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7 signs of spring allergies

METRO — Few things are more deflating than finally venturing outdoors after a long winter of cabin fever, only to find that blooming trees and flowers start wreaking havoc with your personal health. Spring allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis, occur when the body’s immune system overreacts to indoor or outdoor allergens, such as tree and grass pollen, mold and dust. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, approximately 25.7 percent of adults and 18.9 percent of children in the United States suffer from seasonal allergies. Allergic rhinitis accounts for an ...

Keeping Valentine’s Day houseplants healthy

Houseplants and cut flowers are attractive Valentine’s Day gifts that brighten homes and offices each February. While cut flowers will last a week or two, houseplants, with proper care, can stay beautiful and healthy for years if we pay attention to a few important details. Keeping them ...

Scarification: The simple seed-starting trick that helps tough-coated seeds sprout faster

I’m currently dusting off my seed-starting supplies and sorting through seed packets from years past. Seed starting is an annual ritual for many gardeners, but if you’re new to the party, it would be helpful to know that not all seeds should be treated the same way. Many seeds only require soil and water to sprout. Others, however, have a harder coating that makes germination a bit difficult. That’s because in the wild, they rely on birds and other wildlife that eat them to carry them far distances before dropping them. It’s a good plan: The journey ensures biodiversity by ...

A kaleidoscope of oddball tomatoes to try as seed-starting season nears

Seed-starting time is right around the corner, and that means it’s time to think about tomatoes. I can think of no better summer meal than a thick slice of a homegrown Oxheart between two slices of white bread, adorned only with salt, pepper and maybe a couple of basil leaves. I’m ...