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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, ...

Stunning landscapes take work

By Family Features A beautiful landscape doesn’t happen on its own. You can help your lawn, trees and shrubs get off to a healthy growing season. “Trees and shrubs add tremendous appeal to our urban home environments, but to thrive, particularly out of their natural world, they require ...

Are these groundcovers tough enough for lawns and gardens in dry climes?

Growing a lush lawn in the desert can feel like a losing battle. With the proper care, the warm-season Bermuda, zoysia and bahia grasses can hold up fairly well during summer, but when the weather cools enough to actually enjoy those lawns, they transform into a dormant carpet of ...

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 my seed-starting ...

Gardening at home

(AP) What should I plant?” is a question new vegetable gardeners tend to ask me over winter, when planning their first gardens. In the past, I’ve always advised them to plant what they like. It may sound silly, but you’d be surprised at how many people pressure themselves into growing ...