and tongue and groove through to board and batten and square, there a plenty of living room paneling ideas that will help you to find the perfect fit for your space Decorating your living room is where the fun truly begins – it's your opportunity to add personality The right decor can tie together your room's design and make it feel like a true reflection of you You don't need to have a one-track mind when looking for living room ideas, transitional living rooms that blend old and new are perfect for creating timeless spaces ‘We love to incorporate different design styles into our spaces It helps to make the space feel layered and like it has been around for a long time.' The key to ensuring that blending old and new never becomes too cluttered or confused is to stick with a relatively neutral base cozy brown walls are the perfect simple yet not bland backdrop for vintage furniture and ditzy patterns It's a color that leans into both the traditional and modern elements going on in this living room A well-chosen light fixture can elevate the overall atmosphere, add drama, and act as a functional piece of art. Statement living room lighting offers an opportunity to incorporate a bold eye-catching feature that not only illuminates the room but also acts as a defining design element such as sculptural chandeliers or oversized pendant lights serves as both a focal point and a functional design element,' agrees Michelle Murphy consider a chandelier or oversized pendant to make a grand statement a sculptural or unique petite fixture can still draw attention without overwhelming the room so don't need that extra softness underfoot a rug helps ground your space and anchor the furniture 'Large, plush rugs make any space feel more opulent. Ensure the rug is proportional to the room and that furniture sits comfortably on it. This not only unifies the space but also adds a visual anchor,' explains Marie Cloud, owner and principal designer of Indigo Pruitt Design Studio A rug can also do wonders in grounding the space and tying together all the elements of your living room decor choosing the right rug and positioning it thoughtfully can transform the way your living room feels 'We are all about bold, single-color rugs in 2025,' says Kailee Blalock, co-founder of House of Hive letting that color influence your furniture If you're looking for some spring living room ideas the most obvious place to start is with some fresh spring-ready colors like pastels and nature-inspired hues 'Painting your walls in a timeless, statement color will elevate your space and keep it cozy throughout the season,' says Holly Vaughan of Vaughan Design & Development look to layer in some florals and botanical prints that will help you bring the outdoors in Florals evoke a feeling of freshness and are a versatile way to infuse color and texture into your living room effortlessly reflecting the season’s spirit embrace florals in various forms: opt for floral-printed throw pillows airy curtains that let the sun filter through Symmetry in interior design is usually introduced to create a balanced calm space that's perfect for a living room that you want as a retreat symmetry can help create a space that feels balanced and pleasing to the eye Symmetry doesn’t necessarily mean everything has to match perfectly flanking a sofa with identical side tables and matching lamps can provide a sense of equilibrium a central piece of art or a mirror above the fireplace can anchor the space drawing the eye to a focal point and offering a pleasing visual rhythm While symmetry offers a sense of order and calm asymmetry can inject energy and personality into your living room 'Eclectic layouts that avoid symmetry will prove to be more eye-catching, and avoiding matching furniture will lend to a more curated aesthetic,' explains Brandon Lange, Creative Director and Principal Designer of BZ Interiors it’s an exciting way to break the rules and add some real flair to your design a large curved sofa can be paired with an eclectic mix of side tables or a single oversized chair are a good way to create a space that feels eclectic Choosing a pale green or blue for a maximalist design is a good choice for a living space – it will tone down the effect of the pattern to create an overall much calmer feel ‘For a playful living room, go for a vibrant printed design on your furniture. If you’re not brave with pattern, choose a plain, hardwearing woven fabric and add some stylish cushions,’ says Hayley McAfee, design director at Villa Nova Living room flooring sets the scene so it is a very important starting point for a living room design the right flooring choice can enhance the aesthetic and practicality of your living room The easiest way to create a flow throughout your home is to link rooms with the flooring ‘Usually, I begin thinking about the entryway floor,’ remarks Sean Cochran, creative director of Cochrane Design if I’ve used straight wooden boards along the length of the hall I might use parquet in the same tone and finish in the living room.’ Lighting is one of the most powerful tools in interior design a well-thought-out lighting scheme can completely transform the atmosphere to move around your room and help illuminate shelves 'Layer your lighting with a mix of overhead and ambient sources rather than relying on a single central fixture,' adds Laura Hammett ‘We often start with artwork our clients choose or already love and extrapolate a wider scheme from there drawing out striking paint colors to create harmony within the room but if it is a piece that really speaks to us it is a great place to start a scheme as it will say a lot about a client’s general style and color preferences complementary upholstery and the softer details will flow more naturally to create a cohesive and beautiful scheme.’ Adding artwork is also an excellent way to make your living room look expensive without costing the earth and let it influence your furniture and decor choices for a cohesive Natural light is one of the most valuable elements in any room as it can help to make the space feel brighter Whether your living room is bathed in sunlight or naturally dim there are strategic ways to make the most of the light available Positioning furniture, choosing reflective surfaces, and using the right window treatments can help harness daylight to its fullest potential ‘A quick and easy way to turn your window into a decorative feature is to introduce trimmings to existing curtains find a trim that complements the print and use it to add an interesting border use the trim to create a stripe effect across the fabric creating a unique design feature,' explains Hayley McAfee Alongside all the clamor of color, pattern and shape in current interior design, there’s a quieter story of considered, understated forms and textures at their finest. Think quiet luxury and polished stone to bring elegance and timelessness to interiors placing them above and beyond seasonal fads polished concrete flooring offers a smooth subdued contrast to organic-shaped furnishings while a smart grasscloth wall covering lets dramatic artwork do the talking Stripes are a classic design element that can add energy Whether bold and graphic or soft and subtle they work beautifully whether you’re going for a coastal vibe with navy and white or a more sophisticated look with muted tones A plain room can look utterly different if you add in some brave upholstery – here an otherwise neutral living space has been given a touch of classic glamour with upholstery in broad stripes Decorating with stripes like this can also play with a room's proportions – putting them vertically on upright chairs will make the chairs look taller and narrower Plants are the answer to a living room that needs some vibrancy and color. The beauty of decorating with plants is the variation they give a room providing pockets of freshness and contrast A tall money tree in the corner of your living room will tick all the color and texture boxes while providing some variety in terms of dimension a spider plant placed at the center of a coffee table will create impact and give the scheme a fresher House plants are proven to reduce stress and often make a living room feel more inviting and homely encouraging lounging and relaxing at all times of the day While you can't beat a living room feature wall a nook or alcove covered in a playful print provides impact and highlights architectural points of interest in your living room Mindy Kelson O’Connor says 'Wallpapering a whole room can be costly to install or remove but typically the amount of paper and labor needed to cover the back of a built-in or freestanding bookshelf is minimal Wallpaper patterns and colors offer endless and beautiful options for bringing color into a room The entire palette can be changed or defined with one bold choice in this way and then the larger furnishings in the space can remain subtle.' If your living room lacks original period features, wallpapering a bookshelf can provide a similar sense of drama and character The pattern-drenching trend has proven to be popular over the past year a living room covered head-to-toe in a vintage print undoubtedly feels welcoming and characterful enticing you to take a seat and admire the design 'Drenching the space in a single or a few carefully selected patterns can create a cohesive and confident look with major impact Picking a tonal print can also create a tranquil feel and is not dissimilar to drenching the room in a single color.' 