Federal health authorities have traced a significant portion of this year’s cyclospora infections to shredded iceberg lettuce imported from Mexico and served at Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. The finding comes as the total number of reported cases across more than 30 states has already exceeded the previous record...
Many gardeners plant hydrangeas expecting lush summer flowers only to watch buds fail or plants struggle through winter. The difference often comes down to matching the right type to local climate, light, and soil conditions. Four main groups dominate home landscapes, each with distinct strengths and limitations that affect performance. Why Some Hydrangeas Stop Blooming...
Louisville – An abandoned 13-story cold storage building has become an unlikely stronghold for urban wildlife. A cottonwood tree clings to its rooftop, peregrine falcons raise chicks in a window box, and purple cliffbrake ferns cascade down its limestone walls. These plants and birds have endured ice storms that should have destroyed them, turning a...
Janice arrived at her new mountain property with years of gardening experience but little else to work with. The land stretched out as open ground, exposed to the elements of a Zone 7 climate that brought distinct seasonal shifts and variable conditions. She began the work of turning that empty space into a structured garden,...
Weeping figs deliver dense evergreen foliage and sculptural form that many homeowners seek for landscapes. Yet their vigorous root systems create real hazards when the trees sit too close to hardscape or utilities. Proper siting turns a potential liability into a reliable asset that functions as a hedge, screen, or topiary. The contrast between the...
Early Thursday morning in West Hollywood, a resident and his boyfriend were jolted from sleep by an unexpected and alarming sight. A powerful surge of water had broken free from a main and was barreling down the street directly toward their building. What began as a quiet night quickly turned into a race against rising...
Homeowners nationwide are redirecting remodeling budgets toward their yards, treating outdoor areas as primary living spaces rather than afterthoughts. This shift comes as families seek more room to gather, relax, and entertain without expanding the footprint of the house itself. The change also aligns with a growing emphasis on energy savings and technology that makes...
Many home gardeners invest time and care into their herb beds only to end up with weaker flavors or reduced potency in the final harvest. The issue often traces back to a single overlooked factor: when the plant’s energy sits in the part being collected. Small shifts in timing can preserve more of the desired...
Gardeners facing a large onion harvest often find themselves with more bulbs than they can use right away. Without proper handling, those onions can spoil quickly and go to waste. Several established preservation approaches allow the crop to last for months or longer. These methods turn a seasonal surplus into a reliable supply for cooking...
Gardeners across the Southeast have long relied on a handful of familiar shrubs that fill space quickly and tolerate a range of conditions. Those choices, however, often come with hidden costs for local ecosystems and long-term maintenance. A regional expert is now pointing to native alternatives that deliver similar structure and beauty while supporting wildlife...
The gardening world has spent years championing wild, rewilded, and meadow-style plantings as the modern ideal. Yet a growing number of gardeners now describe a different experience once summer heat and storms arrive. They find themselves drawn instead to spaces that feel deliberate and contained. The Push Toward Wild Styles Over the past two decades,...
Homeowners across the Northeast often plant the same shrubs year after year in foundation beds and borders. Those choices now draw concern from regional experts who point to reduced ecological value and limited support for local wildlife. The shift toward native alternatives offers a practical way to maintain attractive landscapes while addressing those shortcomings. Why...
