Each year our family is taken aback at how green our neighbors' lawns are and how quickly they become green. Recently we received a call to action from our town not to direct gutters toward the street - the debris flowing into the street and eventually into our streams, lakes, ponds, and rivers is polluting the water and putting wild life at risk. The chemicals in the substances being used to "weed", chemicals used to "feed" lawns and gardens are polluting our environment. It is detrimental for humans too! As we celebrate Earth Day today I want to share with you some steps our family and our small business, Verde Cosi, has taken over the years to aid in helping our environment and increase the bio diversity in our own back yard. 1) Decrease the use of plastics. -...

Oxalis Regnellii or more commonly known as black shamrock has some of the most fascinating foliage. Dark purple/red it will captivate you with it's triple triangular leaves. The leaves also sleep when in low light - so it's a moody plant! It has tiny little bell shaped flowers - light pinky/purple that dangle. This arrangement felt appropriate for today since it is raining and the dark purple leaves remind me of an umbrella. Oxalis Regnellii is an annual in zone 6a but is a perennial in growing zones 8 to 10. It thrives in partial shade. I bring my cluster of oxalis indoors for the winter - I've had mine for years. It is a rhizomatous bulb, native to South Africa. Oxalis likes well drained soil and is easy to care for. Oxalis is poisonous for cats and dogs. I have my...