I’m getting so many people these days looking for plants that repel mosquitoes, so here you go: Citronella Citronella-scented geraniums are pretty, lacy-leaved members of the geranium family that contain citronella oil. Mosquitoes don’t like them. Other lemon-scented herbs that also contain citronella oil are lemon thyme, lemon balm, and lemongrass. The lemongrass and citronella-scented … Read more
It is almost May. All danger of frost is past—mostly. Another week or two and it will be time to move my houseplants outside. How to Move Houseplants Outside Safely In the 36 years I’ve been with the Great Big Greenhouse, do you know how many customers I’ve seen bring in leaves or pictures of … Read more
This coming Friday, April 22 is Earth Day Earth Day was established in 1969 at a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) conference in San Francisco, California. In March of 1970, a sanctioned Proclamation was signed at the U. N. by Secretary-General U Thant giving official United Nations recognition. In the 1950s, the … Read more
I have a raised bed at the front of my yard, just under a large maple tree. I used to grow impatiens there. They did great in the shade; however, they are thirsty little plants. By mid-summer I was having to water every single solitary day—and if it was a little on the hot and … Read more
Elephant ears have been cultivated for more than 10,000 years as a food crop—making it one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world. The botanical name is Colocasia esculenta—esculenta comes from the Latin word for edible. It’s toxic when raw due to calcium oxalate crystals, but edible when cooked. On the other hand, I’m … Read more
What vegetable is low in calories, high in fiber, a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants—and tastes delicious? Asparagus, of course. Interesting Facts About Asparagus Thomas Jefferson had asparagus beds at Monticello and often ate it marinated in oil, red wine vinegar, capers, and herbs. Asparagus gets its name from the Greek word for … Read more
Yesterday, in the Northern Hemisphere, was the first day of Spring—astronomically anyway. For meteorologists, spring started three weeks ago on the first of March. And, if you are living south of the equator, it’s the first day of fall. From here on out, the days will continue to get longer until the Summer Solstice. Spring … Read more
This coming Thursday is St. Patrick’s Day. Are you planning to get a shamrock? To get the best out of yours, while it’s blooming, keep it in bright light—several hours of direct morning sun or afternoon sun (before 11 a.m. or after 2 p.m.) is best. Water when the soil is dry to the touch … Read more
After the Deep Freeze this past Monday, are you ready for spring? I am! Of course, I was ready for spring about the time I put the fall wreath on the front door…. Stay on Top of Weeds and Debris There are a few gardening chores I can do now, however, to ensure more success … Read more
YULE This Friday, December 21st, is the Winter Solstice—the shortest day of the year; the first official day of Winter; Yule. The days, which have been getting shorter and shorter each day since the Summer Solstice, now will begin getting longer by a minute or two each day. How the World Celebrates Winter Solstice Many … Read more
