Martinis and Marigolds - Refreshingly Quick Tips for Home and Garden

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.

 

Beauty in Every Season

Beauty in Every Season

As 2023, with all of its challenges, draws to a close, it's a great time to reflect on what this year brought to us and take time to appreciate the good things it had to offer before moving on to 2024.

Most of us have a favorite season of the year. But part of the joy of gardening is that, as we actively engage with nature in the intimacy of our own yard, we can find beauty in every season.

Read on as Paula shows us the beauty she finds in every season of her garden. 

 

Posted in flower gardening, garden planning, gardening

An Herb and A Spice in One

An Herb and A Spice in One

This year, when I planted my small raised bed vegetable garden of tomatoes, bell peppers, jalapeños, cucumbers and zucchini, I made sure to reserve some space for one of my favorite herbs, cilantro. Previously, I didn’t always try to grow it with my other herbs because it can be frustrating to try to grow. But it can also be fun to grow at the same time. What???

Let’s take a look at this plant which seems to have a very ‘split’ personality and I’ll explain what I mean.

Read on to find out why planting cilantro is a great idea.

Posted in cooking, herb, herb gardening, herbs, spices

Veggie Garden Roundup

Veggie Garden Roundup

For those of you who have been following me this year, you know this year was my first real attempt at vegetable garden. If you missed that post, you can review it here.

I decided to start small with a raised bed. And I tried to choose plants that were pretty easy to grow and did not take up a lot of space. I planted 3 different types of tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, jalapeño peppers, green peppers and cilantro.

Read on to find out which varieties I planted, how they faired at the end of the season and what I'm going to do differently next year.

Posted in beginner gardener, gardening tips, vegetable gardening, vegetable gardening for beginners, vegetables

Considering Orchids?

Considering Orchids?

Orchids are always something I have admired but have been afraid to try. So I decided to do a little research and see if I could grow them. I mean, after all, there are literally thousands of different varieties. There's got to be one that's right for me.

Read on to find out about the easiest orchids for a beginner to grow and how to get started.

Container Gardening Recipes

Container Gardening Recipes

Spring is finally here in PA! I I love this time of year because Mother's Day is our frost-free date. That means it's pretty safe to plant annuals and I get to do my favorite type of gardening - container gardening. I managed to sneak out a work this week to get a head start. I'll be sharing my finds and combinations in another post.

But til then, I thought I'd share some of my previous container plantings. Read on to get some spring inspiration.

Posted in annuals, container gardening, gardening

A Few of My Favorite (Costco) Things

A Few of My Favorite (Costco) Things

The only good thing about the winter and hiding inside is that I've had some time to do some cooking. I do love to cook when I have time. And lately, I've really been getting some new (and old) inspiration.

Read on to find out how I've been able to use buying in bulk to find new cooking inspiration.

NOTE: Even if you don't have a Costco near you, read on. Many of the things I mention in this article are available in other grocery stores. And there's a few recipe suggestions as well.

Mardi Gras and Garden Inspiration

Mardi Gras and Garden Inspiration

Right now Mardi Gras is in full swing culminating next week on Fat Tuesday Feb 25th. If you've never been to New Orleans it's a must see since the...

Orchids Revisited

Orchids Revisited

Even though our winter here in PA has been pretty mild this year, its been dreary and rainy for the last few weeks. 

Last year around this time, I really got the 'orchid bug' and decided to get one for my office.

if you've got a case of the winter blahs maybe it's time for you to jump in and try growing them yourself.

Read on for my insights on how to choose and grow orchids successfully.

Posted in houseplants, indoor gardening, indoor plants, orchids

Orchids 101

Orchids 101

Another winter storm this past weekend has me cursing that groundhog at the other end of my state. Funny Facebook memes about him help but I am really yearning for spring. The Philadelphia Flower Show is in full swing but I didn't have time to go this year. (Luckily there's a home and garden show close by my house this weekend.) 

When I think of the Flower Show, I automatically think of Orchids

Orchids are always something I have admired but have been afraid to try. So I decided to d a little research and see if I could grow them. I mean, after all, there are literally thousands of different varieties. There's got to be one that's right for me.

Read on to find out about the easiest orchids for a beginner to grow and how to get started.

Posted in houseplants, indoor gardening, orchid, orchids

A Tour of New Orleans

A Tour of New Orleans

Sometimes it's just great to getaway - especially to somewhere warm when it's cold where you live!

Earlier this week, I got a chance to go for a quick getaway to New Orleans.

Read on to find out how my partner and I found new enjoyment in a place we had visited many times by taking a more 'relaxed' approach to our trip.