'If you are taking the print onto the ceiling consider a non-directional print to avoid it looking upside down I would consider countering the print with block colour on pieces of furniture or accessories or use a complementary paint on architectural features and doors.' Decorating with tapestries is an age-old way to bring texture and pattern to a scheme a vintage wall hanging gives a room a sense of age and grandeur that pairs beautifully with almost any living room style while also providing warmth and coziness by wrapping the living room in a layer of fabric The tapestry is the central focal point in the living room pictured above giving the space impact and drama that ties in with the rest of the vintage decor The right living room furniture ideas can completely transform the look and feel of your room making it not only stylish but also functional and inviting From statement sofas to smart storage solutions every piece should serve a purpose while contributing to the overall aesthetic A monochrome living room can feel effortlessly sophisticated but without the right balance of texture and warmth Introducing wood elements is one of the most effective ways to soften and enrich a single-color scheme If your living room features a neutral or all-white palette consider incorporating wood with a coffee table can help break up the uniformity of a monotone design wood brings a sense of grounding that helps create a more welcoming and balanced environment Not only does custom upholstery allow you to select the perfect fabric but it also ensures a tailored fit for your space making every piece feel intentional and unique interior designers are increasingly turning to custom pieces to create spaces that reflect individual styles while ensuring longevity and comfort 'Anchor furniture that truly reflects your lifestyle and design vision is going to make such a difference in the overall aesthetic and mood of your living room and you'll be assured that you'll love it for years to come.' Blending vintage furniture with contemporary pieces creates a unique layered look that feels both timeless and fresh shopping for vintage furniture allows you to bring history and character into your living room for a fraction of the price of shopping new 'It's likely that you'll have to reupholster (think of it as another opportunity to add your stamp) New foam in the seat cushions and a professional deep clean later and side tables can also anchor the space while offering subtle pops of color or texture The key is to start with a fabric that has a striking pattern featuring more than three colors choose the colors to be used in the scheme then select a combination of designed in that palette and a textural option such as a coarse linen or herringbone introducing pattern can add visual interest One of the most popular moves seen in living rooms in 2025 is the ditching of bulky media consoles in favor of sleek 'Replace bulky entertainment units with sleek wall-mounted solutions and introduce multi-functional furniture pieces that work for both daily living and entertaining,' suggests Laura Hammet 'The key is to maintain clear pathways while maximizing usable space through thoughtful zoning.' like the one seen above concealed in the bookshelves or floating shelves not only create a cleaner more streamlined look but also free up valuable floor space making your living room feel more open and airy One of the most powerful ways to enhance the dynamics of a living room is by playing with proportions through your furniture choices larger-scale furniture can make the room feel more cohesive and cozy Try oversized sectionals or extra-wide chairs that help ground the room Additionally, if your living room has low ceilings – or you want to make a living room's ceilings feel taller than they are – picking a low-slung couch for a small living room is a simple way to make the room feel taller When you’re working with a small space try to use furniture with a more streamlined Living room seating ideas are integral to a successful lounge design Incorporating a variety of seating types as well as a substantial amount of options will ensure your living room has comfort at its core Dieter Vander Velpen says 'Consider how you will actually use the space think of ways to add small extra seating like poufs that you can easily add to the setting a large pouf with a tray can double as a coffee table and be pushed aside for playtime on the carpet.' The living room (pictured above) features an array of seating so it's important to make all the right decisions from the beginning Think about what's most important to you and your family – is it having a space to really relax in Or a multipurpose space that needs to wear a few hats throughout the day Do you want it to be colorful and bold or more lean towards hushed and serene Imagine what you want the space to look like and how you want to be used and then let the living room inspiration above guide your choices Having worked in the interiors industry for several years in both the US and UK she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing and occasionally dabbles in the social media she has written about every area of the home from compiling houses designed by some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes and even writing a few news stories or two partners or business interests -- determine how we review products and services perfect weather or a big yard to grow your own plants Indoor smart gardens can keep your green ambitions alive throughout the year even when winter temperatures and limited living space stand in the way of your gardening dreams What is the best overall indoor smart garden?After testing a number of indoor smart garden setups, the Click & Grow Smart Garden 3 takes top billing for being extremely user-friendly It's just the right size for growing microgreens (herbs like basil and mint) and it comes with a self-contained seed pods LED grow lights and a water thank that can go two weeks without needing to be refilled The Aerogarden Bounty Elite is another option we like it's small and light enough to be moved around the house Bigger indoor garden units -- Lettuce Grow Farmstand and RiseGarden -- take up more space but can hold as many as 36 plants at once You'll also find options for special indoor gardens for growing microgreens and others that emphasize style and simplicity over complex mechanisms and mobile app integrations Many of these garden system options will even come with seeds To find additional options for the best indoor smart gardens for 2025 take a look at some of the below indoor grow systems I've tried this very unit and it's a perfectly sized smart garden for growing essential herbs like basil LED grow lights and a water tank that needs filling only every two or three weeks A perfect starter herb garden for someone with a not-so-green thumb if your gardening goals are more aesthetic The AeroGarden Bounty Elite Artisan is a relatively compact indoor gardening system that manages to make room for nine plants of your choosing -- the options range widely from herb mixes to tomatoes the adjustable LED light stand can grow with them which is designed to accommodate tomatoes and other plants that need support as they grow I'm in the early stages of growing nine lavender plants right now but AeroGarden has made the process incredibly simple so far The instructions walk you through the initial setup clearly and the display alerts you when you need to add more plant food While the Click & Grow system has a reservoir and wicks water up into the soil pods the AeroGarden uses a pump to circulate moisture the pump sounds like gentle dripping rather than anything distracting A nutritionist might tell you microgreens are a vastly underused source of nutrition As a bonus: They're rather easy to grow at home Ingarden is a new sleek smart garden designed to do just that and it's compact enough to fit on your windowsill or bookshelf The Ingarden is completely soil-free but wicks water up into three seed pads that sit above a reservoir LED grow lights under the