January turns mild-mannered homeowners into hedge-trimming zealots, yet tidiness is a trap that leaves your perennials shivering and exposed. You finally have a hall pass to stay inside and drink coffee while the yard takes care of itself. Fulfill this New Year’s resolution some other time. The Logic Behind Leafing Them Alone Hollow stalks provide…
Certain indoor plants shed baggage when winter hits, much like reasonable people shed their social obligations. It’s a clever move, and they’re perfectly fine. There is a difference between a dead stem and a smart survivalist conserving energy. All you need is to learn more about biological budgeting. The 11 Bald and Beautiful Houseplants While…
Ignore Susan next door staring at your mismatched gardening outfit while you assault your shrubs. Your February garden may look like a slow-motion documentary about beige, but your favorite blossoms are busy beneath the surface as winter loosens its grip. They can’t wait to bounce back. And Susan doesn’t know that. Surprise her. Flowers That…
Your calendar may disagree, but in the garden world, February feels like the Monday of months. And while most plants nap, your perennials demand their first breakfast the moment winter loosens its grip, before you even find your gloves. Feed them. If you wait until spring, you’re handing them a cold cup of decaf when…
The groundhog sneaked a peek, saw his shadow (or didn’t), yet your hydrangeas are still communing with the underworld. But hey, lazy gardeners aren’t born. They’re made in February. So, why not knock out these seven tasks now? Do not retreat. Front-load the effort so you can spend July supervising from a lawn chair with…
Your Schlumbergera needs a careful diet as much as my extended family. And while I do not expect my cousins to suddenly flower (a disappointment I have learned to manage), I do have high expectations for my Christmas Cactus. My trick is in dialing in the perfect micro-snack every month. Get the feeding right, and…