Because February is Houseplant Month here at the Great Big Greenhouse and we offer free repotting for the month, we’ve been spending a lot of time with our hands buried up to the wrist in potting soil. So let us share with you a few observations. When you buy a new houseplant, it doesn’t usually … Read more
It is only mid-February and many customers have come into the garden center or called the store with concerns about seeing their lawns being torn up with mole tunnels. The customers are wondering, why now? With the cold winter we are having, aren’t the grub worms still down deep in our soil? A COMMON QUESTION … Read more
This coming Friday is Groundhog’s Day. So here are a few interesting facts about Groundhogs… Groundhogs are not related to hogs at all but are marmots closely related to squirrels. They are basically a giant ground squirrel. They’re widely distributed across North America from northern Alabama all the way up to Alaska. They truly hibernate … Read more
Sunday, January 21, was Squirrel Appreciation Day. What? I’m supposed to appreciate these fuzzy little things that destroy my garden? Well…Yes. The word ‘squirrel’ comes from the Anglo-Norman word esquirel with roots in the Greek word skiouros meaning ‘shadow-tailed.’ A group of squirrels is called a “scurry” (a Scurry of Squirrels—appropriate). They are native to every … Read more
If you have a Cyclamen now or you want to try cyclamen for big, bold winter color, here are some care tips to keep in mind for this plant. First, are you aware that Cyclamen plants are actual a bulb, called a corn, planted in the soil? Keep this information in mind as you continue … Read more
Here we are in mid-January after having some of the coldest days on record for the Richmond area. It is hard to want to get outside in the gardens with this type of weather. The best strategy is to stay inside where it is warm and contemplate how you want to garden this year. One … Read more
Tomorrow, January 10th is National Houseplant Appreciation Day. Why do we need a houseplant appreciation day? Well, the Christmas tree has come down; we’ve swept up the last of the wrapping paper, and the poinsettia is sitting in a corner dropping leaves (because it really wants to be in front of that sunny window over there). … Read more
Did you make any New Year’s resolutions yesterday? Every year, I make New Year’s resolutions for my garden. So here is this year’s top 5… I resolve to be better about feeding my garden. Okay, it’s not exactly rocket science to sprinkle a handful of Tomato-tone or Garden-tone around the base of my vegetables. So … Read more
