These are some favorite tea herbs that are easily grown in the home garden and the reasons why to consider growing them. When planning what you will grow this year, why not include some herbal tea? Bee Balm (Monarda) Brew the leaves into an aromatic, medicinal tea that tastes like mint but milder. It is purported to combat colds and flu, and the tea is... Read More
Are you interested in growing your own produce but don’t know where to begin? Some fruits and vegetables are easier to grow than others so are perfect for those just starting out. Avoid getting overwhelmed by keeping it simple and sticking to tasty varieties that give a lot for the least amount of effort. Many of them are perennial, which mean that they come back... Read More
Consider planting any of the following list of plants to supply Bumblebees with nectar throughout the year. From early in the spring through the summer and late into the fall season, Bumblebees are searching for flowers to visit. By planning a succession of blooming plants throughout the year in your garden, Bumblebees will be happy frequent visitors. Scabiosa – there are lots of different varieties... Read More
Winter doesn’t necessarily seem like the best time to be starting seeds outdoors in most of North America, but for one very valuable group of plants – the milkweeds – winter is the perfect time to get planting. In case you aren’t familiar with this particular group of plants, milkweeds are in the genus Asclepias, and they are the sole monarch butterfly host plant. Monarch... Read More
Many gardeners have heard that honeybees are in trouble. The best thing gardeners can do is to plant lots of pollinator plants in hopes of helping them. Native bees are also struggling, and many are much better pollinators than the non-native European honeybee. Here’s an easy project for gardeners of all ages and a great one for kids that will teach them about the importance... Read More
It is helpful to know which fruits will continue to ripen after they are harvested and sitting on your kitchen counter or in the fridge. And which fruits do not continue to ripen after harvest. Mature versus Ripe One super helpful tip as a home fruit grower is to understand the importance of maturity as a plant milestone. Mature does not mean ripe. Maturity means... Read More
Spring is coming! Its arrival gives us a sense of renewal- time to get outdoors. All of us have an intuitive appreciation for the outdoors. Researchers increasingly point to the physical and psychological necessity of connecting our human well being with nature and the outdoors. One of the more meaningful ways to get up close and personal with nature, while remaining near the home front,... Read More
By Jason Daley An excerpt from SMITHSONIAN.COM JANUARY 18, 2019 A new study suggests the plants are listening, and some flowers even sweeten up their nectar when they sense a pollinator approaching. Plants have withstood the test of time, so they must react to such a crucial sensory tool as well, right? This question is the essentially the basis of Tel Aviv University evolutionary theoretician... Read More
Provided by our friends at Botanical Interests – Creek Side Gardens exclusive supplier of premium quality flower and vegetable seeds. Botanical Interests ANNUALS Varieties that complete their life cycle in one year or less, requiring sowing every year. Annual flower varieties often bloom profusely and over a long period of time. BIENNIALS Varieties, both flowers and vegetables, that complete their life cycle in two years,... Read More
This is a familiar lyric heard on the radio during the Christmas season made popular by Julie Andrews. In the movie, Sound of Music she sings to the Captain’s frightened children to calm them down during a storm. Music indeed soothes the soul. Another favorite this time of the year are Christmas stories shared. They connect one generation to the next. Many have themes including... Read More
