The ultimate guide to drying and storing fresh garden herbs for year-round homegrown flavor
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM There's nothing quite like wandering around your garden with scissors in hand, ready to cut fresh herbs to season your meals. The aromatic scents and flavors are unparalleled. However, as any gardener knows, the growing season is limited, and those lush Read More...
Three signs your garden is overheating and what to do about each one
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM It's usually around this time of the summer season when you find out which plants you’ve been taking for granted. You stroll through your garden, and there it is: your favorite leafy friend, drooping like it’s given up. The instinct is to reach for the Read More...
Keep cut sunflowers fresh longer with these simple care habits
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM You brought them home, stuck them in a vase, and two days later they were drooping. Happens to everyone, and it’s frustrating when you paid good money at the farmers’ market. The thing is, sunflowers aren’t that demanding. The difference between four Read More...
5 plant-health boosting orange peel tricks to use in your garden this summer
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Every orange you eat comes with a second product most people toss without thinking. The peel is packed with limonene and other essential oils, citric acids, flavonoids, polyphenols, and antimicrobial compounds. Gardeners have been finding uses for it, and the Read More...
The gardening trick that gives vegetables a head start on weeds
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The moment you plant a seed, a race begins. Your vegetable seedlings need to establish themselves before weeds do, and the longer germination takes, the harder that race gets. Frost, temperature swings, animals, and flooding can all interfere during that Read More...
When to turn sprinklers on after winter (and how to avoid costly damage to lawn and home)
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The first warm afternoon of spring has a way of making everything feel urgent. The lawn looks a little tired. The flower beds need encouragement. It’s tempting to flip the sprinkler system back on and declare winter officially over. But plumbers would Read More...
The case for growing nectar-rich plants in your garden this spring
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The nectar created by flowering plants is a significant food source for many of the critters we share our environment with. Those of us who want to attract wildlife to our gardens understand the importance of having flowering plants in bloom for as long as Read More...
To prune or not to prune: expert advice for healthy tree growth
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Pruning trees is necessary to keep them healthy, but like most important thing in life, timing is critical. Trimming at the wrong moment can cause stress, disease, and even death for trees. Knowing when not to prune is critical to ensuring that they grow for Read More...
Ditch the rake and discover the benefits of leaving fallen leaves in your yard
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The annual ritual of raking and disposing of fallen leaves has been engraved into the autumn dance for generations. But, in reality, those vivid plant layers offer more than just a gorgeous backdrop. They are an important part of nature's cycle, providing Read More...
Prepare your plants for moving day: a guide to bringing your plants indoors this fall
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM As the cooler nights of fall approach, it's time to start thinking about bringing your favorite outdoor plants indoors. The change from warm, open summer air to a controlled indoor environment can be difficult for plants, so timing is critical. According to Read More...