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

Fresh Mint Chip Ice Cream
You haven’t really had mint chip ice cream until you’ve had this homemade version.

How to Tell When Your Orchid Needs Repotting—and the Right Way to Do It
From crowded roots to broken-down potting mix, learn the signs that your orchid is ready for a refresh. Plus, follow these simple steps to give it a healthier new home without damaging its roots.

The One Kitchen Tool That Makes Cutting Corn Off the Cob So Much Easier
A simple Bundt pan trick keeps fresh corn kernels off your countertop.

The $5 Summer Cooling Trick That Makes Outdoor Days Much More Comfortable
Keep a cooler full of these icy cloths on hand for every outdoor summer event or activity.

Grilled Tomato and Shrimp Toasts
Sweet tomatoes, tender shrimp, and crusty toasted bread come together in an easy meal that's fresh, flavorful, and perfect for entertaining.

Tomato Martini
Fresh tomato juice, crisp gin, and a hint of basil come together in this garden-inspired martini that's equal parts refreshing and sophisticated.

Should You Aerate Your Lawn This Summer? Here’s What Experts Say
A turf expert breaks down the ins and outs of this pro-level yardkeeping trick.

Cheddar-Tomato Hand Pies
Juicy summer tomatoes, sharp Cheddar, and flaky pastry come together in these portable hand pies that are perfect for lunch, picnics, or snacking.

Spaghetti with Grated Tomato Sauce
Sweet grated tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan create a light, no-fuss pasta sauce that lets peak-season tomatoes shine.

It’s Not Too Late to Plant These 6 Flowers for Beautiful Fall Blooms
Get these late-season favorites in the ground now for color that lasts until the first frost.

Too Much Zucchini? These Delicious Recipes Put Every Bit to Good Use
There are oodles of ways to turn this healthy veggie into a meal.

Peach and Tomato Salad
Peak-season peaches and juicy tomatoes are tossed with fresh herbs and a simple dressing for an easy salad that tastes like summer in every bite.

5 Weekend Projects That Will Make Your Garden Look Better Fast
From leggy flowers to patchy beds, these easy projects can make your midsummer garden look fresh again.

23 Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes You’ll Want to Make Again and Again
Have pan, will feast.

The Tomato Watering Mistake That Can Ruin Your Plants
Here’s how often tomatoes really need water—and the best way to do it.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Texas Toast
Beat the heat with this big-batch, party-ready recipe that largely cooks itself.

A DIY Expert Shares the Biggest Surprises of Her First Vegetable Garden
Amber Kemp-Gerstel went from harvesting one lonely pole bean to growing tomatoes, pumpkins, peppers, herbs, and more. Here’s what she’s learned.

I’m a Garden Editor—These Are the Only 6 Chores I’m Doing This July
It’s too hot to garden all day, so I cut my to-do list down to these essentials.

5 Flowering Succulents That Thrive in Extreme Summer Heat
These drought-tolerant plants thrive in full sun and can handle hot summer weather with very little maintenance.

The Easy Lawn Fix That Helps Grass Survive Heat and Drought Stress
Cutting your grass a little higher than you think can make it thicker, greener, and better able to handle heat.

The Flowers Most Likely to Struggle During the Heat Dome
These popular garden flowers need a little extra TLC during extreme heat.

Want Pumpkins by Halloween? Plant Them by July 4
Don’t dillydally any longer. The Fourth of July is the deadline for planting pumpkins that will be ready by Halloween.

4 Lawn-Watering Mistakes That Could Be Ruining Your Grass
These bad habits are easy to break.

10 Fourth of July Side Dish Recipes That Belong at Every Cookout
You’ll be surprised how often you get asked for the recipes.

9 Easy DIY Fourth of July Crafts Anyone Can Make
Many of these ideas come together in a matter of minutes.

The Country Living Garden Club: 7 Things Vegetable Gardeners Will Love This Summer
Your guide to companion planting, keeping your vegetable garden thriving while you’re on vacation, a clever small-space potato-growing hack, and more.

The 20 Best Butterfly Garden Plants for a Yard Full of Pollinators
Enjoy these delicate pollinators in your garden with three seasons of blooming flowers!

How to Keep Your Vegetable Garden Alive While You’re on Vacation
A vegetable gardening expert shares the most important steps to take before leaving town, from watering to harvesting and pest prevention.

What to Do with Grass Clippings: 3 Easy Ways to Reuse Them in Your Yard
These nutrient-rich clippings can improve your lawn and feed your garden.

The Country Living Garden Club: Bring English Garden Style Home
From fairy-tale climbing roses to sweeping meadow gardens, let English-inspired ideas take root in your own backyard—or community garden!
The Privacy Trees Landscape Designers Recommend Most
Don't want to (or can't) build a fence? These trees will quickly create the privacy you crave.

