From salads to pizza, tomatoes are a popular ingredient in most cuisines. Native to the Americas, the tomato originated back to the early Aztecs around 700 A.D. It didn’t make its way to Europe until around the 16th century where it quickly became popular with the Southern Europeans. The British, on the other hand, believed the tomato was poisonous.

Tomatoes? Poisonous? Back in the 1500’s, dinnerware was make of pewter which contained a ton of lead. Foods that had a high acid content (i.e. tomatoes) caused the lead to leach out into the food which resulted in lead poisoning and, more often than not, death. Pretty interesting, no? The poor didn’t have any fancy plates and therefore had no issues whatsoever munching on tomatoes.

Thankfully, the tomato continued to grow in popularity and we now have oodles of varieties from heirloom to big ol’ beefsteak tomatoes. Stop on by the Greenhouse and pick up a few for your garden!

Succulents are the perfect starter plant for a black thumb. They are fairly low-maintenance and it takes quite a few errors to kill them. Here are a few easy telltale signs that your succulent may be in trouble.

Leaning Towards Light
That plant on your desk is reaching towards the window like it’s in the front row of a George Strait concert. This is a common sign that it needs more sunlight. Scootch it on over so that it gets more rays.

Dull Color
This succulent actually needs less sun. Move it into a darker area of the room and watch it’s green deepen.

Rotting, Yellowing Leaves, and Black/Brown Spotting
These are all signs that you’re succulent is getting too much water. Succulents really only need a deep watering once a week.

Shriveled Leaves
Sunken in, wrinkly leaves are a sign that your plant is thirsty. Give that thing a good drink keep tabs on it to see make sure its leaves plump up. With succulents, the goal is fewer, deeper waterings. If the soil is dry, water it until the water comes from the bottom of the pot. If the container has good drainage, you can set the succulent in a tray to let the soil wick up the water for about five minutes. Remove the pot and let it drain.

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Appropriately referred to as “Busy Lizzie”, impatiens propagate like crazy. Even the gentlest touch can cause a ripe impatiens seed pod to burst, scattering its seeds about. Available in a rainbow of colors, impatiens love shade and moisture. Here are a few tips to keep these beautiful blooms healthy and thriving.

Planting
After the last Spring frost, plant impatiens in a humus-rich, moist, and well-drained soil. Plant them in an area where they have a bit of shelter from the wind. Impatiens can grow up to 30 inches tall so plant them 8-12 inches apart to keep them low to the ground. When it comes to sun, some impatiens like more sun than others. Be sure to check the label.

Care
As we said, impatiens love moisture. Be sure to water them regularly, keeping them moist but not wet. If they get too much water, they could develop fungal diseases. If they start to lose their leaves, they need more water.

We have several varieties of beautiful impatiens here at the Greenhouse! Stop on by and pick some up.

Eucalyptus oil has that fresh-from-the-spa aroma. Learn how to make your own eucalyptus essential oil to add to your bath, diffuser, and more.

What you’ll need:

• ¼ oz fresh eucalyptus leaves (grow your own or check your local florist) crushed to release the oil
• 1 cup carrier oil (olive, coconut, or almond)
• Slow cooker (one you don’t use to cook as eucalyptus oil is toxic)

To make:

Combine ingredients into a slow cooker and let heat on low for 6 hours. After letting the oil cool, strain the oil through cheesecloth. Store in a cool, dark area (medicine cabinet, closet, etc.).

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