handle run on a timer and keep the microgreens growing -- and they grow fast You'll have sprouts in a few days and full-grown microgreens like mustard radish and broccoli in about a week to sprinkle on salads and sandwiches My favorite thing about the Ingarden is the simple sleek design made with only ceramic and metal and no plastic it's the perfect smart garden for someone dipping their toe into the indoor garden game The Smart Growhouse is one of the more basic indoor gardens on this list but we love it for its stylish brass exterior It doesn't hold hydroponic seed pods or self-water like some of the others so you'll have to manage that part on your own but there are full-spectrum LED lights that operate on a timer for optimal growth That means you can display the garden anywhere in the house and not just near a window the $249 price tag is hefty considering the low-tech nature of this indoor garden But if the classic copper finish could enhance your motif If you're looking for a stylish indoor garden that blends effortlessly into your living space the Rise Single smart hydroponic garden is a good pick This self-watering garden is completely hydroponic It comes with a 5-gallon water tank and LED grow lights all of which are controlled and monitored through an integrated mobile app light settings and nutrient levels all have built-in sensors that report back information to keep things humming.  The Single smart garden houses up to 36 plants and you can add levels to increase the shoot capacity for a steady supply of fresh herbs Sprouted seedlings come in packs of four for $12.  is the sturdy heavy-gauge steel and solid wood design that makes it look very much like a modern piece of furniture The Rise Garden can be placed behind a couch or against a wall to serve as a chic bookshelf or end table as well as a garden I've personally used this indoor/outdoor farmstand and can tell you it's well-designed and easy to operate The Lettuce Grow Farmstand works by pumping water mixed with nutrients up from the base so that it cascades down over seed pods that are stuffed into the walls I had this going for a few weeks indoors and without lights and while some shoots did fine (I've actually had to cut back on the grow lights because things are growing too quickly.) Both the water pump and LED light rings operate on timers so there's almost no weekly maintenance required It's worth mentioning that the watering system makes a moderate amount of noise -- akin to one of those Zen water fountains -- for about 15 minutes every few hours It was mildly irritating at first but I quickly adjusted and now I find it relaxing The frame is also heavy once you fill it with water so it's not something to be moved often but when the greenery starts to bloom it adds a ton of life and atmosphere to any room it's still probably not great for a tiny home or apartment.  Pricing starts at $873 for the small indoor Farmstand, which holds 18 shoots, but you can add levels and increase the capacity to as many as 36 shoots. The optional ring lights are $200 for the basic two-ring package and $100 for each additional ring and it's recommended that you replace them every few months This little guy is designed especially for microgreens It's always nice to have a pop of green on the kitchen counter and this gadget doesn't take up much space at all The microgreens garden kit consists of the planter soil and seeds for your first round of plants this model has no LED lights so you'll have to keep it in direct sunlight most of the time.  but one that is decidedly better suited for a small space The Gardyn upright grow system houses as many as 30 plants but takes up just 2 square feet Individual shoots are watered via the tank and pump Built-in LED lights -- also on a timer -- trigger that sweet The Gardyn system self-monitors with sensors and actual cameras so you don't have a ton of work to do other than cleaning and refilling the tank every month or so kale and arugula thrive best in indoor settings because they mature quickly and don't need pollination cilantro and chives also do well indoors with minimal space requirements Small-fruiting vegetables like cherry tomatoes and peppers can also do well with proper lighting and care Root vegetables like carrots thrive in deeper containers while microgreens are nearly foolproof and can be harvested in as little as a week Herbs are the most rewarding plants for indoor growing with basil being the top recommendation for beginners Other great options include mint (a vigorous grower) rosemary (fragrant and versatile) and microgreens (nutrient-rich with minimal effort) For ornamental value and air-purifying benefits snake plants and pothos are quite easy and forgiving for beginners Explore four gardens during Pima County Master Gardeners' upcoming home tour This year's garden tour hosted by the Pima County Master Gardeners takes place April 5 hosted by the Pima County Master Gardeners As spring approaches in Tucson, one of the city’s most anticipated horticultural events is also on its way: the Pima County Master Gardeners Home Garden Tour promises to be a celebration of gardening innovation and sustainability each reflecting the creativity and resilience of the gardeners who thrive in Arizona's unique desert environment The Pima County Master Gardeners Home Garden Tour is back for its 24th year with more than just a visual feast for garden lovers The 2025 edition is making a splash with interactive collaborations that encourage participants to engage directly with the gardeners learn about sustainable practices and explore how to bring desert-adapted beauty to their own backyards This year’s tour highlights four master gardens that are as diverse as they are inspiring From water-conserving landscaping to lush backyard retreats each garden on the tour tells a different story of how Southern Arizonans can cultivate beauty and function in a challenging climate Visitors will see firsthand how native plants water-efficient irrigation and creative landscaping can transform any outdoor space into a thriving oasis “We’ve chosen gardens that represent a variety of styles and approaches to gardening in the desert,” Smith said “These gardens are not only visually stunning but also exemplify what it means to garden with sustainability in mind We’re excited to show off the ingenuity of our local gardeners and provide attendees with practical hands-on knowledge they can apply to their own homes.” The four featured gardens include a variety of landscapes from contemporary desert designs to more lush Whether it's a garden that focuses on native plants and rainwater harvesting or one designed to attract pollinators and wildlife each space offers something unique for every garden enthusiast the Pima County Master Gardeners are introducing a fresh twist on the traditional tour Beyond simply admiring the beauty of these gardens attendees will have the chance to engage with local experts participate in hands-on activities and attend interactive demonstrations that dive deep into gardening techniques “We’re taking this year’s tour to the next level with more opportunities for visitors to get involved,” Smith said “Whether it’s learning how to build your own rainwater harvesting system getting tips on desert-adapted plant care or participating in a hands-on composting demo we want everyone to leave the tour with new skills and inspiration.” And the tour isn’t just about seeing beautiful gardens — it's about fostering a sense of community among Tucson’s gardening enthusiasts “It’s about building a network of gardeners who are committed to making Tucson a greener place,” Smith said “The Pima County Master Gardeners Home Garden Tour has always been focused on education and this year we’re expanding our efforts by creating opportunities for visitors to engage learn and grow alongside the gardeners who have created these beautiful spaces.” The tour highlights the importance of sustainable gardening in Tucson where water conservation is more important than ever visitors will see firsthand how small changes — such as using native plants and incorporating rainwater harvesting — can make a big difference in the long-term health of the environment The 2025 Pima County Master Gardeners Home Garden Tour will take place on April 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are available for $25 before the event and $30 at the door and can be purchased online The self-guided tour will provide guests with a detailed program including a map of the featured gardens and information about each garden’s design and sustainable features Comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen and water are recommended for those planning to spend the day exploring some of Arizona’s best private gardens. