Month: May 2026

Happy Birthday U.S. Army June 14

 

U.S. Army 251st Birthday – 2026

The U.S. Army will celebrate its 251st birthday on June 14, 2026, marking 251 years of service to the nation The Official Home Page of the United States Army. The central theme for the year is “This We’ll Defend”, highlighting the Army’s enduring commitment to protecting the country The Official Home Page of the United States Army.

Key 2026 Events

Washington, D.C. – National Capital Region the Official Home Page of the United States Army

  • June 13, 2026 – Army Birthday Run at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.
  • June 15, 2026 – Army Birthday Wreath-Laying Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
  • June 15, 2026 – Army Day at Washington Nationals Park, featuring performances by the U.S. Army Parachute and Drill Teams starting at 6:45 p.m.

Philadelphia, PA The Official Home Page of the United States Army

  • June 14, 2026 – Official Army Birthplace Plaque Unveiling at 3:15 p.m. in front of the Public Ledger Building.

Central Pennsylvania Army Heritage Center Foundation

  • June 13, 2026 – Army 251st Birthday Dinner at Penn Harris Hotel and Conference Center, featuring retired General Paul Nakasone as guest speaker.
    Note: Ticket sales for this event have closed.

About the Celebration

The 251st birthday is part of the larger Freedom250 national commemoration of the United States’ 250th anniversary, providing an opportunity to highlight the Army’s role in the nation’s founding, growth, and defense DVIDS. Events will include parades, ceremonies, performances, and community gatherings across the country.

Source:  co-pilot©

Food safety expert warns against buying four pre-cut produce items

The Four Items

High-risk produce: Leafy greens, cantaloupe, tomatoes, and cucumbers are safer bought whole to lower contamination risk.

Why it matters: Cutting can spread bacteria, especially in produce with crevices, porous skin, or protective coatings.

Safe handling tips: Wash under running water, avoid soap, prevent cross-contamination, and refrigerate promptly after slicing.

Sara Morris of the Institute of Food Technologists highlights leafy greens, cantaloupe, tomatoes, and cucumbers as more prone to microbial contamination once cut. Leafy greens can spread bacteria during large-scale washing.  Cantaloupes can transfer pathogens from rough rinds to the flesh.  Tomatoes can harbor bacteria on cut surfaces if not refrigerated, and cucumbers lose their protective coating when peeled or sliced, hastening spoilage. Buying these whole and preparing them yourself reduces exposure risk.

Why this warning matters for consumers

These produce types can harbor pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria, which can cause severe illness. Leafy greens and melons are often implicated in outbreaks.  In addition, tomatoes and cucumbers can quickly support bacterial growth after cutting. The FDA’s Food Traceability List includes fresh-cut produce due to its higher risk profile, making informed choices important for health.

Recent expert advice reinforces the message

Food safety specialists recommend washing all produce under cool running water before eating, even if peeling or cooking is planned. Items with crevices or grown close to the ground—such as leafy greens, melons, and root vegetables—retain bacteria, debris, and pesticide residues. Chef Alex Guarnaschelli also underscores those certain fruits, including bananas, pears, and apples, should be cut only before serving to preserve quality and safety.

Past outbreaks show the risks are real

The 2023 Salmonella outbreak linked to pre-cut cantaloupe in the U.S. and Canada demonstrates how contamination can move from rind to flesh during slicing. Once inside, moisture and nutrients allow bacteria to multiply rapidly. Such events reinforce the recommendation to purchase certain produce whole and wash thoroughly before preparation.

How to shop and prepare produce safely

Experts advise inspecting produce for bruises or cuts, washing under running water, and refrigerating promptly after slicing. Avoid using soap or bleach, and prevent cross-contamination by cleaning hands, utensils, and surfaces before and after handling. Use a produce brush for tough-skinned items like melons, separate leafy greens for thorough rinsing, and store prepped fruits in airtight containers to maintain freshness and avoid absorbing odors.
Source:  curated by co-pilot©

Best Small Plants for Your Office Desk

Why Plants Belong on Every Desk

A few well-chosen indoor plants do more than just look pretty. They help purify the air, regulate humidity, and give your eyes a much-needed break from the screen.

