Technology
Forget everything you thought you knew about cedar tree care—this is the real deal: a hands-on, “every question answered, every problem solved” manual. Crafted from countless hours in the dirt, battling pests, wrestling with soil issues, and yes, learning from my share of screw-ups. If your goal is to
Travel
The Insider’s Masterclass: Growing Currant Bushes With Decades of Field-Tested Wisdom Currant bushes are one of those unsung heroes that quietly elevate a garden from “nice” to “bountiful.” I’ve spent over 20 years wrestling with Ribes, both in my own patchwork plots and side-by-side with small farmers and
Houseplants
Plant puzzles in A Little to the Left have a way of exposing even the most seasoned logic-game enthusiasts. Years ago—back before the Daily Tidy streaks were even a feature—I underestimated how fussy these digital plants could be. I’d breeze through a week’s worth of organizing
Education
If you’ve ever caught yourself staring at the pickle plant—Delosperma echinatum—wondering, “Why on earth is this adorable little gherkin having a meltdown?” you’re not alone. Years ago, I was certain I’d mastered succulent care, only to find my first pickle plant shriveling into oblivion within
Lifestyle
The Christmas Cactus Masterclass: Solving Every Problem, Nailing Every Bloom If you’ve ever stared at a stubbornly green Christmas cactus in December, silently begging it to flower—or lost one to mysterious mush—you're not alone. Over the past decade, I’ve coaxed dozens of these holiday
Houseplants
The first time I tried to keep a geranium alive, I was convinced it didn’t actually matter whether it lived inside or out—just stick it in dirt, water occasionally, and the cheerful blooms would do their thing. Fast-forward to a crispy brown skeleton by July and me sheepishly
Travel
Staring down a windblown stretch of bare sand where wild dunes once ruled, you might feel daunted. I’ve been there—squinting into salt spray, clipboard in hand, wondering how on earth sparse tufts of green could ever hold back the power of the sea. But here’s the real
DIY
Crack open any genetics textbook and you’ll find the words “true breeding” tossed around like everyone’s supposed to just know what it means. I remember my first plant genetics class—my professor explained it with a diagram full of alleles and chromosomes, and the whole room glazed over.
Plants
Ever notice how the moment you set a pot of basil on your kitchen counter, it practically sends out an invitation to your dog? There’s something about those bright green leaves that makes pups curious—maybe it’s the scent, maybe it’s just that anything new is worth
Business
Standing in the midday glare, sweat trickling down my neck, I remember staring at my half-wilted bottlebrush and thinking, “How can something that looks so invincible be this easy to mess up?” Over a decade later—and more dead branches, root checks, and late-night pest panics than I care to
DIY
Nothing quite beats the thrill of opening a box to find fresh, vibrant plants—each one handpicked to challenge (and delight) your inner botanist. If you’re considering botanical subscription boxes, you’re probably looking for more than gimmicky “green in a box.” So let’s dive into the nuanced
DIY
Let’s cut through the noise. If you ever start researching “are aphids good for plants?” you’ll tumble down endless rabbit holes—studies about ecosystem balance, expert lectures on natural predation cycles, even forums where gardeners debate the virtues of tolerating a few bugs as “beneficial stress.” But here’