Now that your houseplants have been inside for a couple of months, how are they doing? Here are a few things you might want to watch out for: Yellow leaves Yellow leaves can be a sign of three very different problems. When you first bring your plants inside, it’s a huge shock—losing leaves is a … Read more
If you have a window that gets a lot of sun during the winter, then why not grow your favorite herbs? All you need is a sunny window (no blinds/no sheer curtains). The first thing to do is take a look at that sunny window. Be sure to check around the window for heating vents. … Read more
This time of year, I watch the birds. I also feed them. Because there aren’t many insects available over the winter, most birds that winter here are seed eaters. Some seeds are better than others, however. Seeds and nuts with a higher fat content are best for winter feeding—black oil sunflower seeds and even peanuts. … Read more
With Thanksgiving this Thursday, I decided it was time to write down a list of the things I’m thankful for this year in my garden. I’m thankful for how gorgeous my bulbs were this past spring. I may not always be grateful for chilly gray winter days, but spring finally comes. And as hungry as … Read more
‘Tis the season to give or receive holiday plants so here is a quick care guide. How to Care for Those Holiday Plants Poinsettias Poinsettias will be happiest if set in a fairly bright location. Water when the top inch of soil is dry to the touch. If it is wrapped in foil, poke drainage … Read more
Is anything prettier or more dramatic than amaryllis in full bloom? What we call ‘amaryllis’ are really ‘hippeastrum’—members of the amaryllis family. The plants that are really ‘amaryllis’ are the Amaryllis Belladonna and relatives. These days, however, hippeastrum has been called ‘amaryllis’ for so long, we’ll never be able to get people to call them … Read more
I’ve pulled up all my spent summer veggies—the tomatoes that were “done”, the squash that looked, well, squashed, and the last crop of bush beans that had given out about a month ago. I’ve already planted some fall vegetables—I have some fat little kale plants, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli in right now. But these cool-season … Read more
Horror writers over the years have picked bats to play the villains in some of their books but, in reality, they’re heroes in the garden! Because October is Bat Appreciation Month, I’m sharing an updated version of an earlier post on why bats are so important. Interesting Bat Facts Here are some interesting facts about these … Read more
We’ve got a great assortment of spring-blooming bulbs, so here is what you need to know: Planting Bulbs by the Numbers October is a good time for planting most bulbs. The exception is tulips, which should be planted in November—they like to be planted in cooler soil. To store them until time to plant, keep … Read more
It’s time to think about moving houseplants back inside for the winter. One of the first things I do is move all the plants right up next to the house—just outside the window that they’ll be in when I move them inside. That gets them used to lower light while they still have Mother Nature … Read more
