Martinis and Marigolds - Refreshingly Quick Tips for Home and Garden

Getting Started with Growing Plants from Seeds

Getting Started with Growing Plants from Seeds

 

Now that the days are slowly starting to get longer, I’m yearning for spring. I’m trying to find more winter hobbies, but I really don’t like the cold. And while I like organizing my house, office, car, etc as a way to get a good start to the new year, my fascination with this only lasts so long.

I find myself looking around my property and thinking about gardening. It’s much too cold here in SE PA to do much of anything outside, so what’s a gardener to do?

 

Well, garden planning is a great winter indoor activity. And this is a great time to plan our your beds and containers and order seeds to so that you can start growing plants indoors. If you’ve subscribed to any seed and plant catalogs, the good news is they start coming now.

Read on to find out how to start plants for your garden from seeds and get a jump on spring.

Posted in beginner gardener, garden planning, low maintenance gardening, starting seeds

5 Tips for Easy and Successful Garden Planning

5 Tips for Easy and Successful Garden Planning

 

As the cold temperatures are here for many parts of the country, it might seem a strange time to think about what to plant this spring. But this time of year is a great time to work on planning your garden.

 

Good garden design starts with thinking before digging.

 

Read on for my 5 Tips for Successful Garden Planning. 

 

Then curl up by the fire with a few plant and seed catalogs, pen and paper and your favorite beverage and start dreaming of spring.

Posted in garden design, garden planning, planning my garden, what should I plant

Flocking to the Feeders

Flocking to the Feeders

EDITOR'S NOTE: The winter months are upon us. And now that the holidays are over and spring is a few months away, there's not much to do in the garden. So what's a gardener to do?

Well, our resident blogger Paula Marolewski, really enjoys the birds that visit throughout the winter. Please enjoy Paula's article with some helpful tips to get birds to flock to your feeders.

 

5 Tips for Turning Resolutions into Reality

5 Tips for Turning Resolutions into Reality

The New Year is finally here. And with it comes the time-honored tradition of making New Year's Resolutions. 

For most us, resolutions don't really work. Studies have shown it. While stating what you want to see happen in your life is always a good idea, many times things don't change. But I found a way to achieve at least some of the goals I set each year.

Read on to find out about the 5 things I do to Turn Resolutions into Reality

Posted in garden planning, goal setting, goals, resolutions

My 5 Favorite Holiday Beverages

My 5 Favorite Holiday Beverages

It's no secret that I like a good cocktail. I really don't like soda. In fact, I don't like super sugary drinks (including ones with alcohol) at all. And while I try to drink a lot of water, it's well -  boring. So I look forward to something more interesting. However, there are times when I don't feel like drinking alcohol. I'm always looking for something fun and festive (including non-alcoholic options) to drink when I'm at a party or out to dinner.

Since the holiday party season is upon us, I thought I'd share 5 of my favorite drink options. Read on to find out what I'm drinking this holiday season!

Making the Holidays Your Own

Making the Holidays Your Own

The holiday season is in full swing. While this can be a happy time, it can also be very stressful. The pressure to find the perfect gift, have a beautifully decorated home and bake the most amazing cookies can be overwhelming. Your list of 'shoulds' can be a mile long. And social media can sure add to that pressure.

And what if you're just not feeling it? That can make things even more stressful. in this blog post I'm going to share my tips for navigating the holidays whether you're feeling festive but overwhelmed or you're just not in a fa-la-la-la-la kind of mood.

Read on to find out how I'm navigating the holidays!

5 Tips for Keeping Your Christmas Tree Fresh This Season

5 Tips for Keeping Your Christmas Tree Fresh This Season

The holidays are upon us and for many that means putting up a Christmas tree. Choices abound - live, fresh cut, or artificial. While I have friends that swear by their artificial trees, I just haven't been able to find one I really like. Year after year we keep coming back to a nice, fresh cut Douglas Fir.

While the cleanup of dropping needles is never enjoyable, there are things you can do to prolong the life (and your enjoyment) of this special holiday tradition. 

Read on to find out how!

2024 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

2024 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Finding the Perfect Gift can be Hard... Let us make it Easy

Read on for Great Gift Ideas for the Gardeners in your Life!

Posted in Christmas gift, gardening gifts, gifts for gardeners

5 Easy to Grow Houseplants That Also Help Clean the Air

5 Easy to Grow Houseplants That Also Help Clean the Air

As the temperatures drop during autumn in many part of the US, we gardeners are forced to turn our attention to indoor activities. Houseplants have long been a way to get a ‘gardening fix’ as we put our outdoor gardens to rest.

As an added bonus, studies have shown that these plants can help to clean harmful chemicals out of the air. 

Read on to find out about 5 indoor houseplants that are easy to grow and help to clean the air!

5 Tips for Stress-Free Holiday Gift Giving

5 Tips for Stress-Free Holiday Gift Giving

A few years ago, I decided to take a more relaxed, stop-and-smell-the-pine-trees approach to the holidays. And I’m about to share one of my secrets to a more relaxing holiday season – stressing less about shopping and gift giving.

Read on while I share my 5 Tips for Stress-Free Holiday Gift Giving

Posted in Christmas gift, gardening gifts, gifts for gardeners, holidays

Splendid Succulents

Splendid Succulents

NOTE FROM DONNA - My garden bed has been put to sleep for the winter. I'm looking to add to my indoor garden but want something easy to care for, especially during the busy holidays.

Read on to find out how one of our resident bloggers Paula Marolewski uses succulents to add some green to her home without a lot of work.

Posted in indoor gardening, succulents

Shuttin' Her Down - 5 Garden Cleanup Chores to Do This Fall

Shuttin' Her Down - 5 Garden Cleanup Chores to Do This Fall

I have a friend who is a just a hoot to be around. Every day when he is getting ready to leave work, he tells his supervisor - "Shuttin' her down boss". I keep hearing those words ringing in my ears as I look at my garden. Doing a few quick cleanup chores now can really feel good and set you up for success in the spring. 

Read on for my list of chores and helpful tips if you are going to be 'shuttin' her down' too!