The holiday season creeps earlier and earlier each year, at least here in the US. Decorations, trinkets, and more start filling store shelves before summer is even over. But some holiday traditions can’t be rushed, like live holiday plants. Many of these picky plants have to be bought and cared for closer to the holidays, else they likely won’t look so festive once the holiday finally arrives. Since the origins of many of the holiday traditions are pagan and druid in nature, it stands to reason that plants are a major theme for the holidays.… Continue reading this article “Poinsettias: from ditch weed to holiday super star (history, lore, and how to get those d@!% things to rebloom next year)”
Tag: holiday
Hydroponics for the Holidays? Home Systems are a hot holiday gift list item
Systems to grow fresh produce in your home using hydroponics or other automatic processes have been popular for several years but seem to be even more popular this year with more folks home and looking for something to do and hoping to produce their own food. As a result, these systems are popping up on holiday wish lists and gift buying guides all over the internet. But are they worth it? And if so, what should you look for in a system? … Continue reading this article “Hydroponics for the Holidays? Home Systems are a hot holiday gift list item”
The Myth, the Legend, the Parasite: Romance, Lore, and Science beneath the Mistletoe
As we hurdle ever closer to the holidays and the end of the year, there’s lots of plants we could talk about – amaryllis, poinsettias (and the abuse thereof with glitter and paint), whether or not your cactus celebrates Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter or is agnostic, and on and on. Each of these plants have an interesting history and connection to the holidays, but today we’re going to be a little more naughty…but nice. We’re going to talk about mistletoe.… Continue reading this article “The Myth, the Legend, the Parasite: Romance, Lore, and Science beneath the Mistletoe”
Thanksgiving: A celebration of the native plants and indigenous crops that grace the table
Native vs. non-native – that a subject that is brought up frequently on our forums and one we have to discuss at length. However, I thought I’d take it from a different direction this week, a little diversion if you will, seeing as we are just a week away from our American celebration of Thanksgiving that centers around food – much of it native to the United States.
It is a holiday that is quintessentially American (or North American, since our Canadian friends also have their own Thanksgiving).… Continue reading this article “Thanksgiving: A celebration of the native plants and indigenous crops that grace the table”