PLENTY TO DO IN OUR GARDENS THIS MONTH January has just passed. We are one month closer to the start of spring. Up to this point we have had a very nice and mild winter. HERE ARE SOME FEBRUARY GARDENING CHORES: Our plants are still in a dormant state. February is a good month to … Read more
Interesting Tidbits about Some Favorite Houseplants With February being Houseplant Month, I thought I’d share some odd and interesting facts I’ve discovered over years about some of my favorite plants. Peace Lilies They’re so pretty with their white flowers but did you know Peace Lilies are not lilies at all but are related to Chinese … Read more
CACTI and other SUCCULENTS Over the past few years, we have experienced an uptick in interest and sales with cacti and succulents. Kathy, our house plant buyer, has expanded our selection in order to keep up with the interest. Cacti are some of the most rewarding house plants, as long as you have adequate light. … Read more
February is houseplant month here at the Great Big Greenhouse. Not only do we have free seminars every Saturday, but we offer free repotting of your houseplants, too. So how do you know your houseplants need repotting? If you find that you’re having to water a lot more often, that’s usually a clue the plant … Read more
FOLIAGE PLANTS ARE MORE THAN JUST DECORATIVE HOME ACCENTS Have you ever considered going indoors to “get a breath of fresh air?” It’s not as crazy as it sounds, considering the level of air pollution we experience daily from automobile engines, factories, asphalt fumes, and pesticide use. A few well-placed house plants can make your … Read more
It’s that time of year again. New 2020 dated seeds have arrived and I’m so ready for spring (actually I was ready for spring in October). 3 Great Seed Companies At the Great Big Greenhouse, we carry seeds from three companies: Botanical Interests because of their dedication to quality, great selection of regular and organic … Read more
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
