Posts By

Melissa Strauss

Melissa is a writer, hobby gardener, beekeeper and homemaker. She can be found working in her extensive pollinator garden, trolling the local nurseries for unique plant specimens, and tending to the many fruit-bearing plants on her property. Melissa hopes to inspire other gardeners to delve into the rich and fulfilling world of pollinator gardening.

Close-up of winter sow vegetables in a plastic bottle filled with moist soil, showcasing kale seedlings with rounded, slightly wavy green leaves.

Vegetables

13 Vegetables You Can Winter Sow

If you haven't done your winter sowing, there is still time. January and February are great months for getting those cold-weather crops started. Here are some of the veggies you can start while you're waiting for the spring planting season.

Close-up of a man's hand with electric pruning shears trimming branches of trees and bushes in a January garden.

Trees

17 Trees and Shrubs You Should Prune in January

January is a great month to get started pruning some of your dormant trees and shrubs. If you're itching to get out in the garden, this is a good place to start. Join gardening expert Melissa Strauss to discuss which trees are perfect for winter pruning.

A woman sprays a houseplant with large, perforated leaves, bold cuts, and splits cascading from long, sturdy stems that require high humidity to thrive.

Houseplants

15 Houseplants That Love High Humidity

Are you hoping to create a tropical paradise in your bathroom? Humidity-loving plants thrive in this environment! Florida gardener Melissa Strauss discusses some wonderful houseplant options that love to have moisture in the air.

A raised wooden box filled with soil, small green leaves, and red blossoms.

Gardening Inspiration

13 New Gardening Trends for 2025

As we ring in the new year, our thoughts shift from celebrating holidays to getting back in the garden. As we head into 2025, it looks like we will see an exciting melding of new, innovative ideas with the nostalgic value of simpler times. Join gardening expert Melissa Strauss to talk about some of the exciting trends that we hope to see more of this year!

Branches with slender, woody stems, dark green lance-shaped leaves, and vibrant orange-red fruits with leathery skin, making it an easy fruit tree to grow.

Fruits

9 Easy and Low-Maintenance Fruit Trees for Your Backyard

Fruit trees are both beautiful landscape elements and practical sources of delicious food! If you're worried about the upkeep, there are some wonderful trees that are easy to care for. Gardening expert Melissa Strauss shares nine fruit trees that are low-maintenance to plant in your garden.