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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.

A detailed close-up of fresh, vibrant green spinach leaves with smooth surfaces and slightly curled edges, displaying a lush and healthy appearance against a softly blurred background.

Gardening Inspiration

17 Kid-Favorite Plants To Grow This Fall

There are wonderful skills for kids to learn in the garden. It engages the senses and can help them to unwind after a long day of sitting in the classroom. Florida gardener and mom of three Melissa Strauss has some great plants to share that kids will enjoy growing in the fall!

The image showcases a variety of lush green tropical foliage arranged in a room, including large Monstera leaves with their distinctive fenestrations, vibrant pothos vines with heart-shaped leaves trailing from a shelf, and a cluster of palm fronds creating a lush, inviting, and natural ambiance that enhances the indoor environment.

Houseplants

15 Pest and Disease-Resistant Houseplants

Pests and diseases can be particularly difficult to deal with when they affect your indoor plants. If you've ever gone to battle with them, you know how frustrating they can be! Houseplant mom Melissa Strauss has some great plants that thrive indoors and are pest and disease-resistant.

A close-up of Capsella bursa-pastoris, commonly known as shepherd's purse. The plant features its distinctive heart-shaped seed pods and small white flowers. The foliage is green and delicate, with the seed pods prominently visible against a blurred natural background.

Weeds

23 Common Lawn Weeds and How to Manage Them

Weeding is no one’s favorite garden task, but some weeds can make a real mess of things, including your lawn. In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss helps to identify common weeds that you might come across, and how to get rid of them.

Allium sativum bulbs and cloves beside a cloth on a wooden table.

Edible

How to Plant, Grow, and Care For Inchelium Red Softneck Garlic

Incomparable in the kitchen, there simply is no replacement for garlic. If you're looking for a well-balanced variety with excellent heat tolerance, look no further. ‘Inchelium Red’ is a vigorous variety that's famed for its flavor and texture, which only get better as it ages. Let's dig in and discuss this tasty garden treat that's just begging for a spot in your favorite recipes.

Hands holding a bunch of allium sativum bulbs that have already been dried.

Edible

How Much Garlic Does One Clove Produce in the Garden?

If you've decided to grow garlic but aren't sure how much to plant, we can help! Read on to find out how much garlic one clove produces. Gardening expert Melissa Strauss can help you determine how many cloves you should grow based on the number of people you want to feed.

A bunch of Alluium sativum in net bags and green crates, being sold at a shop.

Gardening Inspiration

Can You Plant Store-Bought Garlic?

Garlic is a staple in the kitchen, and it should be in the vegetable garden, too! Have you ever wondered if you can grow your own from the bulbs you buy at the local shop? Gardening expert Melissa Strauss has the answers to this question.