Gardening

Around the middle of the winter, many a gardener starts to get “the itch”. It usually starts when we open our mailbox and find that first seed catalog. Right there …

We’re always on the lookout for interesting and fun gardening projects here at Rural Sprout. And this time, we’ve got a doozy for you. Not only is this project fun, …

African violets are problematic for me. I do just fine keeping them alive, and I’ve even figured out how to keep them blooming more often than not. Keeping the leaves …

Whether you are new to African violets or don’t have a room in your house without one, you need to read this article. These beautiful plants are a lovely addition …

For decades the pursuit of the perfectly manicured lawn has consumed many a sunny weekend. Nary a dandelion could be found on the immaculate green carpet spread out in front …

Do you ever have the urge to reach across the kitchen counter and pluck a few fresh leaves of basil for your pasta, like in one of those cooking shows? …

It all starts with one plant. It’s a gift from someone or a plant that catches your eye when you’re out and about. You take care of your new friend …

For the longest time, I didn’t understand the popularity of growing amaryllis and paperwhites at Christmas. In my book, it seemed like one more thing that demanded my time in …

What is a tropical fruit salad without pineapple? These tart fruits are loved by many in grocery stores, but few think about growing them in their own gardens. Luckily, it …

We give our soil a much-needed rest during the winter before beginning a new planting season in the spring. And as the temperatures drop, we often reach for heartier fare …

If you’re a Rural Sprout regular, then it’s probably safe to say you know I’m a huge fan of Christmas cactuses. And by Christmas cactuses, I mean all varieties of …

Although soil is an important foundation of plant care, it can be a pain sometimes. Whether it’s making a mess of your floors or attracting pests and bacteria into your …

Poinsettias are the most popular Christmas plants, hands down. They’re so popular that they make up ¼ of all potted plant purchases every single year. That’s pretty impressive for a …

Sowing seeds is one of the most exciting gardening tasks. You get to take an incredibly tiny seed and turn it into an entire plant, watching it grow. Besides the …

The poinsettia is one of the most popular festive plants to put on display over the holidays – second only to the iconic Christmas Tree! The fiery red and deep …

As garden season approaches, it’s time to think through your growing strategy. One of the best ways to get a head start on food and flower production is to learn …

Every year more than 35 million poinsettias are purchased over the holidays. This number makes up nearly a quarter of all potted plants purchased every year. That’s a lot of …

As the temperatures fall and the days grow shorter, many of us spend more time inside. When the wind gets whipping, and rain or snow makes it downright miserable out …

The Christmas cactus is quite a strange houseplant when you get right down to it. It doesn’t look like a cactus, and supposedly it blooms around Christmas, but most people’s …

As the holidays approach and we begin to decorate our homes, stringing lights and hanging wreaths, I have to wonder what our pets think of all this. I’ve always imagined …

The basic recipe for making soap has been the same for thousands of years. Combining plant or animal fats with an alkali causes a chemical transformation, a process known as …

Most everyone loves a good strawberry. These sweet-as-can-be, red-fleshed fruits are as sumptuous eaten out of hand as they are prepped into a smorgasbord of yummy recipes. There are hundreds …

Sphagnum mosses are an utterly unique and fascinating genus of bog-dwelling plants. Perhaps you’re most familiar with them in their dried form. The light brown, fibrous, stringy bits are widely …

The Christmas cactus, or any of the holiday cactuses in the Schlumbergera family, have earned a reputation for being finicky plants. But most of that frustration comes from not understanding …