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.

Bright pink dahlias with layered petals and dark centers stand on slender stems among green leaves.

Flowers

15 Flowers to Plant in April

Spring is in full swing, and we are happy to have our hands back in the dirt. April is perfect for flower planting, so grab your shovel, and let's talk about some flowers that are perfect for planting this month. Gardening expert Melissa Strauss has some wonderful April flowers to share!

pink rhododendron flowers on shrub

Shrubs

13 Charming Shrubs for the Cottage Garden

We adore a well-curated cottage garden brimming with an array of flowers, herbs, edibles, and various other found items. Join gardening expert Melissa Strauss to look at some of our favorite shrubs to create a most inviting space.

Tight green cluster of unopened flower buds forming a dense head atop thick pale green stems.

Vegetables

7 Broccoli Growing Mistakes to Avoid This Season

Growing broccoli doesn't have to be difficult, but there are some important factors to consider if you want a bumper crop of this green veggie. Gardening expert Melissa Strauss has some mistakes to avoid when growing your own cruciferous crop.