Did you know this past Saturday was National Strawberry Day? A whole day devoted to my very favorite fruit—who knew? Strawberry Legends How did strawberries get their name? No one knows for sure, but the most widely accepted story is, because strawberries spread profusely by runners, after a couple of years, the fields look “strewn” … Read more
THE SPRING SEASON IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER Here we are in the last week of February. Basically, up to this point, I have no complaints about winter. Yes, we had a little snow and a few cold days but –hey, it is winter. I keep saying that the weather in Virginia can be fickle. … Read more
Orchids are the largest family of blooming plants in the world with nearly 28,000 naturally occurring species and well over a hundred thousand man-made hybrids. They are also the most highly evolved family of blooming plants. Orchids are native to every continent in the world with the exception of Antarctica. How Orchids Became Popular Orchids … Read more
The IHA (International Herb Association) has selected PARSLEY Petroselinum ‘Moss Curled’ as its HERB OF THE YEAR FOR 2021. Most everyone is familiar with parsley. But, do you know why? Parsley is used for elevating the flavor of dishes like soups, salads, and fish. It is rich in vitamins A, C, and K. HISTORY I … Read more
So many people are buying plants to decorate their indoor environment over the winter and I’ve had so many questions about which ones are toxic to pets. So here is a “partial” list: TOXIC INDOOR PLANTS (FOR PETS) Aloe Amaryllis Asparagus Fern Avocado Anthurium Bird of Paradise Buddhist Pine (Podocarpus) Caladiums Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema) Creeping … Read more
HELL-O FEBRUARY, GOOD-BYE JANUARY – ONLY ONE MONTH FROM SPRING!! I am getting excited about spring. As of this writing, spring is only 48 days away. Our daylight is getting longer. February is the last full month of winter. For some of us gardeners, we view February as the GATEWAY MONTH to spring. Sure, we … Read more
This time of year finds me pawing through seed racks and wishing spring was here. I’ve already pulled my favorite varieties of seeds, as well as a few new varieties I want to try. So now I’m ready to sit down with the seed packets. Single Best Source of Information! The seed packet is the single best source … Read more
ENHANCE YOUR LIFE WITH PLANTS Tropical plants are more than just decorative accents in our home or office. Houseplants are correctly being labeled as CLEAN AIR MACHINES. Have you ever considered going indoors to “get a breath of fresh air?” It’s not as crazy as it sounds, considering the level of air pollution we experience … Read more
By mid to late February, I usually begin feeding my indoor plants again—days are getting longer and the sunlight is getting a little brighter, so indoor plants are beginning to wake-up from their winter boredom. I usually stop feeding my indoor plants in November, December, and January. Days are short and the sunlight is weaker … Read more
SOLVING YOUR WEED & PEST PROBLEMS As of this writing, spring is only 56 days away. Are you ready? January is a very important month in gardening. It is now that you do your due diligence with planning out your strategy of what it is that you want to achieve with your lawn care and … Read more
