dee_can, I think I can largely relate to your ramblings. I, too, have had the perception that a lot of gardening magazines are "just not as creative or interesting anymore," although if I'm objective about it, I think that the change may have been as much in myself as with the magazines. Realistically, I'm a different person and a different gardener than I was 20 years ago when I started subscribing to magazines. I'm as enthusiastic and passionate about gardening as ever, or probably more so, but the depth of life experience and garden experience I've accrued since then has altered the way I process gardening media, and I've grown a little cynical or jaded about what I often see as superficial and pollyana-ish articles in magazines. All too often, things I read in magazines appear to have been written by people who, as you say, "don't even really seem to be gardeners." Or at least I get the sense that the writer or editor has less depth of understanding of how gardens actually work in the real world than I do, and that might really be true by now. So, I'm not sure if the magazines themselves have changed over the years, but I am sure that I have. There are exceptions, though. There certainly are some worthwhile articles from time to time, and are often worth the relatively small amount of time and money that it takes to read a magazine. Still, the only one that I'm currently subscribed to is Fine Gardening, which is no longer as exciting to me as it once was for the reasons described above, but still quite good, in my opinion. And, of course, part of the value of Fine Gardening or other nice gardening magazines, even apart from the actual articles themselves, is the beautiful, mouth-watering photographs that accompany nearly every issue. "Hort porn," as it's called sometimes. I'll probably keep my subscription going if only for that. The one point you made that my opinion differs on is about profiles of plants or gardens in radically different climates in other parts of the country or the world. For me, that's one of the things that I value most about gardening magazines, which is bringing the world to my coffee table, and exposing me to places and ideas and concepts that I otherwise wouldn't. I feel fortunate to have had the chance to do a fair amount of traveling, but I still don't know all that much about plants and gardens in places like Arizona, or the Midwest, or Canada, or other parts of the world, for that matter. But I like getting to learn a bit, and I like the fact that national and international magazines frequently expand my horticultural horizons.

I'm not sure I'd necessarily agree with that assessment. While it may not have much 'meat' of interest to a professional horticulturist, I think the content is very appropriate, appealing and informative for the average gardener. There is always some sort of discussion about new plant introductions or less common plants, good design tips, interesting plant combinations and various gardening techniques, all well illustrated. I quite liked the article on some common myths or fallacies regarding organic gardening practices and brought a dose of realism into what is often a blindly followed practice just because it seems like the environmentally correct, "green" thing to do, especially pointing out the high toxicity of some organic pest controls that many average gardeners are not aware of. Many think that because it is labeled 'organic' it is 'safe', which is not necessarily true.

YAYYYY I can hear the long distance clapping from here!!! Thats soo sweet Lisa and YES Lisa fits in perfectly in this group of craziessss!!! Gotta love the laughs! I picked two cucumbers today YAYYY (some finally made it!) I cut one up already and its sooo sweet and yummy!! I surprise myself! lol Fox finally made me some tomato cages (yeppers this would be almost after the fact that they needed them but can't complain!) It is 92 outside and very humid, I was hoping the mosquitos don't like the heat since they survived the "cold" winter lol but alas they love it! I have Dunks in my eco filter but can't put them in the pond that I was trying to let dry out so guess Imma gonna have to get some more fishies for that pond... oh well just means I'll have two ponds eh? Melissa that hand looks great with your "X-rated" mini rose!!! Cant wait to see the hand holding roses!

I love the Fine Cooking magazine. I save all my copies and when I want a recipe I just have to look at the spine of the magazine as they are stacked. The recipes are so easy and they show you step by step how to make it and with pictures too. Even my brother Paul uses them when he doesn't know how to cook something. There offer a tips and techniques section submitted by readers. Product comparisions (which is the best to buy). Why don't you buy your Dad 1 copy of each cooking magazine and then let him choose which one he would like as a gift subscription? Fine Cooking is my favourite of all the cooking magazines out there and my "go to" magazine when I am wanting ideas on how to prepare a certain dish or veggie. Anne