Ila Bonczek

While it is not exactly ornamental, jewelweed has many attractive qualities and applications that can earn it a place in your garden. This North American native is suited to soggy, shaded areas that many other...

AUGUSTA, New Jersey — Located at the northern tip of New Jersey, the historic town of Augusta boasts the largest agricultural fair in the Garden State. Over the course of seven and a half days...

Compost is great for the garden — there’s no question about that. What is questionable, is spending heaps of money for a small bag of it when you could, instead, be getting heaps of compost...

The resurgence of an iconic electronic from the turn of this century may be puzzling to some, but the flip phone has a solid fan base. Flip phone users find that what their devices lack...

Indigo is not only a color, but also a subject of much botanical interest. Best known as a source of rich, blue dye, true indigo (Indigofera tinctoria) is grown in tropical and subtropical areas around...

At the height of summer, many of us are drawn towards the water — for relief, fun, and relaxation. While a dip in the pool is a popular pastime, swimming pools are not always an...

The Fourth of July is a patriotic national holiday where Americans of all sorts unite in the name of freedom. Across the US, we commemorate our country’s independence from England with events ironically inspired by...

As a natural pioneer of the inhospitable slopes of volcanoes, Japanese Knotweed is almost impossible to kill. Casually introduced as an ornamental for its feathery summer flowers, this large herbaceous perennial has achieved invasive status...

Horsetail is a prehistoric plant traditionally used to treat a variety of ailments. It is especially valued for strengthening hair, bones, nails and teeth, due to its high silica content. Modern studies suggest that this...

Long before the advent of electricity and modern refrigeration, our ancestors discovered natural methods for food preservation. People relied on the sun to dry, microorganisms to ferment, acids to pickle, and honey to preserve. Another...

Ever since my sunny CSA was replaced by our shady backyard nearly 10 years ago, I’ve been dabbling in mushrooms. A gardener at heart, no dearth of direct sun could dampen my propensity to produce;...

Born to be Shorn is an annual event where one learns to appreciate first-hand all the work that goes into woolen and wool-related commodities. In traditional style, sheep are sheared, wool is washed, and wool...