7 Creative Ways to Decorate with Vintage Enamelware
Give those pots and pans (and trays and mugs!) a new life outside the kitchen cabinet.

These Heat-Loving Plants Thrive When Temperatures Soar
They can really take the heat.

The English-Inspired Garden Trend Convincing Homeowners to Ditch Grass
Birmingham, AL–based horticulturist and garden designer Molly Hendry explains why English-inspired meadow gardens are captivating gardeners and how to make the naturalistic style work in your region.

How Often Should You Mow Your Lawn During Summer?
The healthiest summer lawns aren’t mowed every Saturday. Here’s what lawn experts recommend instead.

50 Thoughtful DIY Gifts for Dad That He’ll Actually Use
Get the whole family involved in making homemade gifts Dad will treasure.

Gardeners Plant These Two Herbs for Fewer Aphids
These fragrant herbs could make your garden less inviting to aphids—and they're useful in the kitchen, too.

The Country Living Garden Club: Container Gardening for a Bloom-Filled Summer
From foolproof planting tips to “bulb lasagnas” and colorful new blooms, these container ideas will help turn even the smallest patio into a lush summer oasis.

23 Easy Summer Crafts Perfect for Your Home, Patio, and Garden
Prep for sunshine and warm weather galore with these equally bright DIY home projects.

How to Keep Squirrels Out of Your Bird Feeder
Before you spend money on a squirrel-proof feeder, experts say one simple placement rule can make all the difference.

21 Corn Recipes You’ll Make All Summer Long
It’s corn season, after all.

9 Clever Ways to Repurpose a Vintage Croquet Set
Transform that set that’s been sitting in the garage into decor for your house.

The Country Living Garden Club: Backyard Birding Tips & Feeder Maintenance
From the joy of morning birdsong to nesting-season tips and keeping feeders clean and safe, this edition is for the birds!

14 Gorgeous Trees with Pink Flowers for a Storybook Yard
Bright, bold, and beautiful, a pink flowering tree will make springtime sing.

17 Cheap & Easy Canned Tuna Recipes for Quick Weeknight Dinners
These quick-and-easy recipes help you save money on groceries without sacrificing flavor.

7 Easy Bandana Crafts that Add Instant Vintage Charm
Turn inexpensive bandanas into summery DIYs, including lanterns, tote bags, chair cushions, flowerpots, and more.

26 Screen-Free Summer Crafts to Keep Kids Busy for Hours
Busy hands are happy hands, even during the summer.

Raspberry Vodka Sour
Fresh raspberries and lemon juice shake up with vodka for a vibrant, fruit-forward sour that’s equal parts refreshing and punchy.

How to Attract More Robins to Your Yard—and Keep Them Coming Back
The right food, water, and habitat can keep robins coming back year-round.

A Garden Expert Shares the Secret to Gorgeous Container Gardens All Summer Long
Carmen Johnston shares her tips and tricks for creating a perfect potted container.

Gardeners Say This Viral Mosquito Bucket Actually Works
Mosquito buckets target mosquitoes before they hatch—without harming bees, butterflies, or other pollinators.

Watermelon, Avocado, and Lime Salad
Sweet and savory with a little heat—what more could you want in a summer side dish?

Looking for a Foolproof Rose? Gardeners Swear by This One
A nearly thornless climbing rose that survived Hurricane Katrina has become one of the easiest—and most spectacular—roses for home gardeners to grow.

Backyard BBQ Americano
Campari and sweet vermouth meet crisp lager.

The Country Living Garden Club: Nostalgic Blooms & Foolproof Bouquets
Rediscover the joy of grandma’s garden, learn the 3-5-8 flower-arranging rule, and get inspired to start a cutting garden.

Mortarboard Chocolate Chip Ice-Cream Cake
Celebrate your recent grad with a cake as sweet as tossing that commencement cap high in the air!

8 Drought-Tolerant Plants That Thrive with Very Little Water
Water is expensive, so fill your yard with these drought-tolerant plants that thrive with very little of it.

The Country Living Garden Club: Dreamy Potting Sheds & Spring Plant Picks
Tour charming potting sheds, discover new 2026 plant varieties, and get expert early-season gardening tips.

16 Fast-Growing Flowering Shrubs That Fill Bare Yards Fast
Fast-growing flowering shrubs can quickly add privacy, lush landscaping, colorful blooms, and major curb appeal—often in just a season or two.

22 DIY Summer Wreath Ideas That Instantly Dress Up Your Door
Celebrate the season with quick and easy door decor.

8 Creative Ways to Repurpose Old Yearbooks, Varsity Letters, and Trophies
As the school year wraps up, root through your own miscellany of memorabilia with this roster of cheerfully repurposed ideas.

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.