Sunday, September 22nd was the first OFFICIAL day of fall. In the next few months the leaves start to fall from the trees, the evenings get darker earlier each day, and the temperatures drop significantly. With the changing weather and changing seasons, you probably are thinking about how you can get your home ready for fall and colder weather. We start to crave a snug, cozy spot for winter.
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How to Attract Birds to Your Yard
Many people enjoy observing wildlife in their gardens. Several years ago I wrote about attracting pollinators to the yard. First there was a post on bringing honey bees into your garden. Lots of different plants were discussed, but if you need a refresher, hardy salvia, lavender, and rudbeckia are all great additions. The second part of the pollinator series was a post on how to make a Butterfly Garden . Now let’s talk about birds.
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How to Get Your Garden Ready for Spring
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. – Lao Tzu
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! I’m wishing you good luck and happiness today. This last week has been incredible in the amount of snow that hit the country. Many of us are wanting spring while nature gives us more winter. Here in central Florida we had high 80s degree weather last week. This week the cold front came down and Wednesday was in the 50’s F. I know that is not cold to most of you but it was to me. The sky started out gray with cold rain. Later the sun came out. I know that eventually the weather will start to warm up everywhere. When the sun shines brighter and little green things poke their heads out of the soil, it’s the perfect time to bring your garden to life. Create a vibrant outdoor space to enjoy throughout the summer. Though, it’s important to remember that nature doesn’t rush its processes. As Lao Tzu once said, “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” Take the time to plan your garden layout, choose the right plants, and incorporate the elements that will make it beautiful and functional. Several years ago, I shared basic garden landscaping ideas and printables. They’re great to use when you want to update your garden too.
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Tropical Parking Lot Landscape
The other day I drove to my favorite Publix Supermarket here in central Florida. I noticed how nice the parking lot looked with great tropical foliage. Public landscaped areas are a great way to find easy to grow plants for your area. Owners of strip malls want to provide a pleasant environment for the customers, but they don’t want to spend big money on maintaining plants. Each row of parking spaces has a nice flower bed at the end with variegated leaf bushes, colorful crotons, and a plant with small blue flowers. The two types of bushes are tropical and easy to grow in our climate. Add a tree and a large light post and it’s perfect for the public location. (Government buildings and community buildings are also good places to note landscape plants. In more northern environments there is often a few evergreen bushes that provide a frame year round.)
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February Houseplants
It’s the beginning of February and I still have lots of blooming houseplants. The poinsettia from Christmas is very happy on the floor in front of the sliding glass doors in the dining room. It still has green leaves turning red and gets plenty of afternoon light.
Pinewood Estate Garden & Mansion
Previously I shared spring at Bok Tower Garden at Lake Wales, Florida. Today we’ll tour Pinewood Estate garden and mansion which is nestled in the Bok Gardens. A separate fee gains you entrance to Pinewood Estates, an enchanting 20-room Mediterranean-style mansion. Originally named “El Retiro,” meaning “retreat” in Spanish, the Estate was built in the early 1930s for Charles Austin Buck, a Bethlehem Steel vice president. Now this historic Estate is open for tours throughout the year to visitors of Bok Tower Gardens.
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Air Cleaning Plants for Your Home & Office
Several decades ago I worked in an office building on Biscayne Boulevard in Miami doing social services. There was lots of paperwork and I spent hours at my desk. Most afternoons by 2 PM I had a headache if I spent the day in the office. My mind was fuzzy. I had read about “sick buildings” and wondered if the building was the problem. No windows could be opened, and there was poor air circulation. What could I do? Since I often made home or program visits to complete paperwork or to monitor my clients, I began to arrange some visits daily and if possible, made many visits in the afternoon. I no longer had headaches. I was lucky that I did field work as most office workers and homeowners do not have the luxury to leave.
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