According to a study by the University of Exeter, plants in the workplace can improve productivity by up to 15% — not bad for something that asks for little more than occasional water and light.

And let’s be real: it’s also about mood. Small plants with green leaves just make the office feel a little less… office-y.

1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

If I could only recommend one office desk plant, this would be it — beautiful, sturdy, and impossible to kill.

  • Thrives in low light and indirect light.
  • Tolerates fluorescent lighting perfectly.
  • Needs minimal water — once every few weeks is plenty.
  • Grows tall with sleek green leaves that add instant polish to your workspace.

2. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

The ultimate “I forgot to water it” plant — Pothos forgives everything.

  • Great for low-light offices.
  • Trailing vines look beautiful on shelves or hanging near your desk.
  • Excellent for improving air quality.
  • Easy to propagate, so you can grow more plants for free.

3. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

The sleek, glossy leaves make this indoor plant look more expensive than it is.

  • Survives low light and even total neglect.
  • Needs watering only once the soil is completely dry.
  • Perfect for offices with fluorescent lighting or limited windows.
  • A go-to for anyone who wants a low-maintenance desk plant.

4. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

 

Elegant and calming, this one instantly softens a sterile office corner.

  • Prefers indirect light but adapts to lower levels.
  • Blooms delicate white flowers throughout the year.
  • Known for improving indoor air quality.
  • Keep soil lightly moist, but not soggy.

5. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)

True to its name — this one’s tough as nails.

  • Handles low light, dry air, and occasional forgetfulness.
  • Deep green leaves that stay glossy year-round.
  • Great for offices that get little to no natural light.
  • Minimal care required, making it perfect for beginners.

Source:  herhappyhabitat.com©

 

This is the ideal amount of sleep for healthy aging, science says — and it’s not 8 hours

 

 

Is it time to say goodbye to the ‘eight hour’ sleep myth? Regularly sleeping over eight hours a night might actually have a negative impact on your health.  Basically, as a new study published in Nature finds, it can actually accelerate markers of biological aging.

Researchers place the sleep duration sweet spot for healthy aging between 6.4 and 7.8 hours a night. Both under- and over-sleeping can contribute to health risks including brain, heart, and muscular aging.

Sticking to this sleep-time sweet spot might help “promote healthy aging, reduce disease risk and extend lifespan. So, we asked the experts what simple changes you can make to start sleeping healthier.

Key takeaways: At a glance

  • Getting under six hours of sleep is linked to broad health issues including cardiovascular disease and poor immune response
  • Over eight hours of sleep is associated with chemical imbalances in the brain, including depression and ADHD
  • Scientists identify the sweet spot as between 6.4 to 7.8 hours sleep a night
  • As sleep duration is a modifiable metric, improving sleep hygiene can potentially lead to slower biological aging
  • A set sleep time and wake time are expert back ways to create a regular sleep schedule

What is the sleep sweet spot?

The data of roughly 500,000 participants in the UK BioBank measured the correlation between sleep duration and biological age markers.

The results showed a “U-shaped” pattern, with spikes occurring at either end of the sleep duration spectrum. Sleeping under six hours or over eight hours were both linked to faster biological aging.

So how much sleep do you need? Researchers narrowed down a sleep duration sweet spot between 6.4 and 7.8 hours (with fluctuations based on organ and sex.)

Hitting this sweet spot doesn’t mean you’re necessarily going to wake up feeling refreshed every morning.  Chiefly, this study focused less on the immediate impact of a good night’s sleep and more on the long-term effects of consistently sub-par sleep.

However, sticking to this perfect duration might help you feel fresher later in life, as it’s been linked to slower biological aging.

How does sleep impact longevity?

“How old are you?’ is a fairly simple question (albeit a bit impolite in many circumstances.)