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Pima County Master Gardeners website Become a #ThisIsTucson member! Your contribution helps our team bring you stories that keep you connected to the community. Become a member today. The Southern Arizona Beekeepers Association (SAZBA) works to foster a deeper understanding of beekeeping, raising awareness about the ecological importance of bees in the Sonoran Desert. Ironwood Pig Sanctuary has 680 pigs onsite and more than 400 in foster homes. Your guide to Sabino Canyon Recreation Area in Tucson, Arizona: We'll tell you about shuttles through the canyon, if pets are allowed, where to see water after rain falls in Tucson, and more. Take home a new plant baby this spring! Shop and swap plants at these upcoming 2025 events in Tucson hosted by favorites like Native Seeds/SEARCH, Desert Survivors, Tucson Organic Gardeners, Tohono Chul and Pima County Master Gardeners. What's going on in Tucson, Arizona this weekend: tattoo expo, markets, plant swap, STEM expo and more in Tucson, Marana and Oro Valley. Renowned as one of the nation's premier literary festivals, the annual book celebration unites authors, readers and families for a weekend of literary exploration and community engagement. Reid Park Zoo elephant calf Meru is officially 1 year old. Here's what she's learned in her first year.  Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: pared-back cabinetry has never felt so sophisticated – designers say they're a 'smart can look just as fashionable in one hundred years as they do today they sometimes risk coming across as somewhat bland Finding the balance between simplicity and sophistication can be challenging but Andrew Walker has just provided us with a blueprint to follow I've caught countless glimpses inside the world's most beautiful homes – but my favorites are those that offer lessons that can be replicated in everyday kitchens In his Los Angeles home, the Hallmark star utilizes rustic, raw cabinets that have influenced some of my conventions regarding neutral hues. Of all neutrals, there is something about unpainted kitchen cabinets, in their organic form and don't require any unnatural coloring to impress What could we want from our kitchen cabinets A post shared by Andrew Walker (@awalkk35) This naturally beautiful fruit salad serving bowl is made from reclaimed cedar stumps with an easy care food-safe lacquer finish this lazy susan can fit a variety of seasonings and decor This multi-use board can display charcuterie or sit on your countertop for use when cooking It's the perfect way to bring a subtle sense of rawness to any colored kitchen To prolong their longevity further, Andrew has paired his wooden kitchen cabinets with other neutrals the color of which complements the cabinets perfectly As we increasingly look to ensure our kitchens will stand the test of time they pair with any countertop or wall finish we may choose so it's unsurprising that I'm not exclusive in my observations it’s clear that homeowners are embracing the understated look in their own spaces.' while neutral kitchens have impressed for decades Andrew's wooden cabinets signal a shift towards a more textured aesthetic – a tranquil look that's accessible in every kind of home 'We’ve seen a marked increase in demand for soft Customers are leaning into texture and tonal layering such as natural wood stone worktops and subtle greige cabinets,' Emma says 'It’s about creating a space that feels relaxed She continues: 'Neutral kitchens provide a timeless foundation that adapts beautifully to changing tastes attention is drawn to the beauty of materials These kitchens offer a refined sense of calm and purpose striking the perfect balance between simplicity and sophistication With the versatility of a neutral hue and wood's earthy texture I am sure that following Andrew's example is a safe investment and has interviewed the likes of Drew Barrymore She lives in a London apartment with her antique typewriter and an eclectic espresso cup collection and dreams of a Kelly Wearstler-designed home Take the guesswork out of gardening this season with this simple planting tool Metrics details Destructive wildfire disasters are escalating globally challenging existing fire management paradigms The establishment of defensible space around homes in wildland and rural urban interfaces can help to reduce the risk of house loss and provide a safe area for residents and firefighters to defend the property from wildfire Although defensible space is a well-established concept in fire management it has received surprisingly limited scientific discussion Here we reviewed guidelines on the creation of defensible space from Africa We developed a conceptual model of defensible space framed around the key recommended approaches to mitigate fire attack mechanisms We found that zonation within the defensible space is commonly recommended; reduction (or removal) of all fuels is usually suggested in close ( < 1.5 m; Fuel-free zone) proximity to a house in an intermediate space (1.5–10 m; Open zone) guidelines focus predominantly on minimizing fuel horizontal and vertical connectivity in the outer part of the garden (10–30 m; Tree zone) trees can provide canopy shielding from ember attack and radiant energy but management of on-ground fuel is still recommended Evidence from the scientific literature broadly supported these defensible space design elements although many studies were highly localised Further empirical and modelling research is required to identify optimal zonation surrounding houses and to better understand how garden structure species composition and moisture status affects risk of ignition from embers What is lacking is a synoptic overview of defensible design principles that can lead to a more theoretical understanding of defensible space framed in terms of physical principles that affect wildfire occurrence and behaviour based on evidence of the importance of key variables that shape these physical processes Direct flame contact represents a high risk Radiant heat constitutes a high risk near the house but quickly declines as the heat source is located away from the house the risk caused by firebrand attacks only slightly decline with distance For those guidelines that address individual zones the proportion of guidelines suggesting each specific distance is shown This combined evidence supports the notion that the overall extent of the defensible space recommended in guidelines can contribute to mitigate fire risk although caution must be exercised in generalising the findings of localised studies Topics are summarised (a) across the whole defensible space For each zone (and for the whole defensible space) the proportion of guidelines mentioning each specific topic is shown Other features of gardens such as outdoor mats gas barbeques materials and garden sheds and gardening supplies (fertiliser The left side shows an effective defensible space no vegetation in proximity of the building and trees and shrubs organised in distinct patches which are not interconnected With this design a fire approaching from the surrounding landscape would not encroach within the defensible space and if individual shrubs/trees were to be lit by firebrands where high canopy cover and connectivity facilitate fire spread from the landscape all the way to the house This will allow to include the characteristics of each zone in post-fire house-loss studies and thus test the influence of zone extent and characteristics on house survival we argue that implementing a zonation-based approach which broadly aligns with wildfire physical characteristics can support the creation of effective defensible space while minimizing maintenance costs and garden constraints minimizing all fuels in the Fuel-Free Zone or ensuring spatial separation in the Open zone) are limited to the portion of the garden closer to the house Such private fire shelters increase the opportunity for residents to stay and defend properly designed and maintained homes and gardens Further interdisciplinary research into defensible space is thus an essential step in the broader adaptation pathway for humans to coexist with wildfires on the WRUI No datasets were generated or analysed during the current study Increasing concurrence of wildfire drivers tripled megafire critical danger days in Southern California between1982 and 2018 Increasing fire frequency and severity will increase habitat loss for a boreal forest indicator species Understanding fire regimes for a better Anthropocene Climate change and disruptions to global fire activity Climate-induced variations in global wildfire danger from 1979 to 2013 The influence of land abandonment on forest disturbance regimes: a global review The 2017 Port Hills wildfires—A window into New Zealand’s fire future Rapid growth of the US wildland-urban interface raises wildfire risk Role of land-cover and WUI types on spatio-temporal dynamics of fires in the French Mediterranean area Scientific and social challenges for the management of fire-prone wildland–urban interfaces topography and spatial arrangement on building loss to wildfires in case studies of California and Colorado Landscape scale influences of forest area and housing density on house loss in the 2009 Victorian bushfires Chen, B. et al. 