Right now is a good time to start thinking about starting seeds for outdoor planting. Seed packets will tell you to start a certain number of weeks before our average last frost date. Some people will tell you mid-April is our last frost date. I’ll remind you that last spring we had SNOW after mid-April … Read more
GROWING VEGETABLES AND HERBS IN CONTAINERS IS AN EASY WAY TO ENJOY FRESH, HOME-GROWN FOOD. Now that it is late February, this is the best time to plan and prepare for container gardens on your patio, deck, balcony, or in your landscape gardens. Before we get started you need to ask yourself “do I have … Read more
Every winter I hear customers complaining about long gray winter days and bored kids. There are some fun indoor gardening activities you can use to occupy your kids, as well as teaching them a little something about gardening—and maybe even getting them to “know” their vegetables a little more. And, even better, they’re fun for … Read more
I CREDIT THE VIRGINIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION FOR THE CREATION OF THIS CATCHY TITLE. It’s a good phrase, don’t you think? Crabgrass is the number one weed in lawns here in Virginia. It is now mid-February and now is the best time to be thinking about applying a pre-emergence herbicide to control crabgrass. To be successful … Read more
Orchids are one of the most popular blooming plants given for Valentine’s Day. With Valentine’s Day coming soon, here are a few interesting facts about orchids. Orchids are the largest family of blooming plants with over 27,000 naturally occurring species. Orchids are native to every continent in the world with the exception of Antarctica, leading … Read more
ENHANCE YOUR LIFE WITH PLANTS!! TROPICAL PLANTS ARE MORE THAN JUST DECORATIVE ACCENTS IN OUR HOME OR OFFICE! Houseplants are correctly being labeled as CLEAN AIR MACHINES. Have you ever considered going indoors to “get a breath of fresh air?” It’s not as crazy as it sounds, considering the level of air pollution we experience … Read more
On Saturday, Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early spring. So what is a Groundhog, anyway? A groundhog is a rodent, related to marmots (ground squirrels) and squirrels. They’re also known as woodchucks. The word “woodchuck” comes from the Native American word “Wojak” which was the name for a groundhog. Groundhogs are common animals in the Northern … Read more
FEBRUARY IS ONE MONTH CLOSER TO SPRING – YEAH!! Now that January has passed we are getting closer to spring. The first day of Spring is Wednesday, March 20, which is only 48 days away. I have no real complaints about winter so far this year. We have had a more traditional winter with our … Read more
Growing citrus trees indoors is fun and easy. I have a Meyer lemon, a key lime, and two kumquats in my spare room right now. So here are a few interesting facts: Citrus is native to Southeast Asia and was introduced to the Americas by Spanish travelers. The world’s leading producers of citrus are Brazil, … Read more
THE GARDEN IN WINTER IS A MUCH DIFFERENT PLACE THAN ANY OTHER TIME OF YEAR When the last of the leaves are raked and composted, and the flower beds are tidied and mulched for the winter, most gardeners retreat to the warmth of their favorite chair and surround themselves with garden catalogs and stare out … Read more
