Cultivating curiosity and confidence
In November and December, retail shops from garden centers to grocery stores bring in Christmas plants for holiday decorating. The thing is, as with many plants we grow indoors in cold climates, these festive houseplants are tropical. And not all of them are easy to keep alive in our warm and dry, or cold and drafty homes.
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Much has been written over the years about winter interest perennials. However they can play a much more important role in the landscape beyond aesthetics. Consider leaving plants in the garden for the birds. Your property, however big or small, can provide nourishment and shelter not only to birds, but also to small animals and beneficial insects. I have seen birds feasting on the seed heads and berries of some of the perennials in my yard.
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Snake plants are my all-time favorite houseplants thanks to their striking foliage and adaptability to a wide range of growing conditions. And while these are low care plants, knowing when to water a snake plant is important for providing the right type of care. Too much water and the roots will rot. Too little and it will fail to thrive. In this article you’ll learn what factors affect watering frequency, how to tell the best time to water, and how to do it right.
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There’s something I love about the way the morning sun pours in through a collection of plants in an east-facing window. For houseplant enthusiasts like me, this gentle light creates the ideal conditions for a wide range of beautiful and rewarding houseplants. But not every plant is suited for this specific orientation—choosing the right plants for your space can mean the difference between a healthy specimen and one that is struggling to survive. Whether you’re a seasoned plant parent or just starting your houseplant collection, I’d like to introduce you to the best plants for an east-facing window.
There’s something special about walking out to the vegetable garden on a cold November day and finding fresh vegetables ready to harvest, especially when you live in a cold climate like mine. For home gardeners, the idea of harvesting homegrown veggies long after the first frost has arrived is deeply rewarding. Growing into the fall isn’t just about squeezing out a few more homegrown meals; it’s a way to make the most of your gardening efforts, stretch the harvest season, and experience the garden in a whole new light.
Before I started gardening year-round, I longed for fresh food during winter days and realized I needed to learn how to grow radish sprouts and microgreens. Sprouts and microgreens are terms that are often used interchangeably, but they’re different stages of growth, produced in entirely different ways. Radishes are quick crops to begin with, but when you pick up on how to grow radish sprouts and microgreens, you’re giving yourself all the nutrition and crunch of a radish in just a week or two. It doesn’t matter if you have a sprawling mansion or a college dorm room, you only require space enough to hold a canning jar or take-out container. In this article you’ll learn the difference between radish sprouts and microgreens and how to grow them, including needed supplies, the growing process, harvesting and storage, and other tips.
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