Now, how old are your organs?

That’s a trickier one to answer.  However, researchers have developed a series of “aging clocks” to measure how your organs age compared to your chronological age — and how your sleep duration impacts this aging process.

They noted that shorter sleep duration shows “broader systemic associations” with disease, including increased risk of cardiovascular, metabolic and musculoskeletal conditions such as osteoarthritis and soft tissue disorder.

Long sleep duration, on the other hand, is linked to “brain-related traits” such as major depressive disorder, ADHD and alcohol dependence.

Sleep duration alone isn’t responsible for poor health, and the study notes further research is needed.  Chiefly, how much does sub-optimal sleep duration increase disease risk versus existing conditions negatively impacting sleep. There’s growing evidence that your sleep plays a key role in your longevity.

There is good news. As the researchers note, sleep duration is “modifiable”, and by focusing on your sleep hygiene you can potentially promote healthier biological aging — and maybe even extend your lifespan.

3 expert-tips for getting the right amount of quality sleep

Better sleep health is a matter of consistent good habits and once you’ve found your routine, you’ll hardly notice you’re doing it at all…

1. Anchor your bedtime

Following the 7:1 sleep rule can potentially add four years to your lifespan and it’s based on two simple principles: roughly seven hours sleep a night and falling asleep within a one hour window every night.

To set your sleep window, begin by picking an anchor time. This is your ideal bedtime — when you want to fall asleep. Your sleep window then extends 30 minutes either side of your anchor point.

For example, if your ideal bedtime is 10.30 p.m., then your sleep window is between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.

Setting a bedtime and sticking to it helps train your body to sleep, as your internal clock recognizes that it’s time to wind-down. As a result, when you climb into bed, you’re primed to drop off.

2. Create a simple wind-down routine

Consistent timing isn’t the only way to teach your body to sleep.

“I recommend creating a small, consistent wind-down cue in the evening that can help signal to your body and mind that it’s time for bed,” advises Dr. Shelby Harris, sleep specialist at BetterSleep (not involved with the study.) “It doesn’t need to be perfect, just repeatable.”

Your circadian rhythm recognizes this pre-bed routine as a cue that you’re ready to sleep, like putting your pajamas on and turning off the light. It’s an important part of good sleep hygiene and it doesn’t have to be complex.

“It could be as simple as dimming the lights or stepping away from your phone 15–20 minutes before bed,” says Dr. Harris.

3. Set a wake-up time

A good night’s sleep starts when you wake up in the morning.

“Getting up at roughly the same time every day – even if your bedtime varies – helps regulate your internal clock and improves sleep quality over time,” explains Dr. Harris.

She recommends you “anchor” your wake up and while it might feel like a drag when your alarm first chimes, in time your body will anticipate this wake up and start preparing for the day.

And it’s important to stick to your anchor time — yes, even over the weekend. Weekend lie-ins might seem like a chance to catch up on lost sleep but they could be the cause of your poor health. When you wake up late, you struggle to drift off at bedtime, leaving you more tired when your alarm goes off.

By following these tips, your body can form a sleep schedule and you’ll find it easier to naturally hit that sleep duration sweet spot.

Source:  Tom’s Guide©

7 ways you can ensure a summer of beautiful pollinators

A butterfly garden doesn’t need to be a formal thing – no dedicated beds required, no full redesign. A few additions in the right places, just one or two things left alone that would normally get cleaned up. That’s pretty much the whole formula. What follows is where to put the effort this month.

What Butterflies Need

Supporting butterflies doesn’t require a big overhaul. Most of what they need is already achievable in an afternoon – a few additions, maybe one deliberate choice to leave something alone, and the season starts working in their favor.

1. Plant Nectar Sources Now for Peak Bloom Later

Nectar is the obvious starting point, but timing the plantings matters quite a bit. Put in mid-to-late summer bloomers now – coneflowers, Joe-Pye weed, native asters – and they’ll be peaking right when butterfly populations are at their heaviest. Garden centers are well-stocked, and these plants go in without much fuss.

