Growing Banana Plants: A Bold Tropical Venture

 Bananas promise drama in the landscape—towering leaves, quick growth, and fruit sweet as a summer memory. But before you set one by your garden gate, it pays to understand how these plants really live and what they expect from you.

Are Bananas Actually Trees?

No—despite their height and swagger, banana “trees” are not trees at all.
They’re giant herbaceous perennials, with what looks like a trunk but is truly a pseudostem—layer upon layer of tightly wrapped leaf bases. That “stem” dies back after fruiting, yielding its throne to young pups rising from the rhizome below. A small household dynasty in your backyard.

Benefits of Growing Banana Plants

Beyond fruit, bananas offer:

• Lush tropical architecture for any landscape

• Fast growth—one of the quickest ways to give a garden instant maturity

• Shade for understory herbs or ornamentals

• Wind-rustled texture that feels almost coastal in spirit

• Edible rewards, if your season and care allow

They’re generous fellows, and they pay back the space you grant them.

Culinary Uses

Bananas—green or ripe—are surprisingly versatile.

• Ripe fruit: eaten fresh, baked into breads, blended into smoothies, caramelized in butter (as heaven intended).

• Green bananas & plantains: boiled, fried, mashed, tossed into stews.

• Banana blossoms: a delicacy in Southeast Asian cooking—tart, floral, almost artichoke-like.

• Leaves: wrappers for grilling or steaming, imparting a subtle herbal sweetness.

A plant that feeds the eye, the table, and tradition.

Preferred Climate Zones—and the Exceptions

Bananas love warmth. Most varieties thrive in USDA Zones 9–11, where frost rarely nips at their ankles.

But gardeners are stubborn folk—bless us—and bananas bend to our will more often than one might think:

• Cold-hardy varieties like Musa basjoo can overwinter outdoors in Zones 5–7 with mulch protection.

• Heat-tolerant, drought-dodging varieties survive the American Southwest with proper irrigation.

• Potted bananas can live in northern zones so long as they’re brought indoors or into a greenhouse for winter.

Bananas know how to travel. We simply give them a passport.

Can Bananas Be Grown in Containers?

Absolutely—and more successfully than some suspect. A large pot (at least 15–20 gallons), warm sun, and consistent moisture will keep them happy. Container bananas often grow more quickly, thanks to the warm, controlled soil.

Just remember: a container-bound banana is a thirsty companion. Don’t leave it begging.

Preferred Soil and pH

Bananas want soil like a riverbank—rich, loose, and draining well.

• Soil type: fertile loam with lots of organic matter

• pH: slightly acidic to neutral (around 5.5–7.0)

• Condition: warm and consistently moist, never swampy

Feed them regularly during the growing season; they are hungry creatures by nature.

Watering

Think of the monsoon without the floods.
Bananas thrive on even, abundant moisture. Mulch generously to keep their shallow roots cool and damp. In hot climates, they often need watering daily—sometimes more for container plants. A banana that dries out sulks quickly.

How Long Until They Produce Fruit?

Given proper warmth and nutrition, bananas can produce fruit in 10 to 24 months, depending on variety and climate.

• In tropical zones: often 9–12 months

• In warm subtropical areas: 12–18 months

• In containers or cooler climates: up to 24 months (if sufficient heat is available)

Once the plant fruits and the bunch ripens, the pseudostem sighs, collapses, and its offspring take over.

A Garden Drama Worth Watching

Bananas bring spectacle to the yard—broad leaves catching the morning sun, pups rising like a new chorus, fruit swelling almost overnight. They’re dramatic characters, but dependable ones, if you know their lines.

 If the idea of raising these tropical giants stirs something in you—some ancient wanderlust, some longing for bold foliage and future harvest—take the next step. Explore the banana varieties at GoGardenNow.com, choose the one that suits your corner of the world, and let your garden grow a little more daring.

 

“The Pine-Apple”

The pineapple has long stood as a herald of welcome — a golden emblem set on old Southern tables, carved into gateposts, and cherished as a sign of hospitality. Yet behind that familiar crown lies a gardener’s quiet wonder: a plant that rises slowly, patiently, shaping sweetness out of sun and time. As you read Landon’s lyrical tribute, consider the humble truth every grower knows — that even the most exotic treasures begin with a single leaf, a bit of warmth, and the steady faith that good things ripen in their season.

