Building a small plot, raised-bed garden

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Story and photos by John Cropper


Of all the things I look forward to with the coming of spring — like baseball, outdoor patios and longer days — gardening is what keeps my mind rooted in warmer temperatures while the thermostat struggles to climb.
The first of several seed catalogs landed on my desk only a few weeks into the New Year. Since then, I’ve been poring over it, concocting a “fantasy garden” of exotic peppers, unique squashes and heirloom tomatoes. I’ve made lists of new seed varieties and scribbled notes onto a legal pad, the beginnings of an annual garden journal. Truthfully, the whole process seems better suited for gridiron sports than backyard greenthumbery, but it helps to know now what you want to plant later.

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Springtime grilling | It’s burger season

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Story and recipes by Lori Holcomb

Photos by John Cropper

 It seems that we have been experiencing more that the normal few spells of “Ohio weather” this spring. Warm, sunny days followed by clouds and snow. Shorts and flip-flops followed by mittens and scarves. It’s a dance of sorts, a sparring of possibly the worst case of the winter blues versus that optimistic hope of spring. After being cooped up inside for what seems an eternity this winter, I am itching to spend some time outside, clean out the flower beds, plant some new perennials, plan this years garden and get out the patio furniture. This tease of spring has also accelerated my desire to fire up the grill.

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Latest issue in news stands / papers NOW!

Salt spring issue hits newsstands April 13, 14
The spring issue of Salt Magazine hits the newsstands this week in Wilmington, Hillsboro, Washington Court-House, Georgetown and West Union. Readers of the News Journal, the Times Gazette, the News Democrat and the Record Herald will receive the magazine in their Thursday, April. 14 editions. The readers of the People’s Defender will get the magazine on Wednesday, April 13. Copies will also be available for purchase for $3 in the offices of each paper.

This latest issue of Salt dives head-first into spring with profiles of southern Ohio herb farmers, tips on how to prepare your spring and summer garden, dozens of grilling recipes and a unique look into a successful exercise routine that will help shave some of those winter pounds.


Salt is a quarterly lifestyle magazine produced by Ohio Community Media and distributed throughout southwest Ohio. Topics include home living tips, DIY tutorials, recipes and feature articles on our local communities.

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