Charlyne Mattox
Food and Crafts Director
Charlyne Mattox is the Food and Crafts director with over 20 years recipe development, recipe editing, and crafting experience. Prior to starting at Country Living in 2014, she worked in the crafts department at Martha Stewart Living and Martha Stewart Kids before attending cooking school at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City. She was nominated for a James Beard media award while a senior editor at Real Simple magazine and authored a cookbook Cooking with Seeds.
When not in the kitchen she loves to garden, focusing on growing flowers and kitchen herbs (of course), watering her 25 house plants, and knitting scarfs or hats she will never be able to wear in the always hot and steamy Alabama.Â
Sharpen Your Mower Blade Now for a Healthier Lawn This Summer
A dull mower blade can tear grass, cause brown tips, and stress your lawn before summer even starts—here’s why experts say sharpening it now matters.
12 All-Time Favorite Picnic Recipes for Your Best Spread Yet
Sweet Tea-Brined Fried Chicken and Root Beer Baked Beans are just the beginning.
What to Do If You Find a Baby Bird in Your Yard
Before you try to rescue a baby bird, an expert explains how to tell when a nestling or fledgling truly needs help—and how to safely protect nesting birds this season.
This Low-Maintenance Hydrangea Is the Workhorse of My Garden
If you want a shrub that looks good in every season without a lot of effort, oakleaf hydrangea is a smart pick.
6 Simple Mowing Tips for the Best-Looking Lawn on the Block
These simple mowing tips will help you get greener, healthier grass with less effort.
How to Make a Beautiful Mother’s Day Bouquet Without a Florist
Follow these steps and you’ll look like a pro.
7 Easy Purple Flowers to Plant Now for Color All Summer
These 7 easy purple flowers are perfect to plant now for vibrant color, fragrance, and pollinator-friendly blooms all summer long.
32 Easy Mother's Day Crafts to Make with the Kids
Find DIY gift ideas for Mom that let your creative spirits shine.
Hummingbirds Are Back Across the U.S.—So Why Haven’t You Seen One Yet?
Don’t fret, we have solutions.
3 Easy Kentucky Derby Hats You Can Make in 5 Minutes
We get it, we waited until the last minute, too.
7 Must-Try Asparagus Recipes for Spring
Now is the time to cook with flavorful asparagus.
Where You Put Your Hummingbird Feeder Can Keep Birds Away—Here’s the Right Spot
A few tweaks can mean the difference between an empty feeder and a yard full of hummingbirds.
The Best Hummingbird Food Recipe (Just 2 Ingredients)
This simple 2-ingredient nectar is all you need to attract more hummingbirds safely.
8 Tips on How to Start a Cutting Garden from a Flower Farmer
If you already feel overwhelmed, don’t worry; tip #1 is to start small.
How to Attract Cardinals to Your Yard (It’s All About the Food)
Want more of these bright red birds in your yard? The secret is simple—offer the foods cardinals love, and they’ll keep coming back.
5 Easy Ways to Get Butterflies to Visit Your Garden—and Keep Them Coming Back
Create a butterfly-friendly garden with the right plants, shelter, and seasonal timing—while avoiding common mistakes that keep them away.
This Simple Shower Trick Can Help Save Water—and Your Garden—During a Drought
It’s an easy way to save water at home—and keep your garden thriving during a drought.
How to Grow Lettuce at Home for a Fresh, Continuous Harvest
Lettuce is one of the easiest crops to grow, and with a few simple tricks, you can enjoy fresh, flavorful greens for weeks.
French Lemonade
Lillet Blanc and sparkling lemonade come together for an effortlessly chic, lightly floral refresher with a citrusy kick.
The Country Living Spring Farmers’ Market Companion
Don’t wander the aisles without these 40 fresh spring recipes in hand.
Cucumber Collins
This cocktail is incredibly light and refreshing. It’ll be hard to stop at one.
7 Savory Ways to Use Lemons This Spring
They aren’t just for desserts.
Roses and Rosé Spritz
It’s spring in a glass.
Cut It Higher: The Lazy Way to a Better Lawn
You don’t need to overthink it—just mowing a little higher can lead to thicker, greener, more resilient grass.
9 Easy Raised Garden Bed Ideas You Can DIY
These charming, low-cost raised beds are surprisingly simple to make—from quick weekend projects to standout garden features.
I Cracked the Code to the Masters’ Famous $1.50 Pimento Cheese Sandwich—Here’s the Secret Recipe
This humble Southern sandwich has become one of the most beloved traditions at the Masters’, and part of its charm is how little it’s changed.
The Real Reason Everyone Loves Lilacs (It’s Not Just the Smell)
Everything you need to know about growing lilac bushes in your garden.
How to Grow and Care for Petunias for Nonstop, Beautiful Blooms All Season
These nostalgic blooms deliver nonstop color all season long.
The 1/3 Rule That Tells You Exactly When to Mow Your Lawn
Forget the schedule—this simple rule keeps your grass healthier and tells you exactly when to mow.
How to Grow Gorgeous Impatiens That Bloom All Summer in the Shade
These low-maintenance favorites add vibrant, all-summer color to even the shadiest spots.
Skip The Store-Bought Kit—Your Prettiest Easter Eggs Might Come Straight From Your Kitchen
It's easy, fun, and best of all, affordable!
Is It Too Soon to Mow Your Lawn? 3 Signs It’s Finally Ready
Not sure if it’s time for your first spring mow? Experts say waiting for these 3 signs can help you avoid damaging your lawn and keep it lush all season.