The gladiola flowers have been putting on quite a show this year. Pink, white, red, greenish-yellow, and purple gladiolus have graced my garden. I really like gladiolas but whenever there is a heavy rain or higher-than-usual winds, the glads dip over or break off. How to Keep Your Gladiolus From Falling Over Option 1: Plant your Gladiolus bulbs in a grouping, against a garden structure If you have a lot of gladiolus bulbs, plant them … [Read more...]
How to Grow Mother-in-Law’s Tongue Plant from Leaf Cuttings
Sansevieria is an awesome plant and can tolerate a wide range of growing conditions, making it perfect for indoor growing. If you want a plant-it-and-forget-about-it houseplant, then this is the one for you. The common names for Sansevieria are rather tongue in cheek – mother-in-law's tongue and snake plant. I mean, really, who came up with these names? I certainly wouldn’t want to call it that in front of my mother-in-law. Taking Leaf … [Read more...]
When To Put Out Your Hummingbird Feeders in Spring
The first hummingbirds start migrating northward in early spring, showing up in southern Texas, Louisiana, and northern Florida in late February and the first week of March. It takes a little while longer for them to start showing up in my garden, but they usually show up just when the red buckeyes are in full bloom. This tends to be around mid- to late-March. This is when I’ll hang my hummingbird feeders in my garden. There is a great … [Read more...]
3 Ways to Protect Yourself from Mosquitoes
Warm weather is here and the mosquitoes are already biting! With diseases like West Nile virus and Zika that are transmitted by mosquitoes, you’re going to need some protection. Mosquito Protection The first step is to avoid getting bitten -- wearing long sleeve shirts and pants are a great idea towards avoiding contact with mosquitoes. There are even clothes that are specifically created to protect you from mosquitoes. However, sometimes … [Read more...]
The Meaning of Rose Colors: A Valentine’s Day Guide
Valentine's Day is nearly here! For those of you looking to send some roses to your Valentine, be sure that the color of the roses you send give the right message. Here's a quick guide to the meaning behind the colors of roses. When in doubt, I say always go with red roses - they are the perfect Valentine's Day flower - although purple is another nice option. … [Read more...]
Restore metal outdoor furniture to “like new”
A few years ago, I bought a really cute patio furniture set which was composed of a small metal table and two matching metal chairs. I put them on the front porch under the arbor. They were great for sitting and drinking a cup of tea and watching the hummingbirds feed at the cross vine. When I moved into my new house, I put them on the lawn in the backyard. Unfortunately my backyard is a haven for mosquitoes, so for the year that I’ve lived … [Read more...]
