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The Magic of Pumpkins: History, Tradition, and Halloween Charm
It is late August, and I have a pumpkin on my front porch, much to the annoyance of my wife. No, I am not pining for fall. Actually, I am but that’s not why it is there. I bought this pumpkin last September at a warehouse club store. It didn’t get carved and it’s still
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Coffee, Compost, and Country: How America’s Founding Fathers Brewed Patriotism and Improved the Soil
America’s Founding Fathers were more than statesmen—they were passionate gardeners. Their surviving letters and garden journals detail while they were hard at work on battlefields and in statehouses, their hearts and minds longed to be home in their gardens. Their personal fortunes depended on sustainable agriculture, and their public service was, in part, a way
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Summer Herbs in Containers: Tips for Thriving Plants in Hot Weather
After last night’s three and a half inches of rain, our temperatures dropped by nearly 20 degrees—a welcome break from the string of 90-degree days we’ve been experiencing. Summer heat is tough on plants, but with the right choices, you can enjoy fresh herbs all season long. Best Herbs to Grow in Containers During Summer Not
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Using Color in Landscape Design: How to Create Vibrant, Eye-Catching Outdoor Spaces
Color brings energy, personality, and life to any landscape. From residential front yards to resort entrances, the strategic use of color can transform a space into a welcoming and memorable environment. Whether you’re highlighting a front entryway, business signage, or a community focal point, well-planned landscape color creates lasting impact. Why Color Matters in Landscaping
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The Art and History of Topiary: Living Sculptures in the Garden
Have you ever walked through a landscape and seen a shrub shaped into a perfect sphere, a spiral, or even a green and leafy animal? That’s the magic of topiary — the art of shaping living plants into recognizable garden art. I’ve had lions, tigers, orangutans, dolphins, falcons, snakes, Sesame Street characters, and even shrubby
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About Me My Philosophy on Gardening: (A Life in Horticulture)
A Career Rooted in Gardens I have spent most of my career in the entertainment and hospitality side of horticulture—working in theme parks, resorts, a botanical garden, city parks and a celebrated golf club. Along the way, I’ve also gained hands-on and hard-won experience in landscape contracting, commercial landscape management, horticulture media, and historic garden presentation. With
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Preparing Your Trees for Hurricane Season: Tips for Southern Homeowners
Every summer, residents of Florida and the Southeast brace for hurricane season. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), forecasts call for 13–18 named storms, with up to nine hurricanes—and as many as five major hurricanes (Category 3–5). For homeowners across Florida and the Southeast, this is a reminder that now is the time to prepare your
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Why Growing Tomatoes in Florida Is Different (and How to Succeed)
If you grew up gardening in the northern U.S., you probably remember big, juicy tomatoes ripening by midsummer. In Northern Virginia, where I grew up, six tomato vines in wire cages with straw mulch produced countertops full of large, rich red fruits. Warm from the sun, they were delicious thick sliced into tomato steaks for
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About Gardening In the Weeds
If you’ve ever found yourself lost in the tomato aisle of a garden center, debating between “Cherokee Purple” and “Better Boy,” or hands and knees in the dirt still pulling weeds long after you meant to stop—welcome. Gardening In the Weeds is where garden lovers of every level come to get answers and get inspired. Here, you’ll
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Summer Lawn Care Tips: How to Keep Your Grass Healthy in the Heat
Summer brings sunshine, backyard barbecues, and more time outdoors — but it also means heat stress, turf insects, and unpredictable rainfall. Without proper care, even the most beautiful lawns can quickly lose their curb appeal. Whether you’re maintaining your lawn for self-satisfaction, neighborhood standards, or protecting your home’s resale value, these summer lawn survival tips will help