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Orchids in a pot | Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Orchids in a pot | Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Garden Travel

Garden Trippers at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens

This is the year I get back to my favorite place: in a garden, any garden, anywhere. Early in the year, I gathered my tribe of garden & travel writers, The Garden Trippers, and we crafted
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Garden

Women and orchids | Photo by Debbie Wolfe/A Cook and Her Books

Garden Writing

My Garden Trippers

I am grateful that I'm comfortable in my home. I expressed this sentiment many times in the early months of the
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Purple and yellow flowers in a hanging basket

Garden Travel

A Visit to the UGA Trial Gardens

In Athens, Georgia, champions conquer in many venues. Sanford Stadium at the heart of campus, is the home of the
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Yellow cherry tomatoes on the vine. Photo by Lucy Mercer | A Cook and Her Books

Food Garden

Tips for Growing Tomatoes

It’s hard to imagine summer without homegrown tomatoes. Even if you don’t actually grow the luscious fruit in your own
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Salvation South tea towel

Garden Writing

Read “Mr Portwood’s Tomatoes” in Salvation South

It's a true story: the best tomatoes I ever ate were grown by Mr. Portwood in his home garden. I share how I got to know
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Purple chive blossom in the herb garden

Food Garden

Grow These Easy Herbs in Your Summer Garden

Herbs are the gateway plants to gardening.  There's no better time to get started
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Red camellias in Oakland cemetery

Garden Travel

Historic Oakland Cemetery in Spring

I spent a few days in March and April soaking up history in the warming spring weather at Historic Oakland Cemetery in
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Abra Lee standing beside memorial at Oakland Cemetery

Garden Travel

Walking with Abra Lee at Oakland Cemetery

"Conquer the Soil" author Talks History and Horticulture I stood on the path watching while Abra Lee knelt and
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Pink Stargazer lily | Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Garden

How to Grow Lilies in Your Southern Garden

Lilies signal summer in the Southern garden. Beautiful Asiatic and Oriental lilies are easy to grow and offer dramatic
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Bee on marigold | Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Garden

Plan to Plant for Pollinators in Your Garden

Bring pollinators to your garden when you grow the plants they need for shelter and food. When you plant for
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