Flower shape pulls in different species too; flat-topped blooms give some butterflies a platform to land and walk, while tubular flowers suit others. A mix of forms over a long bloom window pulls more variety than a single mass planting, however popular the plant.

2. Set Out a Water Source

Butterflies don’t drink like birds do. They puddle – touching down on damp soil or wet sand to pull up moisture and minerals, especially trace minerals and sodium – and open water isn’t very useful to them. Sand or fine gravel in a shallow dish, kept consistently damp, is all it takes to water a butterfly.

A butterfly puddling dish should have the right depth and texture without collecting enough standing water to become a mosquito issue. Put it somewhere sunny and near the nectar plants – a puddling station in the shade gets ignored.

3. Add Host Plants for Egg-Laying

Nectar pulls butterflies in to feed. Butterfly host plants are what keep them around long enough to reproduce – and without the right ones, they won’t.

Female butterflies are picky about where they lay; each species needs specific plants for its eggs where its caterpillars can eat, and if those plants aren’t somewhere in the garden, breeding just doesn’t happen.

Monarchs and milkweed is the pairing that is widely known. Swallowtail caterpillars go after parsley, dill, or fennel. Fritillaries need native violets. Even one or two host plants tucked in somewhere makes a garden part of the local cycle rather than just a feeding stop on the way through.

4. Ease Up on Pesticides

Broad-spectrum sprays don’t sort between the insects a gardener wants and the ones they don’t. Butterfly eggs, caterpillars, and adults are all vulnerable, and May is when caterpillars from early-season eggs are actively feeding. Chewed-up leaves on a host plant aren’t damaged – that’s the whole point of having host plants.

Where pest pressure elsewhere genuinely needs attention, spot treatments in the evening do far less harm than a broadcast spray. Reach for targeted controls first; a general spray that doesn’t discriminate between a caterpillar and an aphid isn’t really solving the problem.

5. Create Sunny Resting Spots

On cool May mornings, butterflies can’t fly until they’ve warmed up – they spread their wings and angle toward the sun, sometimes for a while before doing much of anything. Flat garden stepping stones work well as basking surfaces and pull double duty as path material – dark-colored ones absorb heat faster, and that difference shows in how much traffic a spot gets.

A patch of dark bare soil in a sunny corner does the job too, if hardscaping isn’t in the plan. A garden with a few good basking areas sees activity start earlier in the day – which is a small thing, but it adds up over a season.

6. Leave Some Corners Alone

The urge to tidy everything up is understandable, but it’s worth resisting in at least one corner of the garden. Some species are still finishing out winter as chrysalises in the leaf litter or pupae just under the soil surface – raking things out too aggressively can destroy them before they get the chance to emerge.

Loose soil and a bit of debris pull double duty as puddling spots and basking patches anyway. A deliberately rough corner costs nothing to maintain and tends to support more butterfly activity than things added on purpose. Leave it messy. That’s the point.

7. Reduce Mowing Near Flower Beds

Lawn right up against garden beds creates a kind of dead zone – mowed grass offers nothing to butterflies and acts as a barrier between habitat patches. Even a foot or two (30–60cm) of unmowed edge changes that. Clover moves in fast on its own, and violets aren’t far behind – both happen to be host plants, which is a bonus. The border looks intentional once things fill in, not neglected, though that probably depends on the neighbors. Either way, the butterflies aren’t judging.

Source:  msn.com©

((Image credit: Shutterstock))

Related:  Why Every Garden Needs a Butterfly Puddler—And How to Make Yours – TUTORING YOU

Pt 9 Basic English – Essential Lessons for Beginning English Learners

 

Continuing with The Basics Series

These basic English lessons provide the most important learning points for beginning level English learners. Use these short lessons to study for tests, review basic English essentials, or check your understanding of the basics.

