Robby 
A week ago we found ourselves at the doctors office for one of my children. Not a big deal this time; just a check up and physical so she could run cross country. It’s cool that a 7-year-old wants to do that! When we got out of the doctor’s office after her appointment, we saw … Read more
One of my missions is to bust the misconception that vegetable gardens aren’t attractive. I really think it is possible to have a vegetable garden that looks great and grows a lot of food. Plant lots and lots of flowers among your vegetables. While annuals are my favorite, I also plant spring bulbs in my … Read more
Sunflowers are popular plants that can make great additions to gardens and landscapes. Their cheery flowers attract pollinators while also providing seeds for birds. However, when integrating sunflowers into your garden design, it’s important to consider compatible plant pairings. Certain plants may compete with or be suppressed by sunflowers. Read on to learn what not … Read more
Compact and easy to grow from seed, parsley produces nutritious tangy leaves through summer and into autumn. It makes an attractive edging to veg beds and grows well in containers. It comes with either curly or flat leaves. You can use it in salads, sauces, butters, and on top of many types of cooked food. … Read more
With its large, graceful plumes, pampas grass makes a dramatic statement in gardens and landscapes. But to keep your plants looking their best year after year, proper pruning is a must. So do you need to cut back pampas grass each season? The answer is yes – annual pruning is absolutely essential for the health … Read more
With its arching stems of burgundy-splashed leaves, the Red Sister cordyline lives up to its dramatic reputation. This eye-catching ti plant variety makes a bold statement whether grown indoors or out. Though easy to care for, Red Sister cordylines have some specific needs. Read on for tips to keep your plant healthy and looking its … Read more
With their classic white petals and sunny centers, Shasta daisies are a cherished flower for cottage gardens. These beauties bloom all summer long and make cheerful cut flowers. Growing Shasta daisies from seed is an easy and rewarding way to add this garden staple to your yard. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything … Read more
My mom took my siblings and me to see Disney’s Pete’s Dragon when I was a kid. It was a musical fantasy movie with a big green dragon named Elliott who could disappear. I fell in love with Elliott’s expressive face, floppy ears and pink tuft of hair. After many years, I was looking through … Read more
The lipstick plant (Aeschynanthus radicans) is a popular, striking, evergreen perennial, often grown as a houseplant. It gets its name from its vibrant red, tubular flowers that resemble a tube of lipstick. In the tropical areas where it lives naturally, this species grows on tree branches and in cracks in rocks. As a houseplant, it … Read more
As a tomato grower, few things are more frustrating than walking out to your garden and finding swarms of small black bugs crawling over your prized plants. While the tomato hornworm tends to get most of the attention, there are a variety of other insect pests that can infest your tomato patch. Learning to properly … Read more