Maidenhair ferns are delicate plants with very small fronds and a lace-like appearance. They’re considered hardy ferns, rather than ferns preferring steamier conditions, but don’t let the description fool you. Maidenhair ferns can be difficult to keep healthy indoors, as they’re quite particular about their growing conditions. The most important environmental factor when it comes to caring for this fern with success is humidity—it thrives on moisture and needs a lot to survive, which can often be difficult to achieve in indoor environments....

Native to eastern North America, eastern Asia, and Europe, the ostrich fern is one of the most common native ferns, hardy in USDA Zones 3 through 7. The plants are hardy to -4 degrees Fahrenheit. Mass plantings do well naturalized in moist, shady woodland sites, wild gardens, rain gardens, and wet borders by streams or ponds. Though not ideal, they can also grow in containers. Offering attractive texture and form, they make good cut accents for bouquets....

Sea holly plants, once fairly specialized, are now available in many garden centers and stores in limited varieties. Spring is the best time to plant mature plants—sea holly will grow quickly, and semi-mature nursery plants will flower in their first season. Sow seeds in late summer or fall, and they’ll germinate in spring. Once established, these are long-lived perennials. Sea hollies have deep tap roots which makes them difficult to move, so be sure to place the plant somewhere it can stay for the long term....

While crocuses are often considered bulbs, strictly speaking, they are corms (like gladiolas). The difference is rather technical and not important for most gardeners, as both corms and bulbs are essentially modified storage structures by which the plant will initiate growth. Corms differ from true bulbs in that the corm is modified stem tissue, while a true bulb is modified leaf tissue. Crocuses are most often planted for early spring color, though there are also varieties that bloom in late fall and early winter....

Squirting cucumber is usually planted from direct-sown seeds in the spring. It is a fast-growing but fragile vine covered with wrinkled, bristly leaves that will produce flowers and fruit in its first year. The plants contain elaterium, a drug that has medicinal properties when properly refined but which is quite toxic to humans and pets in unrefined form. The “cucumber” fruit of this plant is decidedly non-edible. If you would like to grow this plant in your garden, keep in mind that it can spread rather quickly....

Growing Dahlias in Pots Dahlias grow well in pots, though you need to be very careful not to let them repeatedly dry out. They also will need to be regularly fertilized during the growing season, and many will need to be staked so they don’t fall over. It’s also a good idea to put the taller varieties in heavy pots, so a stiff wind doesn’t blow them over. You can buy dahlia tubers online or in nurseries and some big box stores....

Eureka lemons were developed from a seedling planted in Los Angeles, California in 1858. The tree is non-vigorous and has a spreading, open growth habit. It is nearly thornless, cold-sensitive, and relatively short-lived. Selecting a Planting Site Lemon trees are particularly sensitive to cold weather conditions. The trees need a warm and sheltered position to thrive. Because they like a lot of water, it isn’t recommended to plant your Eureka lemon tree directly into a flat lawn where the grass could get oversaturated....

Chard seeds often come in clusters of two to three seeds, so some thinning will likely be necessary. Plant seeds about 1/2 to 3/4 inch deep and 2 to 4 inches apart. If you have seedlings, plant them about 4 to 8 inches apart. You can always harvest young plants if you don’t thin enough and things get crowded. It’s best to cut plants instead of pulling them when thinning, so you don’t disturb the roots of the remaining plants....

Careful Observation Check out your neighborhood. Note those who seem to have kids, (toys out front, loud screams from the backyard, and parents frantically trying to get small people into a van along with sports equipment.) Those who are elderly, those who seem to be always in the garden, or even those who only seem to come out at night. (Although they’re more difficult to meet unless you are also a night owl)....

Begin by Purging As is the case with most organizing projects, the first step is to purge. Empty your sock drawer(s) and go through all your socks to see which ones you want to keep. You may be surprised at what’s been hiding in the back of the drawer, and by the fact that you have way more pairs than you initially thought! Get rid of old socks that may have holes or stains, ones that don’t have a mate, or those that you’ve never worn and know you probably won’t....