Lesson 15: Comparative Forms in English

We use the comparative and superlative form to compare and contrast different objects in English. Use the comparative form to show the difference between two objects. Example: New York is more exciting than Seattle. Use the superlative form when speaking about three or more objects to show which object is ‘the most’ of something. Example: New York is the most exciting city in the USA.

Here is how to construct the comparative form in English. Notice in the example sentences that you use ‘than’ to compare the two objects:

One-Syllable Adjectives

add ‘-er’ to end of the adjective (Note: double the final consonant if preceded by a vowel) remove the ‘y’ from the adjective and add ‘ier’

Example: cheap – cheaper / hot – hotter / high – higher

  • Yesterday was hotter than today.
  • This book is cheaper than that book.

Two-Syllable Adjectives Ending in ‘-y’

Example: happy – happier / funny – funnier

  • I am happier than you.
  • That joke was funnier than his joke.

Adjectives With Two, Three, or More Syllables 

place ‘more’ before the adjective

Example: interesting – more interesting / difficult – more difficult

  • London is more expensive than Madrid.
  • This test is more difficult than the last test.

Important Exceptions

There are some important exceptions to these rules. Here are two of the most important exceptions:

Good

  • good – adjective
  • better – comparative

Example:

  • This book is better than that one.
  • I am better at tennis than my sister.

Bad

  • bad – adjective
  • worse – comparative

Example:

  • His French is worse than mine.
  • His singing is worse than Tom’s.

Lesson 16:  Superlative Forms – Understanding the English Superlative Form

Here is how to construct the superlative form in English.

One-Syllable Adjectives

Place ‘the’ before the adjective and add ‘-est’ to end of the adjective (Note: double the final consonant if preceded by a vowel).

Example: cheap – the cheapest / hot – the hottest / high – the highest

  • Today is the hottest day of the summer.
  • This book is the cheapest I can find.

Two, Three or More Syllable Adjectives

Place ‘the most’ before the adjective.

Example: interesting – the most interesting/difficult – the most difficult

  • London is the most expensive city in England.
  • That is the most beautiful painting here.

Two-Syllable Adjectives Ending in ‘-y’ Place ‘the’ before the adjective and remove the ‘y’ from the adjective and add ‘iest’.

Example: happy – the happiest / funny – the funniest

  • New York is the noisiest city in the USA.
  • He is the most important person I know.

Important Exceptions

There are some important exceptions to these rules. Here are two of the most important exceptions:

Good

  • good – adjective
  • the best – superlative

Example:

  • Peter is the best golf player in the school.
  • This is the best school in the city.

Bad

  • bad – adjective
  • the worst – superlative

Example:

  • Jane is the worst student in the class.
  • This is the worst day of my life.

Source:  thoughtco.com©

What eating cabbage actually does for your health

When you cruise the produce aisle for healthy greens, what do you grab on the regular? Probably broccoli, kale, leafy lettuce—but what about cabbage? Most likely, you don’t count it as a staple in your diet, but you should.

Cabbage is actually a superfood because it provides lots of crucial nutrients. “Cabbage is low in calories, high in fiber, and packed with vitamin C, vitamin K, and antioxidants called anthocyanins, which are especially plentiful in red cabbage (also called purple cabbage),” says Bonnie Taub-Dix, RDN, host of the Media Savvy Podcast.

It’s also a brassica plant, according to the US Department of Agriculture, meaning that it belongs to the cruciferous family of vegetables. “This makes it a close relative of broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts,” Taub-Dix explains. “All of these vegetables contain compounds called glucosinolates that have been studied for their potential role in reducing inflammation and even lowering cancer risk.”

Cabbage comes in various types—in addition to green and red, there’s Bok choy, which has a taste similar to pepper; napa, which offers a sweet, milder flavor; and savoy, which tastes slightly nutty and buttery.

Nutritional value of cabbage

According to the US Food and Drug Administration, a 1/12 head serving of green cabbage sizes up as follows:

  • Calories: 25
  • Total Fat: 0
  • Sodium: 1mg
  • Potassium: 190 mg
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Vitamin C: 70% of DV
  • Calcium: 4% of DV
  • Iron: 2% of DV

UK researchers also report that cabbage contains vitamins A, B1, B6, B9, K, magnesium, iron, and manganese.

