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.
4 Fall Planting Mistakes That Can Leave Trees and Shrubs Struggling for Years
Fall is a good time to plant many trees and shrubs, but a few easy-to-miss mistakes can make it harder for them to establish.
21 Last-Minute Halloween Menu Ideas for a Spooktacular Party
These seasonal food ideas are both fun and nutritious, so your Halloween stays happy.
How to Get Rid of Tree of Heaven Without Making the Problem Worse
Cutting it down can trigger a flush of new shoots. Here’s how to control the roots and keep it from coming back.
My 10 Favorite Halloween Appetizers from the Country Living Recipe Archives
I’ve been Country Living’s Food Editor for more than 10 years, and these spooky recipes have earned a spot at my Halloween party.
2 Easy Cover Crops to Plant Now for Healthier Soil Next Spring
There are so many reasons to plant a cover crop. Here are two easy options to plant now depending on your climate.
Should You Cut Your Grass Short Before Winter? Here’s What Experts Say
If so, how short? We spoke to an expert to sort out fact from folklore.
6 Clever DIY Couples’ Costumes for Halloween
Because dressing up is more fun in pairs.
How to Harvest Herbs for Winter Cooking Before the First Frost
Enjoy your homegrown herbs in soups, stews, and other dishes all winter.
11 DIY Halloween Wreaths to Dress Up Your Front Door
Grab a wreath form and a few supplies—your front door is about to get spooky.
Should You Dig Up Your Dahlia Tubers This Fall? It Depends on Where You Live
Your USDA zone, winter temperatures, and soil drainage all help determine whether dahlias can stay in the ground.
25 Easy DIY Halloween Costumes for Kids of All Ages
These homemade costumes are a total treat (no tricks!).
Crispy Roasted Potato and Fennel Salad with Shallot-Lemon Dressing
Serve this hearty salad on cold fall or winter nights.
20 Easy Halloween Costume Ideas for Women You Can Put Together Fast
No one will know you waited until the last minute!
These 3 Clues Can Help You Tell Male and Female Hummingbirds Apart
There are a few telltale signs.
Dark Chocolate, Dried Cherry, and Almond Bark
This sophisticated treat combines rich dark chocolate and both sweet and tart dried cherries.
Pumpkin Margarita
A pumpkin twist on the classic margarita, this festive cocktail is made for fall gatherings.
The Best Time to Stop Mowing Your Lawn Before Winter
Here’s how to time your final cut based on your type of grass.
16 Easy Ways to Turn Ground Beef Into Dinner
With a pack of ground beef in the fridge, you're already halfway to dinner.
Do Hummingbirds Sleep at Night? Here’s What Happens After Sunset
Hummingbirds don’t simply settle down for the night. They often enter a remarkable energy-saving state called torpor.
How to Plant Tulip Bulbs This Fall for Beautiful Spring Blooms
Get the timing, depth, spacing, and bulb-care basics right now so your tulips put on a colorful show come spring.
Why Stink Bugs Invade Your Home in Fall—and How to Stop Them
Fall is stink bug season. Here’s how to get rid of them and keep them from coming back.
How to Grow Asters for Beautiful Fall Blooms
These late-blooming perennials are keystone plants, providing beauty and food.
Homemade French Fries with Three Dips
Impress your guests and family with a side of homemade fries.
Steak House Dip
This creamy, tangy dip brings steak-house flavor to fries, vegetables, sandwiches, and more.
Barbecue and Apple Butter Dip
Sweet apple butter and smoky barbecue sauce make this dip the perfect partner for fries, chicken tenders, and more.
Creamy Onion Dip
Everyone’s favorite dip isn’t just for potato chips
4 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Mums
Sidestep these common pitfalls and pick the best mum of the bunch.
The Old-Fashioned Apple Cake That Belongs at Every September Gathering
It’s simple to make and will be the hit of the party.
12 DIY Wreaths to Give Your Front Door a Classic Fall Makeover
A little crafting goes a long way to creating the best fall decor.
How to Control Weeds This Fall for Fewer Weeds in Spring
Here’s how to get the job done quickly and easily.
Mashed Potato–Topped Meatloaf
Meatloaf and mashed potatoes come together in one cozy dinner.
Don’t Throw Away Your Fall Leaves—Turn Them Into “Garden Black Gold”
All you need to do is collect leaves, then let nature do its job.