Lynn Coulter

Dogs are some of our most beloved animal companions. But not all breeds are the easiest dogs to train, and if they’re not well-behaved, they can be a huge source of stress. Without owners learning how to train a dog and teaching their pets the basics, dogs can have all sorts of unwanted behaviors, like barking, pulling on the leash, destroying items in the house and not socializing well with people or other animals. This sadly contributes to m...

Natural. Timeless. Relaxed. Gardens that look lived-in are trending as more of us crave beautiful outdoor spaces that are easy to maintain and delightful to use.

Lived-In Gardens Are Blossoming
Trendspotters such as Garden Media Group are seeing a move toward lived-in gardens — casual, comfortable places to relax and connect with nature. Whether they're open to the public or in...

Explore the hidden gems of each state: towns with quaint shops and restaurants, fascinating histories, fun experiences and natural beauty.
The Beauty of Small Towns
There's something special about small towns. Whether it's the simplicity, the character or the people, they are a quintessential part of American life. Dig into the best kept secrets of each state with this list of the most charming small towns across the US.

Some gardeners wait to winterize their rose bushes until they're completely dormant in late fall. But a sudden cold snap can cause serious damage. That's why winterizing roses is important. Start prepping them in late summer or early fall to help them survive winter's low temperatures, harsh winds and cycles of thawing and refreezing.

Some roses bloom once a year while others rebloom throughout the growing season. Prepare your rose bushes for winter by continuing to water them, but stop ferti...

The CEO of Encore Consulting Services shares his favorite restaurants, shops and splurges in Chamblee, Georgia.

Teal flowers and foliage are rare in nature, but this striking blue-green shade is taking root in home decor and gardens.

When it's time to turn over a new leaf, choose one that's teal. This stunning blend of blue and green is rare in plants, but its calming effect and sophisticated feel have made it the 2025 Color of the Year, chosen by Garden Media Group, a lawn and garden PR and ma...

When did little Laurel, Mississippi, become a don't-miss destination? The answer: When Ben and Erin Napier, hosts of three popular HGTV shows, focused their talents on its historic charm.

When Ben and Erin Napier brought their renovation and design skills to HGTV, their small town, Laurel, Mississippi, got a big boost. The couple co-host HGTV's Home Town, set in Laurel, as well as two spin-offs, Home Town Takeover and Home Town Kickstart, that featur...

Learn how to protect your packages and keep your deliveries safe from sticky-fingered thieves.

The Grinch isn't the only one who wants to steal Christmas. Like the furry, green grump from How the Grinch Stole Christmas, written by Theodor Seuss Geisel (better known as Dr. Seuss) and made into a 2000 film, porch pirates steal your joy by snatching packages right off your porch. And they do this every day, not just during the holidays.

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Long before cars and tour buses trekked to Fredericksburg, Texas, bringing people to see fields carpeted in red poppies, gold yarrow, and violet bluebonnets, German immigrants steered their wagons and ox carts over rocky soil and through the scrub brush to settle in the Central Texas town.
Fredericksburg celebrates its 175th anniversary in 2022; more than 1 million annual visitors now come to this historic town, home to nearly 12,000 residents, for its art galleries, peach orchards, museums, ...

Even when summer blooms disappear, the flower show isn’t over. Fall wildflowers take their place, popping up on roadsides and in forests, fields and gardens. If you’re not already growing them, planting wildflower seeds in fall will pay off in beautiful blooms next year. For best results, plant native autumn wildflowers or a wildflower seed mix blended for your region. Browse our gallery of fall wildflowers to find your favorites, and visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at the Unive...

Explore the 50 top green spaces in each state with stunning landscapes, outdoor adventures and family-friendly activities — all free and open to the public.
Discover the Best Public Parks, Gardens, Nature Centers and Arboretums in Every State
Whether you're looking for a lush flower garden, a park for leaf-peeping or a natural area filled with native plants and wildlife, you'll find incredible green spaces in each of the 50 states. Our guide to US public parks, gardens, nature centers and arb...

Get into the spirit with the best Halloween celebrations in small towns across the country — or let the spirits get into you.

Sturbridge, Massachusetts

Dare to walk the shadowy streets of Old Sturbridge Village when its popular Halloween event, Phantoms by Firelight, returns on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights from Oct. 4-27. You'll learn why we observe many Halloween traditions, hear eerie tales and gather around bonfires at this living history museum in central Massachusetts. Play ghoulis...

Lawn looking crispy and dead in hot, dry summer weather? Don’t worry, it’s supposed to.
Lush, green lawns are such inviting places to play and relax. Come outside, they seem to say. Bring a cold drink and kick back in the hammock. But keeping grass so lush and green often requires fertilizers, pesticides, and water—lots and lots of water. Ready for a shock? A 2005 NASA-led study found that in most U.S. regions, 50 to 75% of a home’s total water usage is for lawn irrigation.1 This also may sur...

Charming Small Towns
Nothing charms like a small downtown that beckons visitors with historic architecture and boutique shops or local culture and tree-lined streets. Many small-town downtowns are located in beautiful settings or have stunning views. Others welcome visitors with lively festivals, delicious foods or a nostalgic atmosphere.
In creating this list of irresistible small-town downt...