Chris McLaughlin
Chris McLaughlin

Chris McLaughlin is a Northern California writer and author who has been gardening for over 35 years in a wide variety of garden situations. Online, she's currently the home agriculture editor for From Scratch Magazine and staff columnist for Vegetable Gardener.com.

Chris is the author of five gardening books and one livestock book. A Garden to Dye For (St. Lynn's Press), Vertical Vegetable Gardening (Alpha Books), The Complete Idiot's Guide to Small-Space Gardening (Alpha Books), The Complete Idiot's Guide to Heirloom Vegetables (Alpha Books), The Complete Idiot's Guide to Composting (Alpha Books), and Hobby Farms: Small-Scale Rabbit Keeping (BowTie Press).

Her print work can also be found in Hobby Farm Home Magazine, Urban Farm Magazine, The Heirloom Gardener Magazine, The Herb Companion (Now Mother Earth Living), and Fine Gardening Magazine.

On their small farm in Northern California's Gold Country, you'll find that Chris and her family have gardens devoted to fruit, vegetables, nuts, flowers, wildflowers, and dye plants. You can hunt her down at her personal website Laughing Crow & Company.

Working With Challenging Garden Styles
Working With Challenging Garden Styles

Gardening is all about accommodating your plants, but that's tough when your garden space is limited...

Creating Your Personal Garden Style
Creating Your Personal Garden Style

Are you stuck in a gardening rut? Choosing a theme or design for your garden can help get you excite...

Crafting with Dry Flowers
Crafting with Dry Flowers

Learn different ways to dry and press flowers, as well as which flowers are best suited to each tech...

Guide to Home Composting
Guide to Home Composting

Learn how to construct a DIY wire compost bin, plus tips on how to tend to your compost to make sure...

Small-Space Gardening Tips and Tricks:
Small-Space Gardening Tips and Tricks:

A small space doesn't have to keep you from having an elaborate garden, in fact, small spaces can be...

Water Features for Small Gardens
Water Features for Small Gardens

Add some tranquility to your garden with a water feature such as a fountain or pond. Even a small sp...

Use Less Plastic in Your Home
Use Less Plastic in Your Home

Plastic products are everywhere and the thought of completely eliminating them from your life can be...

Your Herb Garden Harvest
Your Herb Garden Harvest

Revisit your herb garden and discover new uses for your bounty. Decorate, cook, and dry herbs to div...

DIY Natural Household Cleaners
DIY Natural Household Cleaners

Homemade green cleaning solutions offer an alternative to chemical-based commercial products. Try th...

Natural Weed Control
Natural Weed Control

Harsh chemicals are not the only answer when it comes to the war on weeds. There are natural strateg...

Extending Your Growing Season
Extending Your Growing Season

You can plant earlier in spring, and continue growing well into colder months with hoop houses. Lear...

Fence Guide
Fence Guide

Fences can be a garden's best friend; they keep plants safe and add character to your yard. Follow t...