Ila Bonczek
Ila has a Bachelor's degree from from Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Science. She lives in the Garden State, where she has been growing produce and perennials for 25 years.
Join Ila in the exploration of exciting topics like sustainable living, holistic health, and the cultivation of not just plants, but mind and body as well.
Taming the Brazen Rooster of the Woods
This story begins about 10 years ago, off our back deck. We had visitors, including my mom, who had come for the weekend. Gazing up the hill behind the house, she exclaimed, “There’s a chicken...
Be More Broad Minded: 6 Exercises to Expose Your Biases and Open Your Mind
You don’t need to be an intolerant bigot to be narrow minded. In fact, most of us have room for improvement in this area. The quick assessments our brain makes based on past experiences are...
For Powerful Traditional Remedies, Know and Grow Medicinal Herbs (N) Nasturtium
Bright and lively in both appearance and flavor, nasturtium is a popular edible, annual herb. With colorful blossoms set amongst elegantly simple leaves, it makes a charming addition to any garden. As you may already...
Around the World With Cucumbers – 6 Exciting Ways to Enjoy This Summer Staple
First discovered in India thousands of years ago, Cucumbers are now one of the most widely cultivated food crops in the world, and with good reason. Crispy, juicy, refreshing and rejuvenating, these vegetable-like fruits have...
Naturally Green Grass: How to Keep a Healthy Lawn Without Chemicals
While I will always advocate for going grass-free in favor of a lush and diverse garden, perfect green lawns tend to be the standard that many Americans subscribe to. Unfortunately, maintaining this trend supports a...
Fancy, Filmy Fragments and Blue Blobs on the Beach? It’s Not Plastic – It’s Velella Velella
If you have been enjoying the beach this summer, you may have noticed oddly ornate bits of clear film littering the sand; or, if it was soon after a storm, perhaps they were attached to...
Plantain: One of the World’s Most Useful Plants Is Probably Thriving in Your Driveway
While plantain may not be much to look at, and is usually trampled on, this common weed is worthy of respect and recognition as a multipurpose medicinal, as well as a nutritious wild edible. Learn...
How to Prune Your Tomatoes, and Why
Tomatoes are, without question, the world's favorite fruit. Not only are they commercially produced at an astounding rate of over 400 billion pounds annually, they are also the top choice among home gardeners. Seemingly the...
Embrace Frustration for Transformation
Frustration is a powerful emotion that can lead to regrettable outbursts or seething resentment if you let it; but it doesn’t have to. Understanding this feeling, and learning how to look at it with a...
Salsify: An Old-World Root With Present-Day Appeal
In a world replete with convenient, conventional foods that emphasize bulk over nutrition, many people are seeking healthy alternatives. Oftentimes this means returning to the traditional fare of our ancestors. In the realm of produce,...
RATS! 21 Tips for Tackling These Uninvited Guests in the Garden
If you have any experience with rats, you probably know that they are smart and sneaky. They can also be stubborn pests that are hard to remove once established. For people in rural areas, a...
Cut Food Costs With 10 Impressive Producers for the Home Garden
While the cost of living never seems to go down, you can make a decent dent in your grocery bill by growing some of your own produce. Many common fruits and vegetables are suitable for...