Cultivated Italy: Gardens, History & Vineyards

  Cultivated Italy: Gardens, History & Vineyards is a curated 14-day journey from Rome to Venice designed for travelers who want to experience Italy deeply through its gardens, villas, art, and landscapes. The tour includes expert guides, private coach transportation, admissions to more than twenty extraordinary sites, and special experiences such as truffle hunting in …

Extreme Weather Strategies for Birds

Birds at my triple tube feeder

Birds have many strategies to survive without our help, but as a concerned birder, I like to think that offering nutritious food tips the balance in their favor during extreme weather. Mortality during prolonged cold snaps is significantly higher for birds, and studies have shown that survival improves when birds have reliable access to backyard …

Ice and Snow in the Winter Garden: What to Protect, What to Leave, and What to Let Be

As I write this, a major winter storm is on its way, bringing the familiar mix of snow, ice, and biting cold. For gardeners, these moments always spark the same question: Should I be doing something? The answer is: sometimes yes, often no — and occasionally, absolutely not. A winter garden is not dormant in …

The Cutting Garden: From Seed Trays to Mason Jars

After months of seed trays under lights, misting, thinning, hardening off, and finally planting out, there comes the best part of all — cutting armfuls of flowers and bringing them inside. This is where seed starting turns into something tangible, generous, and joyful: the cutting garden. The phrase cutting garden can sound a bit elitist. …

Seed Starting Made Easy

Originally posted in 2019, this seed-starting article has been viewed more than 3 million times over the past six years. Recently updated and refreshed, it reflects both evolving techniques and enduring gardening habits. As January arrives and garden planning begins in earnest, seed starting once again rises to the top of every gardener’s mind—marking the …