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Gardening Advice
If you are short on space (or energy) for a large Christmas tree, why not try a Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla)? These potted pines used at Christmas can remain as wonderful houseplants throughout the year! Learn more.During the holidays, Norfolk pines are easy to find at your local garden center or big box store in pots. They have soft, short, dark green needles and widely…
Everyone has heard of fast food, but Thanksgiving is a time to think about “slow food.” No, I don’t mean the bad service you get at your favorite greasy spoon.Slow Food is a worldwide movement celebrating the pleasure of fresh, local food and traditional cooking. Promoted as an alternative to fast food, it strives to preserve traditional and regional cuisine and encourages the farming of…
Start an indoor herb garden! Even just a few pots of herbs grown on a windowsill or under grow lights can supply wonderful flavors at your fingertips year-round. Just be sure to select the right herbs that grow indoors in winter. Here’s how to get started! Many indoor herbs prefer the same temperatures as most people—around 65 to 70° F—so it’s a cozy relationship!We’re big fans of…
If you grow tomatoes or other crops in the same garden bed year after year, you’re likely to notice an increase in pests and diseases. Break the cycle! Take a moment to learn about the basics of crop rotation. Your plants will thank you with a bigger, healthier harvest.In the mad rush to get the garden planted in the spring, we forget all about something as important as crop rotation, which…
One of the most frequently asked questions by houseplant lovers is, “Why are my plant’s leaves turning yellow?” To determine what is ailing your plant, take a close look at those yellowing leaves.
The simple answer is that there is no simple answer. Houseplant leaves turning yellow can be caused by several things.
Random leaves that are yellow or have yellow patches on the window-…
Garden pots need a thorough scrubbing at the end of the growing season. It’s essential to clean any pots that you are reusing to rid them of disease spores, salt deposits, and pest eggs. Take those extra few minutes to do it right! Here’s how to quickly clean and disinfect your pots.Used pots will harbor lingering bug eggs and disease spores that you can’t always see. Salt deposits also…
The folklore of winter weather is fascinating. You’ll surely know some of these weather sayings passed down by generations living close to the land and nature. Which ones do you know?Winter is the harshest season. The natural world—clouds, birds, animals, and plants—all provided cues to predict what the winter will bring! Generations of hunters, farmers, and fishermen relied upon this…
My two cats, Fred and Ginger, often chew on the leaves of my favorite houseplants, so I try to make sure that nothing within their reach is toxic. If your feline friends are also inquisitive (aren’t they all?), here’s a list of plants that are safe for cats.I am both a gardener and a cat lover. Unfortunately, there are a decent number of houseplants that are toxic to cats, causing…
Find out how to keep mums alive over the winter, including which types of mums can survive winter. Learn how to winterize hardy mums in the ground or inside in pots, depending on your growing zone.What is the Hardy Variety of Chrysanthemums?Which mums are NOT perennials: Those greenhouse-raised florist mums have been pampered, pinched, and pruned into tightly packed balls full of buds…
Many gardeners think you can’t use pine needles as mulch because they are too acidic. This myth has been debunked many times! If you have access to free pine needles, by all means, rake them up and use them liberally in your garden. They not only make great mulch but are an excellent addition to the compost pile as well.Pine Needle Mulch: It’s All GoodPine needles are light and fluffy,…
The earliest spring bulbs are emerging, sometimes popping their heads out of the snow. These dainty flowers provide early food for pollinators! See seven flowers that bloom in February and March. Snowdrops (Galanthus)January’s birth flower, snowdrops, are the first to appear in my yard, even though they have to push the top crust of snow up and away as they reach for the late winter…
Keep your precious pets safe around the holidays! We have two new kittens at our house—Fred and Ginger—and they seem to be doubly curious about everything! If you face similar challenges, here is a naughty list from the ASPCA of toxic holiday plants that could be harmful to your cat or dog.
Fred & Ginger take a well-deserved rest from attacking the houseplants.
My new kittens egg each…
