Colorful Succulents That’ll Brighten Your Home All Winter Long

 

Photo source: Real Simple

"If you're looking for a colorful houseplant that’s as low-maintenance as it is eye-catching, consider a vibrant succulent. With brilliant colors and low care requirements, they offer beauty without a lot of time and effort, making them perfect for beginner or busy plant parents."  Comment from Real Simple

Lots of beautiful plants to consider that I have never grown, but would love to.  This article has lots of information to consider when looking to buy succulents.

Click here to go to the Real Simple article.

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Grow Vegetables Without a Greenhouse in Winter

 

Photo Source: Garden Betty

"Through trial and error, I’ve learned that a hard frost does not usher in the end of the season. Even as my fall crops start to fade and the weather turns more wintry, my garden is still—and will be—producing through the holidays and beyond."  Comment from Garden Betty

Very informative article, even if you are in zone 9 and rarely freeze.  There are times we have had freezing temps for more than a couple of days.  That is when we need to worry and maybe we can gain some useful information that we can use in those times.  Also, great information on what temperatures vegetables can tolerate and to what degree.

Click here to go the Garden Betty recipe page.

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Grow Garden Pansy Flowers for Early Blooms

 

Photo source: Birds and Blooms

"Available in a variety of colors, cool-season garden pansy flowers are perfect in beds, containers and hanging baskets."  Comment from Birds and Blooms

Pansies are such pretty plants with beautiful blooms and I have never grown them.  I'm not sure if I can grow them where it can be hot any time of the year.  I'll be reading more of this article to find out.

Click here to go to the Birds and Blooms article page.

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Things Everyone With An African Violet Should Know

 

Photo source:  Rural Sprout

"These beautiful plants are some of the easiest plants to grow; they’re incredibly collectible and affordable. However, there are a few things you need to know beyond their basic care and feeding if you want them to thrive."

I started gardening when I was a child, out there getting my hands dirty with my dad.  But I have not stopped learning even with all the years of gardening experience.  There is always something to learn, that is the secret to growing beautiful plants, keep learning.  This article from Rural Sprout will teach you what you need to know.

Click here to go to the Rural Sprout article page.

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Keep Your Chickens Healthy Over Winter

 

Photo source:  Garden Betty

"When the days are short, the ground is frozen, and foraging is scarce, it’s easy for your backyard chickens to get lazy or fat (or both!). Keep them healthy with fun and simple boredom busters, nutritious snacks, and a safe way to move around the yard so your chickens stay active and fit all winter long."  Comment from Garden Betty

Very interesting and informative article since I would love to have chickens, but know how much work goes into it.  I still love them anyway and enjoy the traveling neighborhood roosters, hens and baby chicks.  

Actually, Tampa is famous for its chickens who roam freely in Ybor City.  I guess the trend is starting in my neighborhood too.  Read about them here.

Click here to find out how Garden Betty keeps her chickens healthy.  They are so cute!

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Feeding and Attracting Cardinals to Your Feeders In The Winter

 

Photo source:  This Is My Garden

"When it comes to feeding redbirds, it’s just as important to know when and how they like to feed as knowing what they like to eat. Put simply, when you meet all three of those needs on a consistent basis, cardinals will flock to your feeders!"  Comment from This Is My Garden

Cardinals love my yard and I love them!  The sound of them chirping is such a beautiful sound and would love to attract more.  The article from This Is My Garden is an excellent source of information and is so thorough with many details I never would have thought of.  Awesome article if you love cardinals!

Click here to go to the This Is Your Garden article. 

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How to Care for Poinsettias Now and After the Holidays

 

Photo source:  Birds and Blooms

"Many people simply keep their poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) around until they’ve lost their colored leaves, and then throw them out. But a little greenery is the perfect antidote for post-holiday blues. There’s no need to throw away your poinsettia plant after Christmas. With a little care, poinsettias can be brought back to bloom year after year. We consulted the experts so you can learn how to care for poinsettias year-round.  Learn 5 fascinating poinsettia facts."  Comment from Birds and Blooms

We don't have to throw our poinsettias away in Florida, they come back year after year unless we experience a severe freeze, which is not often.

Click here to go to the Birds and Blooms article.

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Fruit Trees You Can Grow Indoors

Photo source:  Martha Stewart

 "Indoor fruit trees provide both fragrant blooms and lush fruits—if they receive the right amount of care. Trees in pots will need their soil replenished more often than ones in the ground, according to Samantha Sergeant, an arborist at Fruitstitute. Additionally, most indoor trees will need as much light as you can give them—usually through a southern-facing window or grow lights." comment Martha Stewart.com

I'd love to grow a little lemon tree!

