Every vegetable is a member of a vegetable family.  For example – peppers, tomatoes, potatoes and eggplant are all members of the Solanaceae (tomato) family.   Members of the same vegetable family tend to attract the same pests and diseases and…

Now that your amaryllis bulb has finished blooming and you have cut off the spent flower stock at its base, continue to water the bulb and allow the foliage to grow.  The foliage is taking in nourishment for the bulb. …

Every time you water your houseplants, check them for problems.  Look at both the top side and the underside of leaves.  Check the edges and tips of the leaves.  Lightly scratch the soil surface.  Gently brush your plant.  A problem…

  If you have not already done so, spend some time in your garden shed looking after your garden tools.  Clean and sharpen the blades of your digging and cutting tools.  Dry them completely and spray them lightly with a…

Paperwhites can be grown in either water or soil.  If using water, place a 4-6 cm layer of stone or glass chips on the bottom of a container.  Nestle the bulbs (flat bottom side down, pointed end up) into the…

Gently sweep accumulated snow upwards. Do not shake or bang on branches; they break more easily when frozen.  It’s best to let the ice melt naturally, although on small evergreens, you could pour warm, not hot, water over the plants,…

  Poinsettias are sensitive to cold so protect them well as you move them from the store to home.  Once home, place them away from all drafts – warm and cold.  They prefer to be situated in a place where…

Salt-based ice melters are bad for your soil, plants and pets, and unfortunately, most home use products are salt-based (indicated by the word chloride). First, think about whether you actually need to remove the ice or just make it safe…

Now that the leaves are gone, take a walk around your garden with your saw or loppers, removing damaged or hanging branches that might cause further damage to your trees when battered by winter winds.…