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When the days are short and cold, it’s the perfect time to start dreaming of green again. January and February are ideal for planning your spring garden — setting yourself up for a season of growth and success. 1. Review Last Year’s Garden Think about what worked and what didn’t. Were there crops that underperformed or pests that caused trouble? Use those lessons to plan better this year’s layout and plant choices. 2. Plan and Rotate Crops Crop rotation helps improve soil health and reduce disease. Sketch a simple map of where each crop will go this year. Make sure...

Plants are popular holiday gifts that recipients can enjoy long after festive feasts are eaten, glittery decorations are packed away and joyous carols are silent. In fact, many holiday plants can flourish for years, reminding that someone special of your caring and thoughtfulness no matter what the season. But which plants are the best to give as holiday gifts? Top 10 Holiday Plants to Give as Gifts Plants are always classic, popular options for holiday gifts, and you can find them at garden centers, nurseries and other retailers. Some holiday plants can be easily ordered online, or you might even...

Your porch is the gateway to your home and the first place your guests see when they visit, and a holiday porch pot can set a festive mood right at your door to welcome visitors with elegant seasonal style. It's easy to use a combination of container gardening guidelines and floral arranging tricks to make a stunning arrangement for a holiday porch pot all your guests will admire. Choose Your Pot Ideally, you will have two pots for your holiday porch pot – the interior liner to actually make your arrangement, and a more elegant, decorative shell. The liner is...

As the temperatures begin to drop and the leaves change color, it's a clear sign that cooler weather is approaching. Just as we make adjustments to adapt to the changing seasons, it's important to consider our feathered friends and provide them with the support they need during colder months. Here are some essential tips for caring for wild birds as cooler weather approaches: 1. Offer High-Energy Foods: As the days get shorter and colder, birds require more energy to stay warm. Provide high-calorie foods such as suet, nuts, and seeds. Consider suet cakes with added ingredients like berries or insects...

Pumpkins are popular fall decorations, but eventually they will soften and rot. They don't need to be destined for the trash, however – there are great ways to recycle rotten pumpkins and be sure they are useful even if they aren't the prettiest decorations anymore. 6 Simple Ways to Recycle Rotten Pumpkins When pumpkins start to soften and are not as attractive as decorations, try these solutions… Create Compost: Pumpkins can be easily added to a compost pile. Cutting or breaking the pumpkins up will help them decay faster, so they are ready to add rich nutrients to a spring...