Click here to go to the article.

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How to Propagate Roses for an Endless Supply of Beautiful Blooms

 

Photo source: Martha Stewart.com

"Roses have inspired gardeners and poets for centuries, so it's only natural that you want more of them in your yard. Fortunately, it's easy to propagate roses and create a sea of beautiful blooms." comment from Martha Stewart.com

Propagation has been my main source for new plants.  It is so easy to multiply your garden with your favorites for no cost.

Click here to find out how to propagate roses from Martha Stewart.com.

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How to Use Coffee Grounds to Get Gorgeous Christmas Cactus Blooms Every Year

 

Photo source:  Martha Stewart.com

"Coffee grounds make an excellent fertilizer for the Christmas cactus; however, they should be used correctly and at the appropriate times for the best results. Ahead, experts share the benefits coffee grounds offer Christmas cacti, and provide easy tips to ensure you fertilize it the right way." - comment from Martha Stewart.com

As an organic gardener I can recommend coffee grounds as a fertilizer.  Click here to go to Martha Stewart.com's article page to find out how to use coffee grounds get get gorgeous Christmas cactus every year.

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Love Christmas Cactus? 10 More Unusual Houseplants You’ll Adore

 

"Whether you’ve mastered the art of getting your Christmas cactus to bloom and now you’re looking for the next challenge or you’re looking to grow something a little less common, we’ve got some gorgeous alternatives to everyone’s favorite holiday cactus." - comment from Rural Sprout.

Love those alternative Christmas cactus!

Click here to go to the article to see the Christmas cactus alternatives from Rural Sprout.

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When & How To Bring Ferns Inside For The Winter

 

Photo source: Simple Garden Life

"Homes certainly don’t have the bright lights of the outdoors. And they are certainly cooler in the winter which ferns thrive in as well. And by simply bringing your plants in, not only can you add life and a little humidity, you can also save on having to repurchase next spring!" - comment from Simple Garden Life.

In subtropical Florida ferns grow like weeds outside, even in winter, but we still grow them as houseplants inside too.  Love them!

Click here to find out how to bring your ferns inside for the winter.

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Keep Your Flowerbeds Weed Free

 

"If you are tired of battling weeds year after year, only to give up on your flowerbeds by mid-summer, it’s time to stop the madness. And you really won’t believe how easy it can be. In fact, it probably means actually working less than you ever have in year’s past!" - comment from This Is My Garden.com.

I'm ready to pay someone to lay down cardboard and cover it with landscape fabric.  Joking but not joking . . .

Click here to go to the article.

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How To Water Poinsettias – Why You Should Be Misting Your Poinsettia Plants!

 

Photo source:  Old World Garden Farms

"Did you know that how you water your poinsettias during the holiday season is one of the biggest factors of all in determining just how long your plant will keep it’s gorgeous colorful leaves in place throughout the holiday season – and that misting your poinsettia regularly can play a huge role in that too?" - comment from Old World Garden Farms about the article.

Since I grew my poinsettias outdoors, I didn't know about misting them.  Check out the article if you did not know it either.

Click here to go to the article.

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What To Do For Daylilies In The Fall – For Bigger Blooms Next Year

Photo source: Simple Garden Life

"As it turns out, fall is actually the perfect time to provide a little care for the daylilies growing in your flowerbeds. As the cooler autumn temperatures settle in, a little bit of work now with your daylilies will pay big dividends for your plants next year – and beyond" from Simple Garden Life.

This is a good article for me to reference back to since I was thinking about growing flowering bulb plants that I know little about.  Actually, I'm not sure if I can grow then in zone 9.  They sure produce gorgeous flowers.

Click here to go to the article.

 

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Nutty and Fun Facts About Squirrels

 

Photo source:  Birds and Blooms

The photo of the squirrel reminded me of how much I love them.

After I quit working way too long in the not-so-nice corporate environment, my back yard became my sanctuary.  My back yard is huge, so I had lots of room to set up many feeding stations for the birds and the squirrels.  They were not scared of me being outside, they were used to me.  So I got to see them in their little world being themselves.  It was quite an experience to see them interact with each other and the birds.  Their quarrels were very entertaining.  Too bad I don't have videos.  I'll have to pull out photos of the feeding stations and bird bath with all of them out there.

My dogs were not fond of them at all!  It was funny but not funny how my beagle would present me with a squirrel in her mouth often when I let her out for a while to run around and have fun.  I'd open the door to let her in and there she was, so proud looking.  One time she just brought me a tail.  lol I miss those days!

The excellent article from Birds and Blooms is very interesting if you love squirrels or just want to know more about them and their little antics.

Click here to go there.  

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