ARE YOU FEELING LUCKY AS WE BEGIN THE NEW YEAR? Technically, lucky bamboo is not a bamboo at all, but cane cuttings of Dracaena sanderiana. Dracaena sanderiana is sometimes referred to as the Ribbon Plant: loose rosette of narrow white-striped leaves on white-striped trunks. It has been an Asian symbol of good fortune and prosperity … Read more
January 21st is Squirrel Appreciation Day. So here are some interesting facts about these cute (and sometimes annoying) little critters. A squirrel’s front teeth never stop growing. This is true of many rodents. As a matter of fact, the word “rodent” comes from the Latin word “rodere” which means to gnaw. A group of squirrels … Read more
A QUICK ANSWER IS: IT DEPENDS I feel bad for those of you who like the cold and snow. Our long-range forecast is for our winter temperatures to remain above normal, on average, with the coldest periods to be in mid – and late January and early and late February. At the same time, our … Read more
This time of year, I watch the birds. I also feed them. Most of the birds that winter in Virginia 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 peanuts, for example. What to Offer Your Feathered Friends and What to … Read more
How many New Year’s resolutions do we actually keep? You go to the gym in January and there’s always a waiting line for the first available treadmill. By March, not only is there no line, but there are several vacant treadmills waiting. My Three 2020 Garden Resolutions I’m better at keeping the ones I make … Read more
HERE IS A LITTLE SNAPSHOT ON SOME OF THE POPULAR GARDENING TRENDS First, Happy New Year to all. Typically, January is a month where there is not too much activity outside and, naturally so, with the cold, dreary days. But, now is a good time to think about what you want to do come spring. … Read more
Saturday, December 21st, was 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 be getting longer by a minute or two each day. Many cultures around the world have celebrated the Winter … Read more
PROCRASTINATORS – LISTEN UP!!! I, too, am a procrastinator when it comes to shopping. But, come see us. This time of year we are full of gift ideas for the gardener in your life. Let’s start with the obvious – the gift of a plant. We pride ourselves on having the biggest and widest selection … Read more
In the past couple of weeks, I’ve had numerous people ask me how to care for the holiday plants they either received or bought for Christmas, so here is a quick guide. Poinsettias Take them out of foil they came in or poke holes in the foil so they can drain well. Keep them in … Read more
DISH GARDENS ARE A UNIQUE AND POPULAR GIFT ITEM Dish gardens are, in effect, miniature landscapes. It is hard to find an office that does not have at least one florist dish garden sitting on top of a desk or file cabinet. Basically, a dish garden in a container that contains three or more assorted … Read more
