Today, April 22nd is Earth Day. Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson proposed it in 1970 in response to the environmental interest created by Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring in 1962. Let’s Thank Rachel Carson, Author of Silent Spring Rachel Carson, a marine biologist, voiced her concerns about DDT and certain other pesticides in her book. This … Read more
There is all kinds of information on what to do with your outdoor garden plants in the spring. But what should you do with your indoor plants? Let’s Begin With Nutrients If you have not already started feeding your indoor plants, you should start now. I usually start feeding mine end-February. Even indoor plants, in … Read more
It’s not quite time to plant your garden vegetables yet. Because our weather is so uncertain (four years ago, we had a frost AFTER May 1st), I always wait until May 1st to plant tender veggies (like tomatoes, peppers, cukes, beans, etc.). Even then, I double-check the long-range weather forecast just to be safe. Prepare … Read more
Did you know that composting is beneficial not only for your yard but also for the environment? The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) says, “Recycling food and other organic waste into compost provides a range of environmental benefits, including improving soil health, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, recycling nutrients, and mitigating the impact of droughts.”1 This … Read more
I’ve had many questions this year about our last frost date. The University of Virginia Climatology Office says that here in Richmond, we have a 50% chance of having a frost on or after April 6th and a 10% chance of frost on or after April 23rd. Officially, our last EXPECTED frost date is mid-April. … Read more
Yesterday was St. Patrick’s Day. Did you get a shamrock? We can tell you how to take care of it. But first, a few interesting tidbits about St. Patrick. St. Patrick was NOT Irish. He was born in Britain and was of Roman descent. His birth name was Maewyn Succat. St. Patrick made it to … Read more
So many people want to know when to start seeds, how deep to plant them, or when to plant them. Did you know that the back of the seed packet will tell you all of that? Where to Easily Find Seed Planting Information You Want Here at the Great Big Greenhouse, we carry seeds from … Read more
Did you know the number one way to kill a houseplant? It’s watering! Sometimes underwatering but usually overwatering. So, how do we not kill our plants this way? The Answer to Perfect Watering Is At Your Fingertips One of the best ways to correct your watering is, believe it or not, your finger! When you … Read more
Peas should be planted in central Virginia around the middle of March, so I thought I’d give you some interesting tidbits about these delicious veggies. Well, botanically speaking, they’re technically a seed. The peapods are a fruit! Pea Facts Peas are one of the earliest known domesticated crops—about 11,000 years ago, though they were eaten … Read more
Did you know that by the third week in February, days are almost an hour and a half longer than on the Winter Solstice (December 21st)? Plants, which rely on the sun for photosynthesis, certainly notice. While most plants are not getting enough sun to “actively” start growing, they are getting enough light to wake … Read more