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Sustain. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-024-01291-0 (2024) Human influence on California fire regimes The spatial domain of wildfire risk and response in the wildland urban interface in Sydney Where wildfires destroy buildings in the US relative to the wildland–urban interface and national fire outreach programs Bushfire penetration into urban areas in Australia: A spatial analysis Understanding future changes to fires in southern Europe and their impacts on the wildland-urban interface An expanded framework for wildland–urban interfaces and their management How risk management can prevent future wildfire disasters in the wildland-urban interface Fire protection in the wildland/urban interface: a Montana viewpoint Master of Forestry thesis The wildland-urban interface: paradise or battleground Apocalypse now: Australian bushfires and the future of urban settlements Autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles in bushfire management: challenges and opportunities The effect of aerial suppression on the containment time of Australian wildfires estimated by fire management personnel The use of swarms of unmanned aerial vehicles in mitigating area coverage challenges of forest-fire-extinguishing activities: A systematic literature review Changes and drivers in Spanish landscapes at the Rural-Urban Interface between 1956 and 2018 Long-term changes of the Wildland–Urban Interface in the Polish Carpathians Expansion of the US wildland–urban interface Global assessment of rural–urban interface in Portugal related to land cover changes The impact of residential development pattern on wildland fire suppression expenditures House and contents underinsurance: Insights from bushfire-prone Australia Large wildland fires and the wildfire paradox offer opportunities for a new paradigm of ecological fire management Negative consequences of positive feedbacks in US wildfire management Where to prescribe burn: the costs and benefits of prescribed burning close to houses Reducing hazardous fuels on nonindustrial private forests: Factors influencing landowner decisions Wildfire risk management in a landscape with fragmented ownership and spatial interactions The 2019–2020 Australian forest fires are a harbinger of decreased prescribed burning effectiveness under rising extreme conditions A review of prescribed burning effectiveness in fire hazard reduction Smoke health costs and the calculus for wildfires fuel management: a modelling study Understanding the long-term impact of prescribed burning in mediterranean-climate biodiversity hotspots Fuel treatments at the wildland-urban interface: Common concerns in diverse regions The influence of landscape preference and environmental education on public attitudes toward wildfire management in the Northeast pine barrens (USA) Investigating Residents’ Bushfire Hazard Mitigation and Amenity Values through Interviews Social Construct of Fuels in the Interface fuel treatment and risk mitigation in Australian eucalypt forests: Insights from landscape-scale simulation The importance of building construction materials relative to other factors affecting structure survival during wildfire The role of defensible space on the likelihood of house impact from wildfires in forested landscapes of south eastern Australia Land management practices associated with house loss in wildfires The Impact on Structures of the Pedrógão Grande Fire Complex in June 2017 (Portugal) Lessons learned from Waldo Canyon: Fire Adapted Communities mitigation assessment team findings A case study of a community affected by the Witch and Guejito Fires: Report# 2: Evaluating the effects of hazard mitigation actions on structure ignitions Garden structure is critical for building survival in northern forest fires – An analysis using large Swedish wildfires A socio-ecological approach to mitigating wildfire vulnerability in the wildland urban interface: A case study from the 2017 Thomas fire Comprehensive examination of the determinants of damage to houses in two wildfires in eastern Australia in 2013 Guidance on design and construction of the built environment against wildland urban interface fire hazard: A review A review of pathways for building fire spread in the wildland urban interface part II: Response of components and systems and mitigation strategies in the United States Wildland & urban interface: definition and physical fire risk mitigation measures Ignition handbook: principles and applications to fire safety engineering in Encyclopedia of wildfires and Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) fires (ed Samuel L Manzello) 1-7 (Springer International Publishing A review of radiant heat flux models used in bushfire applications A case study of a community affected by the Waldo fire Investigation of bushfire attack mechanisms resulting in house loss in the ACT bushfire 2003 Manzello) 1-6 (Springer International Publishing Babrauskas, V. Glass breakage in fires. Fire Science and Technology, Inc, 1–7, http://doctorfire.com/GlassBreak.pdf (2011) A review of thermal exposure and fire spread mechanisms in large outdoor fires and the built environment Relating flame radiation to home ignition using modeling and experimental crown fires AS3959-2009: Construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas Environmental circumstances surrounding bushfire fatalities in Australia 1901–2011 Manzello) 1–14 (Springer International Publishing Anatomy of a catastrophic wildfire: The Black Saturday Kilmore East fire in Victoria and distribution of spotting in southeast Australian wildfires Portugal Wildfires. Protect your home, https://www.portugalwildfires.com/protect-your-home/ (2018) Tasmania Fire Service. Prepare your home - create a defendable space, https://www.fire.tas.gov.au/Show?pageId=colPrepare#defendable-space-guide (2022) A mathematical model for predicting fire spread in wildland fuels 115 (Intermountain Forest & Range Experiment Station Fire spread across a sloping fuel bed: Flame dynamics and heat transfers Global climatology of synoptically-forced downslope winds Large eddy simulation of atypical wildland fire spread on leeward slopes The role of defensible space for residential structure protection during wildfires Preventing Disaster: Home Ignitability in the Wildland-Urban Interface Calculating minimum safety distance against wildfires at the wildland-urban interface in Chile and Spain Measurements of convective and radiative heating in wildland fires water‐sources and topography on the likelihood of house destruction in NSW wildfires from 2001 to 2009 Tree species flammability based on plant traits: A synthesis A quantitative assessment of shoot flammability for 60 tree and shrub species supports rankings based on expert opinion Development of a laboratory protocol for fire performance of landscape plants Ignitibility of leaves of Australian plants Flammability of Patagonian invaders and natives: When exotic plant species affect live fine fuel ignitability in wildland-urban interfaces Shoot flammability patterns among plant species of the wildland–urban interface in the fire-prone Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area Flammability of Some Ornamental Species in Wildland–Urban Interfaces in Southeastern France: Laboratory Assessment at Particle Level FLAMITS: A global database of plant flammability traits Assessing the flammability of surface fuels beneath ornamental vegetation in wildland–urban interfaces in Provence (south-eastern France) Mulching as a sustainable water and soil saving practice in agriculture: A review Impact of mulches on landscape plants and the environment — A review in Fire Ecology and Management Congress Proceedings 13–17 (The Association for Fire Ecology and Washington State University Extension) Spot fires: fuel bed flammability and capability of firebrands to ignite fuel beds The ease of ignition of 13 landscape mulches Development of test methods for assessing the fire hazards of landscaping mulch Ignition of mulch and grasses by firebrands in wildlandurban interface fires Ignition of mulch beds exposed to continuous wind-driven firebrand showers in Encyclopedia of wildfires and wildland-urban interface (WUI) fires (Springer Research and investigation into the performance