Health benefits of eating cabbage

There are many to cover! An Australian study found that people who ate four servings of cruciferous veggies, including cabbage, daily for as little as two weeks saw their blood pressure drop 2.5mmHg on average, lowering their cardiovascular disease risk.

What’s more, Chinese researchers reported that because cabbage contains high levels of soluble sugar, soluble protein, and vitamins, it can potentially reduce the risk of gastrointestinal illness and cancer. The researchers also found that red/purple cabbage has a high flavonoid content. Additional research has indicated that flavonoids may help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation.

More great findings: fermented cabbage in the form of sauerkraut with live cultures can boost your gut microbiome, according to a University of California, Davis study. Cabbage is a great source of fiber, which can support blood sugar regulation and lower Type II diabetes risk as part of a healthy diet. Last but not least, cabbage also contains carotenoids, a vitamin A-related antioxidant that can help keep your vision healthy.

Can you eat cabbage every day?

It depends. “Cabbage is generally safe for most people, but if you have thyroid issues, it’s worth knowing that cruciferous vegetables contain goitrogens, which in very large amounts could interfere with thyroid function,” says Taub-Dix. “However, you’d have to eat an enormous quantity for that to become a real concern, and cooking cabbage significantly reduces those compounds.” A Polish study stressed the importance of consuming enough iodine, which can also mitigate the risk. Still, it’s essential to talk to your doctor if you have thyroid disease, or are at risk for it, before adding cabbage to your diet.

Cabbage also contains a moderate level of vitamin K, which causes the blood to clot. If you take a blood thinner like Warfarin, eating cabbage could change the way your medication works. Again, this is a situation where you definitely need to talk to your doctor before you start eating cabbage daily, or at all.

Also, even though cabbage can be good for your gut, it could give you some discomfort if you eat it too often. “Cabbage, and other cruciferous veggies like broccoli and cauliflower, can cause some people to feel bloated or gassy because they are high in raffinose, a type of fiber that can be tough on digestion,” says Taub-Dix.

Start with small servings and see how you feel, then increase the amount you eat over time. “If cabbage makes you gassy, that’s not a reason to quit it—your gut bacteria might need time to adjust,” Taub-Dix adds.

Great ways to work cabbage into your diet

Cabbage can work in a huge range of dishes. “You can shred it raw into salads, toss it into soups and stir-fries, or roast cabbage wedges with a little olive oil,” Taub-Dix suggests. “You can also swap crunchy cabbage leaves for a wrap instead of a tortilla—this adds nutrients and cuts calories. Also, bagged coleslaw mix is basically just pre-shredded cabbage—throw it into tacos, grain bowls, or even over scrambled eggs.” Cabbage is also inexpensive and can stay fresh for weeks in your crisper—more bonus points!

The bottom line: Cabbage is nutritious and can be pretty darn delicious, too. Give it a whirl and enjoy a fresh addition to your meals—and a boost to your health!

Source:  Good Housekeeping©

Photo credit:  © HUIZENG HU – Getty Images

Related:  Cashew Cabbage – TUTORING YOU

Can A Simple Ribbon Trick Convince Hummingbirds to Stop by Your Feeder?

If your hummingbird-friendly flower garden isn’t working, your daily birdwatching may be akin to staring out a window like in a sad music video. If your feeders aren’t being used, you may need to employ some clever tricks to bring hummingbirds in. While there are many different ways to attract hummingbirds to your garden, some may work better than others.

A Simple Ribbon Trick

If you’re want to try something easy that doesn’t require you to plant flowers or invest in a new feeder, try this simple hack.  It may just bring more feathered friends to your feeder. Secure a red ribbon (or several) to your feeder.  Basically, this could help catch hummingbirds’ attention and convince them to stop by your yard. Once there, they can enjoy the nectar and any other flowers you have to offer to feed their appetite. Perhaps they just didn’t notice your feeder while flying around.  Unquestionably, this hack can help get their attention, so they keep coming back.

