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Perfect plant picks for that tricky backyard patio

Made in the Shade by Laura Everard “I can’t grow anything because my garden is too shady.” If I had a dollar for the number of times people told me this, I would have enough money to buy all of the plants they would need to revamp their shade garden! Just because you aren’t living

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4 mins read
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Healthy eating in the lunchroom at Friends’ Central School

Tiny Farm to Tiny Table by Grid Staff School cafeterias of old are notorious for mushy veggies and fried mystery meats, but students at Friends’ Central School in Wynnewood hope to promote healthful lunch hours with a new year-round food-growing program. Students from nursery school through fifth grade are taught the significance of healthy eating

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1 min read
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Q&A: Landscape architect Claudia West says we need functional plant communities, not over-mulched arborvitae

Illustration by Corey Brickley Goodbye to All That interview by Heather Shayne Blakeslee According to landscape planners Claudia West and Thomas Rainer, we should all be saying “goodbye to the real estate industry, good taste, designers’ egos, eco-evangelism and the horticulture industry.” Their book, “Planting in a Post-Wild World,” is a joyous ode to the

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6 mins read
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A quick guide to getting your garden started early

It’s Time to Start the Seeds by Laura Everard When it comes to growing your own plants from seed, know your growing conditions, pay attention to the plant’s specific needs—and keep experimenting. The joy of starting seeds indoors comes in part from watching those small green shoots work their way out of the soil when

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4 mins read

Gift Guide: The Gardener

Three-Month Flower Delivery SubscriptionCombat the endless gray of winter with cheerful fresh cut blooms delivered monthly to your doorstep from Snapdragon Flowers’ charming West Philly shop.From $145 Potting SoilUntil the frost lifts and the ground softens, keep gardeners content tending to healthy indoor plants, bolstered by Organic Mechanics’ premium-blend potting soil, enriched with compost, pine

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1 min read

June: To-Do List

1. Commit to walking to work once a week In between the chilly May mornings and the dog days of August, it’s perfect walking weather. Pick a different route each time to take in the scenery and new shops. 2. Cool the kids down with fun Whether it’s the neighborhood ice cream truck or Rita’s

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1 min read

May: To-Do List

1. Hit the spring fairsIt’s that time of year where every weekend has another street festival with local food and music. But your kids will appreciate a good old fashioned Ferris wheel and some funnel cake, too.  2. Commit to the community part of your community gardenSure, you’ve cleaned up your plot. But those common

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1 min read

Tips to grow better than ever this year

Illustration by Kathleen White Horticulturist Lynn Ellen Wolf has been helping Philadelphians make the most of their gardens at the Greensgrow Farms nursery since 2008. Here are her tips on making the most of the season.  Start with a vision. “Before you come [to the nursery], take some time to look through stacks of books [or

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1 min read

How to make the perfect perennial pot

Three low-maintenance perennial container ideas that will work in very different urban environments by Laura Everard When you’re choosing your own plants for a perennial planter, look for those with similar requirements for sun exposure, watering and soil type. Each of these ideas is designed to create a fantastic arrangement that will wow year-round. Hot,

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3 mins read