To prune or not to prune: expert advice for healthy tree growth
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Pruning trees is necessary to keep them healthy, but like most important thing in life, timing is critical. Trimming at the wrong moment can cause stress, disease, and even death for trees. Knowing when not to prune is critical to ensuring that they grow for Read More...
Ditch the rake and discover the benefits of leaving fallen leaves in your yard
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The annual ritual of raking and disposing of fallen leaves has been engraved into the autumn dance for generations. But, in reality, those vivid plant layers offer more than just a gorgeous backdrop. They are an important part of nature's cycle, providing Read More...
Prepare your plants for moving day: a guide to bringing your plants indoors this fall
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM As the cooler nights of fall approach, it's time to start thinking about bringing your favorite outdoor plants indoors. The change from warm, open summer air to a controlled indoor environment can be difficult for plants, so timing is critical. According to Read More...
The ultimate guide to drying and storing fresh garden herbs for year-round homegrown flavor
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM There's nothing quite like wandering around your garden with scissors in hand, ready to cut fresh herbs to season your meals. The aromatic scents and flavors are unparalleled. However, as any gardener knows, the growing season is limited, and those lush Read More...
Harvesting sunflower seeds: a simple guide to enjoying this homegrown summer snack
Sunflowers are the embodiment of summer, with their towering stalks and bright, cheery blossoms. Aside from their uplifting beauty, sunflowers provide a late-season reward: an abundance of tasty seeds. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced green thumb, gathering sunflower seeds is simple Read More...
5 essential characteristics of outstanding gardeners
Gardening success is more than just yields; it is a harmonic combination of personal characteristics and horticultural practices. Spring is just around the corner, which means more of us will be getting ready to get back out into our own gardens. To encourage us on this journey, let’s discover Read More...
Embrace the buzz by attracting beneficial bugs to your garden
There's more to a successful garden than just the plants you pick out; it's also about the beneficial bugs that call it home. These modest beings are critical to the health and balance of your garden environment. They are nature's allies, from pollinators to pest predators. Your garden may become Read More...
4 health hazards hiding in your garden (and how to avoid them)
Here at The Optimist Daily, we are big fans of gardening. We’ve shared articles about how cultivating a garden is a wonderful practice for maintaining mental health and for supporting our environment. However, that doesn’t mean we want to gloss over the risks that go hand in hand with this Read More...
The case for growing nectar-rich plants in your garden this spring
The nectar created by flowering plants is a significant food source for many of the critters we share our environment with. Those of us who want to attract wildlife to our gardens understand the importance of having flowering plants in bloom for as long as possible. Selecting nectar-rich plants Read More...
7 money-saving tips for new gardeners
It’s finally happened—after reading countless articles about the benefits (for both yourself and the planet) of growing your own food and spending time in nature, you’ve decided to give gardening a go. But you’ve heard from others that creating a new garden can be quite costly, and you’d Read More...