Lifestyle Columns

Garden Variety: Monstera plants growing in popularity

Interest in indoor plants has increased steadily in the U.S. over the last several years, and a few specific plants and types of plants are stealing the show. One of these plant groups is Monstera. Basic types of Monstera are widely available, but rare forms sell for hundreds or thousands of ...

Garden Variety: Natural touches for your fall decor

There is something about fall, with its cooler temperatures and changing leaves, that seems to lure even the most minimalist of decorators into setting pumpkins on the porch. Perhaps the cheery orange color is hard to resist, or there is something appealing about seeing the fruits of the ...

Local history: Looking back at how the Spanish Flu hit Lawrence and KU

I started this story in December of 2019 because I remembered how much people in audiences through the years have enjoyed hearing about the home remedies that were popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries. As I took another look at it recently, I realized the article shouldn’t just be ...

Garden Variety: Protect your sunflower seed harvest from wildlife

Sunflowers add a splash of late-summer color to gardens and landscapes, but they are more than just pretty flowers. The seeds produced by these plants are a tasty treat for people and wildlife. Take steps now and in the coming weeks, as the flowers fade, to preserve the seeds for harvest this ...

Garden Variety: Getting the most of your winter squash crop

There are many kinds of squash, and the best time to harvest each is different. In particular, the winter squash group, which includes acorn, butternut, spaghetti, and other squash with hard mature rinds, can be difficult to know when to pick. Winter squash also has a longer shelf life (and in ...

Garden Variety: Know the signs, causes of tree decline

Late summer is often the time of year when trees that are struggling to survive succumb to environmental stresses and/or pests. They may put on an early show of fall color before dropping their leaves, or they may simply drop their leaves or needles. This happens with trees in natural settings ...