Mocktails: A complete experience
January is the start of getting back into a normal routine, and maybe even setting goals for an improved one. In recent years, one trend is having a “dry January,” where you abstain or limit alcohol consumption to kick off the new year. Whether you have never been...
Gardening can be a four-season labor of love
I see you, sitting there by the fire with your cup of hot cocoa (or wine). Don’t get too comfortable. You might think you can rest on your laurels now that there’s a break in the mowing, weeding, sowing and planting action. But fall and winter are the best times to...
Make new shrubs with your own hardwood cuttings
Our gardens may be in their winter slumbers, but that doesn’t mean we have to rest: It’s time to make free shrubs! The easiest way to propagate woody plants like dogwood, forsythia, hydrangea, rhododendron and viburnum, among others, is by taking hardwood cuttings in...
Ormes, others help folks find warmth in alpaca fiber
It seems no matter how warmly dressed you are for an outside activity, once your feet and toes get too cold, it’s time to go inside. That’s only one reason why socks made from alpaca fleece are one of the most popular items at local alpaca farm stores. “It’s like heat...
Make sure to have a plan when hunting for planners
fter we veer off our normal schedule through the holiday season and, many of us have to — and are ready — to get back into routine, maybe even one better than before!. Whether you are starting from scratch with a New Year’s resolution to be a better planner or your...
Help your tropical plants survive the winter blues
Dreaming of a beach vacation? Are you picturing a palm tree? Fantasizing about life on a remote island? You’re probably envisioning a walk among birds of paradise, cannas and bananas. Nothing conjures up the feeling of the tropics like giant, lush-leaved plants, and...
Retro toys are still child’s play
You may be feeling deja vu this Christmas season as many of the same toys that made you light up as a child are coming back for an encore! While there is no shortage of new toys out, some of your tried-and-true favorites are making their way back onto holidays lists....
Christmas in St. Michaels offering competition, collectors ornament
Bakers and pastry chefs of all ages and talent levels are can get their gingerbread house games on with the return of the Christmas in St. Michaels Gingerbread House competition this December and a purse totaling $2,000 in prizes up for grabs. The competition is an...
Fall’s a perfect time to plant a tree
If you’ve been pining to plant a tree, now is a great time. The season’s cooling temperatures and still-warm soil mean less stress on newly planted trees, which allows them to direct more energy into growing strong roots rather than struggling to survive the heat and...
Consider the ‘minor bulbs’ when planting for spring
As the summer garden winds down, it’s time to think about spring flowers, and the best way to ramp them up would be to plant bulbs now. We’re all familiar with tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, the popular, colorful — and omnipresent — harbingers of spring. But there’s...
Water roux keeps challah tender, fluffy
A good loaf of challah is tender, pillowy and slightly sweet, but homemade loaves tend to dry and stale quickly. To keep our challah tender and extend its shelf-life, we borrow the water roux technique known as tangzhong that’s used to make fluffy Japanese milk bread....
2024 Holiday Events
Looking for peat moss alternatives?
Peat moss has long been used in gardening to improve the soil by keeping it light and helping retain moisture. But in recent years, gardeners have been learning that harvesting peat moss is not great for the environment. “There are quite a few reasons why gardeners...
Bayshore Iris Society to meet in St. Michaels
The Bayshore Iris Society will host the American Iris Society Region 4 Fall Meeting on Oct. 18-19 at the St. Michaels Inn. The event is open to the public. The meeting is scheduled to coincide with the anticipated peak bloom time for irises that can rebloom in the...
Master Gardeners hold training course
While most garden enthusiasts pursue Master Gardener training through the University of Maryland Extension to build on their basic knowledge of plants, insects, the soil and other aspects, some have come to program with specific goals in mind. One of the more unique...
Let spooky plants underline Halloween theme
If you’re seeking more than a Jack-O’ Lantern for your porch this fall to scare visitors, plant lovers can veer to the eerie this fall with spooky and unusual plants. Inside or outside, in containers or not, there are several ways to creep up your home though some do...
Activities geared for fun, fright
There are two kinds of Halloween lovers: Those who love pumpkin patches, silly costumes and the fun, playful side of Halloween and those who love the spooky, gory side. No matter how you enjoy the holiday, there are plenty of fun and frights to be had on the Shore....
Root veggies keep us grounded
Every vegetable crop needs its roots, but when the roots are the vegetable that’s consumed, it’s all the more important. Most root vegetables are good sources of vitamins A and C, which boost the immune system; fiber, which aids digestion; antioxidants, which...
Summer may be winding down but buttonbush still has time to shine
Fall is just around the corner, and some of my summer bloomers are beginning to wind down. But birds and other wildlife continue to need sustenance from plants, and I continue to need focal points in my garden. Fortunately, buttonbush, a sadly underused shrub, is...
Help caramel apples become a family tradition
Back-to-school season comes with a lot of apple paraphernalia with a side of pencils and books. If you fast forward just a pinch, it starts to get more delicious with a side of caramel and crunchy chocolate. While thought to be an old-fashioned treat, I assure you,...
These plants wait their whole lives to bloom once. It’s usually spectacular
Flowering annuals generally bloom nonstop before dying at the end of the year or season. Perennials return every year, providing either season-long color, a burst of blossoms followed by sporadic blooming or a limited show that can last as little as two weeks. And...
