I think of my container gardens as an extension of my garden, not just an alternative for limited space (although containers are wonderful in tiny spaces too). I have a backyard and a designated vegetable garden, yet I still rely on my container gardens—mainly because my full-sun patio allows me to grow all sorts of veggies and flowers I can’t grow anywhere else in my yard. Since my vegetable garden only has a half-day of sun, I’m limited to lettuces, herbs and leafy greens. But on my full-sun patio, I grow a large pot of roses, two varieties of basils, a lavender plant, grasses and a giant container of tomatoes.

Below are a list of original and beautiful container design ideas, but first, let's start with these planting tips:

You love to dazzle and wow. It's your nature. And that's a good thing, because barbecue season is in full effect, and you don't want to deliver the same old condiments and burger toppings… do you? Get your ooh and aah hat on and try these simple, easy, and oh-so-tasty, magical chutneys for all your summer fare. (Hint: It's even better if you're using your own fresh, garden-grown fruits and veggies.)

My summer lessons in organic gardening continued last weekend as I embarked on my second class at the Los Angeles Arboretum. This info-jammed session was all about organic gardening tips for the summer gardener. Whether you are already a master gardener or, like myself, are just starting out, there’s a cornucopia of tips I learned that are going to be very useful this season. Check out highlights from the class, including good fungus, becoming a lunatic and bananafication, right here.

Nine times out of ten, the emergence of dandelions in one’s tidily maintained lawn can elicit a broad range of physical and verbal responses, including but not limited to a crinkled up nose, cocked brow and a series of rather rude gesticulations that might typically be favored by members of the Italian mafia. All that wasted energy directed toward a weed! They’re such cheery little troopers, though -- so bright and sunny, in fact, that we really should take pause to admire their natural good looks and impressive industrial strength (and probably glass-melting) chemical resiliency.

Jimmy Williams does not own a computer. No, he doesn't live in a cave or under a rock. He lives in Los Angeles and is one of the busiest people in town. He's even written a critically acclaimed book now in its second printing, From Seed to Skillet. But his knowledge isn't meant for digital contraptions. Rather, it's his digits—mainly two very active green thumbs—that make him most alive as he talks about his giant thyme plant, his grandmother's juicy tomatoes and perhaps his most favorite subject: Earthworms.

Welcome to Main Street, USA, that surreal spot located anywhere and everywhere across the nation where people just like you and me seem to spend every waking moment (at least during the spring and summer) primping and preening our lawns. When we’re not mowing and edging, we’re watering, fertilizing and making it our personal mission in life to camp out with night vision goggles so we can bust the covert canine pooper that’s mucking up one small but crucial corner of our Kentucky Bluegrass.

Did you know that inside your home could be five times more polluted than outside? So, don't just let your yard sit there like a pretty picture while you spend summer inside watching Adam Sandler movies. Your yard can (and should!) transform your home in many ways. Yards improve our quality of life—they're a place for spending time outdoors and breathing fresh air; they can bring an array of beautiful birds and wildlife; and a yard can boost your property value. But, grassy lawns can use far too much fresh water. Read on for tips on greening your lawn with less water.

You’ve worked so hard to get your summer garden blossoming. All those daily pep talks and Mozart have really done the trick. Don’t let pesky pests ruin all your hard work and dedication. Keep bugs at bay with your own natural DIY pesticide mix.

Were you one of those inquisitive little children who innocently sawed writhing worms in half with a twig just to witness the regeneration process that you learned about in science class? Ouch. Hopefully now – in your adult life – you make a concerted effort to wield no wormy weapons, instead admiring from a distance their distinctively eco-beneficial handiwork.