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.

Cabbage, lettuce, and broccoli in an elevated, wooden planter.

Raised Bed Gardening

13 Plants You Can Winter Sow in Raised Beds

Winter sowing is a great way to get a head start on your spring garden. Raised beds can make it even easier to head into the growing season with a thriving garden. Gardening expert Melissa Strauss shares some plants you can start now for blooming beds in a few short months.

Multiple Phalaenopsis plants with long stems and large flowers in white, pink, red, and yellow. The flowers have rounded petals with delicate patterns. Green leaves surround the base of the plants.

Flowers

7 Orchid Winter Care Tips for Thriving Plants All Season

Many orchids are tropical plants that need special care during the cooler months. Depending on the species, you may need to switch things up if you want to see them flower. Orchid enthusiast Melissa Strauss offers some tips on caring for your tropical beauties during the cooler months.

Pale apricot-hued blossom with layered petals and a sunny yellow center set against a background of green foliage, perfect for flower seeds 2025.

Flowers

21 Flower Seeds We’re Most Excited to Plant in 2025

It's time to start planning and planting your flowers for the coming year! If you need some inspiration, we would love to share some of our favorites for 2025. Read on to see what cut flower gardener Melissa Strauss is growing in her flower patch this year.

A potted banana tree in a stylish wicker planter stands in a bright room for overwintering.

Trees

How to Overwinter Potted Banana Trees

Banana trees make striking potted plants, but they aren't cold-hardy. There are steps you can take to protect your lovely tropical fruit trees to keep them healthy for when spring rolls around. Florida gardener Melissa Strauss discusses how to treat your potted banana tree to take it through the frosty months.

A vibrant bed filled with multicolored Dahlias, featuring large, layered blooms in shades of pink, red, yellow, orange, and white, surrounded by lush green foliage under sunlight, ideal to plan spring flower garden layouts.

Flowers

Planning Your Spring Flower Garden: 7 Pro Tips

The time for spring planting is fast approaching, and it's time to start planning! You can finally take out that seed catalog and pour over the beautiful possibilities. Join gardening expert Melissa Strauss for some tips on getting off on the right foot!

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.