Is anything more Christmas-y than an amaryllis in bloom? They’re dramatic, gorgeous, and easy! What we call amaryllis are members of the amaryllis family called Hippeastrum. True amaryllis, believe it or not, are pretty little pale-pink flowers—Amaryllis Belladonna. The word Amaryllis, in Greek, means “sparkle.” However, “Hippeastrum” has been called amaryllis for so long that … Read more
I’ve pulled up all my summer veggies and planted a few cool-season veggies like kale, broccoli, and spinach. But the cool season veggies don’t take up as much space as the summer veggies. My second raised bed is going to have nothing in it this winter. Can I do something to ensure my garden is … Read more
Now that your houseplants have all been moved back inside, here are a few things to consider. Yellow Leaves Yellow leaves can be a sign of two very different problems. They are often a sign that plants that need high light aren’t getting it. Check the light requirements of your particular plant. Ficus trees (Weeping … Read more
Leaves all over the yard and acorns on the back deck—boy, it is Fall. Several centuries ago, people thought of three seasons—Summer, Harvest, and Winter. Spring was regarded as a pre-summer period called Lenten. Harvest comes from an old Norse word, haust, meaning to gather. They also used autumn, which comes from the Latin actumnus, which … Read more
“Roses as big as cabbages,” Marco Polo exclaimed when he first saw peonies. With huge, often fragrant flowers, peonies are often a source of awe. Maybe that’s why they’re considered a symbol of good fortune and a happy life. Peonies Fun Facts Peonies are primarily native to Asia and Europe. There are over 6,500 varieties … Read more
This past Thursday was October 12th—National Farmer’s Day. It’s observed every year on October 12th to thank farmers for their hard work. Incredibly, approximately 2% of our population feeds the rest of us! Let us not forget that every piece of produce we eat—from apples to zucchini—has a grower behind it. So, How Do You … Read more
Do You Have Houseplants Outside? Here’s What to Do Now! It’s time to start moving your houseplants back inside for the winter. I hate to do it. I almost apologize to my citrus for moving them indoors, where the light is somewhat less bright and the excellent humidity (which they love) is much lower. Yesterday, … Read more
Bearded Iris – How Did They Get That Name? Bearded irises are perennial, and they are both bulbous types and rhizomes. All iris are native to the Northern Hemisphere from Europe to Asia. Iris flowers consist of three upright petals called standards and three drooping petals called sepals. Bearded Iris earned that name because of … Read more
This past Saturday, the 23rd, was the Fall Equinox—the first official autumn day—in the northern hemisphere. In the southern hemisphere, they’re just starting spring! The word “equinox” comes from the Greek word aequus meaning equal, and nox, meaning night. On the equinox, the days and nights are approximately the same length. On the equinox, the … Read more
So we try to feed the caterpillars AND the butterflies. What else can we do to make our yards a wildlife-friendly place? Creating a Wildlife Friendly Yard Whenever possible, we can incorporate native plants into our landscape. After all, these are the plants that wildlife expects to be here. Our ecosystem is based on what … Read more
