Every day it seems there are new stories popping up about people (usually wealthy or at least well off, usually white) gaming the system in whatever way they can manage to get their COVID vaccination before they were due to.

It started with the politicians. We all got to see members of Congress declare themselves essential workers (insert derisive snort here) and be among the very first to get the freshly approved vaccine before almost anyone else. The argument was that by doing so, they were modeling good pandemic behavior and confirming to their constituents that the vaccine was safe…

Leaf curl. Fireblight. Rust. Aphids. Mites. If you’ve had a serious problem with these or other diseases or pests on any of your deciduous fruit trees, the best remedy is often to spray the tree while it is in its dormant state.

What to spray

Dormant sprays can be fungicides, horticultural oils, or a combination of an oil and a pesticide. They should be applied when the tree is dormant because the active ingredients in the sprays can damage foliage and blossoms, and could be deadly to bees and other pollinators if applied when trees are in bloom.

What kind of spray you…

If your garden dreams include a lush and colorful rose garden, the best time to plan and plant it is in the winter months when bare-root roses are available in local and mail-order nurseries.

Bare-root roses are dormant bushes that are packaged and shipped without a container. Shipping the plants in this form saves a great deal of money for growers compared to shipping potted bushes after they break dormancy, and those savings are passed on to you. You can often purchase multiple bare-root bushes for what a single potted rose will cost you later in the year.

Each year…

Citrus trees are one of my favorite choices for almost any garden. They are evergreen, prolific, and relatively low maintenance. And they just make a garden look sunnier!

Selecting and planting

In climates where frosts do not occur, citrus (Citrus spp.) can be planted at any time. Elsewhere, plant trees in early spring.

Citrus is best suited for USDA zones 8 to 11. Best results come from planting in full sun, but they can tolerate some shade in most areas and do well with afternoon shade in the hottest regions. The general rule of thumb is that sweeter citrus types need more heat…

Growing most plants from seed is easy as long as you provide the basics that all plants require — soil, heat, light, and water — and then avoid a few common pitfalls.

The Basics

1. Begin by purchasing a commercial seed-starting medium or mixing your own blend. Whichever you way you decide to go, you need the medium to be sterile and fast-draining. I often use a good-quality potting soil (as opposed to a seed-starting mix) that I lighten by adding perlite to improve the drainage. I avoid using seed-starting media that is primarily made of peat, especially those tablet-like peat plugs…

Potted amaryllis bulbs in full bloom are one of the loveliest sights of winter, with their big, bold flowers on strong, upright stems. The explosion of color in shades of deep red, bright pink, salmon, white, or even green can really brighten a frosty cold day. You may have received or purchased an amaryllis bulb during the holidays, so if you’re ready to see some of those gorgeous blossoms in your home, it’s time to get them planted.

Planting amaryllis

Amaryllis bulbs like to feel cozy in their containers so choose pots that will leave no more than an inch of space…

Finding a good, supportive writing group can be one of the more valuable steps a writer can take in their creative and professional development. The right group can help to keep you inspired and productive, hone your editing and critiquing skills, and stretch your creative habits and goals.

But in time even a good writing group can cease to be helpful. Sometimes changes in the group membership can shift its focus or tone. Sometimes you’re the one that changes and the group is no longer a good fit for your writing purposes. …

I am the last person who should be giving financial advice.

The list of financial blunders I’ve made in my life is long. I’m a responsible person and I clean up my messes but along the way I’ve made stupid investments, accrued bad debts at outrageous interest, and made career moves that were never financially smart (although I don’t regret any of them).

At times when my income has been steady, I’ve been a consistent and substantial saver, enough that I was able to buy my second new car (a 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle) with cash.

But I’ve spent more…