It turns out that houseplants do more than just add a pop of greenery to a room – they provide a range of physical and mental benefits, too. Biophilia refers to the innate tendency of human beings to seek out connections with nature and other living things. According to this philosophy, humans are more disconnected from nature than ever before, which may help to explain the increasing popularity of decorating with and caring for houseplants. While the benefits of being exposed to nature are … [Read more...] about Green Therapy: How Houseplants Secretly Improve Your Life
Watters Garden Center Prescott
Nine Houseplants that Make a Kitchen Statement
Houseplants are a quick and easy way to spruce up your decor. When it comes to the kitchen, growing plants indoors has some practical applications. The right plants purify inside air, add splashes of color and provide fresh produce. These nine houseplants are the ideal place to start in your kitchen. African Violets Saintpaulia, is the perfect houseplant substitute for those who enjoy cut flowers in the kitchen! Happy African Violets flower nearly year-round and come in a multitude of … [Read more...] about Nine Houseplants that Make a Kitchen Statement
Top Ten Berries for Container Gardens
Those new to gardening are surprised at the bountiful crops berry plants produce. Local berry bushes are even more consistent fruit bearers than fruit trees and are easier to grow. Simply plant them into the ground where at least six hours of bright, hot sun are guaranteed, add them to the drip system with your other trees and shrubs, and wait for the berry harvest! Even more impressive is that berry plants don’t need to be in the ground at all. Containers are a great way to enjoy berry bushes … [Read more...] about Top Ten Berries for Container Gardens
Exploring the Best Four-Season Trees for Any Landscape
Trees are where your landscape value is. Plant them right and your home value grows; get trees wrong, and they take over, lift patios and driveways, hide beautiful architecture and more. Think of trees and the four seasons. Begin with trees that announce spring by blooming, then have trees that offer summer shade, autumn reds and gold, ending with visual interest through winter. The goal is not simply to collect specimens in the yard but rather to have at least one model tree per season that … [Read more...] about Exploring the Best Four-Season Trees for Any Landscape
Tips and Tricks for New Mountain Gardeners
Many have gardened in places where the soil is rich, its pH perfectly balanced and the climate blessed with consistent rainfall, gentle sun and plant coddling humidity. If you have dug a hole in the ground, you know mountain gardening presents the opposite of such ideal conditions. My words are limited here, but they’re enough that I can sketch out the big picture of mountain gardening. The local USDA garden zone is 7 with a definite influence from zone 8. This defines our area as mild but with … [Read more...] about Tips and Tricks for New Mountain Gardeners
Hummingbirds Fly to These Eight Flowers Every Time
Lisa and I sat in the front courtyard, watching the antics of “our” hummingbirds. They were enjoying water from the fountains and sipping nectar from the 30+ pots of flowers. We enjoyed one unique, unexpected benefit: The birds are equally happy sharing the landscape with us! The flowers, birds, sparkling water and fresh air combined for a romantic getaway in our front yard. Hummingbirds are the easiest to attract to the yard. We don’t have feeders, as we never want our birds to become an … [Read more...] about Hummingbirds Fly to These Eight Flowers Every Time
Are Fruit Trees a Good Investment?
You used to need a lot of land to grow fruit trees. Dwarf and semi-dwarf fruit trees have allowed growing them in just about any yard. Most standard-sized fruit trees mature at a height and width of between 18-25 feet. Not only will this require a big chunk of your yard, but it also makes them tall to prune and spray without using a ladder. Even with smaller trees, growing fruit is a long-term investment. Fruits can take anywhere from two to 10 years to bear fruit. If you plan to be harvesting … [Read more...] about Are Fruit Trees a Good Investment?
How to Prune, Care for Roses
March is when roses get excited about spring. Prune, clean up and fertilize your roses, and 45 days later, they will show fragrant appreciation. March is the start of rose planting season, which culminates in June. The newest varieties are found early in March. Plant them while available. Visit my local guide: How to Plant Roses. Six rose types are planted locally: Hybrid Tea, Floribunda, Grandiflora, Climbing, Carpet and Shrub roses. March is when each is pruned, cleaned and fertilized. … [Read more...] about How to Prune, Care for Roses
Best Evergreen Trees for Mountain Landscapes
This is the season when evergreens sparkle in the winter landscape. Here is a list of the top seven evergreen trees that stand up to mountain wind and winter cold and resist the naturally occurring insects and diseases found at higher elevations. You will find each at the garden center. We offer pros and cons and information for further research so customers can learn and buy directly from our farm. Colorado Spruce – When customers don’t know the name of this tree, they refer to it as “The … [Read more...] about Best Evergreen Trees for Mountain Landscapes
Five Ways Houseplants Improve Mental Health
There is a good reason those fiddle leaf figs are flying off the shelves. Houseplants are a boon for your mental health. Stoneside Blinds and Shades surveyed nearly 1,000 people to see how their plants influenced their stress levels with some fascinating results. They found some of the top reasons for purchasing plants are to beautify living spaces (65%), with 54% noting they wanted “to have something else to focus on.” Talking to your plants is apparently normal, with 55% responding that they … [Read more...] about Five Ways Houseplants Improve Mental Health