Snug Harbor Farm in Kennebunk sells topiary and teaches classes in how to train and prune plants into stylized shapes.

The Mahoosuc Land Trust is using gardening as a way to encourage conservationism.

A bird bath finds new use as a planter for succulents.

Seasonal, local, organic, etc. But the key lesson columnist Christine Burns Rudalevige has to convey about being a sustainable cook and eater? Stay flexible.

Crookneck yellow squash can take the place of zucchini in any dish, and you might find you prefer how it tastes.

Strawberries were a bit of a disappointment, the raspberries came early, and the blueberries are looking good - fingers crossed!

Cook and refrigerate a big batch at the start of the week. When dinner time comes, no need to turn on the stove to make a cooling summer salad.

Therapeutic horticulture can help people recover from illness, medical events like strokes and heart attacks, and mental health challenges such as PTSD.

Probably not what you think.

An avowed green bean hater discovers haricots verts, and his world, or at least his table, is rocked. He's planted one crop of the skinnier, more tender bean, and is planning a second.

Other Maine fruits and vegetables were slowed by the weather, but beets thrived, and you can enjoy them in many surprising ways.

On July 4, enjoy your holiday-themed blossoms.

Even if you didn't intend it, you've slipped in to succession planting, and many seeds will do just fine started in summer.

These no-fry rolls are also a great way to use up leftover meat, poultry and tofu.

With new peonies, patience is a virtue.

Faced with an overflowing summer farmers market, who can say no? Certainly not our columnist. The answer to over-indulging: Good storage.

The Scarborough nonprofit, which has evolved over 2 decades, raises money to offset costs for community gardens around the world.

Like to borrow a blow torch or a blender? Sharing tools is part of sustainable living.

Look to your bread drawer, cereal box and fridge for all sorts foodstuffs that can be crumbled or crisped up.

Whose garden is that? Hint: This freelance writer gardens in Cape Elizabeth.

While you patiently wait for the dazzlers, like strawberries and tomatoes, pair the last of the storage root veggie crops with a sprightly herb pistou.

On bottom-blooming forsythia and other mysteries.

But the Cumberland County Master Gardener Plant Sale is still going strong.

If writing isn't for you, there are other ways to keep track of your gardening successes and failures.

The flower's buds can be made into capers, which typically come from a plant that doesn't grow in the U.S.

In most recipes a pecan can stand in for a walnut, a cashew for a Brazil nut, yada yada yada, with just a few small considerations.

Give some thought to the pots, the soil and the plants themselves.

Plus, a whole month to skip a chore? Now if only we could figure out a way to avoid doing the laundry.

Yes to leftovers and efficient meals. No to wasting water. And bacon and sausages are the wise cook's go-tos for fast flavor.

'The Everlasting Meal Cookbook: Leftovers A-Z' is filled with clever, unusual – and pretty quick – ideas for meals.