TO PRUNE OR NOT TO PRUNE? – THAT’S A GOOD QUESTION. Here we are in early January and we are having some nice weather and temperatures that allow us to get outside into our gardens and enjoy ourselves with our beloved plants. If there is one question that I get asked more than any other … Read more
Cacti and succulents are really “in” right now. And they should be. They’re fun, interesting, and easy to grow. The word “succulent” comes from the Latin word “sucus” meaning sap or juice. All succulents contain specially evolved cells in their roots, stems or leaves that absorb and retain water. That’s because they’ve evolved in areas … Read more
PLENTY First, Happy New Year to all you gardeners. Whatever the weather and regardless of where we live, January marks the start of another garden year. We made it to 2019. Somehow, all the gardening disappointments of last year with the excessive rainfall seem to be vanishing as we look forward to another great gardening … Read more
I resolved to be better about feeding my garden during the growing season. Fast-growing summer annuals and vegetables need to be fed but I usually get so bogged down in just trying to keep things watered and weeded in the heat, that I forget. How did I do? Better—but not great. I did get an … Read more
IF WE COULD SUMMARIZE THE 2018 GARDENING YEAR IN ONLY ONE WORD, THAT WORD WOULD BE RAIN. The time right before New Year’s is often a time for reflection on the past year and the year ahead. It’s only fitting that my last blog of 2018 would be just that! We’re reflecting on the gardening … Read more
BIRDING IS THE COUNTRY’S SECOND-MOST POPULAR OUTDOOR PASTIME (AFTER GARDENING) Winter will be here, officially, in just a few days. But, we have already experienced some cold weather and snow already here in Central Virginia. How about all that snow last week? Just imagine what it must be like for our feathered friends. How do … Read more
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. Many cultures around the world have celebrated the … Read more
SHOPPING FOR GARDENERS MADE EASY BY COMING TO THE GREAT BIG GREENHOUSE & MEADOWS FARMS NURSERIES T’is the season. All of us here at The Great Big Greenhouse invite you to come and shop for unique gardening gifts. The sky is the limit when it comes to finding new and unique gifts for that gardener … Read more
One of the plants often given as a gift this time of years is Rosemary, so here’s what you need to know: Rosmarinus officinalis is native to the Mediterranean. It’s a member of the Lamaceae family—which includes oregano, basil, thyme and mint. Wild rosemary can be found growing on the rocky cliffs along the coasts … Read more
LAST MONTH OF THE YEAR – CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!! Here we are in December. Mother Nature has been very kind to us when it comes to all the rain this year. We NEVER want our plants to be dry going into any cold snap. I have a soil thermometer that I check regularly. As … Read more
