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
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