 

THE PINE-APPLE 
by Letitia Elizabeth Landon

The pine-apple, the regal fruit,
Glittering in its yellow suit,
Fit for a prince’s courtly feast,
The world’s pride, and the tropic’s guest.

Its fragrance is the morning’s breath,
Its bloom is beauty raised from death;
Born of the sun, and nursed by air,
It seems a blossom lingering there.

Soft is its shape, yet firm and fine,
A fairy goblet filled with wine;
And richer cups were never crown’d
Than this, with sweetness ring’d around.

Who first beheld it glowing rise,
A golden marvel ’neath strange skies,
Might well believe the gods had thrown
A trinket from their shining throne.

Published 1835 - Public domain.

Return to GoGardenNow.com. 

Pineapples at Home: A Taste of the Tropics You Can Grow Yourself

 

Pineapple plants carry a certain quiet magic — the kind our great-grandparents would’ve admired when they first saw this tropical jewel gracing Southern conservatories. Sweet, fragrant, crowned like a tiny monarch, the pineapple remains one of nature’s most generous gifts.

Why Grow Pineapples?
Beyond their sun-kissed flavor, pineapples are loaded with vitamin C, digestive enzymes, and antioxidants. In the kitchen they shine in salsas, desserts, smoothies, glazes, grilled dishes, and even humble weeknight salads — a fruit that’s never shy about stealing the show.

Growing Pineapples Anywhere
Though native to warm, tropical climates, pineapple plants are remarkably adaptable.

• Climate Zones: Best in USDA Zones 10–12, but easily grown in containers in cooler regions.

• Soil: Loose, sandy, sharply draining soil is best. They dislike “wet feet.”

• Soil pH: Slightly acidic, around 4.5–6.5.

• Watering: Moderate, steady moisture without saturation. Water the soil, not the crown, and let the top layer dry slightly between waterings.

• Fertilizing: A light, balanced feed during the warm months keeps the foliage strong and fruit development steady.

Container Growing for Northern Gardeners
If frost is part of your yearly tale, fear not. Pineapples thrive in pots. Choose a container with excellent drainage, give them bright light (even a sunny window or greenhouse will do), and move them outdoors when summer arrives. With patience, warmth, and a bit of care, that first ripened pineapple will feel like a small triumph — and rightly so.

In the Tropical Garden
In warm climates, these plants become bold ornamentals with swordlike leaves and sculptural symmetry. Tuck them into mixed beds or let them stand alone as the stately exotics they are.

Ready to Bring a Taste of the Tropics Home?
Plant a pineapple and claim your own slice of golden sweetness. Explore our pineapple plants and start growing a little sunshine at GoGardenNow.com.

Mango Trees at Home: How to Grow These Sun-Kissed Fruits in Containers or In-Ground

 

Growing mango trees has a way of lifting the heart—something about those glossy leaves and sun-soaked fruits whispers of warmer shores and steadier days. Whether you tuck a young tree into the open earth or raise it in a handsome pot on the patio, the mango rewards a patient gardener with fragrance, beauty, and fruit fit for kings and kitchen tables alike.

Growing Mango Trees in the Ground

For those blessed with true heat—USDA Zones 9B–11—mango trees thrive in open soil. They want full sun, a place where shadows fear to linger. Give them well-drained, sandy or loamy soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0. Heavy clay is their sworn enemy; waterlogged roots turn sour, and the tree sulks or dies.

In the ground, mango trees grow with a stately confidence, branching into rounded canopies. Space them well—20 to 30 feet apart—so they can breathe and bathe in sunlight. Water deeply but sparingly; let the soil dry between waterings. Mangoes dislike wet feet and prefer a rhythm more ancient than our modern impulse to fuss. Fertilize lightly in spring and midsummer with a balanced or slightly nitrogen-lean fruit tree fertilizer, and avoid overfeeding—lush foliage at the expense of fruit is a fool’s bargain.

Growing Mango Trees in Containers

If you live north of mango country or simply enjoy bringing your tree closer to the daily life of porch and patio, container growing offers a delightful alternative. Choose a large pot (at least 15–20 gallons) with generous drainage holes. Use a well-draining mix—a blend for citrus or palms works beautifully—and keep the pH close to 6.0–7.0.

