Is Organic Worth It?

The Organic Scam

Years ago, the push for organic fruits and vegetables was born out of a few radical farmers’ resistance to the overuse of pesticides and their desire to close the gap between consumers and producers of food. Today, that small movement has morphed into a nearly 20 billion dollar industry.

How To Lose 50 Pounds In A Day!

I dropped 50 ugly pounds in an afternoon! Really, I did, but not human avoirdupois of the liposuction-able kind. No, I finally got brave and sans souci and… French, evidently, I must’ve gotten French. Avoirdupois and sans souci in the same paragraph, mon Dieu!

If Corporate America  Can Change Its Mind, Why Can’t I?

When I heard that Clorox® had a line of “green” cleaning products, I was in environmental disbelief. Why would a corporation, established for generations as a maker of chlorine bleach, fabricate anything that was safe for our planet? It couldn’t be true. Was it a trendy marketing ploy? My germ-phobic instincts kicked in. Do these products even clean as well as conventional ones? I had to investigate. I did some reading and yes, it’s true. It’s called Green Works®, and what I found out is downright inspiring.

Which Cut Flowers Last the Longest?

Easy. Peonies. And they’re in season and fit into my short term goal – to really indulge in all things summery – and that includes pimpin’ my place with these spectacular flowers. Trader Joe’s has them for $5.99 for five stems and these babies will last if you do it right!

Get a Haircut, Save the Gulf

Your split ends could help save the ecology—maybe even the entire food chain—of the oil-stained Gulf of Mexico.

How to Choose a Landscape Contractor

Let me first say that I can imagine how difficult choosing the right company to install your landscaping can be. When I look in the Yellow Pages, newspapers and local magazines and see how many companies are advertising for landscaping, it is very overwhelming!

Garden Mentoring

If your garden seems to lack focus, refusing to grow up, or just won’t listen to you anymore…you may need a mentor.  Someone to point out the issues and show you how to get your garden back on the right path!

Growing Kids and Gardens

The garden is a safe place for children to be left alone to explore, create and imagine, although there seems to be less time and space for this now. We need to reclaim the yard as a natural place for the whole family to enjoy. A typical yard consists of landscaping that is pretty to look at, but not to interact with. The “kids” area may be a swing set on the far edge of a large expanse of high maintenance lawn. There are usually no trees for shade, vegetable gardens, or anything that would encourage imagination or comfort in such a sterile setting. In a well balanced garden exciting things happen every day.

The Art and Science of Landscape Design

When you spend time outside observing nature, you notice the delicate balance and harmony between plants and their environment. I knew that it would be a great challenge to learn to combine my love of nature and art into a profession. I guess you could call me “old school”, since I choose to hand draw my designs instead of digitally creating them, but I love how it keeps me connected to the “organic” process of designing with plants.

Secrets of a Landscape Designer

Shhhhhh….don’t tell anyone, but I am about to tell you some secrets! Most people that have a garden designer work at their home are unaware of the interesting process of creating the final plan. I will let you know our secret ways…if you promise not to tell!

The Best Holiday Gifts for Gardeners

Let me make it easy for you. If you have someone in your life that enjoys being in the garden or you are the “green” one, here’s a list that you can buy from or leave out for hints!

Going Green and the SUV Question

You’ve seen the ads. You undoubtedly remember a few of them because they are so darn clever. “The Honda Insight. The hybrid for everyone.”