May 1993

IF YOU PLANT IT, THEY WILL COME

Dear Readers, My wife, Gerrianne, is a devoted herb gardener. That being the case, I thought she showed remarkable restraint last summer during a day of yard work when she called, "Come see what's eating my parsley!"

Container Gardens

Get lots of color the easy way. Just pack pots and planters to the brim with blooming plants for an instant flower show that lasts all summer long. To stage your display, choose from a growing assortment of hanging baskets, strawberry jars, or boxes. Read on to find out how you can create your own sensational container garden.

DON'T FORGET THE FLAX

NEW BOOK FOR BIRD LOVERS

FANTASTIC FUCHSIA

SUPPORT YOUR PLANTS

FLOWERPOT HOLDER

ELIMINATE GARDEN WASTE

Butterfly Gardening

Turning your backyard into a haven for a host of colorful butterflies is easy. All you need is a sunny spot and a garden plan that includes both nectar plants for the adults and food plants for the young. Here's how to get started.

SOLUTIONS FOR PARENTS

Our expert answers your toughest questions

SPACE-AGE SCHOOLS

Techno wonders are changing the way our children learn

FAMILY FORUM QUESTIONNAIRE

Tell us like it is! We all hear plenty about the environment from activists, lobbyists, and politicians. Now, we think it's time they listened to you. By filling out this survey and mailing it back to us, you can send a powerful message to our business and government leaders about your environmental concerns. We'll report the results you send us in a future issue, and make sure your voices are heard.

THE NEW FOOD LABELS

Soon to be gone are the food packages claiming to serve 2¾ servings. (Who eats ¾ of a serving anyway?) And, terms such as fresh, light, and natural will no longer be misleading. That's because within a year nearly all food packages will display nutrition labels that adhere to the new regulations established by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

FINDING HELP FOR THOSE AWKWARD ILLNESSES

You'll have no trouble scaring up concern for your migraines, arthritis, or ulcers. But, for some reason, when the subject turns to plumbing problems or sexual trouble, sympathy changes to silence or snickers.

America's best new home values

Housing costs continue to creep up in most parts of the country, but smart builders are finding new ways to deliver maximum value per square foot. Whether you're shopping for your first new home or for a trade-up or retirement home, you can still get lots of livability without blowing your budget. You don't have to settle for bare-bones boxes, either; today, good quality goes hand in hand with affordability.

CRAFT THIS WOODEN NOAH'S ARK SET

Kitchens plus

Mom always said not to rush your meals. In today's hectic world we all need a place to relax and unwind, and there's no better place than someplace with food. Here are three kitchens that embrace much more than the eat-and-run mentality-- kitchens that offer room to live a little: where you can read a book, work on the computer, or enjoy a Sunday ball game. Take a look and see if you don't agree: It's time to tear down the walls between the kitchen and the rest of your life.

In the mood

Everything '40s is new again! Today, as in that decade, complex and uncertain times demand simple comforts. So, it's no wonder that decorating is now waxing nostalgic with naive fruit-and-flower prints, happy colors, overstuffed chairs-- even cottage-charming kitchens. Want to put your rooms in the mood for bright and cozy comfort? On the following pages, we show you how to freshen the look, repeat it, craft '40s designs, and buy a little of the era's charm.

Decorating contest

If you've recently completed a decorating project (or if you're planning one), you could win prizes and merchandise in our 1993 Decorating Contest. Whether your project is large-scale or small, elaborate or simple, we want to see what you can do. We'll even feature some of the winners in upcoming issues of Better Homes and Gardens magazine.

NUTRITION INFORMATION

EVERY RECIPE ANALYZED With each recipe, we give important nutrition information. The calorie count of each serving and the amount, in grams, of fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrate, fiber, and protein will help you keep tabs on what you eat.

Favorite Family Resorts

These family-friendly resorts range from deluxe, your-wish-is-their-command getaways to less expensive and less fancy state parks. Some resorts feature sophisticated entertainment and elegant restaurants; others offer down-home, lodge-type accommodations and camping. All of our picks provide lots of recreational opportunities; many offer children's programs.

BUILD THIS KID-SIZE PICNIC TABLE

PET UPDATE

Does your dog slide his face into the carpet, then wiggle along the rug on his back? Do you consistently find your cat grooming her paws or scratching her head? You may think your pet is frisky or overly concerned about cleanliness by these actions, but, in reality, it may be seeking relief from allergies.

Shopping editor's choice

Discover the ease and pleasure of shopping by mail. Order from the convenience of your own home with complete confidence.

THE MAN NEXT DOOR

Grandma Hillis likes the name taken by her group of friends who gather monthly to do needlework together: "The Old Sew-and-Sews." Finishing his tax return was a load off his mind, says Bill Norman. Now he's looking forward to getting a little bit of the load back in his refund check.