Container mango trees appreciate regular, moderate watering: not a soggy bath but a thoughtful drink. Allow the top couple of inches of soil to dry before you return with the watering can. Fertilize more gently but more frequently than in-ground trees—every 6–8 weeks during the growing season with a slow-release fruit tree or citrus fertilizer. In winter, reduce watering and hold off on fertilizing altogether.

Dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties—‘Cogshall,’ ‘Pickering,’ ‘Carrie,’ ‘Ice Cream’—take especially well to container life. They remain compact, flower readily, and bring the tropics to your doorstep even if your winters insist on a coat.

Benefits and Culinary Uses of Mango Fruit

Mangoes are a marvel in the kitchen: sweet yet complex, perfumed yet sturdy. They’re rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, fiber, antioxidants, and carotenoids. A ripe mango lifts smoothies, salads, and salsas; its firm green form lends itself to chutneys, pickles, curries, and slaws. Few fruits wander so gracefully between sweet and savory.

You can freeze the flesh, dry it into chewy strips, or spoon it fresh from the peel like a child stealing sunshine. Mangoes keep well in preserves, and a good mango cobbler has converted more than one skeptic.

Care Tips in Brief

• Climate: Zones 9B–11 for in-ground; containers adaptable everywhere with winter protection.

• Soil: Well-drained sandy/loam; pH 5.5–7.0.

• Watering: Deep but infrequent in-ground; moderate and measured in containers.

• Fertilizing: Light seasonal feeding; avoid excess nitrogen.

Ready to Grow Your Own Mango?

There’s no time like now to plant a tree whose fruit tastes of warm wind and golden evenings. Whether you grow a stately specimen in the garden or a compact beauty in a pot, a mango tree is a companion for years to come.

Visit GoGardenNow.com to explore mango trees and begin your own backyard orchard today.

Grow Wonder on the Kitchen Counter: Mushroom Kits for Winter Cheer

There’s a quiet magic in mushrooms—the kind of magic our grandparents would’ve nodded at knowingly, the sort that asks little, gives much, and rewards the patient watcher. Mushroom growing kits make splendid gifts this season: simple to tend, delightful to observe, and richly satisfying when the harvest comes in.

These little boxes of promise spring to life with hardly more effort than misting them with water. Set one on a counter or windowsill, and before long you’ll see the first shy pins pushing forward—like something from an older, slower world reminding us that life still knows how to surprise.

Why They Make Excellent Gifts

• Beginner-friendly: No green thumb required. Even the dubious gardener can bring in a flush or two.

• Entertaining for all ages: Watching mushrooms swell overnight is almost theatrical—nature’s own time-lapse.

• Quick rewards: Many kits begin producing within days, not weeks.

Culinary Pleasures

A homegrown mushroom harvest brings something finer than grocery-store fare: better texture, fuller flavor, and the satisfaction of having grown tonight’s dinner. Whether sautéed in butter, folded into a winter stew, roasted, or slipped onto a homemade pizza—fresh mushrooms lend a depth and earthiness worthy of any table.

Health Benefits Worth Noting

Mushrooms have long carried a reputation for bolstering well-being. Many varieties are:

• Naturally rich in B-vitamins

• A source of vitamin D when exposed to light

• Packed with antioxidants

• Noted for supporting immune health

Old wisdom meets modern science—always a pleasing pair.

We carry a curated selection of mushroom growing kits at GoGardenNow.com. Each kit is chosen for reliability, ease, and generous yields — ideal for newcomers and seasoned growers alike.

Bring a bit of quiet wonder — and a fine meal or two — into someone’s home this Christmas. Nature will take it from there.

Return to GoGardenNow.com. 

Built for Weather, Built to Last: Lobster Rope Mats & Storage Baskets for Winter

Winter has a way of testing everything—doors that once shut cleanly begin to swell, boots lose their shape, and any mat not worth its salt gives up at the first hint of slush. But a few stout, sensible tools stand their ground. Among them are outdoor lobster rope mats and storage baskets, the quiet workhorses of homes that know what real weather looks like.

