There’s more than one way to grow those juicy summer tomatoes
Getting tomato plants off the ground as they grow is pretty much universal practice for home gardeners and larger farms alike. Where they may differ is on what’s the best way to do it. Wire cages are popular for those with a few plants. Sturdy fencing “T-posts” often...
Neon dreams and nature scenes make for two very different home decor trends in 2025
Home decor’s got a split personality this year: Call it “city glow” and “cottage flow.” But three years of patience is a small price to pay for up to 20 years of relatively effortless tender green shoots. At the two international design fairs that I attended — Maison...
A growing conversation?
Got weeds in your lawn? Me too. And although it’s tempting to reach for a spray bottle, that doesn’t have to be your first impulse. Believe it or not, weeds aren’t just freeloaders crashing our garden party. They’re messengers with important information that requires...
Nothing like tea to cool off in summer
Summer and sweet tea, or Iced Tea in general. It’s a thing! When the weather gets hot, the relaxing power of hot tea in a cozy chair in front of a fire in the winter transfers over to a refreshing iced tea on a rocking chair on the front porch on a hot summer day....
Three-season plants always in style
Spring and summer means it’s a prime time for plants flowering and looking their best. Plants that carry their beauty into a third season either with subsequent flowers blooming or distinct foliage can keep a garden or flower bed vibrant. For native plants, Rachel...
Growing lemon, lime, kumquat trees can be fun on Shore
With their bright color, summertime scent and refreshing taste, citrus trees are a tempting pick when seeing them at your local nursery. Christy Little, owner of A Little Farm and Nursery in Stevensville, says while it isn’t all easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy, lemon, lime...
Barndominiums gain popularity
For people of a certain age, hearing, “Were you born in a barn?” as a child usually meant you had left a door open to the great outdoors, letting precious air conditioning out and dastardly flies and mosquitoes in. But as “barndominiums” gain popularity, living in a...
Strawberries represent a promise for summertime
When local strawberries are ripe, it’s a good thing. “Strawberries are a fun crop,” says Russ Shlagel, a farmer in Charles County who has grown strawberries for more than 25 years. “They taste good, they’re easy to pick. After being cooped up for the winter, it’s...
Repass helping to revive popularity of tea parties
In the Victorian era, afternoon teas were all the rage with Britain’s upper crust. Draped in etiquette and formalities, the social occasions marked a shift in women’s roles during the era, providing a space for socializing and intellectual exchange. Teas are still...
Blink and you could miss them
Spring brings the return of color to the garden as bulbs bloom, perennials re-emerge, and new annuals settle in. But there’s a less common category of plants that’s also worth knowing: native spring ephemerals. Compared to most garden plants, ephemerals are fleeting,...
After this past long winter, send your houseplants on a summer vacation
Most houseplants are tropical plants that require the warm, somewhat humid conditions of their natural habitat In the home, many can become tired-looking, especially over winter, when even your brightest window provides lower-than-ideal light levels. So why not send...
Growing asparagus takes time, but worth the wait
Asparagus isn’t the most common vegetable among home gardeners, and that’s likely because growing it is an exercise in patience. But three years of patience is a small price to pay for up to 20 years of relatively effortless tender green shoots. If you’ve never seen...
Early-blooming magnolias trumpet springtime
When we think of magnolias, our minds often drift off to a warm summer evening with their sweet, soft scent sitting in the air and their crisp white flowers seeming to illuminate under the sun going down. Maybe our imagination drifts to the south, sipping on some...
Sweet Caroline Historic Homes Tour set for May 17
Caroline County, known as the “Green Garden County” of the Eastern Shore, is rich in agriculture, history and architecture. That will all be on display through the Caroline County Historical Society’s Sweet Caroline Historic Homes Tour on Saturday, May 17. “This...
Be patient, don’t be intimidated by growing bonsai
Growing a bonsai is more than just caring for a miniature tree — it’s an art, a craft and an ancient meditative practice. Originating in China thousands of years ago, bonsai was later adapted by Japanese growers who further developed it into the bonsai we know today....
Consider planting an extra row for the hungry in your garden this spring
If you’re gearing up to plant fruits, vegetables or herbs this spring, why not grow some extra to donate to your local soup kitchen or pantry? The national Plant a Row for the Hungry campaign, launched in 1995, has been encouraging home and community gardeners to do...
How to garden when you love both dogs and plants
If you’ve ever had a dog, you know they don’t exactly tiptoe through the tulips. I’m fortunate that none of mine ever had a penchant for digging holes, but my late pit bull, Maddie, used to run through my perennial beds like a weed whacker, leaving horizontal...
MANTS offers annual sneak peeks
Looking out my home office window, there is still a layer of crusty snow on the ground — but I know spring will be here soon!. It might look quiet at your local garden centers and nurseries at this time of year, but they are busy spending the winter months preparing...
Regarding trees: When is it time to say goodbye?
A tree adds a lot to a landscape. It makes shade, a haven for birds and wildlife, and they clean the air. For some people who grew up in one place or planted a tree upon arriving to a new place, a long-living tree in some ways becomes part of the family. It’s there...
Starting seeds indoors may be answer
A growing season can test a gardener in many ways, but if you’re starting seeds indoors when the weather is still cold, the answers are pretty easy to get. According to local Master Gardeners, the first rule of seed starting is: Follow the recommendations on the back...
Hey, why don’t you take a hike?
After the snow has thawed, there’s an opportunity to break out of hibernation for both the critters and the humans alike. Pack some snacks and hit one of the great local trails in the area. Whether you prefer catching glimpses of wildlife or a like a bit of people...
