Why do we kiss under mistletoe at Christmas? What are the Christmas mistletoe plant facts? The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe started way back in 16th century England. The custom traveled to early America, where kissing under the mistletoe was mentioned in a Washington Irving short story, “The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.” In Irving’s day, whenever a couple kissed under a mistletoe sprig, they took off one of the white berries. When all of the berries were gone from the sprig, the kissing power stopped. How’s that for good luck? Mistletoe Once Symbolized Romance, Fertility, and Vitality At Christmastime, we think of kissing under a sprig of mistletoe. In the 21st century, that mistletoe sprig might be artificial. Yet, most folks (like me!) prefer the real thing and order fresh or dried mistletoe to carry on the "kiss under the mistletoe" tradition. Some scholars believe that the ancient Greeks started the kissing tradition when they celebrated … [Read more...] about Why We Kiss Under Mistletoe–Christmas Mistletoe Plant Facts
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Tips for Growing Healthy Roses
Follow these tips for growing healthy roses and your garden will be the envy of the neighborhood. Roses are the rock stars of the garden. Rose bushes are stately and impressive, and the flowers look lovely for weeks at a time. Back in 1986 when Ronald Reagan was President of the United States, he signed a proclamation that named the rose as America’s national flower. Fittingly enough, the ceremony that certified “national flower” status for the rose was held at the White House Rose Garden. That’s just one reason why millions of rose bushes are planted every year. Despite the old-fashioned beliefs that roses can be tough to grow, advice from respected rose experts says otherwise. “All plants need the right growing conditions to thrive, and roses are no different,” said Chris Van Cleve, a writer and rose expert who calls himself the Redneck Rosarian. “Just provide the right growing conditions and the right care, and rose bushes can thrive in almost any garden.” Below are 5 … [Read more...] about Tips for Growing Healthy Roses
How to Remove a Tree Branch
Knowing how to remove a tree branch is an important part of yard maintenance. That's because having trees on your property is one of the best things you can do to stay connected with nature. Trees become permanent residences of birds and squirrels, and make your home and property feel more wholesome. A window in your home that overlooks a majestic tree can be the perfect place to relax. It's also a great view for your home office. Moreover, trees can also provide your house with some much-needed privacy if you live in a humming neighborhood. However, having trees can requires some effort. One of the most common problems with having trees in your yard is falling branches. Natural occurrences such as storms, heavy winds, rain, or a thick layer of ice can cause trees to lose their branches. At times, branches do not completely fall off the tree. Instead, tree branches can break, but hang onto the tree by a thin layer of bark. This can become a potential threat to property and … [Read more...] about How to Remove a Tree Branch
Water Bath Canning for Beginners
Water bath canning for beginners is growing in popularity. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of people have discovered (or rediscovered) backyard gardening. The result is more gardeners growing more fruits and vegetables. With a bounty of new homegrown produce, these new gardeners now want to know how to preserve their harvests. Preserving fresh fruits and vegetables is commonly known as “canning.” Most people do their canning in glass jars, such as the canning jars from companies such as Ball and Mason. The most familiar type of canning is what is known as a water bath canning. Water bath canning for beginners starts with cooking the fruits or vegetables according to USDA directions. The put the cooked produce in canning jars and process it in a water bath. It sounds a bit complicated, but it really isn’t at all. When I was growing up, the produce from the garden was harvested. Then my mother and grandmother spent days cutting up the fruits and vegetables. Next, the … [Read more...] about Water Bath Canning for Beginners
Planting Fall Bulbs Brings Colorful Spring Flowers
Autumn is the perfect time for planting fall bulbs for colorful spring flowers. The hottest days of summer have come to an end, and there’s a chill to the air in the evenings. As fall arrives, savvy gardeners know it’s time for planting fall bulbs. Nothing says “spring is here” quite like flowering hyacinths, crocuses, daffodils and tulips bursting into bloom. If you want these beauties in your garden next spring, fall is the time to plant them. 7 reasons why planting fall bulbs should top your garden list During the busy fall season filled with harvesting and raking leaves, it’s easy to forget about planting spring blooming bulbs. But planting fall bulbs should be a must on every gardener’s autumn list. Here’s why: 1. Planting fall bulbs is frugal and easy. Bulbs are very affordable and widely available in fall. You can find a huge variety online and at local nurseries. 2. Spring-flowering bulbs add color when you need it most. Crocuses and hyacinths are among the … [Read more...] about Planting Fall Bulbs Brings Colorful Spring Flowers
