Is anything tastier or more essentially “summer” than fresh corn? Because the sugar in corn begins to convert to starch soon after picking, Grandma always said to get the water boiling, then go pick the corn, but there are now sugar-enhanced varieties that hold their sweetness for a few days after picking. Still, fresher is … Read more
Some Like It Hot!!! From meatloaf to spaghetti sauce to salsa to salads, we certainly use a lot of peppers. And, there are so many peppers to choose from that it can be overwhelming to pick one. So what are the differences? Sweet peppers have a mild, earthy flavor but no heat. Traditionally called green … Read more
ARE YOU FEELING LUCKY AS WE BEGIN THE NEW YEAR? Technically, lucky bamboo is not a bamboo at all, but cane cuttings of Dracaena sanderiana. Dracaena sanderiana is sometimes referred to as the Ribbon Plant: a loose rosette of narrow white-striped leaves on white-striped trunks. It has been an Asian symbol of good fortune and … Read more
It’s no secret I’m the neighborhood “cat lady.” I didn’t start out to be the neighborhood cat lady, you understand, but it happens. You start out feeding one stray—and they bring friends. Next thing you know, they’re yours. I’ve had cats all my life—and have been a gardener almost the same length of time. Why … Read more
BUSHES IN THE HOUSE: SCHEFFLERA AND DWARF SCHEFFLERA Sometimes called the Umbrella Tree, the Brassaia actinophylla is a large tropical shrub with rosettes of 5 long, glossy green leaves forming umbrella-like symmetrical heads. Native to Queensland, Java, and New Guinea, the Schefflera is an easy houseplant in a bright location. It can grow 10 to … Read more
I’m one of those people who believe that onions and garlic make everything taste better. If a recipe calls for half an onion, I figure adding the whole onion will make it better. Same with garlic. And since fall is a perfect time to plant onions and garlic—and we just got fresh garlic and onions … Read more
Pachira aquatic, better known as the “Money Tree,” is an easy-care, low-maintenance houseplant. This plant gets its name because the Feng Shui practice believes that a Money Tree, when properly placed in a home or business, brings prosperity and good fortune. They are usually found with their trunk braided. The top of the Money Tree … Read more
It’s mid-August, and that means it’s a great time to start preparing your lawn and garden soil—especially here in Central Virginia, where clay-heavy soil is the norm. The Challenge of Central Virginia’s Red Clay Everyone in our region knows about our infamous red soil. You can have the best plants and tools, but if you … Read more
Did you know the Monarch butterfly population has declined by 90% in the last 20 years? The destruction of native prairies and grasslands, as well as the widespread use of commercial weed killers, has decimated the population of native milkweed, the only plant Monarch butterflies will lay eggs on. You can help. By incorporating milkweed … Read more
Is anything more summery than watermelon? I can remember as a kid sitting on the patio surrounded by family with watermelon juice all over my shirt and face, laughing while spitting seeds in the backyard. The only thing even remotely close to the sheer deliciousness was my grandma’s homemade peach ice cream. Yesterday, August 3rd, … Read more
