Black Oil Sunflower Seed – preferred by birds everywhere by Elaine Lockey

With almost a foot of snow descending from the skies at my house in the foothills, I worry about the wild critters who are scrounging for food outside.  I am very glad that I filled my bird feeders the day before the snowstorm so there would be plenty of abundant food for the birds.  Juncos, House Finches, Chickadees and Stellar Jays all compete for room on my feeders and what falls below them.  

Before and After by Nancy Shepard

You've seen before and after pictures. Whether it’s weight loss or whiter teeth, seeing is believing. People don't know how good something is until they first see how bad it was before. And now with our ever-present internet exposure, these pictures can be incredibly shaming and promote unattainable body ideals. But I’ve found in the last year these have been extremely motivating when it comes to my own garden. I hope you’ll include them in your own garden toolbox. Here are a few of mine:

Year of the Garden Bean - National Garden Bureau

Mardi Gras Blend from Seeds by Design
National Garden Bureau

Green beans were once referred to as string beans due to the long fibrous thread along the pod seams. The first stringless green bean was developed in 1894 by Calvin Keeney who later became known as the “Father of the stringless bean”.

Basic Types of Garden Beans:

Lenten Rose by Nancy Shepard

Picture by Angelina Ho, Pixabay

Stepping out my front door this Valentine’s morning in minus 6 degrees, I couldn’t help but notice the astonishing clumps of hellebores underneath a dusting of snow. Known as Christmas Rose (Heleborus niger) or Lenten Rose (H. orientalis,) my hellebores seemed impervious to the cold. Lenten roses get their name because they appear at the start of the Christian season of Lent. All winter long their leaves flatten slightly to the ground, but remain as evergreen perennials. Their new growth usually appears during late January and February, with their drooping cup-shaped flowers emerging soon after. There’s a reason these flowers sag down.

For Valentine’s Day – how about a Valentine Plant? by Vicky Spelman

Instead of a one & done vase of fresh flowers, why not say 'Will you be mine?' with a  houseplant?   Here are four that have heart-shaped leaves.

Houseplants: Right Plant, Right Place!! by Debbie Chilcutt

All Photos by Debbie Chilcutt

During COVID I’ve heard that along with adding pets to the household that a lot of people are buying houseplants for the first time.

Houseplants: Right Plant, Right Place!! by Debbie Chilcutt

All Photos by Debbie Chilcutt

During COVID I’ve heard that along with adding pets to the household that a lot of people are buying houseplants for the first time.

More than Sunscreen by Nancy Shepard

Marmot Women's Annika LS Shirt

I grew up in southern California during the 50s and 60s. I’m red haired, freckled and fair-skinned, but back then I slathered myself with cocoa butter and baby oil and would lie on the beach for hours, wondering why I couldn’t achieve the gorgeous tans my girlfriends had. My father also took us deep-sea fishing and we only put zinc oxide on our noses.  Now in my 60s, I’ve had dozens of pre-cancerous actinic keratoses burned off, five surgeries for squamous cell carcinoma, and my freckles are now big age spots. Yes, I’ve worn sunscreen the latter half of my life, but in the last 10 years I’ve added in some important other sun guards: SPF clothing and hats.

The ‘Inside Scoop’ For buying Seeds & Plants ~ National Garden Bureau

'Inside Scoop' for buying Seeds & Plants
National Garden Bureau

How do I know if the seed I’m ordering is fresh?

Look at the seed package date and if it lists a “Packed for” date, you’ll know exactly which garden season it was packed for. If you have not yet ordered, ask that question of customer service. All reputable seed retailers will understand what you are asking.

Free Garden Planning by Nancy Shepard

Example of Plant Select single design

Looking for garden planning help? You don’t have to spend money hiring a garden designer. In some cases it’s as easy as color-by-number paintings when you take advantage of the many detailed designs that local cities, Plant Select, and water conservation organizations have posted for free. Here are a few that offer pre-designed plans that include sketches and plant lists.