The bright hues and varied greenery of fresh flowers bring a special kind of joy — a chance to take the outside in and celebrate nature’s palette. Picking up blooms at a florist or grocery store can be a beautiful experience, but thinking about the chemicals and preservatives that are required to keep those flowers […]
A summer market meal If you're not sure what to do with this summer's abundance of peppers or peaches, let the Montford Farmers Market be your guide. The tailgate will host a community feast on Wednesday, Aug. 21, from 7-9 p.m. Chefs and owners Brian Canipelli of Cucina 24 and Jacob Sessoms of Table will […]
The Cataloochee Ranch is on a mission: to rescue the American chestnut. These trees once populated dense forests across North America, including our region, but now even a single tree is a rare commodity. The trouble started in 1904, when a Chinese chestnut tree was shipped to New York City, bringing blight along with it. […]
Marvelous 'maters Tomatoes are one of summer's many delights. One bite of these juicy fruits with their tangy skins and sweet insides is enough to make a veggie-lover swoon. Celebrate this incredible fruit at two free festivals in early August. ASAP will put the fruits front and center at its annual tomato festival, Saturday, Aug. […]
Journey as destination If you wanted to travel across the Rocky Broad River back in 1925, you had to use the Lake Lure Bridge, the fastest way between Chimney Rock Village and Lake Lure. This historic triple-arched passageway was replaced in 2011, but the original crossing remains. Soon the old bridge will have a new […]
Swapping the surplus If last season's jars of prized tomatoes are burning a hole on your canning shelf, the West Asheville Food Swap wants to make sure your carefully preserved goods don't go to waste. This new local initiative picks up on a national trend of neighbors exchanging homegrown goods with other aspiring and accomplished […]
Beaverdam goes big If you've always wanted to lend a hand in a community garden, but aren't quite ready to make a weekly commitment, stop by the Beaverdam Community Garden at the YMCA on Saturday, July 13, for a hands-on kind of festival. Check out the garden's raised beds and edible forest garden while soaking […]
The joy of gentle bees The temperament of bees is something new beekeepers probably don't consider. Take my first hive, which I managed to put in the wrong spot, then invert the frames in the upper hive box. The result was seriously upset bees chasing us around the garden and stinging big time. Faced with […]
Playing the goat Behold, the mighty dairy goat. This productive, charming animal provides the essentials for a wide variety of cheeses and milk and is known for its hilarious antics in the barnyard. Round Mountain Creamery in Black Mountain puts its more than 200 Alpine, LaMancha and Nubian dairy goats to good use, producing 12 […]
A garden-lover's paradise Lush, private gardens will open their arbors to the public for the Asheville-Buncombe County Master Gardeners Tour on Saturday, June 22. The "Follow Your Passion" tour will feature six Asheville gardens, including one school, two Bed and Breakfasts and three private homes. The afternoon is more than an array of ferns and […]
Organic demands The old economic theory of supply and demand is at the core of the organic food movement. When consumers seek out organic produce, they fuel the local food network and put money in farmers' pockets. But what if there isn't enough organic food to go around? A recent study by the Carolina Farm […]
Ladies' night out Dirt under the fingernails is a merit badge in the world of gardening, but sometimes ladies need a little pampering after a long day of planting. Whether you prefer lush flowers or practical veggies, The Painters Greenhouse in Old Fort has a solution for tired feet and dirty hands. Painters Greenhouse will […]
Wildflowers and words Marcus Tullius Cicero once said, "If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need." This is especially true for Peter Loewer, aka The Wild Gardener. He will make two presentations at local libraries this spring, with a special focus on native plants and wildflowers. This Asheville-based garden expert […]
Foods in the wild As gardeners till the soil, work in compost and dream of cultivating the perfect tomato, it's important to remember that edibles are growing right below our feet. Simple dandelions and prized mushrooms are gaining strength between the cracks in the sidewalk and on tree stumps in abandoned parking lots. If you're […]
The garden's big day Earth Day has come and gone and Mother's Day is just around the corner, but who could forget National Public Gardens Day? (It’s Friday, May 10, of course.) Plant-lovers get to celebrate the beauty of our nation's botanical gardens and arboreta with free admission to public gardens throughout the country. Just […]
Plants from the hands of babes Hall Fletcher Elementary students have been busy honing their green thumbs. They've spent months carefully tending to tomatoes, eggplant, peppers and basil, and now the public can bring their hard work home. The students will sell vegetable starts they raised themselves at a student-run farmers market Tuesday, May 7, […]
Plant sales galore The soil is warming, trees are blooming and shoots of garlic are poking out of the ground. As gardeners don their gloves and turn the clay, there's only one thing missing: the plants themselves. Luckily, local botanical gardens, clubs and groups have plenty of plants to share. Plant sale season is upon […]
Native plants in the clouds What do plants look like at 4,500 feet? Each spring, they emerge from the snow with purpose, especially in Southern Highland Reserve's 120 acres of forests, ponds and waterfalls. Located near Lake Toxaway, this maze of wildflowers, azaleas and maple trees harbors some of the region's most intriguing native plants. […]
Edible park springs to life The Dr. George Washington Carver Edible Park got its start in 1998 and gained momentum as the concept of urban gardening took off. A few fruit and nut trees and a boardwalk was all it took to start one of Asheville's oldest community gardens. Today, more than 40 trees surround […]
