February is a good month to think about what you want to do in the garden for the upcoming year and then do the proper research. With a mild winter this year we are all starting to get excited about the spring season, which is just a few weeks away. To prepare, here is a … Read more
Just the other day, I was feeding my citrus because mid-end February is the perfect time to begin feeding your houseplants. Days are getting longer and plants are waking up, so they’re looking for food to fuel spring and summer growth. I love feeding my citrus, especially because they give me something back—delicious fruit! Interesting … Read more
With February being our Houseplant Month, where we highlight the beauty and health benefits of having houseplants in your home and office, it seems only fitting that I highlight my favorite houseplant at this time. My indoor houseplant highlight this February is Ficus lyrata, or commonly known as Fiddle-Leaf Fig! Personally, I have had a … Read more
Just a few weeks ago, there wasn’t much you could do in the garden because of the short days and dim light. Now, all of a sudden, there are a number of things you can do. Since the Winter Solstice (December 21st), we have gained about an hour and a half of sunlight! Plants, which … Read more
THIS FEBRUARY, I’M HIGHLIGHTING MAHONIA BEALEI I chose to highlight Mahonia for a personal reason. We have one planted in our landscape in front of the store. This Mahonia came with us when we moved here from our old location on Forest Hill Avenue. We potted it up in a large wooden box and it … Read more
The Origins of Valentine’s Day The origins of Valentine’s Day are not definite. Some say it was based on the Roman festival Lupercalia, which occurred on February 13th, 14th, and 15th. It celebrated spring and fertility. Others say it was a Christian festival celebrating one or more priests named Valentine. One was a priest who … Read more
ONE WINTER MONTH DOWN, ONE MORE MONTH TO GO AND THEN IT’S SPRING And, what a winter month January turned out to be. It has been a long tine since we have had a winter blast like we just experienced the last 10 days of January. As of this posting of this blog, Spring is … Read more
Today, February 2, is Groundhog Day. Here are some interesting facts about them. Their botanical name is Marmota Monax. They go by several common names—Groundhog, Woodchuck, Whistle Pig, and Land Beaver. They are native to the eastern part of North America. Their normal weight is about 12 pounds. They hibernate all winter. Their teeth never … Read more
TO PRUNE OR NOT TO PRUNE? – THAT’S A GOOD QUESTION! It seems that every day I get customers asking about pruning. For some reason, people see their plants, especially deciduous ones, differently this time of year. Or, having to spend so much time cooped up in the house because of the winter cold and … Read more
Many vegetables can be started indoors in just a few weeks, by mid-February. Warm-season veggies like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant can be started, and some cool-season veggies also appreciate a head start before transplanting outdoors. Do remember that root crops (like beets, carrots, turnips, and even yams) do NOT like to be transplanted, so they … Read more
