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February Garden Newsletter: Preparing Your Garden for a Fresh Spring Start

February may still feel like winter is lingering, but this is one of the most important months in the garden. Beneath the soil, nature is quietly preparing for spring, and a little effort now sets the stage for healthier plants, stronger roots, and a more joyful growing season ahead.

Let’s walk through how to prepare your garden beds, enrich your soil, care for houseplants, and support garden wildlife as we transition toward spring.

Preparing Your Garden for Spring

Think of February as your garden’s gentle wake-up call. The goal isn’t heavy planting yet—it’s preparation.

Steps to take this month:

Clean up garden beds by removing old leaves, spent plants, and lingering weeds to prevent pests and disease.
Loosen compacted soil using a garden fork. This improves airflow and helps roots grow more easily.
Check drainage after winter rains. If soil stays soggy, compost will help improve structure.
Plan your garden layout for vegetables, herbs, and flowers so you’re ready when planting time arrives.

🌱 Tip: Avoid walking directly on garden beds while soil is wet—this can compact the soil and make root growth harder later.

The Best Compost to Mix with Soil for Seedlings

Healthy plants start with healthy soil. When preparing garden beds for seedlings, your compost choice matters.

Best compost options for spring planting:

Fully finished homemade compost – Rich, balanced, and gentle on young plants
Worm castings – Excellent for seedlings, improving root development and soil life
Leaf mold compost – Great for moisture retention and improving soil texture

How to prepare your soil mix:

Combine 2 parts garden soil with 1 part compost
For seedling areas, mix in a small amount of worm castings for an added nutrient boost

🌼 Avoid fresh manure or strong fertilizers—these can burn tender roots.

Houseplants That Love Coffee Grounds

If you’re a coffee drinker, your houseplants may enjoy the leftovers—when used correctly.

Houseplants that benefit from coffee grounds:

Snake Plant
Pothos
Philodendron
Peace Lily
African Violet

How to use coffee grounds safely:

Allow used grounds to dry completely
Sprinkle a very small amount on top of the soil or mix into compost
Use no more than once a month

☕ Coffee grounds can slightly increase soil acidity and add organic matter—but moderation is key.

How to Make a Winter Bird Feeder for Your Garden

Late winter is a critical time for birds. Supporting them now helps create a healthier garden ecosystem later.

You’ll need:

Pinecones or toilet paper rolls
Peanut butter or coconut oil
Birdseed
String or twine

Steps:

Tie string securely around the pinecone
Spread peanut butter or softened coconut oil over the surface
Roll in birdseed until fully coated
Hang from tree branches or a garden hook

🐦 Birds help manage garden pests and bring life and movement to your winter landscape.

February Garden Thoughts

February reminds us that growth doesn’t always look busy. Preparation, patience, and care now lead to stronger plants and a more successful spring garden.

Take this time to plan, nurture your soil, and enjoy the quiet beauty of the season—spring will be here before you know it 🌷

How to Replant Grocery Store Herbs & Keep Them Growing

If you’ve ever brought home a fresh herb plant from the grocery store—basil, rosemary, mint, cilantro—and watched it slowly wilt on your windowsill, you’re not alone. The good news? Those little pots are meant to be replanted, and with a few simple steps, you can turn them into long-lasting, productive herb plants.

Let’s walk through how to replant grocery store herbs and actually use them successfully in your kitchen and garden.

Why Grocery Store Herbs Struggle

Most grocery store herbs are grown fast and crowded. What looks like one plant is often many seedlings packed tightly together, all competing for water, nutrients, and space. They’re also grown in lightweight soil that dries out quickly.

Replanting gives your herbs room to breathe—and that’s the key to keeping them alive.

What You’ll Need

Your grocery store herb plant
A pot with drainage holes (or a garden spot outdoors)
Fresh potting soil (not garden dirt)
Scissors or garden snips
Water

Step 1: Gently Remove the Herb from Its Pot

Turn the pot upside down and gently squeeze the sides. Slide the plant out, supporting it at the base. Don’t worry if some soil falls away—that’s normal.

Take a look at the roots. You’ll likely see a tight root ball or several plants tangled together.

