This morning my husband called me into our foyer to see the new iris bloom peeking into our front door window. My mother, who passed in 2016, gave me irises from her back yard over a decade ago. These little plants haven’t bloomed in ages, but now this single bloom is reaching across the stoop just to be seen. It made me smile and think of mom; it felt like an encouraging nudge to tend to our landscaping.

Mom always had a way with plants; unfortunately I didn’t inherit her green thumb. I’m the opposite, I always apologize to any plant I bring home. Since I know my tendency is to be neglectful to our leafy friends, my husband and I like to choose low-maintenance, preferably native, plants for our landscape. “Native plants not only save water, they enhance local ecosystems by providing food and shelter for birds, bees, butterflies and wildlife,” says Avery Mack in our Green Living article. According to Michael Fleischacker, chair of landscape architecture and environmental sciences at Delaware Valley University, “Indigenous plants build healthy soil and retain and replenish ground water.” It’s a win-win. Less maintenance for the green-thumb impaired and good for the planet too.

In this issue, we celebrate Earth Day. On April 22, join eco-conscious citizens at our local Earth Day events to celebrate the day, and learn how to participate in the planet’s healthy, sustainable future. Discover how to take a home off the grid and find healthy hiking tips. Be proactive and keep your allergies at bay with strategies from local experts and keep your home allergy-free. Find out about the new trend of meal sharing that builds community and camaraderie plus saves time, money and minimizes food waste. This month let’s create new habits that make every day Earth Day.

Here’s to new blooms!

Kris Urquhart, Publisher