Sun, Surf, Sand, and Snow: Weekend Getaways in Southern California

February 28, 2018


I’m riding 130 feet in the air at the top of the world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel. From my vantage point above the Santa Monica Pier at Pacific Park, I have a panoramic view of the surrounding Southern California coastline. Read More...

The Storied History and Enduring Life of Terra Cotta

February 26, 2018

 Contemporary terra cotta pot from Eye of the Day Garden Center.


You’ve likely strolled through garden centers stocked with hundreds of ubiquitous terra cotta nursery flower pots in the usual shapes and sizes. 
But did you know that this simple Read More...

Grow a Meal a Week in Small Spaces With This Solar-Powered Gardening Assistant

February 11, 2018

How about growing a meal a week in less than 100 square feet with a robot who manages your garden for you remotely?

Imagine sustainably growing food at home with a personal solar-powered smart robot gardener that will automatically irrigate, … Read More...

Lamps, Streetlights, and Bomb-Detection Powered By Plants and Vegetables

February 8, 2018

 Photo via Living Lights.

Read by the light of your arugula and kale? Researchers at MIT in Massachusetts are embedding specialized nanoparticles into the leaves of plants and vegetables such as arugula, kale, spinach, and watercress to create…edible lights and Read More...

These Six Urban Farms Creatively Transform Disused Spaces

February 2, 2018

Pasona, via Kona Design.

Ever tried growing rice at work? A Japanese company did. The Pasona Group, not only produced a bounty of nutritious food, they’ve also helped reap a healthy profit — and they aren’t farmers.

As urban populations Read More...

Good Privacy Trees Make Good Neighbors

December 21, 2017

Privacy bushes from Garden Goods Direct

We’ve all heard the aphorism, “Good Fences Make Good Neighbors.” The phrase comes from Robert Frost’s 1915 poem Mending Wall. In the poem, two neighbors disagree about a stone wall separating their properties, one with pine trees, the other apple Read More...

Jambalaya and Jazz, Beignets and Bayou in New Orleans

December 18, 2017

The festivities begin as soon as I step into the streetcar.

I sit next to a woman wearing a large hat adorned with flowers and illuminated by tiny, white lights. This might seem a bit odd anywhere else, but … Read More...

Season’s Greenings From Urban Gardens

December 15, 2017

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Let’s Talk Turkey About Gratitude

November 23, 2017

Photo: Robin Plaskoff Horton

This Thanksgiving morning I’m pondering all the things in my life for which I am grateful.

I am blessed with two great children and many dear friends. I’m grateful for my loyal readers and followers who … Read More...

How to Draw Natural Wildlife Into Your Backyard Oasis

November 7, 2017

Sponsored Ideas

Do you have a favorite garden spot in your backyard? If so, do you also have the beautiful birds, butterflies, and other natural wildlife that help create a great garden space?

To achieve your ideal garden oasis, it’s Read More...

The freshest innovative and eco-friendly designs, trends, and ideas for urban gardens and stylish small places.

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