The Columbian

A shovelful of soil in New Paltz, N.Y. Good care, mostly by regularly adding plenty of organic materials and avoiding compaction, results in a soil with many pore spaces, some to retain water and some for air.

Clay, sand, silt & loam: What’s the ideal mix for garden soil?

May 15, 2021, 6:07am Life

By now, you probably know what kind of soil you have out there in your “back 40.” If planting that rose bush brought up wads of gummy goo, you know to call it clay. If instead you scooped up gritty particles that didn’t clump together, you have the other extreme,… Read story

This undated photo shows tomato being planted in a garden in New Paltz, NY. One week after the "average date of the last killing frost" for your garden is the time when it's generally safe to plant out tomato transplants.

Turning point: When is it safe to plant garden?

May 15, 2021, 6:05am Life

Spring in the vegetable or flower garden is a carefully orchestrated series of events. The goal is to keep things moving forward with the warming season, taking into account weather predictions and, because those are just predictions, average spring warming trends where you garden. Read story

Grace Gardens Event Center employees check temperatures of young people attending prom at the Grace Gardens Event Center in El Paso, Texas on Friday, May 7, 2021. Around 2,000 attended the outdoor event at the private venue after local school districts announced they would not host proms this year. Tickets cost $45.

Some proms are back, with masks, testing and distancing

May 13, 2021, 8:19am Life

A minor league baseball stadium. A negative coronavirus test and absolutely no slow dancing. Read story

Ramadan, a month of fasting, prayer and dedication to community for Muslims, ends at sunset Wednesday

May 12, 2021, 7:52am Churches & Religion

Ramadan draws to a close at sunset Wednesday, leaving Muslims with a renewed sense of their faith after a month of fasting, introspection and prayer. Read story

What motherhood taught me about money: 8 moms weigh in

May 10, 2021, 6:00am Life

everything changes when you become a parent, including your finances. Besides facing a slew of new expenses, you’re charged with the financial well-being and future of another person. And that person, whom you adore, is probably learning about money from you. Read story

Lifestyles

Clay, sand, silt & loam: What’s the ideal mix for garden soil?

Turning point: When is it safe to plant garden?

Some proms are back, with masks, testing and distancing

Ramadan, a month of fasting, prayer and dedication to community for Muslims, ends at sunset Wednesday

What motherhood taught me about money: 8 moms weigh in

After sad Mother’s Day 2020, vaccines offer sweet reunions

Succulents make a splendid gift

Ready to get growing? Sometimes it pays to wait

114-year-old Nebraska woman becomes oldest living American

Americans update their closets as they emerge from pandemic