A few years ago, at a library seed exchange, I came across a small cellophane packet with a few Yellow Eye dry shelling beans. Primarily cream in color, they had a rich ochre splotch on the side with a burgundy ring in the center. Can a bean’s appearance be charming? Well, I was charmed and ...

Every spring and summer, salespeople try to convince me that laying down a protective barrier of chemicals around my house is a great idea. They promise to kill all of the pests, like spiders and wasps, that homeowners would not want near their homes. They are shocked when I reply that I ...

It's impossible to avoid danger, even at home. Our houses may be our places of refuge but inside they often have toxic chemicals, medicines, dietary substances, insects and other potentially harmful objects. But while the risks are real, so is the support that is available — free of ...

Storytime with Mom, Dad or another caring adult is a great way to strengthen the relationship with the child in your life. The emotional closeness of snuggling up and sharing an adventure together is wonderful. You can also use stories to have conversations about feeling safe, connected or ...

Now that we’re well into spring, it’s time to assess the fruit set on apples, pears, peaches and nectarines. It’s common for fruit trees to begin the season with more flowers and fruits than a home orchardist will need for a good harvest at the end of the season. Fruit set can be ...

Utahns have one more week to apply to receive free native plants before a deadline for the state’s pollinator habitat program flies by. It’s not just individual gardeners that are eligible, but also nonprofits, government agencies, businesses, hospitals, and Native American tribes, among ...