Growing Garlic in the Rocky Mountains

MY, HOW TIMES have changed. That’s what I keep thinking, looking around my own garden in recent years. I’ve been struck by the same thought over and over as I read “The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year,” the latest book by Margaret Renkl (illustrated with gorgeous collages by her brother, Billy Renkl, like the one above), which takes us through a year in her garden 1,000 miles to the south of mine in Nashville.

Back in May, Lex Madden, bar manager at Point Easy in Denver, Colorado, told BHG that “the spritz is absolutely the drink of summer!” 

Fionuala Campion says in her article, Dazzling Deer-Resistant Perennials, “Though very graceful and delightful to behold in their native habitat, deer are a voracious force to reckon with in many Northern California gardens, particularly in summer and fall.” But these majestic creatures are not just an issue for gardeners on the west coast. There are populations of deer in all 50 states, and all are munching on the many different plants we’re growing across the country.

How to Grow and Care for Japanese Spirea Spiraea japonica

It’s a tentative start. We crack open wet soil, slot the roots of a small birch tree into the gap and firm it in. The blessings of Mother Earth on you, little tree. The birch is a bare slip of a thing barely anchored in the ground. One down, 23,999 to go.

Jacquemontia Pentanthos – a stunning yet often-overlooked climbing vine that’s a true showstopper in both tropical gardens and cultivated indoor spaces. With its sky-blue flowers and lush foliage, this plant beckons you to explore its charming characteristics and easy-care nature!

As September comes to an end, it is important to recognize that this month is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. In the past 30 years, obesity rates have tripled among youth in the United States. There are many factors that contribute to obesity in children, including genetics, physical inactivity, unhealthy eating habits, and other lifestyle factors. Being obese at a young age increases the risk of developing chronic diseases in adulthood. Some of those diseases include high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. Fortunately, simple lifestyle changes can go a long way in helping your child maintain a healthy weight now and throughout their life.

How to Grow and Care for American Bittersweet Vines Celastrus scandens

How to Grow ‘Polish Hardneck’ Garlic Allium sativum var. ophioscorodon ‘Polish Hardneck’

MARK BOURDILLON / Netflix

Plants with leaves as sharp as razor blades. Plants that smell like rotten meat. Plants that will cause severe gastrointestinal problems if ingested. These all sound like great garden additions, right? Let me run right out to the nursery and buy all of these “nasties”! I think you’d be in the minority if that’s what you’re thinking.

With hues ranging from lavender to deep violet, these stunning flowers are far from just eye candy. They carry a deep symbolism that traverses cultures and generations, imbued with meanings of dignity, pride, and even a touch of unpredictability. Intrigued? You should be. Stick around as we take the wraps off Purple Carnations Meaning.