Step 2: Separate the Plants (Optional but Recommended)

For herbs like basil, cilantro, parsley, and dill, gently tease the roots apart with your fingers. You can usually divide one pot into 2–4 smaller plants.

Woody herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage don’t always need dividing, but loosening the roots slightly still helps.

Step 3: Repot with Fresh Soil

Fill your new pot with fresh potting soil and make a small hole in the center. Place the herb inside, covering the roots completely but keeping the stems above the soil line.

Gently press the soil down (no packing!) and water thoroughly until water drains from the bottom.

Step 4: Choose the Right Spot

Most herbs love:

Bright light – a sunny windowsill or porch
6+ hours of sunlight if outdoors
Good airflow (especially indoors)

Avoid placing herbs right next to cold windows or heating vents.

Step 5: Water the Right Way

Herbs prefer even moisture, not soggy soil.

Stick your finger into the soil
If the top inch feels dry, it’s time to water
Always empty saucers so roots don’t sit in water

Overwatering is the #1 herb killer.

How to Harvest Without Hurting the Plant

Harvesting actually helps herbs grow bushier—when done correctly.

Snip stems above a leaf set
Never remove more than ⅓ of the plant at a time
For basil, pinch the top growth to prevent flowering

Regular, gentle harvesting keeps your plant productive.

Best Herbs to Start With

If you’re new to herbs, these are forgiving and rewarding:

Basil
Mint (best in its own pot!)
Rosemary
Thyme
Chives

Final Tip: Think of Grocery Store Herbs as Starters

Those herbs aren’t meant to stay in their tiny pots forever. Think of them as starter plants—a jumping-off point for a beautiful, useful herb garden right in your kitchen or backyard.

With a little care and a quick replant, you’ll have fresh herbs ready whenever you cook—and that’s a win for any gardener. 🌱

How to Read a Gardening Zone Map (and Use It to Grow Colorful Flowers & Tasty Herbs)

Starting your first garden can feel a little like learning a new language. Seed packets have numbers, plant tags mention “zones,” and suddenly everyone’s talking about maps. The good news? Once you understand the gardening or planting zone map, everything else gets so much easier—and your plants will thank you for it.

Let’s break it down step by step.

What Is a Gardening / Planting Zone Map?

A gardening zone map (often called a USDA Hardiness Zone Map) shows which plants are most likely to thrive in your area based on average winter temperatures.

The map divides the country into numbered zones, usually ranging from Zone 1 (coldest) to Zone 13 (warmest). Each zone represents a 10°F difference in winter lows.

👉 Think of your zone as your garden’s climate personality.

How to Find Your Planting Zone

Finding your zone is simple:

Search online for “USDA Planting Zone Map”
Enter your ZIP code
Your zone number will pop up (for example: Zone 7b)

That’s it! Write it down or save it—you’ll use this number often when choosing plants.

How to Read the Map (Without Overthinking It)

Each zone may have a letter (like 7a or 7b).
For beginners, the number matters most.

Lower numbers = colder winters
Higher numbers = milder winters

When a plant label says:

Hardy in Zones 6–9

That means it can survive winters in those zones. If your zone falls in that range, you’re good to grow it!

How to Use Your Zone to Pick the Best Flowers 🌸

Choosing flowers that love your zone sets you up for success—more blooms, less stress.

Cooler zones (Zones 3–6):

Coneflowers
Black-eyed Susans
Peonies
Lupine
Calendula

Milder to warm zones (Zones 7–9):

Zinnias
Cosmos
Sunflowers
Salvias
Marigolds

Warm zones (Zones 9–10+):

Lantana
Pentas
Celosia
Portulaca

✨ Tip: Annual flowers (those grown from seed each year) are especially forgiving for first-time gardeners and bloom fast.

Using Your Zone to Grow Flavorful Herbs 🌿

Herbs are beginner-friendly and perfect for small gardens, containers, or windowsills.

Hardy herbs (great for many zones):

Chives
Thyme
Oregano
Mint (best in pots!)

Warm-weather favorites:

Basil
Cilantro
Dill

Perennial herbs (come back each year in the right zones):

Rosemary (Zones 7–10)
Lavender (Zones vary by type—check labels)
Sage

Your zone helps you know:

Which herbs can survive winter outdoors
Which ones should be grown as annuals or brought inside

A Quick Reminder for New Gardeners

Your planting zone tells you about cold tolerance, not everything about your garden.

