Outdoor living focus of new book, ‘Cultivating Life’
Sean Conway takes the concept of outdoor living literally. The book he’s written with Lee Alan Buttala, “Sean Conway’s Cultivating Life,” is dedicated to turning the backyard into a place for cooking, eating, playing, entertaining – in short, carrying out a day-to-day existence.
“Cultivating Life” covers a broad range of rural-chic topics related to gardening, food and woodworking or craft projects. Readers will get guidance on creating an outdoor kitchen, recipes for enjoying a backyard bounty and instructions for making everything from a moss-covered flowerpot to a porch swing.
The book is based on Conway’s TV show, also called “Cultivating Life,” on WGN America. It’s published by Artisan Books ($22.95 paperback, $35 hardcover).
Retailer offers plus-size line
Mail-order retailer BrylaneHome has a new line of products designed for its larger customers.
The Plus Size Living line features indoor and outdoor chairs, step-stools, scales and other items at competitive prices. An oversized dining chair, for example, sells for $69.98; extra-large folding camp chairs are $49.99 to $99.99.
The products are available at www.brylanehome.com. You also can request a catalog or order at 800-544-3793.
Hydrangea safe inside garage
Q: I planted an Endless Summer hydrangea in a big container. Will it survive outdoors over the winter?
– Sandy Brothers, Kent, Ohio
A: Peggy Anne Montgomery, a horticulturist with Bailey Nurseries, the Minnesota company that grows and wholesales Endless Summer hydrangeas, said she wouldn’t leave the plant outdoors. However, she said many people have successfully overwintered the hydrangeas in their garages.
She recommended giving the plant one last watering around Thanksgiving, when it goes dormant, and moving it to a corner of the garage as far from the garage door as possible. Then just forget about it. Around mid-April, when the weather starts to warm, bring it back outside and give it a good watering and a little fertilizer, she said.
