I'm bringing you along on a horticultural adventure. I need more plants (I have a big garden) — more than I can afford. Free plants, how can anyone turn that down? I am going to try propagating from some of the garden favorites that I already have. Have you done this? It is all new to me, but I have known many a successful gardener that did it… so I am jumping in. More

A couple of months ago, in our little fenced-in suburban yard, we noticed some rogue squash-like leaves popping up out of the ground. Intrigued, we mowed around them and let them grow. We guessed: cucumbers? Squash? We have a raised-bed garden, so we figured some birds might have dropped some seeds from something we were already growing. We were so surprised to discover that we had our very own pumpkin patch — just in time for fall! More

The days are drawing in, the bustling ice cream shop is growing quiet, and the weekly farmers' market is coming to an end. It's official, summer's closing up shop. This year, instead of feeling wistful that summer's almost over, I've been thinking of some fall-style activities to get in the spirit of the season. Canning and herb drying come to mind, plus a whole bunch more, all while wearing cozy sweaters and drinking pumpkin ale, of course. More

You may still be reveling in the last days of summer now, but rest assured in about 6 months you will overjoyed to see those first signs of life emerging from the cold frozen ground. If you want that pleasure later, you must act now. More

I was in Tampa Bay last week, feeling the effects of Hurricane Isaac (and the RNC, but that's another matter). I headed home to Saint Louis just in time for - you guessed it - more rain from Isaac.

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With the record breaking heat and drought thoroughout the country this summer, water bans have been pervasive. How do you continue to water your garden within the rules? Answer: Make the most of the water you are allowed to use.
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I fancy myself a very caring cat owner (at least according to recent polling), an attentive betta fish owner with a good track record for long-lived aquatic companions, and an excellent housekeeper. But for the life of me, I can't seem to grow herbs...a minor annoyance to my inner-Martha. More

Name: LaManda Joy Location: Budlong Woods – Chicago, Illinois

One morning, after years of living in apartments in the city, LaManda's husband turned to her and suggested they buy a yard … with a house attached. That the house was second to the yard was no coincidence. LaManda was a frustrated gardener trapped in an apartment existence, and her husband recognized how much benefit she would get from having her own outdoor space. As it turns out, the benefit has spread far beyond LaManda's own yard… More

It's times like this, when I'm in complete denial that autumn is on the way, that I'm especially grateful for the concept of Indian Summer. What could be more wonderful than an extra burst of warmth and sun just when you think they've gone for good? The gardening masters at Terrain have created a quartet of plantings just perfect for extending summer's bounty into autumn's glory… More

The water bans in effect in many parts of the country this summer may have taken a toll on your garden and lawn. I asked landscape designer Chris Lambton of HGTV's Going Yard if he had any tips to share on how to keep your greenery looking, well… green. More