Yes, the new year has just begun, but barbecues and backyard hangouts with friends are just around the corner. Now is the time to renovate your outdoor space and get it ready for spring and summer. So, in this two-part blog series, let’s review some of the hottest trends that we’re expecting to see in…
Travel is fun and rewarding, but it’s also expensive, time-consuming, and stressful. Sometimes we just don’t have the energy, time off of work, or budget to accommodate a trip to a far-flung location. But as the rising popularity of taking a “staycation” has taught us, taking a time-out at home can be quite restful and…
For outdoor gardeners, December can be a bit of a slow time. But that also means you get a chance to plan next year’s garden more thoroughly. If you’re the type of person who likes to keep up with trends, you might be interested to know the 2019 color forecast. You will be seeing these…
You have probably heard about the recent alarm over e coli found in Romaine lettuce. While relatively few people got sick, in comparison to how much Romaine is sold in grocery stores, the problem is still concerning. This isn’t the first time lettuce has been contaminated with a dangerous pathogen, and it probably won’t be…
Business managers often research ways to make the office more productive, and are interested in methods of improving employee health and attendance. As we have learned from experience, sometimes the most effective solutions are also the simplest ones! You might be surprised to learn that the addition of a handful of plants in your office…
The Perfect Crops for a Winter Greenhouse Fall has arrived, and winter is on the way. That means no more delicious homegrown, organic veggies, right? Not so fast! Even if you’ve cleaned and covered your garden beds for the cool months, plenty of delicious food crops can be still grown in a winter greenhouse. The…
Even though our winters in Southern California are not exactly bleak and barren, they can seem a little boring when compared to our colorful spring and summer seasons. Living in a mild climate might cause you to wish for a bit more of a true “winter feel” in the great outdoors. Luckily, we have plenty…
If you’ve ever observed lenten roses – or hellebores, as they are also called – you might have reached the conclusion that these lovely flowers are a delicate and fussy species. After all, their exotic appearance certainly gives off that impression! In reality, lenten roses are hardy (even in colder climates), easy to grow, almost…
Here in Southern California, we don’t experience a harsh winter, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need to transition your garden into the cooler months. In fact, because our winters are so mild, now is the perfect time to try some new cooler-season plantings and to continue enjoying your garden. A gardener’s November checklist is…
Each Halloween, hordes of ghosts, goblins, monsters, and other creatures come knocking at your door. Many people choose to welcome their trick-or-treaters with a few jack-o-lanterns, themed decorations, or fall blooms on the front porch. If sprucing up the garden and front steps are your thing, we have one more idea for you: How about…
Now that the weather is cooling off, spring and your favorite flowers might seem a long way off. However, the lushest and beautiful spring gardens are actually planned in the fall. Setting out spring bulbs for next year’s blooms might be the perfect family project, as it teaches kids about plant growth cycles. As a…
Now that summer has come to an end, and you’ve established your fall garden, what else is left to do? This October gardening checklist should help get you on your way! You could certainly rest and enjoy the fruits of your labor (perhaps literally), or you could get a jump start on preparations for spring….
For many of us, our minds associate Fall with hayrides, pumpkin patches, cooler weather, and glorious fall color. But as we know here in Southern California, many of those associations are in our minds! Most of the more dramatic changes that occur along with Autumn will happen on the East Coast and in the North….
Fall is only just beginning, and spring seems a long way off. So, you’re probably not thinking too much about spring planting! But, we have found that gardeners who tackle these three fall garden tasks find themselves much happier in the spring! In exchange for a little extra work now, you can save yourself hours…
If you’re looking for a full and dense fall bloom that comes in a variety of colors, we have the perfect perennial flower for you. Chrysanthemums reach their prime at this time of year, and they’re very easy to cultivate. Our quick guide will get you started. Consider size. Chrysanthemums are available in a variety…