of residential boundary fencing systems in bushfires Heat-transfer in the soil during very low-intensity experimental fires - the role of duff and soil-moisture content Linking forest flammability and plant vulnerability to drought Spray system design for ember attack - research findings and discussion paper External sprinkler systems and defensible space: lessons learned from the Ham Lake fire and the Gunflint Trail On the use of sprays to intercept airborne embers during wildfires How much does it cost residents to prepare their property for wildfire Best practice design for building in bushfire prone areas in Victoria Options for reducing house-losses during wildfires without clearing trees and shrubs Balancing fire risk and human thermal comfort in fire-prone urban landscapes Factors associated with structure loss in the 2013–2018 California wildfires Flame temperature and residence time of fires in dry eucalypt forest Non-additive effects of forest litter on flammability Changes in behaviour of fire in dry eucalypt forest as fuel increases with age Retrofitting for wildfire resilience: What is the cost Multiple-scale relationships between vegetation and structure loss to wildfire in California Wildfire hazard in the home ignition zone: An object-oriented analysis integrating LiDAR and VHR satellite imagery The Butte fire: A case study in using LIDAR measures of pre-fire vegetation to estimate structure loss rates Scaling up from gardens: biodiversity conservation in urban environments Persistence of the threatened Knysna warbler Bradypterus sylvaticus in an urban landscape: do gardens substitute for fire Floristic analysis of domestic gardens in the Tlokwe City Municipality Critically Endangered marsupial calls residential gardens home Biodiversity of the urban homegardens of São Luís city Urban domestic gardens (XII): The richness and composition of the flora in five UK cities Urban domestic gardens (I): Putting small-scale plant diversity in context Plants in traditional home gardens: richness conservation and implications for native biodiversity in Benin Biodiversity in residential gardens: a review of the evidence base Selecting low-flammability plants as green firebreaks within sustainable urban garden design and private gardens relate to individuals’ subjective well-being: Results of a structural equation model motivations and barriers for biodiversity management in residential landscapes Biodiversity in the Front Yard:An Investigation of Landscape Preference in a Domestic Urban Context Arrested policy development of private fire shelters (fire bunkers) is a barrier to adaptation to the Australian bushfire crisis Portuguese Government. Decree-Law n°10/2018, https://files.diariodarepublica.pt/1s/2018/02/03200/0096700968.pdf (2018) Greek Government. Regulation for Fire Protection of Properties within or in Proximity to Forest Areas. Greek Government Gazette: Athens, Greece. Ministerial Decision 3475/2023, https://www.et.gr/api/DownloadFeksApi/?fek_pdf=20230203475 (2023) French Republic. Code Forestier francais, https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/texte_lc/LEGITEXT000025244092 (2012) Trying not to get burned: Understanding homeowners’ wildfire risk–mitigation behaviors community risk perception and preparedness in peri-urban Hobart Awareness and adoption of FireSmart Canada: Barriers and incentives Download references This work was funded by Australian Research Council Laureate Fellowship FL220100099 awarded to DMJSB and Natural Hazards Research Australia project T2-A5: Bushfire risk at the rural-urban interface The funders played no role in study design contributed to study conception and design All authors read and approved the final manuscript The authors declare no competing interests Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44304-024-00012-z Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: a shareable link is not currently available for this article Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science 2025 at 1:06 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A Riverside County home erupted in flames Thursday afternoon (Renee Schiavone/Patch File Photo)HOME GARDENS and the family dog died in a two-alarm blaze Thursday The house fire broke out shortly before 11:30 a.m at a home in the 3400 block of Meadow View Drive near Indiana Avenue according to the Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department Firefighters arrived at the scene to find a fully involved garage fire in the attic and roof "The single-story family home was 50 percent involved at the time of their arrival," she said "The fire moved into the living quarters and a second engine arrived to assist Two homeowners were evaluated for minor injuries at the scene and medics took one of them by ambulance to a nearby hospital for further treatment Animal control operators arrived to assist with the deceased dog and the Red Cross was notified to assist the displaced residents No other information was immediately available Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. I’m not a big fan of unrealistic New Year’s resolutions such as “keep my papers organized and desk tidy.” But I do like to spend some time each January reflecting on the gardens of the past year and making decisions about what I will do in the coming months In 2024 I planted about 24 kale plants of all colors but I was lax in picking and freezing it in the fall so I harvested it all summer and well into the fall and it never blossomed Also on the vegetable front, I grew cardoon this year and will do it again It is a very large leafy plant in the artichoke family but you eat the midribs of the 3-foot-long leaves in fall boiled till tender and baked in a cheese sauce They tasted just like artichokes but created a lot more food We worked hard in the spring to rid ourselves of weeds sharpen edges of beds and fill in empty spots We opened our gardens on select days to various groups and invited friends for a glass of wine and a walk around with us in the early evening our gardens were not perfect − none ever are − but these events were a great time I’ve had three honeyberry plants for three or four years now but have not gotten any berries as yet The bushes (Lonicera caerulea) are in the honeysuckle family I shall tell them this spring to produce berries or they will be gone I’ve been told that birds love them and will pick them before they are fully sweet and ready for me to eat The berries turn blue but are not ripe for a while after that The catalpa tree I planted six years ago as an 8-foot-tall tree is now 35 feet tall and provides shade for us to sit and relax I prune the top each year to keep it from reaching its 60-foot potential The shade it provides encourages me to sit and relax in the garden I am saying a sad farewell to my Merrill magnolia that I planted in 2004 It bloomed reliably each year on my birthday in late April with huge double white blossoms The shiny green leaves were gorgeous all summer and the buds in winter look like pussy willows on steroids It has five stems and stands about 60 feet tall and nearly 40 feet across at the crown unless it miraculously recovers in the spring time for one last resolution: I will keep better records in 2025 I just haven’t found the right way to keep them I start a yearly notebook and record some plants I’m often too busy working in the garden and then plan to do it later and I take photos of everything that blooms But I have literally tens of thousands of photos − and most are largely just organized by date Henry Homeyer's blog appears twice a week at gardening-guy.com. Write to him at P.O. Box 364, Cornish Flat, N.H. 03746. Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you wish a mailed response. Or email henry.homeyer@comcast.net © International Association of Better Business Bureaus Unless you have a short growing season in your area most vegetables are easy enough to start from seeds that are sown directly in your garden soil Here are 10 vegetables that are easy to start from seed There’s nothing wrong with starting your garden from small plants you purchase (known as “transplants”)—many people do!  a handful of vegetables are often best bought as nursery starter plants it’s ideal to start your vegetables from seeds if possible but these are considered some of the easiest and most common vegetables that can be grown at home We’ve never known a garden that cannot grow lettuce Lettuce can be sown directly in your garden bed or started indoors for transplanting It’s one of the few crops that can be grown all year in our climate it should be shaded and harvested at smaller sizes. Lettuce growth slows in shade; it is also slower to go to seed or “bolt,” meaning it can be harvested for longer An endless assortment of leaf shapes and shades of green and red means you’ll never tire of growing new lettuce varieties and you can enjoy several harvests from the same plant by snipping off what you need each time If you want full heads of romaine and head lettuce to develop save the delicate small leaves for salads See our Growing Guide for Lettuce Beans grow even in fairly poor soil because they fix the nitrogen as they go! Bush varieties don’t require trellising, but pole varieties provide a more extended harvest. In cool areas, snap beans are the easiest. Lima beans, southern peas, and asparagus beans are easy to grow in hot areas All bean plants are fast growers and thrive in warm See our Growing Guide for Green Beans for more information on planting and growing beans Plant peas as soon as the soil can be worked—2 weeks before your region’s average last spring frost To harvest a continuous supply of peas during the summer simultaneously sow varieties with different maturity dates See our Growing Guide for Peas Radishes can be harvested as soon as 24 days after planting and can be interplanted with slower-growing vegetables You can plant radishes as soon as you can work the soil in the spring or thin them to this spacing after they sprout Cover the seeds with about half an inch of compost or soil Here’s a tip: Radish seeds are natural companions to carrots. Mix radish and carrot seeds before you sow especially if your soil develops a tough crust The quick-to-sprout radishes will push up through the soil breaking it up for the later-sprouting carrots the carrots will fill in the row.  See our Growing Guide for Radishes We only include carrots because they’re easy to grow as long as they’re planted in loose sandy soil during the cooler periods of the growing season—spring and fall (carrots can tolerate frost) Not all carrots are orange; varieties range in color from purple to white and some are resistant to diseases and pests Many beginners find their carrots are short and deformed Mix in some sand and really loosen it up. Also it is essential to THIN carrot seedlings to the proper spacing so they’re not overcrowded Thin those seedlings if you want carrots to form properly.  Learn more in our Growing Guide for Carrots Prepare in advance for cucumbers; amend the soil with a fertilizer high in nitrogen and potassium to support the plant’s large yields. If possible, plant cucumbers in the sun next to a fence. The fence will serve as a support for climbing and act as a shelter. Or plant them near corn The corn will trap the heat that cucumbers crave and serve as a windbreak.  See our Growing Guide for Cucumbers.  super-nutritious kale is very hardy and can grow in a wide range of temperatures It can be harvested at many different stages Mustards and collards are closely related to kale and are easy to grow Set out plants any time, from early spring to early summer, and kale will grow until it gets too hot. Plant again in the fall, especially if you live in the southern United States. Another nice thing about kale is that it only gets sweeter after being hit by a couple of frosts. Try kale baked, stir-fried, or steamed. Enjoy in salads, smoothies, omelets, casseroles, or wherever you’d use spinach.  See our Growing Guide for Kale.  Swiss chard—or simply “chard”—is a member of the beet family It does well in both cool and warm weather its rainbow of colors is beautiful!  See our Growing Guide for Swiss Chard.  You haven’t lived until you’ve tasted beets you’ve grown yourself The quirky seed capsules contain two or three beet seeds so the seedlings will always need to be thinned Sow the seed capsules about an inch deep and 4 inches apart Harvest the roots at any time until they’re the size of a tennis ball giving you two harvests from one plant See our Growing Guide to Beets Summer squash and zucchini like well-composted soil and need plenty of space (plant them 3 to 6 feet apart in warm soil and lots of sun.) Soon enough Always water at the soil level—not the leaves—to avoid powdery mildew See our Growing Guide for Squash and Zucchini.  The above crops are some of the easiest vegetables you can grow, but there are many, many more veggies for you to try! Check out our complete library of Growing Guides for advice on planting all the popular vegetables What are your favorite vegetables to grow from seed even on the deck in garden boxes the squirrels come and eat the tomatoes and zucchini With food prices slated to be even more expensive this year we want to try new methods to garden in our small fenced yard and deck To you have any suggestions to deter the monsters Joe Bills In reply to by Caro (not verified) or cucumbers that I grow start off great then always..always get borers In reply to by HR (not verified) If you are growing these plants in the same garden area each year you should plant them in a different area the following year/practice crop rotation The squash vine borer overwinters in the ground and will be present the following year and the cycle of the pest impacting your plants is likely You could also grow your plants indoors longer into the growing season (if you have space) and plant them out in July once the eggs have been laid It will greatly reduce the change that your plants will be affected You could also try a second planting around the same time depending on your area and length of growing season Another option is to consider companion planting. Check out our guide to see what options are available for the plants you plan to grow the best container garden I had @ outside in a sunny location was Garden Peas; the blossoms were delicate and the Peas were abundant!! In reply to by Lee (not verified) your best bet will likely be low-growing greens like lettuces you could try growing root veggies like radishes and carrots as well although carrots will need deeper pots and soft soil How do i grow garlic？Under what favourable condition should i grow the garlic In reply to by David Ngoma (not verified) Garlic is a cool weather crop in most places It over winters in most places with a straw covering I plant mine in zone 7B in mid-November and harvest it usually about the first of May Do some research on which varieties will do best in your area A challenging incentive for revisiting any iconic logo is the modern complexity of context In the 94 years since Better Homes & Gardens first debuted its context has radically changed from a magazine brand with a handful of related books to a highly complex system of digital social and mobile platforms as well as a broad-based global licensing program This increased number of diverse platforms brought to light the limitations that came with the existing arrangement of the name and its use within digital Not to mention the growing identity disconnect across the portfolio that occurred when individual teams modified the logo for their own purposes This prompted the leadership at Better Homes & Gardens to call on Lippincott the designers of the parent company Meredith Corporation’s current logo and identity system better homes & garden logo wrapping paper around bouquet of flowers Better Homes & Gardens logo on wrapping paper with blue background In order to fully leverage this well-earned trust across platforms the brand needed a flexible system with a strong core identity The new design is rooted in the brand’s heritage simplified expression ready to carry the brand into the future It links all the platforms and extensions through a modern and adaptable identity system cohesive brand identity that is recognizable in print friends and fans a greater connection and affinity to a richer Better Homes & Gardens better homes and gardens instagram on mobile phone better homes and gardens "and" symbol Central to the update is the return of the ampersand which was used prior to World War II and before the magazine shifted to emphasize the postwar “home” element in the name The new ampersand provides a distinctive visual cue that connects the brand’s assets while reflecting its creativity we created a toolkit that captured the spirit of the magazine while providing the flexibility to adapt across all the Better Homes & Gardens platforms This new logo is fully bolstered by a stronger more cohesive visual system that allows Better Homes & Gardens to create connections across all its valuable communication channels starbucks food products and coffee on table Careers About Us Our Work Solutions Locations These low-maintenance climbing plants can grow just fine with minimal attention Whether you have a large yard or a compact urban space covering walls and fences with planting will always make an impact From evergreen ivy to fragrant climbing roses privacy and a sense of enclosure to any yard The good news is that there are many climbing plants that thrive on neglect These easy-care species and varieties