Yard & Garden

Some great choices for low light locations in the home include the following.   

1. Alumunim plant, Pilea cadierei 

2. Arrowhead vine, Syngonium podophyllum 

3. Bamboo palm, Chamaedorea seifrizii

4. Parlor palm, Chamaedora elegans 

5. Cast iron plant, Aspidistra elatior 

6. Chinese evergreen, Aglaonema spp.

7. Dumbcane, Dieffenbachia spp.  

8. English ivy, Hedera helix 

9. Fishtail palm, Caryota mitis 

10. Grape ivy, Cissus alata

11. Lady palm, Rhapis excelsa 

12. Peace lily, Spathiphyllum spp.  

13. Peperomia, Peperomia spp.  

14. Philodendron, Philodendron spp.  

15. Pothos or devil’s ivy, Epipremnum aureum 

16. Snake plant, Sansevieria trifasciata 

17. Spider plant, Chlorophytum comosum 

18. Swedish ivy, Plectranthus australis 

19. Inch plant (formerly wandering Jew), Tradescantia zebrina 

20. ZZ plant, Zamioculcas zamiifolia 

For more information on providing supplemental lights for your houseplants, visit Let There Be Light...For Your Houseplants. 

Late February or early March is the recommended time. For more information, visit Planning Your Garden Pruning. 

Use sand for icy spots on the sidewalk to increase traction. Or use products such as calcium magnesium acetate (CMA), calcium chloride or magnesium chloride products, which are salt-free, and safe for use around pets and landscapes. For more information, visit Winter Protection for Sensitive Plants.

Yes, 2-4 inches of mulch will hold winter moisture in the soil, minimize fluctuations in soil temperature and prevent damage from lawn mowers or other equipment. For more information, visit Much Ado About Mulch. 

Yes, ideally dormant lawn seeding is done from mid-December through mid-February, after soil temperatures have dropped below 40° degrees F. Seeding should be done no later than March 15th. 

Dormant seeding has several benefits. First, soil preparation can be done at your leisure during dry fall conditions. There’s no rush to get the work done in a short window of time in spring between frozen soil and wet soil. Dormant seeded turf grows well and fills in during cool spring weather, preventing much of the potential invasion by weeds. Finally, plants have more time to develop vigor and a good root system before hot summer conditions arrive, making them more able to tolerate summer stresses. For more information, visit Dormant Lawn Seeding.