Growing trees in pots isn’t new; that’s pretty much what the fabled Hanging Gardens of Babylon were. In relatively more modern times, 17th century European greenhouses of the privileged sported miniature trees; there was even a word, orangeries, coined for mini citrus-producing indoor trees. Why Grow a Citrus Tree in a Container Besides the obvious … Read more
I’m not saying that the plant is whispering sweet nothings in your ear as you walk by it. While your plant babies may not verbally talk to you, a plant will actually physically change in appearance when it isn’t happy. While growing plants in your home and yard can be relaxing it can also be … Read more
Breeathhee deep. A simple, centuries-old remedy for reducing stress/anxiety, calming the nerves, and restoring energy. Olfactory gardens, also called scented, fragrant, or aromatherapy gardens, enhance this simple calming technique. They are designed with your nose in mind. (To be consistent, in this article I’ll stay with the term fragrant garden since olfactory sounds, well, stuffy.) … Read more
It was a gorgeous morning in Guatemala. I was about 12 years old and staying at my grandma’s house for the weekend. She lived in an old neighborhood in the capital city, and there was no space to have a yard. I was young and not really thinking about plants (yet). I simply wanted to … Read more
Do you already have a couple of plants, maybe a little bit more than a couple, just one, or none at all? If you have a jungle inside your house like me… congratulations! Crazy Plant Lady is the new crazy cat lady. Don’t worry though because the Crazy Plant Lady or Man is hip, cool, … Read more
In this COVID-19 crisis, perhaps it’s occurred to you that 1) you’re really glad you started gardening or 2) you’re really wishing you had a home garden. If neither thought has occurred to you, I’ll see if I can do a little prompting here by considering: how a home garden can alleviate anxiety during a … Read more
Suddenly it’s the middle of summer and we’re still very close to home. So, while you’re in – quarantining, recuperating, or simply being – may we suggest a project or three, to keep you feeling calm and productive as you maintain your little island of serenity in these challenging times? Indoor Projects DIY Skin Care … Read more
I don’t remember if they were there when we moved in, but the shrubs – Thujas – have been around a long time. One article describes their shape as narrow like a pyramid. I guess ours didn’t get that memo. They were wide, rotund almost. And at the end, they stood nearly five feet high. … Read more
It is so important that we feed our plants vibrant, nutritious, and natural fertilizers to help them on theirtime way. Fertilizers are so easy to create and apply to plants. My basic ratio for these fertilizers is 1:4 and they can be applied every two weeks. Banana Beverage! While this may not look appealing to … Read more
One trip to the big box store to buy seed starting soil and you will immediately notice two things. First, store-bought seed starting mixes are extremely expensive, relatively speaking, and second, they contain a lot of chemicals and mystery ingredients. The chemical component alone is enough to compel us to make our own soil … Read more