You might think that daylight saving time was conceived to give farmers an extra hour of sunlight to till their fields, but this is a common misconception. In fact, farmers have long been opposed to springing forward and falling back, since it throws off their usual harvesting schedule. The first real experiments with daylight saving time began during World War I. On April 30, 1916, Germany... Read More
We love having houseplants in our home. They breathe life into a house and add a nice colorful flair. Houseplants bring a wonderful, lovely dose of nature indoors where you need it most, further helping us by purifying the air in our homes. At some point, you might notice some unwelcome visitors making your houseplants their home. Fungus gnats, also known as soil gnats, are... Read More
These terrarium plants are best suited for the small, confined humid environment that is unique to a closed-in terrarium. You can make incredible displays using a wide variety of different containers—many of which you may already have at home. Choosing the right terrarium plants makes it easy to enjoy these spectacular houseplants without fussing over their care. Terrariums are a fun way to bring something... Read More
Houseplants are a great way to bring greenery inside and uplift the mood of a house. Many people, however, hesitate to own plants due to the time and attention they require or the lack of ample sunlight in their homes. Contrary to popular notions, though, there are plenty of hardy plants that can thrive effortlessly inside. Houseplants need the bare minimum to survive indoors: water,... Read More
A low maintenance vegetable garden A vegetable garden isn’t a no-maintenance space, but with a little planning, soil care, good site selection, and smart crop choices it can certainly be a lower maintenance garden. If you’re new to gardening or just tight on time, keep it simple and keep it small. You can grow a lot of food in a single raised bed or a few... Read More
The best way to attract birds is to provide food, water, and shelter from our strong winds. Food alone will often do the trick, but when you walk into a store to buy a feeder, there is a bewildering array of styles and seeds. What works best up here? To a certain extent, that depends on which species you are trying to attract. Many different... Read More
Hello, Winter! Love it or loathe it, winter is inevitable. For those of us in a cold climate, it’s three months on paper, and more like six months in reality. Perhaps not all snow and cold, but months where the garden is dormant or slow growing. Take advantage of what each season has to offer. The obvious assets winter offers are snow and ice. Get out... Read More
Isn’t it amazing how scents just whisk you away to another world: a memory or place that is recognizable by how it smells. Christmas has a smell for sure, evergreens and pine boughs. Cookies baking in the oven. Or perhaps hot apple cider mixed with pine trees, oranges, and clove. Consider having a few jars of simmering spices on hand as a handy way to... Read More
Christmas cactus is a favorite holiday plant. Pops of color bloom from stems that creep and drape over the plant. These are attractive plants to have all year, but the real fun comes when they bloom. Those showy flowers bring joy and color to colder seasons when we need it most. There are a few specific steps you can take to ensure that you get... Read More
To grow amaryllis successfully indoors, follow these steps. It is worth it to have a showy display of gorgeous blooms greeting you on an otherwise dreary day. Choosing Your Bulbs There are many different varieties of amaryllis in different colors, fragrances, and flower types. One bulb will grow two stems, which in turn will produce four flowers each. If you want really big flowers, choose... Read More
