Pumpkins, whether you carve them or set them on stairs or a porch, are a great fall decoration. Here’s how to make them last their longest. How To Choose That “Just Right” Pumpkin When you pick out a pumpkin, make sure there are no cuts or gouges in it. These may have already exposed the … Read more
Last week, we discussed what to do with indoor plants that have been summering outside. There are also some things you can do now for your outdoor plants. We mentioned pruning and replanting last week. This week, it’s about fall mulching! Is Mulch Needed? Why mulch? Mulch can suppress weeds. It helps to retain moisture … Read more
In 1882, a man named Peter J. McGuire, a Union Leader in New York proposed the idea of celebrating American workers. That year, the first Labor Day parade was held, sponsored by the Central Labor Union and Knights of Labor in New York. By 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed it into law. Happy belated Labor … Read more
Things to Keep in Mind for Your Fall Garden If you are planting fall vegetables, you must fertilize the soil again. Your spring and summer vegetables have taken care of what you put down in the spring. Refresh your soil by putting down a couple of inches of compost, if possible, and using a good … Read more
Tomatoes. The quintessential summer vegetable. But wait, it’s not a vegetable at all! Botanically, it’s a fruit! And not just a fruit, but a berry! So here are some other interesting facts about this quintessential summer berry: Tomatoes – the 80,000-Year-Old Treat Tomatoes are truly American, originating in South America over 80,000 years ago. The … Read more
The peak of the Perseid Meteor Shower is here! According to NASA meteor expert Bill Cooke, the Perseids are perhaps the most popular meteor shower of the year. Typical rates are about 80 meteors an hour, but in outburst years (such as back in 2016), the rate can be between 150-200 meteors an hour. The … Read more
Did you know that citrus fruits are berries botanically? Or that citrus is native to Southeast Asia? In fact, in many languages, they are known as Chinese Apples. Here are some more citrus fun facts! From Color Changes to Record-Breaking Lemons Christopher Columbus Brings Oranges to the New World Oranges first reached the New World … Read more
Well, the new, larger birdbath in my backyard is working. Yesterday evening, I saw two dragonflies! Don’t you find something a little bit magical about them? Dragonflies – Millions of Years Old Dragonflies are an ancient family of insects. They were around 300 million years ago! They were much bigger then, though, with a wingspan … Read more
It’s Mid-Summer. I just finished feeding my tomatoes, so what should I do with my indoor plants now? Let’s Put “Light” on Summer Plant Care In summer, light changes at a slightly different angle than just a few months ago. That means I need to double-check my light levels. In my house, once the trees … Read more
Most people know what Annuals are—plants that grow from seed to flowers that set seed again but do not survive the winter. Most people know what Perennials are—plants that grow to maturity in one season and die down in the winter but do come back the following spring. There are even Biennials—plants that grow from … Read more
