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 (and not do) if you find a baby bird in your garden this May
Fledgling season is here. Know how to safely protect nesting birds this season...
This low-maintenance hydrangea does all the hard work in my garden
If you want a shrub that looks good in every season without a lot of effort, oakleaf hydrangea is a smart pick
Purple is set to be the biggest garden colour trend of 2026 — 9 easy plants to grow now
Plant now for vibrant colour, fragrance and pollinator-friendly blooms all summer long
5 easy ways to attract butterflies to your garden — and the mistake that leaves them without a food source
It's all about the right plants, shelter and seasonal timing
9 charming raised bed ideas for every outdoor space – including a crate design for small gardens
These charming, low-cost raised beds are surprisingly simple to make
How to plant and care for colourful busy Lizzies – a low-maintenance, shady garden favourite
These low-maintenance favourites add vibrant, summer-long colour to even the shadiest spots
Sow petunias now: How to grow and care for these stunning summer blooms
Here’s how to grow one of the most beloved flowers of spring and summer
Garden edging ideas: 25 ways to instantly elevate your landscape – for every style and budget
Smart, stylish edging ideas that define your beds without blowing your budget
Stop over-mowing: This 1/3 rule shows exactly when to cut your grass
Forget the schedule – this simple rule keeps your grass healthier and tells you exactly when to mow
How to arrange flowers like a pro using the 3-5-8 rule
Attention: flower-arranging enthusiasts and serial dinner party hosts. You’ll want to save this one for later
11 shade-loving perennials that thrive in dark garden corners – including foxglove
If your garden has more shade than sun, these gorgeous plants are up to the task
5 cool-tolerant flowers to plant now for early spring colour
These cool-weather flowers can handle chilly nights and get your garden blooming early
The simple trick that keeps hellebores fresh for weeks in a vase
Keep cut hellebores from wilting overnight with this easy prep method
8 plants to prune in late winter for amazing summer blooms
Pruning at the right time can mean the difference between a flower-filled garden and a season of disappointment
How do birds stay warm over winter? 5 clever tricks they use to survive the season
Nature never ceases to impress
These 10 night-blooming flowers make your garden come alive after dark
These evening blooms emit a delightful fragrance when the sun sets
How to care for a Christmas cactus and get spectacular blooms
This easy-care houseplant can live for decades
10 make-ahead appetisers to get your Christmas party started
Start your meal or party off on the right bites
13 DIY Christmas ornaments to try for a more personal tree in 2025
They're not just beautiful, they're also incredibly meaningful keepsakes
My gardener friend shared his trick for bad soil and I’ll never bag leaves again
Your plants will thank you
78 DIY Christmas gifts to spread festive cheer
Nothing beats a handmade holiday present.
How to plant quick-blooming paperwhites now for a beautiful display at Christmas
Find out the exact planting window if you want blooms on 25 December
40 bewitching pumpkin carving and decorating ideas for Halloween
No matter your skill level there is a pumpkin here that will strike your fancy
Don't lose your dahlias to frost, do this quick task before the cold sets in
Plus, advice on how to lift and store dahlias
I'm not raking my leaves this year – and neither should you
The moths, butterflies and bugs will love you for it
6 gardening chores you should never skip in August
The days might be getting shorter, but there's still plenty to do outside
3 plants you should never put in terracotta pots
These pots are affordable and stylish – but not ideal for all plants...
The only way to plant a hydrangea now if you just can't wait for autumn
The timing’s not ideal but it’s doable – if you take this approach
3 secrets to lush hanging baskets that thrive in summer heat
With a little care, hanging baskets can be beautiful all season long...
3 smart tricks to stop garden vegetables wilting during a heatwave
With temperatures soaring this summer, here's how to get your vegetables to the other side...
4 lawn-watering mistakes to avoid for healthier, greener grass
Bonus: You'll probably save money too
How to keep squirrels out of your garden bird feeder – once and for all
And no, you don’t need to buy a new bird feeder...