Plants that Will Survive in the Fall and Winter

Sure, the summer season is over, but that doesn’t mean your gardening days have to end! Many charming flowers and plants will blossom in the chillier months, allowing you to keep up with your hobby. Or, if you’re new to winter gardening, this is an excellent place to start! Here’s a list of relatively easy plants to care for in the winter.

1.  Coneflower

If cared for properly, coneflowers will bloom in the winter months after going dormant in the fall. They bloom in a wide variety of colors. You could choose to plant all monochromatic flowers or opt for a  mosaic display in your garden of various colors.

2. Catmint

This vibrantly pink mint plant thrives in the dark and dry winter months. However, Catmint needs sunlight and water for about a year before it can thrive. Be sure to place it in a sunny spot, and it should do perfectly fine on its own during the cold months.

3. Winterberry

This winter staple encapsulates the entire essence of the season! Its deep, dark red berries begin to sprout up after the plant’s leaves fall in autumn. It literally changes with the season… leaving you to observe the beauty!

4. Winter Pansies

These winter flowers are entertaining to watch because they grow slowly and become more beautiful over time. These plants need fertilizer in the cold and then they’ll last you 5-7 months! They have a slow blooming process that ends with a complete and colorful pansy. They can survive in the freezing weather – making them list-worthy.

5. Lily-of-the-Valley

This plant loves wintertime. It originated in the cool Northern Hemisphere, ranging from Asia to Europe. Lily-of-the-Valley is a delicate and pretty winter garden staple! This plant thrives best when kept in partial sun to full shade, so you don’t have to worry about brightness at all. 

Were you thinking about starting a winter garden? It can be so gratifying and a fun way to embrace wintertime. Just be sure to provide the correct care, which shouldn’t take too much effort. Most winter plants are excellent for the long run, so that means you will be investing in something beautiful. Happy gardening! 

Five Shopping Hacks Everyone Should Know

Saving money doesn’t have to be a challenge. Couponing and dodging expensive price tags may sound like an Olympic sport when in reality, it’s just a simple game of staying up to date. Studying the best times to buy something and following little tips and tricks can go a long way. We’ve compiled the best ways to save money, especially as the fall, winter, and gift-giving seasons creep upon us.

1. Shopkick

Hey, we’re Shopkick! Nice to meet you. Shopkick is a shopping rewards app that allows you to earn free gift cards by simply scanning items, receipts, or walking into places you shop. What better way to shop for friends and family during the holiday season than with free gift cards? Also, just because you’re here, we’ll let you in on a little secret–if you download the app now and use code KICKIT, you’ll get your first $5 gift card for free!

2. Shop early for the things you know you’ll need later

Say you need a dress for a wedding, and the event is in October, one of the busiest times of year for weddings. Not only will the prices have gone up, but you may also be out of luck in finding one you can comfortably afford. Avoid this scenario by shopping in advance!

3. Know your discounts

You’d be surprised to know how many discounts are out there. Keep your eyes peeled for college, senior, teacher, fitness instructor, or other discount programs that may apply to you!

4. Take advantage of a reward program

Most stores have their own reward systems and we always recommend looking into them! It’s as simple as giving a number or email to collect – go ahead and give it a try. It doesn’t take as long as you would think to start earning rewards for your subsequent purchases.

5. Keep your coupons in one place

This seems impossible, we know, but good organization is key. Whether it’s in an app for mobile coupons or a physical folder you keep on hand for printed deals, having an organization system will help you stay on track. Imagine how much money you could have saved if you hadn’t lost all those coupons!

The above are just a few essential pointers on how to save. And by using Shopkick along with these tips and tricks, we promise that extra cash will find its way into your pocket. The world is your oyster. Or, should we say, the world is your shopping mall?