My favorite herb tea is mint, but some varieties are tastier than others. I use the English mint I grow in my backyard, which has a full mint flavor with no off notes. For a good mint tea, pick about a half-cup of leaves, packed, then bruise them on a cutting board. Place in a warmed teapot, add two pints of boiling water, and steep for about five minutes. Strain and serve…then enjoy! Apple mint is delicious, too, as is peppermint.

Use the same method with catnip (yes, catnip!), chamomile flowers, sage, dill (double the amount of leaves), Echinacea, lavender, thyme or rosemary (half the amount of leaves). You can also use an herb to flavor regular tea, especially green tea, for a delightful drink. Earl Grey tea is flavored with bergamot fruit rind to give its distinctive taste.

Lemony herbs, such as lemon verbena, make good teas by themselves or with other herbs. Lemon verbena with mint is a nice combination. If you use St. John’s wort, add about a tablespoon of thyme for a much better taste. With this and other herbal teas, the best sweetener is a good honey, which sweetens without masking the taste of the tea.

Light and temperature

Most plants like bright, indirect light, like an east- or west-facing window. Some plants, especially those that flower or produce fruit, may require more sunlight. Too much direct sunlight can burn a plant, while too little light can lead to “legginess” since they stretch towards the light source. Even if the plant is getting the correct amount of light, it will tend to grow towards the light source. I rotate each of my houseplants every week when I check them for watering. This keeps the plant balanced and looking its best.

If the amount of natural light in your home is limited (and who’s isn’t?), use grow lights. I have found that a full-spectrum grow light is the easiest way to provide more light just where you need it, especially during the short days of winter.

Plants are also affected by temperature, and most do well in temperatures that you will find comfortable (55-85°). Sometimes light needs and temperature needs are in conflict. For instance, a drafty window may be too cold for a particular plant, regardless of the valuable sunlight it provides. Likewise, a plant may get too warm if placed near a radiator or heating vent. And keep in mind that these problem spots will change with the seasons. A vent that blows warm air in the winter may in turn blow cold air during the summer.

Winterizing is the best thing you can do to ensure that your tree or shrub stays healthy through the cold season and comes back full force next spring, especially if you’ve recently added some young flowering trees or shrubs to your landscape this year.

Colorado Blue Spruce

As fall turns to winter the temperature drops and the soil freezes, making your trees and shrubs uncomfortable and unstable. The root system of a young tree can become seriously damaged by the fluctuating temperatures of winter. Additionally, the bark that protects your tree becomes prone to splitting. There are only a few steps you have to take to winterize your trees and shrubs and make sure they come back thriving.

1. Mulching

Mulching is the cheapest and easiest way to protect your plants through winter. I recommend mulching all of your perennials, shrubs and trees, and anything else you want to return next year. Mulching keeps the roots warm and provides much-needed nutrients.

2. Pruning

Get rid of all the excess dead, diseased and over-bearing branches in late fall. This encourages new growth in the spring, decreases the threat of storm damage and discourages disease and insects.

3. Fertilizing and Aerating

Make sure you fertilize your trees and shrubs with all the essential nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen. Also, aerate your soil, especially if it is compacted and not very well drained. Compacted soil suffocates the roots and retains water, which can drown your plant.

4. Wrapping

If you live in a region with cold, windy and long winters, you may want to consider wrapping or covering your tree. You can either cover the entire tree with a protective burlap tree cover, or you can wrap the trunk in tree wrap plastic.

Trees are a wonderful addition to any landscape. A small amount of planning and care is an investment that will yield a big return next season.