I have many favorites in my houseplant collection, but my pink-striped Lilac Tradescantia tops the list. It’s lovely to look at and one of the easiest plants to care for, making it an excellent choice for beginning and seasoned gardeners alike. Lilac is a small-leaved, trailing Tradescantia that grows 6 to 8 inches high and … Read more
American outdoor recreation is flourishing like never before, with national parks bustling and the industry booming. This picture of a nation deeply connected with its natural heritage seems ideal, but it conceals a more complex and troubling reality. There is a paradox in American outdoor recreation, where its booming popularity leads to unintended consequences, challenging … Read more
What if you were in the heart of the Arctic, where the temperature plummets to 50 degrees below zero? Your survival depends on finding shelter, but trees are scarce, and the only abundant resource is snow. It seems counterintuitive, doesn’t it? Using snow, something inherently cold, to stay warm. Yet, humans have mastered this art … Read more
Imagine this: You’re wrapped up in a blanket, watching the snow gently fall outside, when suddenly – bam! The house goes dark. The serene snowscape outside has brought with it a less welcome companion: a power outage. A winter wonderland quickly turns into a chilling predicament. As the temperature outside drops, so does the comfort … Read more
Have you ever wondered why the color blue is so rare in nature? From the deep sea to the vast sky, when it shows up, it’s absolutely breathtaking. In this adventure into nature’s blues, we’re not just talking about pretty colors. But, instead a world where butterflies trick the eye, birds shine without a single … Read more
Moon Valley Pilea is an eye-catching little houseplant, also known as Moon Valley Friendship Plant or Artillery Plant (Pilea mollis ‘Moon Valley’). It’s a member of the Nettle family, but don’t worry, it doesn’t sting like its cousins and is non-toxic and pet-friendly. Pilea mollis ‘Moon Valley’ is often sold as Pilea involucrata ‘Moon Valley,’ … Read more
Think ladybugs are just tiny, harmless specks of cuteness in your garden? Think again! These vibrant, spotted creatures, beloved in children’s tales and seen as lucky charms, are actually nature’s stealthy little predators. With a backstory that’s more superhero than sidekick, ladybugs hold secret identities that are far more fascinating than their whimsical appearance lets … Read more
Imagine walking down a street and spotting a wall that zigzags like a serpent rather than following a straight line. Sounds like something from a fantasy novel, right? But no, these are real and they’re called crinkle crankle walls. More than just a whimsical design, these walls are a fascinating blend of history, architecture, and … Read more
In the quiet suburbs north of Calgary, a remarkable story of entrepreneurship and sustainable living is unfolding. Imagine turning your basement into a thriving microgreen farm, generating impressive revenues while championing a new wave of urban farming. Welcome to Micro Acres, a small-scale agricultural venture that’s not only redefining what it means to have a … Read more
Have you ever imagined that the notorious CO2 could be a key player in cooling our planet? Surprisingly, CO2, often villainized for its role in climate change, is now revolutionizing how we heat our homes and water. This seemingly paradoxical twist is due to its efficiency as a refrigerant in heat pump. With over double … Read more