are ideal for gardeners who want to transform their patio or balcony but are short on time So, if you are looking for some of the best fast-growing climbing plants that require minimal effort these five options should be at the top of your wish list From colorful plumbago to hardy honeysuckle these vines are low-maintenance but high-impact perfect for both beginner gardeners and seasoned expert horticulturalists looking for fuss-free vertical planting this year The following five options are some of the easiest climbers to grow Whether you are looking for annual pot plants or evergreens to fill a large wall for years to come these fool-proof vines will get the job done Just be sure to give them a good watering after planting Perhaps one of the most popular flowering climbers honeysuckle can be grown in almost any plot they can ramble and vine with little maintenance required garden expert and creator of Just Pure Gardening Japanese honeysuckle - or Lonicera japonica - will grow like crazy,' Reese adds 'choking out other plants and climbing over everything.' Instead, when learning how to grow honeysuckle in pots or borders otherwise known as the coral or trumpet honeysuckle and are sure to prove popular with hummingbirds in your yard this year Reese L. RobbinsSocial Links NavigationCreator of Just Pure GardeningReese L Robbins is the founder of Just Pure Gardening a site full of fruit and vegetable growing guides garden expert and owner of Bast Brothers Garden Center can grow in nearly any soil condition and requires very little care There is very little you can do to harm this plant it shouldn’t need any additional watering or attention.' Bert BastSocial Links NavigationGarden ExpertBert Bast is a garden expert and owner of Bast Brothers Garden Centre Established in 2014 and nestled in the heart of Mullica Hill Bast Brothers Garden Center is a destination for all things garden.  plant expert and owner of Millstone Nursery this easy-to-grow climber should be considered as an annual as it will not survive the winter months unless protected 'Just be sure to provide as much sunshine as possible plumbago tends not to bloom as well in darker corners but its attractive foliage will still add greenery.' Tricia HuntSocial Links NavigationPlant ExpertTricia is the owner and operator of Millstone Market & Nursery Southern-instilled attention to customer service has grown her one-of-a-kind garden center into a destination If you are a beginner gardener, learning how to grow nasturtium is a sensible idea This easy-to-grow annual vine is one of the most straightforward – and delicious – plants to add to pots or borders While you can buy nasturtium plants from stores during spring so it is far preferable to sow in situ in April or May Wait until the risk of frost has passed when the soil temperature is above 55° (12°C) you can add some of the edible flowers to colorful salad dishes Morning glories are vines that can produce significant growth in a short amount of time typically growing anywhere from four to ten feet in a single season produces brilliant blue flowers that are always a joy to see they prefer full sun but can be grown in part shade too In terms of learning how to grow morning glory from seed this can be done indoors four or so weeks before your last frost or wait until April or May and sow directly outdoors you might find hundreds of seedlings germinating although these won't tend to survive the winter in cooler regions Not only will climbers look good in your yard but they will also provide shade and shelter for insects and small animals during the warm summer months Flowering vines will also provide plenty of nectar for hungry birds and who wouldn't want to invite wildlife into their plot for the growing season For more wildlife inspiration, see our guide on the best perennials to attract hummingbirds including some low-maintenance options that are perfect for underplanting your climbing plants that thrive on neglect This easy-to-assemble garden structure is perfect for your climbing plants and creating instant privacy These blue Plumbago Auriculata starter plants will quickly grow and vine in your yard These practical blue gardening gloves will keep your hands protected when gardening Thomas RutterSocial Links NavigationContent EditorThomas is a Content Editor within the Gardens Team at Homes and Gardens He has worked as a professional gardener for both public spaces and private estates Trained in Horticulture at the Garden Museum he has written on gardening and garden history for various publications He has co-authored a Lonely Planet travel book The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture tomatoes and garlic in the Kendujhar district of Odisha cultivated plots in backyards or nearby households – are gaining recognition as one of the most promising strategies to reduce malnutrition not all attempts to establish home gardens are successful or able to yield the full benefits hoped for Recent research in India’s state of Odisha involved community members in identifying what elements of home gardens work and what do not.  Building on two published process evaluations, this study published October 8 in Agriculture and Food Security, is the first evaluation of a home garden intervention that includes the participatory Process Net-Mapping technique The technique provides additional insights over other research methods since participants identify and discuss different actors' roles and influence in a program or policy It is a great way to identify and troubleshoot challenges.   The study revealed some challenges the program faced that hindered the adoption and continued use of home gardens These challenges were a reliance on verbal or classroom-style training and an absence of family support for home gardens Other challenges included limited land and water availability difficulty for the program’s implementers to reach beneficiaries due to poor roads and mobile phone connectivity The process evaluation also identified positive outputs outcomes and impacts on home garden production Flexibility led to greater positive outcomes on nutrition the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices and easy-to-understand nutrition models and the likelihood of the intervention being sustained after the program ended Process Net-Mapping is a participatory research approach that reveals the flows of inputs and resources experts involved in the program created a map that includes the different types of actors in the program The map visualized the flow of program activities and was used to anchor discussions among participants participants discussed the influence or power levels of each actor.  This research technique can offer additional insights over other approaches since the map-creating process and assigning influence levels reveal the intricacies of a program’s inner workings Recommendations for future home garden interventions  Future home garden interventions would benefit from including instruction on easy-to-understand nutrition models and on how to make organic or natural fertilizer. A previous program in India met success with two easy-to-understand nutrition models that both encourage dietary diversity:   One is "7-din 7-ghar." In this model households are encouraged to grow seven different types of vegetables on seven different small vegetable beds and then harvest and eat from each bed on different days of the week is that it is flexible: it doesn't have to be 7 vegetables or 7 separate garden beds; fewer would work too people are encouraged to eat foods from the three colors of the Indian flag (white Similar models could be applied anywhere in the world The project also met success in training households on how to make natural fertilizer called Jeevamruta (Jeevamruta is an organic manure and bio-pesticide made by fermenting cow dung The result is a natural source of nitrogen and rely on locally available materials to produce healthy foods at lower costs are great incentives for the wider adoption of home gardens.  Funding: This work was funded by the one CGIAR initiative on National Policies and Strategies (NPS) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Acknowledgements: The authors also acknowledge Tisorn Songsermsawas and Romina Cavatassi from the Research and Impact Assessment Division at IFAD Frew Behabtu from the IFAD India Country Office the OPELIP Programme's Management Unit and ICRISAT staff for their research cooperation The authors are grateful to Braja Swain and his team for data collection 10.1186/s40066-024-00499-9 A process evaluation of a home garden intervention The authors declare that they have no competing interests are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system Copyright © 2025 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)