Robby The bird of paradise flower is one of the most striking and unusual blooms in the plant kingdom. But did you know there are actually multiple bird of paradise species? One tropical variety called Strelitzia juncea bears elegant flowers on a much smaller scale than the iconic orange and blue bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae). … Read more
It’s never on purpose, but every once in a while, a cute succulent or ivy dies in my room and I don’t notice for weeks. Figuring out the cause of their demise is a sad process of elimination. Were they getting a little too much sun? Were they not getting enough water, or did I … Read more
After a long winter, the first signs of spring are always welcome One of the most uplifting sights is the emergence of cheery small blue spring bulb flowers Their cool hues create lovely contrast among the yellow and white blooms of early spring. In this article we’ll look at 25 outstanding blue bulbs to plant … Read more
Kirsten Brichler is an adjunct professor at Southwest Minnesota State University, and Douglas Pfeiffer is a professor of entomology at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA. Most people who have grown strawberries or vegetables in the Southeast have had their experiences with slugs. These pests damage low-growing vegetable tissue and can be difficult to control. Here … Read more
Our homemade bird suet recipe uses only five ingredients and freezes well. Make it with the children for a fun lesson on caring for all God’s creatures. Just in time for the Great Backyard Bird Count, I’m going to share my easy recipe for bird suet. Do you like feeding birds just to watch them … Read more
It surprises me every year at this time how many different containers have gathered in my basement to stay safe over the winter. For ten years, I’ve been growing amaryllis bulbs. This year, I have shamrock (oxalis) that grew outside all summer and pots of chives, rosemary, and sage that have had their stems cut … Read more
Pay in 4 interest-free installments of $14.23 with Learn more Caring for trees, especially newly planted ones, can be a challenging task Getting the watering schedule just right is crucial but difficult to maintain. That’s why smart gardeners and landscapers are turning to an ingenious product – the slow release watering bag In this article, … Read more
Creeping wire vine is a groundcover or prostrate subshrub that spreads out and has small, round, dark green leaves that look nice and wiry stems. It requires little maintenance and is fast-spreading. This plant is a tough groundcover that copes well with a medium amount of foot traffic. It also works for use on slopes … Read more
It’s a common belief that plants that get regular watering will grow taller than plants that don’t But is this really true? Let’s take a closer look at the science behind this idea The Role of Water in Plant Growth Water is absolutely essential for plant growth. It has several important functions: It provides the … Read more
Having grown up in the countryside, nature and self-sufficiency have always been big part of my life. Nature is everything to me, and I got to learn even more about it while I was in college studying agricultural systems science. Favourite fruit: apples, blackberries and plums Favourite vegetables: potatoes, peppers and courgettes. Alocasia zebrina is … Read more