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
What to Do With Hydrangeas After Flowering to Protect Next Year’s Blooms
If you haven’t pruned your old-wood hydrangeas yet, it may be best to put down the shears.
5 Watering Mistakes That Can Make Your Summer Garden Struggle
Water smarter—not more—to help flowers, vegetables, and shrubs withstand the August heat.
13 Gorgeous Blue Flowers That Look Almost Too Pretty to Be Real
True-blue blooms are surprisingly rare in nature. These stunning annuals and perennials bring shades of sky, cobalt, and sapphire to your garden.
I Plan Vacations Around Gardens. These 5 U.S. Gardens Belong on Your List
From California to Florida, these spectacular gardens are worth planning a vacation around.
6 Vegetables to Plant Now for a Fresh Fall Harvest
A little planning and you’ll have vegetables for months to come.
Stop Chopping Tomatoes—Grate Them Instead for the Freshest 5-Minute Pasta Sauce
This simple kitchen trick turns ripe summer tomatoes into a silky, fresh-tasting sauce in just minutes.
21 Delicious Ways to Use That Jar of Honey in Your Pantry
Make your next meal buzzworthy.
7 Beautiful Sunflower Fields to Visit Across the U.S.
Add these stunning sunflower fields, farms, and mazes to your bucket list.
Is It Too Late to Plant Hydrangeas in Summer? A Pot Is Your Best Bet
Fall is ideal for planting in the ground, but you can still enjoy those blooms now.
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.