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.
Happy Wellness Expo Presents Many Avenues Towards Whole Health
With a new location at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Ferguson Hall, the Happy Wellness Expo was bursting with positive energy on Sunday, September 8. This spacious, indoor event hosted scores of vendors offering an amazing array...
September is National Mushroom Month – Celebrate With a Fungal Adventure!
For over 30 years, Americans have acknowledged September as National Mushroom Month, celebrating the magnificent diversity and versatility of this mysterious member of the kingdom Fungi. Technically speaking, mushrooms are the fruiting body of certain...
For Powerful Traditional Remedies, Know and Grow Medicinal Herbs (J) Jewelweed
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...
NJ State Fair Weathers a Week of Extreme Weather With Flying Colors
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 Accelerator: Transform Waste Into Soil Sooner With This Surprisingly Simple Formula
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...
Flip Phones on the Rise as People Reclaim Their Lives
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...
For Powerful Traditional Remedies, Know and Grow Medicinal Herbs (I) Indigos
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...
Splashy Fun Without a Pool – 6 Freshwater Alternatives
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...
Wow Your Friends and Family With These Fascinating Facts About the Fourth of July
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...
Japanese Knotweed – An Incredibly Invasive Plant With a Remarkable Range of Utility
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...
For Powerful Traditional Remedies, Know and Grow Medicinal Herbs (H) Horsetail
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...
Salted Duck Eggs – A Chinese Tradition in Preservation
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...