Home & Garden category, Page 2

New varieties of tried-and-true vegetables invite gardeners to experiment

Tomatoes, garlic, chives, basil, parsley, thyme and sage have been permanent residents in my garden for ages. But every year, I experiment with new —- or new to me — crops. Many turn out to be transient, like the Instagram-worthy Voyager tomatoes that disappointed in the flavor department, and the...
Before you start seeds indoors, make sure they’re not duds

I’ve had just about enough of winter and am itching to get my hands dirty. I can’t do that yet in my New York garden, but I have been distracting myself by growing microgreens and dwarf strawberries on the kitchen counter. It will be another month before I bring out...
Gardening and growing food a form of liberation for the Black community

Amid winter’s gray skies and unpredictable temperatures, Black communities are reclaiming their narrative through gardening and growing food, a powerful act of resilience that fuels empowerment. Despite sometimes freezing temperatures, they sow seeds of change, heralding a season of growth and autonomy. Raynise Kelly and TaRay Kelly are owners of...
The poinsettia by any other name? Try ‘cuetlaxochitl’ or ‘Nochebuena’

SANTA FE, N.M. — Like Christmas trees, Santa and reindeer, the poinsettia has long been a ubiquitous symbol of the holiday season in the U.S. and Europe. But now, nearly 200 years after the plant with the bright crimson leaves was introduced north of the Rio Grande, attention is once...
With a kit or from scratch, you can grow mushrooms indoors at home

My late Uncle Pepe was an avid mushroom hunter, rising early on late-summer Saturdays, field guide in hand, to head to a local New York City park for his weekly forage. Upon his return, my Aunt Jenny would meticulously wash the hen-of-the-woods, turkey tail or other fungi free of soil...
A dozen fresh-picked holiday gift ideas for gardeners

The best holiday gifts for gardeners are the ones that keep their minds in the dirt, even during the off-season. These gardening and garden-themed gifts will sow the seeds of anticipation for greener days to come and spread a little sunshine just when it’s needed most. SMART VIDEO CAMERA BIRD...
Rose hips’ seedpods provide pop of color in the fall and winter garden

The rose has long been regarded as the “queen of flowers,” revered for its fragrance and beauty. But less lauded are the orange and red hips, or seedpods, that form after the flowers fade. And that’s a shame. If they’re left on the plant, the rose hips will take center...
New gardens on view at Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art

Michael Strueber can be found in one of two places at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art: sitting in a rocking chair on the porch, sipping coffee with just a dash of cream, or in one of the site’s seven gardens, elbow deep in soil. Director emeritus of SAMA, Strueber,...
Tips and tricks for keeping garden critters at bay

As she browsed the outdoor aisles of 380 Auction in Murrysville, Plum resident Marilyn Covert lamented the loss of her homegrown tomatoes to a deer. “They’re terrible,” she said of the deer, as she pushed her cart stacked with gardening supplies. “There’s nothing like a homegrown tomato.” Covert uses deer...
A list of local farmers’ markets

Editor’s note: This list has been updated to correct the days, times and location for the Central Westmoreland Famer’s Market. Here is a list of selected farmers’ markets in the area (listed in alphabetical order): Baldwin Farmers Market Dates: Second and fourth Thursdays of each month through August, plus Sept....
Greensburg Garden Center tour features 7 special outdoor spaces

The seven locations on Greensburg Garden Center’s upcoming garden tour feature themes spanning the globe from Hawaii to the British Isles. The self-guided driving tour is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 24. Five of the featured gardens are in the Greensburg area, the other two are in...
How to plant a container like the pros do

Have you ever gone to the grocery store for, say, milk, and left with a cartful of impulse buys? Well, I visited a couple of nurseries last week in search of one specific plant and left with nearly everything except that plant, which both retailers had sold out. As usual,...
Tips for growing herbs (you don’t even need a garden)

Culinary herbs are among the easiest plants you can grow. They only need sunlight, water, and well-draining soil with a neutral pH. You don’t even need a garden. Many herbs, such as rosemary, basil, cilantro, lemon balm, oregano and mint will grow well in containers. In fact, mints should only...
Before you transfer garden plants outdoors, make sure they’re hardened off

It’s prime planting time in many regions, and gardeners are flocking to garden centers for annuals, and herb and vegetablestarter plants. Likewise, those who have grown plants from seeds indoors may be gearing up to transplant them in the garden now. But regardless of their origins, seedlings can’t typically go...
No Mow May? Good intentions, bad approach, critics say

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve heard about the #NoMowMay movement that’s been gaining steam on social media and in eco-conscious circles these past few years. Started in 2019 by citizen scientists in the United Kingdom, the call for homeowners to abstain from mowing their lawns during the month...
Plant sales are in bloom all over Westmoreland, Allegheny counties

Seventy-degree days in February and 40-degree days in May. While the weather around these parts has been topsy-turvy of late, there’s one thing that home gardeners can depend on — plant sales will start popping up in May. “As cold as it’s been, people are ready to plant something warm...

‹ Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next ›