With spring upon us, I wanted to share my top three favorite garden tools: the simple, reliable standbys I reach for year after year. As a garden designer (and lifelong garden fanatic), you might expect my shed to be filled with the latest and greatest tools. But the truth is, I’m pretty low maintenance in […]
If you’ve ever wondered about the difference between pumice and perlite, you’re not alone. Many gardeners ask which soil amendment is better for improving drainage, aeration, and plant health, especially when growing succulents. To help answer these questions, I’d like to introduce you to the dynamic brother-and-sister team, Lexi and Austin Petelski, owners of General […]
Spring has arrived! And along with the sweet scent of jasmine, the bursting blooms of tulips and rosebuds just beginning to open comes a new crop of gardening books. Luckily my mailman remembers that, around this time each year, his load gets a little heavier with all the books I’m sent to review. I thought […]
Phew – I’ve been busy! As promised a few weeks ago, here’s the next phase of my front lawn-removal project. After deciding on the materials and final shape of the pathways, the next step was to remove the lawn. A physically grueling task to be sure. Enlisting help from those with strong backs, we removed […]
I’m officially announcing the birth of my new baby…I mean book, Refresh Your Garden Design with Color, Texture & Form, and to celebrate you’re all invited to attend my Virtual Book Party – with some very ‘refreshing’ party favors (yes, pun intended). Six garden blogging friends and I are hosting 7 great giveaways this week, all related […]
If you’re like me, you’ve probably returned from a supposedly quick and casual stroll through the garden with your shirt flipped up in an attempt to to hold all the tomatoes, plums or apricots that were just begging to be picked. After dirtying umpteen clean shirts, I don’t know why I venture outside any longer […]
To celebrate the release of Kylee Baumle and Jenny Peterson’s new book, Indoor Plant Decor, you’re all invited to participate in their cyber book party (complete, of course, with loads of prizes!) I’ll be honest, when I was asked to review and join this event I was a little nervous as I’m one of those […]
A few years ago my friend (and gardener extraordinaire) Shawna Coronado traveled to the Netherlands to spend a little time with the folks at the DeWit Tool company. Shawna had the once-in-a-lifetime experience of not only designing, but making the prototype of her ideal version of a potting soil scoop. The scoop has since been […]
My garden-watering meltdown had been brewing for years. It came to a head this past summer when I had finally had enough of the hoses in my garden constantly kinking every time I moved a few feet. My husband would try to help, buying me ‘the best’ the big box stores had to offer (promising […]
Last week I was invited to have breakfast at Sunset magazine’s headquarters, along with a few of my favorite fellow gardeners. The event was to welcome the new Sunset Edible Garden Cookbook, which will be released next week, as well as to tour the grounds and the test garden. While of course I was thrilled […]
I have been dying to get my hands on the latest edition of the New Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (Oxmoor House, 2012. List Price $34.95) Well, it’s finally here and I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve been given a copy to review. And as if that weren’t enough – Sunset is letting […]
It’s time for another holiday giveaway, but HURRY – this contest ends December 5th! A few weeks ago I was given the opportunity to review a pair of Fields & Lane gardening gloves as well as offer a contest for my readers. And all I can say is HOLY COW, I LOVE these gloves! Gardening […]
