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.

Christmas tree with red decorations and lights close up

Trees

How Much Water Does a Christmas Tree Need?

If you’re wondering how to keep your cut Christmas tree looking fresh and green through the holidays, we’ve got you covered. Read on to find out how much water your tree really needs to hold onto those needles.

A close-up of vibrant red poppy flowers, their delicate petals capturing the sunlight. The sturdy, green stems rise from lush foliage below, creating a beautiful contrast. In the background, lavender blooms of other plants add a soothing touch to the scene.

Flowers

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Poppies

Do you love brightly colored, cheerful poppies and want to grow these pretty flowers in your own garden? In this article, learn all you need to know to grow and care for these famously floriferous plants.

A cluster of delicate white paperwhites blooms indoors.

Bulbs

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Paperwhites

Paperwhites are beautiful and fragrant flowers that you can grow indoors in winter. These plants need little care and cheer up the winter cold with their pretty blooms. Here, gardening expert Melissa Strauss explains how to force paperwhite bulbs indoors this winter.

A winter holiday window box features abundant greenery, pinecones, and red berries.

Ornamental Gardens

13 Tips for Beautiful Outdoor Winter Containers

Are you worried about your planters and containers looking good through the winter? There are plenty of evergreen and frost-tolerant plants that you can add to your containers, as well as several ways to help your root hardy potted plants make it through the cold weather.

A close-up of beautiful dahlias flowers reveals their intricate pink and dark red blooms, with delicate, serrated petals that seem to cradle sunlight. Lush, green leaves provide a vibrant backdrop, their glossy surfaces reflecting the play of shadows and light.

Bulbs

Can You Leave Dahlias In the Ground Over the Winter?

Have you gotten caught up in the Dahlia craze and want to know whether your pretty plants will pop back up in the spring? In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss discusses whether or not dahlias can be left outside in the winter and what you can do to keep them coming back year after year.

A rustic wooden box filled with a display of pink tulip bulbs and sunny yellow daffodil bulbs. These flower bulbs rest in perfect harmony, ready to be planted and bring forth a symphony of blooming beauty in the garden.

Bulbs

How Long Can You Keep Flower Bulbs in Storage?

Storing bulbs can be a tricky process if you’re not sure how long or in what fashion they should be stored. In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss discusses how long your bulbs will last if they are stored properly.

bulbs for sun and shade

Bulbs

21 Best Bulb Varieties for Sun and Shade

Are you thinking of planting some bulbs this fall and wondering which plants will survive best in your garden? In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss shares 21 bulbs for sun or shade that you can plant in the garden now.