About Melissa Strauss

Melissa Strauss

Gardening Expert & Writer

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.

Articles from Melissa Strauss

How to Grow Peas in Pots or Containers

peas containers

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!

10 Tips For Growing a Bountiful Lettuce Harvest in Containers

lettuce containers

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.

How to Plant, Grow and Care For Elephant Bush

Elephant Bush in Pots on Tile Counter

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.

How and When to Fertilize Your Vegetable Garden

Gardener using homemade Fertilizer on Garden Plants

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.

When Should You Plant Blackberries This Season?

Blackberries after Planting in Garden

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.

How to Prune Overgrown Fruit Trees in 7 Easy Steps

how to prune overgrown fruit trees

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.