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Winter Composting the 3-Bucket Way
It’s cold outside and the compost pile is frozen. Do you really feel like hauling kitchen scraps out into the winter wasteland only to have them picked through by scavengers when there isn’t enough bacteria available to break them down? Fortunately, there is an alternative. Keep your kitchen scraps cooking this winter and producing buckets […]Read More...
Variegated Solomon’s Seal
If you don’t already grow variegated Solomon’s Seal in your shade garden, this is the year to start. This charming, visually appealing perennial is similar to hostas, but has its own unique character that will add beauty, texture and interest to your landscape.Read More...
Early Spring-Blooming Perennials
When winter is long and dreary, it can seem like your precious flowerbeds will never burst into life again. Early spring flowers, however, are precious proof that winter is on its way out, and some can even bloom in bright, cheerful colors right through lingering snow. Yet we often forget these beauties, overcome with the […]Read More...
Family Gardening: Attracting Wildlife to the Garden
Attracting wildlife to the home garden is an enjoyable and creative way to teach children about nature, evoke their respect for the environment and provide meaningful family together time.Read More...
Rotating Your Vegetable Crops
Whether you just plant a few tomatoes, herbs and some lettuce or an elaborate garden complete with exotic selections of lesser known veggies, you’ll want to rotate your crops each year. All types of vegetable crops – brassicas, onions, legumes and root crops – require a slightly different blend of nutrients and trace elements, even […]Read More...
Pruning Fundamentals
Pruning is essential to keep your trees and shrubs in good shape, but it can be intimidating if you’ve never pruned before. Once you learn the fundamentals, however, you’ll realize it isn’t as hard as it may seem. Tree Pruning The first thing to look for when pruning a tree is broken, diseased or dead […]Read More...
Insect Control Begins Now
It’s hard to think of insects in winter, but don’t forget the havoc these tiny creatures can bring to your garden – defoliating leaves, contaminating produce, even destroying complete plants. Before these pests begin to be a problem is the perfect time to take steps to control them. Why Winter Control? Late winter is the […]Read More...
The Urban Jungle
No matter what the size or style of your own personal urban habitat, you can add stunning nature with the right houseplants. Furthermore, when you grow your own urban jungle, you can realize and enjoy all the benefits houseplants bring to your home. Benefits of Urban Houseplants Houseplants bring a range of benefits into any […]Read More...
Most Common Houseplant Pests and How to Control Them
It’s not unusual for houseplants to become infested with different pests, but with conscientious care, even the most tenacious pests can be controlled. By acting quickly when pests are first noticed, you can completely remove the infestation and keep your houseplants healthy and thriving. Top 5 Common Houseplant Pests and Controlling Them Different plants may […]Read More...
Care of Christmas Greens
Fresh cut greens - pine boughs, holly sprigs, mistletoe, etc. - are wonderful for winter and holiday décor, both indoors and out. Extend the life and enjoyment of your fresh greens by following these easy steps...Read More...
Kiss, Kiss: Mistletoe, a Holiday Tradition
One of our sweetest holiday traditions is kissing under the mistletoe, but how much do we really know about this custom or, for that matter, the plant itself?Read More...
Winter Vegetables on the Table
Winter marks a seasonal change. Our bodies seem to crave deeper, more tantalizing, richer tastes rather than light, bright, fruity flavors of summer. Harvesting vegetables in the late fall, and sometimes into the winter, presents us with bounty for slow, simple and savory cooking. Read More...
Preserving the Harvest
Was it a bumper crop this year? Do you have tasty fruits, vegetables and herbs overflowing your storage? Now that the harvest is in, the decision needs to be made as to what to do with the abundance.Read More...
Repotting Houseplants
Fall is an excellent time to repot many houseplants. Potted plants that have been growing outdoors during the summer have probably grown quite vigorously due to the high light levels and greater humidity.Read More...
The Fall Vegetable Garden
Fresh vegetables don't have to end as the days grow shorter - fall is a great time to plant an autumn garden to extend the growing season.Read More...
Outdoor Ornamentation
Do you miss the vibrancy of your flowerbeds and the rich, lush colors of your landscape once winter sets in? With warm weather pots, window boxes and hanging baskets already in place, decorating the outside of your house this winter will be a cinch!Read More...
The Winter Landscape
Although the blooms of summer are a distant memory and the splendor of fall is neatly raked into the compost pile, don’t think your yard has to be dreary from now until spring. Background planting, berries, bark and even blooms are the secrets of a colorful and interesting winter landscape.Read More...
Precious Pollinator Bulbs
Did you know that spring blooming bulbs are vital to our precious pollinators’ health and even their existence? After a long winter of hive hibernation and diminishing food reserves, honeybees will set out on warm, early-spring days seeking nectar and pollen to feed their hungry colony. It’s not only crucial that they have plenty of […]Read More...
