Merchant

By Joe Wilkerson, Maplehurst Outdoor Living Spring 2022 Small towns are frequently mischaracterized as having little to offer. Too often the image of small towns portrayed in our culture is antiquated, such as offering no social life, and no way to provide for a family. It is true that the allure of big cities and opportunities there have been a ...

By Darnell Abbott Though the end of the gardening season can be bittersweet, I love winter gardening for many reasons. It just feels right that the plant world gets to take a rest. Sometimes, I think I can hear the trees, shrubs and perennials breathe a collective sigh of relief that winter is here and they don’t have to work ...

By Darnell Abbott Everyone is familiar with the term “green thumb,” and at our garden center, I constantly hear people say they do not have a green thumb. However, I believe that the secret to gardening success, or having a “green thumb,” really boils down to two things: a “green brain” and a “green back.” For a beautiful lawn, the ...

By Joe Wilkerson, Maplehurst Outdoor Living Great outdoor spaces are a harmony of elements. Usually in a backyard, one element anchors the project. If we are not careful, we neglect the attention needed on the complementary details that finish the project and “wow” guests. Stepping back from that patio or pool you have dreamed about for so long and considering ...

Outdoor Living Decisions By Joe Wilkerson Expanding our homes into the outdoors is one of the key motivators to most of our projects, but our often-hectic lives today limit us to just a few hours to enjoy our homes and backyards. We are drawn back indoors soon after the sun sets seeking light to wrap up our day. The absence ...

By Darnell Abbott Vegetable gardening can be one of the most rewarding endeavors; growing your own food is extremely satisfying. Vegetable gardening offers many benefits: Superior taste and nutrition Exercise and fresh air Wonderful way to introduce children to the wonders of nature Saving money Seasoned gardeners already know what is necessary for a successful vegetable garden, but, for those ...

By Marie Pridgen For 12 years, Milton Studio Art Gallery in Milton has featured art works, in many forms, by juried and regional artists. According to owner and artist Shirley Cadmus, visitors enjoy browsing through framed and unframed canvases and one-of-a-kind items such as carved wooden bowls made from pine, maple, or oak and handmade baskets crafted from staves, pine ...

Story and photos by Meredith Bernard Sometimes the best things in life don’t come from well-laid plans, but instead from taking chances and following where they lead. When Rich and Liz Mason decided to quit their international development careers that took them around the world and back again, they weren’t sure exactly where they would land or what they would ...

Outdoor Living Decisions By Joe Wilkerson “In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.” – Aristotle Let’s face it, anyone who has owned a deck for any amount of time has been frustrated with the deterioration and maintenance of their once proud structure. Pressure treated deck boards start off OK, but the elements take their toll without ...

By Darnell Abbott Everyone is familiar with the term “green thumb,” and at our garden center, I constantly hear “I don’t have a green thumb.” However, I believe that the secret to gardening success, aka a “green thumb,” really boils down to two things: a “green brain” and a “green back.” By “green brain,” I am referring to putting some ...