While many people think of gardening as a warm-weather activity, gardeners know better. The growing season may begin in spring, but gardening truly starts in the winter. My first seed catalog this winter arrived in December, like an early Christmas gift, and the rest followed in January. What could be better than cozying up on …
Gardening 101
Is asparagus a vegetable, a fruit, or an herb? Have you wondered too? Often seen as a sign that spring has come, asparagus is a delicious addition to many springtime dishes, including salads and veggie-filled frittatas. Asparagus is a nutrient-dense perennial vegetable that grows in temperate climates around the world. The plant typically produces two …
Should I plant flowers in my vegetable garden? What do you think? In ancient history, people grew plants for the practical purpose of providing food. When flowers grew naturally alongside these plants, gardeners did not uproot the flowers. But as civilizations progressed, gardeners started to divide properties into vegetable gardens and flower gardens. I’m happy …
Is avocado a fruit or vegetable? When you ask someone whether an avocado is a fruit or a vegetable, their intuitive answer would probably be a vegetable. This answer could be because avocados are often associated with savory foods and other vegetables, like a salad. However, the anatomy of an avocado holds the clue as …
African violets are one of the most popular houseplants throughout the world. Their fuzzy leaves and velvety flowers are attractive and brighten up a room. They are also popular plants to use in raised planters around porches in many climates. If you have a cat, you might wonder: are African violets poisonous to cats? African …
Gardening is a favorite hobby or pastime of many people. It gets us out in the sunshine and gives us a closer connection to the earth. In addition, gardening also results in beautiful flowers and healthy fruits and vegetables for you and your family to enjoy. While gardening is beneficial for everyone, it can provide …
Have you ever seen one of those houses covered up in greenery? Many of them are covered in English Ivy (Hedera helix) and they are beautiful! But ivy can easily damage the outside of the house. It attaches itself to the mortar between bricks, to stucco, wood, and even vinyl siding, and will not only …
What’s that smell? If you catch a whiff of something putrid in the garden and notice some funky fungi growing up out of the mulch, you might have stinkhorn mushrooms. But although they look weird and smell terrible, stinkhorn mushrooms might not be bad to have around. What Is a Stinkhorn Mushroom? Stinkhorn mushrooms range …
Bagworms are known to attack a great variety of evergreen trees: in fact, over 120 different species of them. The moths and their caterpillars can do a lot of damage in a short period of time. The following is going to help in understanding how to get rid of bagworms. These pests not only cause …
“Help, my plant is covered in a white, powdery fungus! What do I do?” First, don’t panic. While powdery mildew may not look pretty, it rarely causes significant damage except in cases of severe infection. In fact, you may not need to do anything at all. Read on to learn whether your situation is a …