Summer is here! Almost six months into the year, June 21 is the astronomical start of summer as the sun reaches its highest point. Also known as the summer solstice, the sun does not change path for a couple of days. To be clear, although the sun is often referred to as moving , we all know that us ...

Making your own compost is an eco-friendly and rewarding way to manage your food waste.But what can you do if your compost bin is being raided by wildlife? Many animals are attracted to compost for different reasons. Rats find compost ideal as a source of food and a warm place to nest. Skunks like t...

June is National Pollinator Month, making it the perfect time for kids to learn about pollinators, the key role they play in ecosystem and garden health and why we should care about their well-being. KidsGardening.org , a national nonprofit and leader in the youth gardening movement in conjunction w...

Q: I’ve got a fridge full of food and our power went out for several hours due to severe storms. Is there any food that can be saved, or do I have to throw everything out of our fridge due to spoilage? A: It’s that time of year when severe weather can leave consumers without power for a few minutes ...

Winter is here, and if your electricity goes out due to snow and ice, a generator can keep power flowing to your home or business. The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) , an international trade association representing manufacturers and suppliers of outdoor power equipment, small engines, bat...

You patiently waited until the danger of frost had passed to plant your tomatoes. And you installed a sturdy support system in anticipation of healthy, robust plants. But there are still some things you can do to ensure the harvest of your dreams. If you’ve had your soil tested, you’ll know exactly ...

Much is said about self-sufficiency when it comes to growing your own food, whether that’s fruits and vegetables or livestock for meat. But there’s another important part of our diet that can’t be overlooked: beverages (and specifically, alcoholic ones). If you imbibe, you know there’s nothing sweet...

Phlox is a wide-ranging North American native perennial and a common fixture in woodland, prairie and meadow landscapes. Phlox are an easy-to-find wildflower stretching from Florida and Quebec to Alaska. One of the classic American perennials, this was one of the earliest North American natives to e...

There’s nothing quite like the “silence” of nature. If you can find the right spot, you won’t hear any cars, any trains, any planes … or any cell phones chirping at you. You will hear babbling brooks and birds chirping and squirrels chittering. You will hopefully feel a little peace. June is Great O...