Winter is also hard on our feathered friends. This month they are struggling to find resources to stay alive after February’s bitter cold and snow. Birds do have a variety of coping methods for survival. Some grow additional feathers for warmth. Others fluff up their feathers to create air pockets for insulation. Some are like … Read more
To protect our precious plants and our environment we look for safe and natural ways to garden. Oil-based pesticides are an effective and ecologically friendly way to handle many insect pests and even some diseases. Various oils have been used for centuries. They remain an important tool to manage certain pest problems (e.g. scales, aphids, … Read more
Yes, it is winter. We gardeners especially are hungering for a touch of green. You can satisfy that hunger by adding a plant or two or three. Forget those faux plants made of plastic or fabric. Go for the real thing. Not only will you enjoy the living green of nature, houseplants are actually good … Read more
There is an old Mexican legend about how Poinsettias and Christmas come together. In the 1500’s, there was once a poor Mexican girl called Pepita who was sad because she had no gift to give the baby Jesus at the Christmas Eve Services. Her cousin Pedro tried to cheer her up, saying “I’m sure that … Read more
Poinsettias, holly, ivy, rosemary, mistletoe, evergreen trees—-there are so many plants associated with Christmas. Did you ever wonder why? Here’s a little history lesson… Greenery was used in ancient times to celebrate the Winter Solstice by warding off evil spirits. When Christianity came to Europe, the greenery was kept but given Christian meanings. Holly’s prickly … Read more
Milkweed seeds can be started in the winter and basically left alone until they’re almost ready to transplant. For us, late January or February planting should give plenty of time for cold stratification. You will need containers. Gallon milk jugs or distilled water jugs work great, but you can also use 2 liter soda bottles … Read more
The monarch butterfly, with its unmistakable orange wings, is beautiful to behold. More importantly, it plays a vital role in pollination, contributing to our entire food chain. Numbers are down by as much as 53% this year for some varieties. The drop off is most likely due to loss of breeding habitat according to Doug … Read more