What’s better than a succulent plant? First of all, having five succulent plants is better. Secondly, we can all agree having ten cute baby succulent plants to watch grow up is even better. Now that we’re all on the same page, let’s turn our single succulent plant into many baby plants! Easy Succulents to Propagate: …
Tag Archives: outdoors
Why, When and How to Prune Annabelle Hydrangea
If you’re looking for a flower that you can see from a block away because it’s bigger than your head, then ‘Annabelle’ hydrangeas are the shrub for you. This type of hydrangea grows well in shade or part shade (4 hour or less of direct sun); mine never gets direct sunlight in its nook on …
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Green is for Zinnia, Peas and Dill
The color green isn’t just for fans of the Hulk or the Wicked Witch of the West. It’s also a key component of any rainbow garden. Green is good! Zinnia If you’ve followed along so far, then you’ll recognize a theme developing in my rainbow garden. Zinnias! I can’t say enough good things about their …
Yellow is for Zinnia and Bush Beans
In a contest of cheerfully colored flowers, is there anything that conveys happiness more than yellow? Add a pinch of yellow to a garden and you’re guaranteed to maintain a certain level of sunny cheer. Here’s what I chose for my slice of sunshine: Zinnia My yellow zinnias are part of the Hot Crayon Colors …
Make Oobleck: A Non-Newtonian Fluid
Oobleck! It’s a funny name for an odd fluid that defies general liquids’ properties, which earns it the category of non-Newtonian behavior. The defining characteristic of oobleck is that its viscosity changes depending on shear rate, meaning the fluidity changes depending on how much pressure is put on the liquid. If little pressure is put …
Orange is for Zinnia, Nasturtium and Calendula
I hold a special place in my heart for orange, because it’s one of the school colors of the University of Illinois. I challenge anyone who is regularly exposed to brilliant construction-orange over several years to not develop a special appreciation for this often overlooked color in gardens. Here are my orange plant picks that …
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Red is for Amaranth and Peppers
R is the first letter in my pal Roy G. Biv’s name, so I’m going to start at the beginning and reveal which pretty and edible plants I’ll grow to highlight one of my favorite colors, red. Amaranth is an ancient grain crop from the New World that can be red, orange or green. A …
Sunshine and Rainbows
Everything isn’t sunshine and rainbows, except when you plant a rainbow-themed garden in the full sun! After a month of daydreaming, I’ve settled on a challenge for myself. I solemnly vow to fill my garden with colorful flowers and vegetables that represent red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet, or as I prefer to …
Freezing Temps are Best for Blowing Bubbles
Subzero temperatures are great for staying inside, but I can only take so many days of sitting indoors before I create a reason to dash outside. What better reason than to blow bubbles? What You Need: Cup Large straw OR bubble wand 1 cup water (slightly warm to dissolve other ingredients) 4 teaspoons corn syrup 4 …
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Snow Volcano Made from Diet Cola and Salt
I confess. I’m not a fan of diet soda. Quite honestly, I can’t think of a better way to use diet soda than to make a snow-cano in the back yard, because I certainly won’t be drinking it. For the first time ever, I appreciate diet soda. It’s worth noting any carbonated soda may be …
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