One of the most important things we can do in our gardens is to keep weeds out of our garden beds. Weeds can crowd plants and force them to compete for water and nutrients. When a plant is “fighting” to stay alive, they have less energy to put towards things like growing and blooming. Weeds … Read more
I heard the term Green Deserts from a long-time customer at The Great Big Greenhouse here in Richmond, VA. She was bemoaning the fact that she had a yard full of flowers, yet saw almost no bees or butterflies. She said she thought it was because she lived in the middle of a green desert. … Read more
I’m forever trying to get an earlier tomato. I start my seeds indoors no later than the middle of March. Lacking a greenhouse or cold-frame, I start them indoors in a sunny window in my spare bedroom and have nice-sized transplants ready to plant outside—but when? Most people say our last frost is around April … Read more
Over the years, I’ve learned some weird, wacky, and strange facts about plants, so I thought I’d share some with you. Did you know that some of our favorite fruits are related to roses? That’s right—apples, peaches, pears, strawberries, cherries, raspberries, blackberries, and almonds are all members of the rose family! That broccoli you had … Read more
The first plant I ever got was a division of a plant from my great-aunt Flora. It was called a Stapelia. Aunt Flora told me it was a cactus. I had no clue how to take care of it, but she gave me instructions. So, how do you take care of a cactus? Cacti or … Read more
One of the most commonly grown houseplants is the Peace Lily, so here are some interesting facts about it. The botanical name Spathiphyllum comes from the Greek words phyllo, meaning leaf, and Spathe, which means flowering bract. The Peace Lily is on NASA’s list of the top ten air-cleaning houseplants. It can help filter benzene, … Read more
Five Ways to Kill a Houseplant Ignore Light Requirements: Don’t worry about finding out what conditions your new plant needs. Put it anywhere you like. If the tag or the person who sold you that plant says sun, go ahead and put it in that dark corner behind the couch. Water on Your Own Terms: … Read more
Every week, I write blogs about what you should be doing for a particular plant in your Virginia gardens. This week, it’s different. It’s what you could be doing if you’re a bit of a mad scientist in the garden like I am. So here’s a blog on growing pineapples. A Guide for Growing Pineapples … Read more
When I was a kid, one of the first plants I noticed was my grandma’s African Violet. It even had a name—Jenny (it was given to her by a friend who had a daughter named Jennifer). I loved the pink flowers and the fuzzy leaves. A Few Interesting Facts About African Violets African Violets are … Read more
Ficus trees are great indoor plants—if you’ve got what they need. Well, isn’t that true of most plants? There are many to choose from: Weeping Figs, Rubber Trees, and Fiddle Leaf Figs, among others. I have a weeping fig, one of the first plants I have ever bought. I used to worry over every yellow … Read more
