How to Grow Gourds and Conserve Them Properly

Gourd varietals, such as “bicolor pear,” “cannon ball” and “Aladdin’s turban,” have served several purposes through the centuries, such as storage containers, utensils as well as music instruments. Although gourds are now commonly used for ornamental purposes, the process of growing and conserving gourds hasn’t changed much. After growing and harvesting, they need to be [...]

The Potato Vine Caterpillar

Potato vine (Solanum jasminoides) is a flowering vine that does not create vegetables of any kind. This evergreen plant develops in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11, producing fragrant bluish-white flowers. Potato vines attract various guests with their leaf and blooms, including hummingbirds and butterflies. Some butterflies utilize the potato vine [...]

How to Make Double-Sided Table Runners

Table runners are an easy project to undertake, even if you’re a somewhat beginner crafter. Make it even easier by utilizing whole-piece, pre-printed fabric instead of complicated blocks you’ve stitched yourself. Your local fabric or quilt shop has a variety of fabrics that are pre-printed with layouts that work well as table runners. Or, go [...]