I CREDIT THE VIRGINIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION FOR THE CREATION OF THIS CATCHY TITLE. It’s a good phrase, don’t you think? Crabgrass is the number one weed in lawns here in Virginia. It is now mid-February and now is the best time to be thinking about applying a pre-emergence herbicide to control crabgrass. To be successful … Read more
Orchids are one of the most popular blooming plants given for Valentine’s Day. With Valentine’s Day coming soon, here are a few interesting facts about orchids. Orchids are the largest family of blooming plants with over 27,000 naturally occurring species. Orchids are native to every continent in the world with the exception of Antarctica, leading … Read more
ENHANCE YOUR LIFE WITH PLANTS!! TROPICAL PLANTS ARE MORE THAN JUST DECORATIVE ACCENTS IN OUR HOME OR OFFICE! Houseplants are correctly being labeled as CLEAN AIR MACHINES. 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 … Read more
On Saturday, Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early spring. So what is a Groundhog, anyway? A groundhog is a rodent, related to marmots (ground squirrels) and squirrels. They’re also known as woodchucks. The word “woodchuck” comes from the Native American word “Wojak” which was the name for a groundhog. Groundhogs are common animals in the Northern … Read more
FEBRUARY IS ONE MONTH CLOSER TO SPRING – YEAH!! Now that January has passed we are getting closer to spring. The first day of Spring is Wednesday, March 20, which is only 48 days away. I have no real complaints about winter so far this year. We have had a more traditional winter with our … Read more
Growing citrus trees indoors is fun and easy. I have a Meyer lemon, a key lime, and two kumquats in my spare room right now. So here are a few interesting facts: Citrus is native to Southeast Asia and was introduced to the Americas by Spanish travelers. The world’s leading producers of citrus are Brazil, … Read more
THE GARDEN IN WINTER IS A MUCH DIFFERENT PLACE THAN ANY OTHER TIME OF YEAR When the last of the leaves are raked and composted, and the flower beds are tidied and mulched for the winter, most gardeners retreat to the warmth of their favorite chair and surround themselves with garden catalogs and stare out … Read more
There’s not a lot to look at outside this time of year. Maybe that’s why I enjoy watching the birds. Of course, the best way to attract birds is with bird-feeders. And I like knowing that it helps the birds, too. A study conducted during a Wisconsin winter showing that black-capped chickadees with access to human-supplied bird seed … Read more
NEEDING COLOR IN THE LANDSCAPE THIS TIME OF YEAR? Here we are in mid-January. Compared to last year, this January has been more typical for us when it comes to temperatures and snow. Yes, we had snow this past weekend. But, it was nothing compared to the snow we had in December. And, snow helps … Read more
I get it. January and February are b-o-r-i-n-g! The Christmas tree has come down, the fresh wreath is now tossed, and the poinsettias are dropping leaves every day. And when you look out the windows, there’s nothing much to see—unless you like dim gray winter skies. But there are some ways to brighten up your … Read more
