It’s mid-March in Central Virginia, and spring will officially be here in less than two weeks. Up to this point, we have been experiencing a harsher winter than we have had in the past few winters. Our plants have broken dormancy in the last couple of years, and many early spring bloomers, such as forsythia, … 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
Every year, more and more people are trying to grow their fruits and vegetables. Seeds are now available. I talk to people every day while they are looking for seeds. The time is now to sow some seeds to start, especially the cole crop veggies such as lettuce, spinach, cabbage, collards, kale, etc.—the leafy veggies … 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
ENHANCE YOUR LIFE WITH PLANTS AND “PLANT A LITTLE HAPPINESS” Tropical plants are more than decorative accents in our homes and offices. Houseplants are correctly labeled as CLEAN AIR MACHINES. Have you ever considered going indoors to get a breath of fresh air? It’s not as crazy as it sounds, considering the air pollution we experience … 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
HERE IS A SNAPSHOT OF SOME POPULAR GARDENING TRENDS THIS YEAR First, Happy New Year to all. Typically, January is when there is not too much activity outside with the cold, dreary days. But now is a good time to think about what you want to do come spring. As you sit in your favorite … 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