Red Lovers

It’s become fairly common knowledge among avid bird lovers that red is one of the colors that draws hummingbirds in. This is due to the cones in their eyes, which allow them to see red and yellow well.  They undeniably seek these colors while finding food. Many flowers in these colors produce the nectar these birds need.  Nectar is a source that fuels their high-energy burn. While many other flower species can also produce this nectar, their sight brings them to the red florals first. This is why using red ribbons to your feeders and even around your yard can help.

So, Tie Red Ribbons to Attract Hummingbirds

You can tie a few pieces of red ribbon along the pole where your feeder is attached, or to other areas like the hanging chain. Avoid placing ribbons where they could cover the holes where the birds sip.  Pesky winds can blow these pieces of fabric onto them and deter feeding. Keep in mind when trying this that it doesn’t take away from the aesthetic of your garden.

In fact, you can use red ribbon that is attached via a bow or in a small knot, so it can blow in the wind.  Doing this can actually create an aesthetic effect that not only pulls in hummingbirds but also elevates your space. You may want to try different tactics, such as tying on nearby trees to see if that draws them in. You can also attach red ribbons to the surrounding area, especially if there are flowers that the hummingbirds can feed from.

Once they are acquainted with your yard, they will likely come back on their own. However, the red does help to initially alert them to your space. If you have more than one hummingbird feeder in your yard, make sure to keep a good distance between each.  Also, keep the ribbons close to each feeder rather than placing everything in a general area.  These birds can be territorial and don’t always share their food well.

Source:  housedigest.com©

(Article edited for space)

Photo credit:  © Katie Dragon/Shutterstock

Related:  These Three Plants Will Attract Hummingbirds to Your Garden – TUTORING YOU

16 Perennials That Attract Hummingbirds to Your Garden! – TUTORING YOU

King Charles talks to his plants – a practice rooted in ancient animistic traditions,

Some ancient civilizations, like the Greeks and Romans, held beliefs that plants responded to care, attention, or even words. However, the concept became more popularized in the 17th and 18th centuries, when natural philosophers began experimenting more methodically.

For example, Jan Ingenhousz, known for his work on photosynthesis, also observed plant responses to light and environment. People started noticing that plants could react to stimuli in ways that seemed almost communicative.

Today, talking to your greenery, whether it’s a small collection of indoor plants on your windowsill or rare flowers in a royal garden, is a common practice, and it comes with approval from the experts.

‘To some, the King’s habit of speaking to plants has seemed quaint, even peculiar. Yet in his film, it celebrates his lifelong philosophy: that small acts of attention reflect a broader responsibility to nurture the natural world,’ comments Tenielle Jordison, a garden’s content editor at Homes & Gardens.

‘Beyond the garden, talking to plants can have real benefits for people. Tending and speaking to greenery can reduce stress, lift mood, and encourage mindfulness. It’ a simple way to reconnect with the natural world, nurturing our wellbeing, even if it’s just a small house plant.’

There’s never a bad time to buy a new plant, but in the light of this royal news, we can’t resist another one.

King Charles’ lifelong habit of talking to plants may once have seemed eccentric, but in today’s world, it’s a reminder that small acts of care – whether in a royal garden or on a windowsill – can connect us to nature and to ourselves. Perhaps it’s time to add a new plant to your own collection.

Source:  msn.com

Photo credit:  GettyImages

Plant These Low-Maintenance Flowers to Attract More Cardinals to Your Yard

Attracting Cardinals

Though cardinals aren’t rare in most of the United States, their vibrant colors still make them an exciting species to spot. Cardinals are common throughout much of the eastern and midwestern states. Cardinals don’t migrate, if you live in one of these regions, you can spot the males’ easily.  Their iconic red plumage against the pure white snow of winter is pure heaven. Also, you can enjoy their vibrant feathers during the summer.

