Melissa Strauss is a writer and hobby gardener who spent many years as a language arts teacher before becoming a garden writer. She has an large pollinator garden that she uses to help with her beekeeping responsibilities.
Melissa has lived all over Florida, with experience in tropical and humid climates where orchids are often part of the native landscape. While she loves writing about native plants, she also has a very healthy houseplant collection that she tends to frequently.
Melissa’s primary goal in outdoor gardening is to create a comfortable home for pollinators of all different types, including butterflies and bumblebees.
Are you looking for a Memorial Day weekend garden project? In this article, gardening expert and pollinator plant enthusiast Melissa Strauss shares everything you need to know about building a patriotic pollinator heaven this Memorial Day!
Looking for some vegetables you can direct seed in your garden this May? There are a number of different vegetables you can choose from, so where do you start? In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss shares her favorite vegetable varieties to direct seed in the month of May.
Are you looking for some plants that can survive dry climates, and still bring plenty of pollinators to your yard or garden? In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss shares her favorite pollinator-friendly plants that can bring plenty of pollinators to your dry climate garden!
Are you growing basil in pots or containers this season? These popular plants can be wonderful container-grown additions to your garden. In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss shares her top tips for growing beautiful basil plants in your container garden this season.
Are you thinking of growing peas in pots or containers this season? These popular plants can be grown quite easily as container veggies. In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss shares her top tips for growing high producing pea plants in your container garden this season!
Many gardeners are surprised to find out that lettuce is a fantastic container plant. There are many different lettuce varieties that will grow extremely well in pots or containers. In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss shares the best methods of growing lettuce in containers and having a bountiful harvest this season.
Are you thinking of growing ginger plants in pots or containers this season? This lovely herb can be grown succesfully in many different types of container gardens. In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss shares her top tips for growing beautiful container grown ginger plants!
Thinking of adding a succulent to your garden and can’t decide which one to pick? Elephant Bush might be the perfect fit for your next succulent plant. In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss shares everything you need to know about Elephant Bush, including its maintenance and care needs.
Not sure how or when to start fertilizing your vegetable garden this season? Depending on what hardiness zones you grow in, this answer can vary. In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss shares her strategy for fertilizing vegetable gardens, including when and how to do it based on your hardiness zones and the type of vegetables you are growing.
Are you unsure when you should plant your blackberries in the ground? These popular shrubs are a fruiting favorite for a reason, but planting too early or too late in the season can cause problems. In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss shares her advice for when to put blackberries in the ground this season.
Are you thinking of adding a velvet leaf plant to your indoor or outdoor garden? These popular succulents are easy to grow and are quite famous for their textured leaves. In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss shares all you need to know about the Velvet Leaf plant, including maintenance and care.
Do your overgrown fruit trees need a prune? Depending on the type of tree, all it takes is a few simple steps to get your tree properly pruned. In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss shares the simple steps you can take to trim an overgrown fruit tree in your yard or garden.