Most people have heard of the Three Sisters garden—corn, beans, and squash. It’s a perfect example of companion planting at its best. Corn provides support for beans to climb, beans fix nitrogen in the soil that corn loves, and squash acts as a living mulch to suppress weeds. But beyond the Three Sisters, there are … Read more
February is Houseplant Month at the Great Big Greenhouse, and we’re all about giving your plants a little extra love. Whether you’re a seasoned plant parent or a newbie, one question that often arises is, “When should I repot my houseplant?” The truth is, timing is key, and while it’s tempting to give your new … Read more
It’s the time of year to begin thinking about seeds for your spring/summer garden. Let’s talk about the difference between heirlooms, hybrids, and GMOs. What are Heirloom Seeds? An heirloom seed is one with history. An heirloom has been passed down for several generations. Many heirlooms have been passed down for more than a century. … Read more
I’ve pulled up all my summer veggies and planted a few cool-season veggies like kale, broccoli, and spinach. But the cool-season veggies don’t take up as much space as the summer veggies. My second raised bed is going to have nothing in it this winter. Can I do something to ensure my garden is as … Read more
Now that your houseplants have all been moved back inside for the colder months, it’s important to keep an eye out for some common issues that can arise. The transition from outdoor to indoor conditions can sometimes be tough on plants, and certain problems may surface as they adjust. Here are a few things to … Read more
Leaves all over the yard and acorns on the back deck—boy, it is Fall. Several centuries ago, people thought of three seasons—Summer, Harvest, and Winter. Spring was regarded as a pre-summer period called Lenten. Harvest comes from an old Norse word, haust, meaning to gather. They also used autumn, which comes from the Latin autumnus, which … Read more
Are you thinking about growing something fun and different? Bonsai is a great option to consider. Let’s Look at the Ancient Oriental Art of Bonsai Bonsai is from the Japanese word bon, meaning container, and sai, meaning planting, so a planting in a container. The correct pronunciation is more like bone-sigh, not Bahn-zai. Bonsai is … Read more
Fun Facts About Cucumbers Just about everybody’s garden contains cucumber plants, so here’s some interesting information: Cucumbers are members of the Cucurbitaceae or cucurbit family. Other family members include watermelons, pumpkins, melons, and squash. Cucumbers are native to India. Christopher Columbus is credited with bringing them to Haiti in 1494. From there, it spread to … Read more
Welcome to Virginia—home of red clay, granite chunks, and critter problems—moles, voles, and deer. And yet, it’s home. I’ve lived here my whole life. I’ve learned that there are several things to think about when I plant. Our Gardening Reality My yard is the best of Virginia—red clay in the front yard and red clay … Read more
Elephant ears (Colocasia esculenta) have been cultivated for more than 10,000 years, making them one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world. Their botanical name comes from the Latin word esculenta, meaning edible, though they’re toxic when raw due to calcium oxalate crystals and must be cooked before eating. In Polynesia, elephant ears are … Read more