However, that’s only the case if you know how to lure them into your yard. If you want to spot these feathered friends more regularly, plant some low-maintenance flowers around your space.

Seeds over berries

Its diet is varied and consists of seeds, insects, and berries. However, to lead them into your yard, you don’t have to fill it with caterpillars, spiders, and centipedes.  Instead, focus on planting specific flowering plants so the birds can snack on the seeds. While you could also include berry bushes in your space, these birds seem to prefer seeds over berries. Filling your backyard with the food’s cardinals love the most is almost guaranteed to make it the go-to spot, especially in the winter when food sources are more scarce.

Verbena (Verbenaceae)

©Flower_Garden/Shutterstock
Verbena is an annual flower that prefers full sun and well-draining soil. Many people love having this flower in their yard because of its vibrant colors, pleasant fragrance, and the ease of maintenance. This plant produces clusters of small purple, white, or pink flowers, with some varieties growing between 6 and 18 inches tall. Cardinals like the flowers and small seeds of this plant, so this provides a great food source for these birds from the spring to the fall.

Sunflower (Helianthus)

Sunflowers can brighten your property with their vibrant yellow petals. Plant them in an area of the yard that gets full, direct sun for six to eight hours a day in well-draining soil.

 

Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron Tulipifera)

The tulip poplar is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 90 feet tall and that blooms yellow or orange flowers in the springtime. Once the tree is established, it needs little maintenance

 

Flowering Dogwood (Cornus Florida)

Dogwood trees bloom beautiful white or pale pink flowers in April and May. They prefer to be planted in a sunny spot with well-draining soil. They’ll need water during the summer when they’re actively flowering.

 

Purple Majesty Millet (Pennisetum Glaucum)

©Tracy Immordino/Shutterstock

Purple majesty millet will add a little bit of drama to your garden. The plant can grow 3 to 5 feet tall with dark purple leaves and 1-foot long seed spikes. This plant prefers full sun and can be drought tolerant but grows best with weekly waterings. It’s the seeds of these summer and fall-blooming flowers that attract cardinals to your yard.

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea)

The purple coneflower is a perennial that can grow between 2 and 5 feet tall and prefers full sun for at least six to eight hours a day. They’re easy to care for and only need about an inch of watering each week. Cardinals are attracted to these summer-blooming flowers because of their seeds and the insects like aphids that are often attracted to the plant, as both provide a food source for the birds.

 

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum Majus)

Gardeners love nasturtiums because the flowers bloom a vibrant color and have a pretty fragrance. Most nasturtiums are annuals, and there are both climbing and bush varieties available. Plant these flowers where they can get full sun for at least six hours and in well-draining soil, and give them regular weekly waterings. Cardinals love the seeds of these flowers, so they’ll be attracted to nasturtium as a food source.

 

Hawthorn (Crataegus)

Hawthorn trees produce small and fragrant white flowers between March and June. Plant a Hawthorn tree in your yard where it will receive full sun in order to produce its signature blooms.

 

Safflower (Carthamus Tinctorius)

©Sojibul/Shutterstock

 

Safflowers are spiky orange and yellow flowers that will add plenty of texture to your garden. Plant them in well-draining soil and in a place where they can receive full sun. The flowers are low maintenance because they are resistant to drought, so moderate watering is all this plant needs. Cardinals love the seeds of safflowers, so planting this food source will surely bring them to your yard.

 

Sweet Pea (Lathyrus Odoratus)

The delicate and colorful sweet pea flower will be a beautiful addition to your garden. They’re low maintenance as long as you plant these flowers in full sun and in well-draining soil to ensure that they thrive. Allow the flowers to receive at least six hours of direct sun, and soak them two or three times a week to keep them watered. Cardinals are attracted to the flowers’ seeds as a food source.

Source:  housedigest.com©

Related:  Garden Plants with Seeds that Birds Love – TUTORING YOU