Camping

Go Ahead, Feed the Bears—and 9 More Ways to Have the Worst Camping Trip Ever Wait, Emma, what does “feeding the bears” have to do with gardening? Ah, my dear fellow green thumbs, it has everything to do with it! You see, in my eight-plus years of digging in the dirt, I’ve learned that gardening, much like a camping trip, is all about preparation, respect for nature, and knowing what not to do. When we “feed the bears” in our gardens, we’re essentially making fundamental mistakes that invite trouble, pests, and ultimately, a less-than-stellar harvest. It’s like setting out your cooler full of goodies for the local critters—you might think you’re being generous, but you’re really just asking for chaos. ...

I’m Emma Chen, and if you know me, you know I’m usually elbow-deep in market trends and data analytics. But come autumn, my true obsession isn’t the latest tech IPO; it’s tracking the brilliant, fiery transformation happening right outside my window. Just like the pros at Smoky Mountains drop their annual Fall Foliage Predicting Map – a must-check for anyone planning a grand Western leaf-peeping adventure – I find myself meticulously observing the first blush of crimson on my Japanese maple, or the golden glow of the river birches. ...