Thursday, February 13, 2020

Annuals and Perennials: What to Plant in the Spring



Although there may still be snow on the ground in your neighborhood, mid-February is actually a great time to start planning your spring garden. Not only can you start seeds under a greenhouse lamp, you can also sketch what you want your garden to look like when warmer weather arrives.

If you consider yourself a gardening newbie, it’s best to start with understanding your zone, as well as the types of plants you can choose from. Should you look for sun or shade-loving varieties? Do you want the pop of color from an easy-grow annual or are you looking to invest the time and money of cultivating perennial flowers and shrubs?

We have the answers for all of your beginner gardening questions, so read on to learn more.

The Difference Between Annuals and Perennials

If you take the time to read the tags stuck into the soil of the plants you’re perusing, they will always be labeled either “annual” or “perennial” – here’s the difference:

Annuals
An annual plant only stays around for one growing season, and dies in the winter, leaving you to replant something in that spot each year. There is a chance they could throw out a few seeds that germinate in the spring, but it’s not a sure thing.

Perennials
A perennial on the other hand, will return each spring, so given the correct care you should only need to plant these varieties once. Of course you can kill any plant through neglect or poor planning, so you’ll still need to provide healthy soil, water, and sunlight.

3 Great Annuals to Plant in the Spring

Pansies
If you’re looking for a hearty, affordable pop of color for any space in your garden, you can’t go wrong with pansies. Pansies prefer cool weather and will easily add vibrance to up your curb appeal this spring.

Dianthus
This charming little flower is hearty enough to keep blooming through a light spring frost. Dianthus plants grow to be roughly 8 inches tall and produce fringed flowers in purple, pink, red, and white.

Petunia
These versatile annuals are popular and easy to come by at your local nursery or big box hardware store. Petunias have a long blossoming life and will provide color to your garden well past the spring months.

3 Stunning Perennials Perfect for Spring Planting

Black Eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susan, or rudbeckia, is easy to grow and brings a burst of yellow, daisy-like flowers to the mix. This flower prefers full sun and well drained soil, and you may want to consider moving it every few years to keep it healthy.

Salvia
Salvia, sometimes called Russian Sage, is one of the hardiest plants you can add to your garden. There are many varieties suited for practically every zone, making it a perfect choice for your springtime planting.

Coneflower
Coneflower is a vibrant perennial that comes in various shades of purple and pink. Whether starting from seedlings or seeds, spring is the perfect time to plant coneflower in your garden.

So now that you know a few of your options, which plants will you choose for your spring garden? Share your favorites with us in the comments section below.

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Photo by Miroslava on Unsplash


Wednesday, February 5, 2020

What to Include in a Green Tea Gift Basket




When it comes to what is in your mug each morning, you may want to consider making a change from coffee to tea. Many health care professionals agree that green tea is one of the healthiest drinks out there, and that adding it to your daily diet could boost your health. As we move through the cold winter months, the antioxidants in a mug of warm tea may be just the thing you need to stay healthy. And why not share the love with a friend by putting together a green tea gift basket?

Want to learn more about green tea and how you can share the health benefits with someone you care about? We’ve got you covered.

Health Benefits of Green Tea

With an earthy, umami flavor, green tea not only tastes delicious but is an incredibly healthy choice.

Cardiovascular Benefits

Studies show that green tea has a wealth of cardioprotective qualities. In fact, it could improve blood pressure and may reduce your risk of congestive heart failure. If you’re looking to bring your cholesterol levels into a normal range, regularly drinking green tea may help lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.

Brain Health

Drinking green tea can also improve your memory and ability to focus. One study out of Switzerland showed that a patient who regularly drank green tea had increased working-memory activity in the brain. Additionally, green tea may also reduce the plaque buildup often associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Antioxidants vs. Cancer

Green tea contains high levels of a phenolic antioxidant known as Epigallocatechin gallate. Research shows that this antioxidant can help with cancer prevention and may also aid in cancer treatment. 

What to Include in a Green Tea Gift Basket

Putting together a fabulous green tea gift basket is simple and sure to be appreciated by your sister, cousin, best friend, or kid’s teacher. Here are a few great ideas to get you started! 

Loose Green Tea with Lemon
Made with Sencha green tea, lemongrass, and lemon peel, Green Tea with Lemon from TeaSource has a refreshing citrusy aroma and flavor and is a great addition to your green tea gift basket.

Travel Infuser Mug
Give the gift of great tea on the go with this dishwasher and microwave-safe OmniWare Teaz Café Infuser Mug!

Green Tea from Oregon’s Wild Harvest
Looking for the health-benefits of green tea but don’t love the flavor? Green Tea from Oregon’s Wild Harvest gives you all the antioxidants of a cup of green tea in an easy to take capsule.

Green Tea from Karuna
Looking to really up your green tea intake? Green Tea from Karuna is a quality capsule with 550 mg of green tea extract to support focus, healthy circulation, and antioxidant activity.

Green Tea by Vitanica
Green Tea by Vitanica is a natural supplement that provides you with the same immune, brain, and heart support as a mug of green tea. Each capsule contains 330 mg of green tea leaf and is free from artificial additives, gluten, and soy.

Did we miss anything? What would you include in your green tea gift basket? Share your green tea favs with us in the comments section below.

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Photo by Verena Böttcher on Unsplash