Also consider:

Sunlight (full sun, part shade, shade)
Soil type
Water needs

When you match zone + sunlight + water, plants thrive—and gardening becomes way more fun.

Final Gardening Encouragement 🌼

Learning your planting zone is like unlocking a garden shortcut. It saves time, money, and frustration—and helps you grow flowers that burst with color and herbs that taste amazing.

Start small, grow what works for your zone, and remember: every gardener was a beginner once.

Happy planting! 🌱

Air Plants Made Easy: How to Create a Glowing Terrarium Look (Plus Simple Care Tips)

Air plants have a quiet magic about them. No soil, sculptural leaves, and just enough wild personality to feel like living art. The terrarium style in the photo—gold geometric glass, soft stones, glowing lights, and lush air plants—is a perfect example of how simple elements can come together to create something truly special.

Let’s walk through how to create this look step by step, then finish with easy air plant care so your display stays happy and healthy.

Why Air Plants Are Perfect for Terrariums

Air plants (Tillandsia) don’t need soil, which makes them ideal for glass containers and decorative displays. They absorb moisture and nutrients through their leaves, not roots, allowing you to design freely without worrying about drainage or mess.

This makes them perfect for:

Glass terrariums
Tabletop décor
Giftable plant displays
Low-maintenance plant lovers

Supplies You’ll Need

To recreate this look, gather the following:

A glass geometric terrarium (open or vented)
1–2 medium air plants (like Tillandsia ionantha or xerographica)
Decorative stones or crystal chips (white or clear work beautifully)
Preserved moss (green or chartreuse adds contrast)
Battery-operated fairy lights
Tweezers or small tongs (optional but helpful)

Step-by-Step: Creating the Look

Step 1: Prepare the Base

Start by adding a thin layer of decorative stones to the bottom of the terrarium. This creates visual weight and reflects light beautifully, especially when paired with fairy lights.

💡 Tip: Keep the layer shallow—air plants don’t need depth, just design balance.

Step 2: Add Fairy Lights

Gently coil the fairy lights inside the terrarium, tucking the wire along the edges or around the base. Leave the battery pack outside or discreetly hidden behind the display.

This soft glow adds warmth and turns your terrarium into an evening statement piece.

Step 3: Place the Moss

Add small sections of preserved moss around the stones. Don’t pack it tightly—think soft, natural clusters. The moss adds texture and gives the arrangement a forest-floor feel without holding moisture against the plants.

Step 4: Position the Air Plants

Nestle your air plants gently on top of the stones and moss. Let their leaves arch naturally—avoid forcing them into place.

For balance:

Place the larger air plant slightly off center
Use a smaller plant or moss to fill visual gaps

Air plants love airflow, so make sure they’re not pressed against the glass.

Step 5: Final Touches

Adjust the lights, fluff the moss, and rotate the terrarium until it looks good from all angles. The gold frame, glowing lights, and soft greenery should feel airy, not crowded.

Air Plant Care: Keep It Simple

Once your terrarium is styled, caring for air plants is refreshingly easy.

Light

Bright, indirect light is best
Near a window with filtered sunlight works great
Avoid harsh, direct sun through glass—it can scorch leaves

Water

Remove air plants from the terrarium to water
Soak in room-temperature water for 20–30 minutes once a week
Gently shake off excess water
Let them dry completely before returning them to the terrarium

⚠️ Never leave air plants sitting in water or return them wet to a closed container.

Airflow

Air plants need good airflow to stay healthy. If your terrarium is mostly closed, remove the plants regularly for watering and drying.

Signs of a Happy Air Plant

Firm, open leaves
Subtle color changes (some blush pink before blooming)
New leaf growth from the center

If leaves curl tightly or feel dry, increase watering slightly.

This style of air plant terrarium isn’t just décor—it’s a tiny ecosystem that brings warmth, light, and nature indoors. Whether you place it on a shelf, coffee table, or desk, it’s a beautiful reminder that plants don’t need soil to thrive.

Simple. Sculptural. And full of life. 🌱