So many people make New Year’s Resolutions, but how many of us keep them? I go to the gym in January, and people are waiting everywhere. Go in March, however, and there’s not nearly as long a wait. I’m going to make a few resolutions for my garden. We’ll see how I do. My 2024 … Read more
This coming Thursday, December 21st, is the Winter Solstice—the shortest day/longest night of the year. At this point, our north pole is tilted the farthest away from the sun. They’ll celebrate the first day of summer in the Southern Hemisphere. Christmas Day cookouts are relatively common—in Australia! From then on, the days will get a … Read more
WITH HANUKKAH JUST UNDERWAY AND CHRISTMAS COMING SOON, WE INVITE YOU TO SHOP AT THE GREAT BIG GREENHOUSE FOR UNIQUE GARDENING GIFTS The sky is the limit when finding new and unique gifts for that gardener in your life. So, let the fun begin by shopping for your favorite gardener. It can be as easy … Read more
The single most popular Holiday plant sold in America is—you guessed it—the poinsettia—with over 40 million sold annually! Chances are you’ve bought one already to decorate your house or been given one as a gift. So here are some things to know: Poinsettias are native to southern Mexico. The first U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Joel … Read more
EVEN THOUGH DECEMBER MARKS THE END OF THE YEAR, THERE ARE STILL PLENTY OF GARDENING CHORES TO WORK ON December marks the end of our calendar year and the beginning of winter. Winter officially starts on Thursday, December 21. It looks as though we will finish the year in a rain deficit. This is not … Read more
It’s the time of year for Paperwhite Narcissus, so here’s what you need to know. Paperwhites are members of the Amaryllidaceae family. This makes them related to amaryllis, snowdrops, daffodils, etc. Facts About Paperwhites They are native to the warmer regions of the Mediterranean, from Greece to Portugal. This means that we cannot grow them … Read more
IT’S OFFICIAL…CHRISTMAS SEASON IS HERE. LET’S KEEP IT REAL!! Thanksgiving has passed and December begins this weekend. We have now officially entered the holiday season. Buying a Christmas tree is on everyone’s mind. It is fun to learn some background facts when it comes to the fresh trees and greenery that we all use for … Read more
With Thanksgiving this past Thursday, I started thinking about what I’m thankful for this year in my garden. Veggie Goodness Even though we had a rainy patch mid-summer, I’m grateful I did not get blight on my tomatoes. Spacing plants a little further apart for more air circulation does help. And even though I did … Read more
CYCLAMEN or “ALPINE VIOLET” The cyclamen is a cool-season indoor bloomer available from now through the winter and early spring. Their flowers come in reds, pinks, salmons, lavender, purple, white, and bi-colors. Cyclamen species are native primarily to the Mediterranean: Greece, Italy, Turkey, Lebanon, Israel, and other Mediterranean regions. One beautiful characteristic of the Cyclamen … Read more
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
