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.

Top view, close-up of a heat-tolerant broccoli with sturdy light green stems, slightly curled dark green leaves, and dense, compact green flower heads.

Vegetables

7 Heat-Tolerant Broccoli Varieties to Plant in June

Just because it's summer doesn't mean you have to miss out on your favorite cool-weather veggies. Broccoli doesn't love hot weather, but several types tolerate it quite well. Gardening expert Melissa Strauss lists some great varieties that can take the heat.

Thick, wrinkled leaves display reddish discoloration and abnormal curling typical of peach leaf curl infection.

Plant Problems

Peach Leaf Curl: Identification and Treatment

Growing fruit trees has its ups and downs, and it takes work to grow your own delicious, juicy peaches. Peach leaf curl can certainly throw in wrench into the process. Join gardening expert Melissa Strauss to talk about where this disease comes from and what you can do about it.

A female gardener in a white apron pours out grain for chickens in the backyard, demonstrating how to raise chickens.

Edible

The Ultimate Beginner Guide to Raising Backyard Chickens

Getting started with any hobby can be a daunting task, but when it involves live animals, it's important to get off on the right foot. Chicken owner Melissa Strauss can guide you through the process of setting up, acquiring birds, and caring for them in the future.

Disneyland roses display clusters of ruffled blooms in shades of apricot, pink, and orange on glossy green leaves and thorny stems.

Shrubs

How to Plant, Grow, and Care For Disneyland Roses

If you haven't experienced the magic of Disneyland roses, you're in for a special treat. This gorgeous cultivar befits a true princess. Gardening expert Melissa Strauss discusses how to care for this beautiful rose in this article.

An overhead shot of a developing herb on rich soil, growing alongside other plants, showcasing the spicy globe basil

Herbs

How to Plant, Grow, and Care For ‘Spicy Globe’ Basil

Basil's flavor and aroma are staples in kitchens worldwide. From Italy to India, recipes rely heavily on this tasty herb to brighten and sweeten sauces and soups. Gardening expert Melissa Strauss talks about how to grow and care for 'Spicy Globe,' a delightfully compact and flavorful variety!

Waves of flowering phenomenal lavender shrubs form tidy rows, their purple blossoms rising above pale green, narrow leaves.

Herbs

How to Plant, Grow, and Care For ‘Phenomenal’ Lavender

If you adore the look and smell of lavender, but struggle to keep it alive, try 'Phenomenal' lavender. It's ultra tough and thrives in a wider range of climates. Join Florida gardener Melissa Strauss to learn about this phenomenal plant and how to care for it in your garden.