Christine Alexander

1 week ago | finegardening.com | Christine Alexander

Spring is that time of year when the air smells like things want to grow. But then a chilly wind shows up with a snow flurry and reminds you it’s not time for planting. For much of the Midwest, late winter and early spring were an unpredictable mess. A roller coaster of temperatures, record-shattering winds, power outages, and rain that was either torrential or gone in a flash. This resulted in winter greens often staying in pots far longer than normal (or appreciated).

1 week ago | finegardening.com | Christine Alexander

After the frenzy of springtime slows and the heat of summer sets in, we all desperately want to put our tools down, pick up a glass of something ice cold, and enjoy the gardens that we labor over. Unfortunately, a gardener’s job is never truly done and even when summer reaches its peak, there are some chores that just can’t wait until fall. While we can’t give up on our gardens during the hottest months of the year, there are many ways to make these jobs easier.

1 week ago | flipboard.com | Christine Alexander

23 hours agoNational Medal of Honor Museum display recognizes those overlooked due to bias(Tribune News Service) — The National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas, offers patriotic displays of soldiers who performed extraordinary …4 days agoTurns out, ‘The Voice’ coaches had winning strategies all along — and it paid off in the finaleAt the end of the day, it all comes down to song selection.

2 weeks ago | finegardening.com | Christine Alexander

When plants are done in by pests, diseases, or bad weather, it is hard not to take it personally. But on the positive side, each plant that shuffles off this mortal coil does offer an opportunity to add something newer and better to our garden. In this episode, Danielle, Carol, and expert guest Kielian DeWitt talk about some of the most reliable cultivars that have stood the test of time under tough conditions.

2 weeks ago | finegardening.com | Christine Alexander

When I spotted a particular sand dollar cactus (Astrophytum asterias) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few months ago, I knew I was in trouble. With a delightful color pattern I had never seen before, I desperately wanted it for my collection. But this plant wasn’t for sale. I also knew my usual garden centers and houseplant stores would not be able to source this plant for me, so I turned to the internet.