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.

Tussock Sedge sedge variety is characterized by clumps of stiff, upright stems, long, narrow leaves, and inconspicuous, brownish spikelets.

Ornamental Gardens

19 Sedge Varieties for Your Garden

Sedge makes a beautiful addition to many landscapes. This sturdy and semi-evergreen ornamental has a wide native range and is a low-maintenance alternative to ornamental grasses. Here are 21 of gardening expert Melissa Strauss’ favorite varieties.

A close-up of a 'Pancho' avocado tree, featuring vibrant green fruits and leaves gently swaying from its sturdy branches.

Edible

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for ‘Pancho’ Cold-Hardy Avocados

If you want to grow your own delicious avocados in your home garden, pick a species that thrives in your zone. Hardy down to zone 8 and perfect for indoor or outdoor containers, 'Pancho' avocados deliver high yields of tasty fruits on an ornamental tree. Join gardening expert Melissa Strauss to learn how to grow this cold-hardy cultivar.

Freestone clingstone peach difference. A close-up of ripe peaches in a large wicker basket, among which lies half a peach with juicy yellow flesh and a pinkish-brown pit in the center.

Fruits

What’s the Difference Between Freestone and Clingstone Peaches?

If you’re in the market for a peach tree, there are some important factors to consider. One of the main distinctions among peaches is whether they are freestone or chingstone. But what does that mean? In this article, peach-loving gardener Melissa Strauss answers that question to help you choose the perfect peach tree for your landscape.

Bunny tails grass features soft, fluffy, cream-colored flower heads resembling bunny tails atop slender green stems.

Ornamental Gardens

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Bunny Tails Grass

Here comes Peter Cottontail… or is that bunny tail grass? Bunny tail grass is a popular ornamental grass that is easy to grow and makes a great addition to the cutting garden as well. In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss will tell you what you need to know to add this fun annual to your own garden.

A variety of tomatoes, some halved, some whole, arranged on a sunlit table, showcasing vibrant colors and textures, inviting the viewer to savor the diversity of nature's bounty.

Edible

7 Colorful Tomatoes That Are Almost Too Pretty to Eat

Fresh from the vine or cooked in a pie, tomatoes are delicious no matter how you prepare them. But what if the tomato is just too beautiful to eat? Well, as beautiful as these tomatoes are, we encourage you to dig in and enjoy their fruity, sweet, and tangy flavors. Gardening expert Melissa Strauss shares seven of the most sensational-looking tomato varieties for your garden.