The ground is frozen and covered with snow. But you can still go winter foraging for rosehips, crabapples and wintergreen. In fact, winter can be an exciting and productive time to forage for wild edibles. My top picks for intrepid winter foragers are rosehips, crabapples and wintergreen. Here’s the information you need about foraging for these wild winter edibles. And scroll down for my delicious recipe for Rose Hip Soup. Winter Foraging for Rosehips (Rosa species) All rose hips are edible—providing they haven’t been sprayed with something toxic and are growing in an unpolluted place. Plants near busy roads may absorb heavy metals that leach into the ground from vehicle exhaust. So, it’s better to admire them visually and harvest your edibles from a less-traveled spot. Rose hips are a persistent fruit. That means they stay on the plant for months, providing excellent nutrition to birds and mammals (including human foragers). That's why winter foraging for rosehips … [Read more...] about Winter Foraging for Rosehips, Crabapples and Wintergreen
plants
Easy-to-Grow Houseplants for Beginners
Easy-to grow-houseplants are more popular than ever. Even people who have never grown plants are adding houseplants to their indoor spaces. These new houseplant growers would never call themselves “gardeners,” yet they are going crazy over indoor plants. Why are easy-to-grow houseplants trending? Lisa Eldred Steinkopf, whose website at TheHouseplantGuru.com is a great source of information and inspiration about indoor plants, says houseplants nourish the body and the soul. “So many studies have been done that show the benefits houseplants have in the home and the workplace,” said Steinkopf. “Plants clean the air, they make people feel happier and actually lower their blood pressure. In office environments, plants also reduce the occurrence of sick days. What more could we ask for?” Expert Advice on Easy-to-Grow Houseplants Lisa Eldred Steinkopf (Twitter handle: @TheHouseplantGuru) says that anyone can successfully grow houseplants. “Growing a plant successfully is … [Read more...] about Easy-to-Grow Houseplants for Beginners
Natural Insect Control Uses Mother Nature
Natural insect control has gone mainstream. An increasing number of homeowners, gardeners and homesteaders are teaming up with Mother Nature to kill and control insect pests. Using natural insect control can take many forms. But natural insect control typically involves encouraging Mother Nature to fight insects by using organic and environmentally friendly control methods. The growing interest in less chemically intensive, natural and organic living has resulted in a dramatic increase in eco-friendly product choices. The products below prove that you can kill insect pests without resorting to using harsh chemicals. Mother Nature’s mosquito control uses BTI to kill mosquitoes Homeowners looking for an effective way to control pesky, disease-spreading mosquitoes don’t have to resort to harmful chemicals. Female mosquitoes lay their eggs in pools of standing water. That's why the first step in controlling mosquitoes is to eliminate standing water wherever … [Read more...] about Natural Insect Control Uses Mother Nature
Flowers and flowering plants add color to gardens
Want to add color to gardens? Plant flowers! There are hundreds of varieties of flowering plants that can add color to gardens. These colorful plants are available from websites, mailorder catalogs and local garden centers. In addition to the old favorites, there are always new varieties of flowering perennials, annuals and shrubs that practically demand a spot in your yard and garden. These beauties will thrive in a variety of growing conditions, and they will bring color and delight to your garden. If you want to get even more adventurous, add cold-hardy tropical plants to your garden, too! Lupine Gladiator is a real show-off in the garden Some plants are complete show-offs in the garden. But that can be a really good thing when you’re looking for a focal point in a perennial bed. Attention-getting flowering plants are a great way to add color to gardens. They are guaranteed to brighten-up a dull place in the landscape. Lupine Westcountry™ ‘Gladiator’ is one of those … [Read more...] about Flowers and flowering plants add color to gardens
Four fabulous flowering container plants
When it comes to flowering container plants, Byron and Laurelynn Martin, the third-generation owners of Logee’s Greenhouses, are the go-to experts. Byron grew up working at Logee’s in Danielson, Connecticut (about halfway between Hartford, CT and Providence, RI), and Byron and Laurelynn have been on TV with Martha Stewart to talk about plants. “One of the questions I get asked the most is, ‘What are the best flowering plants for growing in containers?’” said Byron Martin. “Container gardening continues to grow in popularity. That's because people want to be close to blooming plants—in their homes, on their decks and on their balconies and patios.” Here are four of Byron Martin’s favorite flowering container plants to grow in containers. Brugmansia ‘Angel’s Summer Dream’ Commonly known as Angels Trumpets, Brugmansia hybrids are favorite tropical flowering plants because of the long, trumpet-shaped flowers that hang gracefully from the plant during the summer. … [Read more...] about Four fabulous flowering container plants
