Just a heads up on some new articles I've written this month.

5 Tips for Planting a Container Garden

Self Watering Containers - Getting Started

Before You Start Your Patio Container Garden

Picture of the Week

Echeveria Pulvinata, 'Ruby'
Photo © Kerry Michaels

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Tea and a Book = Ahhhhh.....

Photograph © Kerry Michaels

Apparently, January 23, is National Reading Day. I'm a huge fan or reading and spent part of my weekend curled up in front of the woodstove with a book. Total bliss.

I love all kinds of books, but I'm kind of a gardening book addict. Not surprisingly, I have shelves stuffed with them and one of the huge perks of this job, and my work reviewing books for Coastal Home Magazine, is that publishers often send me review copies.

I have a whole category on this site for product and book reviews (look to the column on the left under the heading "Browse Topic").

Here is a list of some of my favorites: Great Container Gardening Books

Artillery Fern

Photograph © Kerry Michaels

Ok, so it's winter in Maine and I'm not growing much. The plants I am growing are beginning to protest their lack of light and my haphazard care. I seem to understand and know what my plants want when they are outside. Inside? Not so much.

Anyhow, because it's winter and it gets dark out really early, I am becoming a little obsessed with TED talks. This one knocked my socks off. It's about how plants can revolutionize urban living by not only cleaning the air, but also by the huge impact they have on people's moods and productivity.

Take a look at this TED talk by Kamal Meattle. Warning, it will make you want to fill your office and your home with greenery.