Born on the Maine Coast

These rugged mats and baskets aren’t designed in a boardroom. They’re fashioned from the same hard-wearing ropes used by Maine lobstermen—ropes that have hauled traps through salt, wind, ice, and the stubborn push of the Atlantic. When a tool survives that life, winter mud and snow barely register as an inconvenience.

Every piece carries a whiff of that heritage: the grit, the seawater, the unpretentious craftsmanship of people who build things to endure, not merely impress.

Winter’s Match: Strength Meets Utility

You can throw snow, ice, boots, pets, and whatever the season drags in at these mats, and they won’t flinch. Their thick weave shrugs off mud, grips the ground like an old mariner’s handshake, and keeps doorways tidy when lesser mats dissolve into mush.

Lobster rope basket

The storage baskets—cut from the same rugged stock—handle firewood, kindling, garden tools, gloves, hats, and the endless parade of winter miscellany. They sit handsomely by the back door or on the porch, weatherproof as a lighthouse and twice as patient.

For Gardeners: Winter Doesn’t Pause, and Neither Do These

Winter in the garden is no gentle thing. Frozen soil, wet boots, and heavy tools demand gear that can bear the burden without complaint. These mats make excellent landing pads for potting benches, sheds, greenhouses, and porches. The baskets corral hose ends, frost covers, pruning gloves, and all the little odds and ends that wander off when the cold sets in.

They are the rare items that look good and behave themselves—useful, tidy, and impossible to offend with bad weather.

Clean-Up in a Blink

If the mats gather a winter’s worth of grit, a single blast from the garden hose sends them back to work looking renewed. No fuss. No special cleaners. Just water meeting rope, as it always has.

Ready for a Home That Values Durability?

In a season overflowing with things that break, fade, or disappoint, choose gear built to stand its ground. Lobster rope mats and baskets aren’t fragile, fussy, or fleeting. They’re stalwart companions for winter and every season after.

Return to GoGardenNow.com.

Are Bird Feeders, Bird Houses, and Bird Baths Good Christmas Gifts?

 

The old-fashioned Christmas has always favored gifts with some weight to them—things that promise usefulness long after the wrappings are swept away. A hand-carved toy. A wool blanket. A pocketknife that outlives its first owner. In that proud lineage stand three humble but steadfast garden companions: the bird feeder, the bird house, and the bird bath.

At first glance, they might seem a touch quaint. But don’t be fooled. These are gifts woven from patience, beauty, and the quiet promise of returning life. And in a world that gallops ever faster, a sensible soul might well ask: What better present is there?

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For the Bird Feeder: A Promise of Winter Cheer

A bird feeder is less a gift and more an invitation—an open door to chickadees, cardinals, wrens, and finches. When winter bares the trees and hushes the garden, feeders bring movement back to stillness.

A well-placed feeder becomes a stage for small, feathered dramas: the bossy nuthatch, the indecisive titmouse, the cardinal who insists on looking regal even while stuffing his beak. It’s practical, charming, and never out of fashion.

As a Christmas gift, a feeder says, “Here—lighten the quiet days with song.”

And that’s no small thing.

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For the Bird House: A Shelter Against the Storm

Give a person a bird house, and you’re handing them a front-row seat to spring. Long after the tinsel is boxed away, the bird house stands ready for the season of nests, eggs, and fierce tiny parents guarding their kingdoms.

There’s poetry in that—an enduring, living reminder that life returns, year after year, whether we meddle or not.

A bird house under the tree is appropriate because it looks ahead. It’s hopeful. Steadfast. The sort of gift a great-grandfather might approve of.

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For the Bird Bath: Beauty with a Practical Backbone

The bird bath gets mistaken for mere ornament, but it’s far shrewder than that. Birds need water constantly—especially in winter when natural sources freeze over.

A well-chosen bath gives them a chance to drink, to preen, to remind the world that they were here long before we hung our pretty garlands. And for the homeowner, the bath becomes a sculptural centerpiece—one that changes character with the shifting light, frost, and seasons.

It’s useful and handsome. A rare duet these days.

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Why These Gifts Work So Well

• Because they aren’t fads.
• They aren’t gadgets that grow dull before New Year’s.
• They aren’t things that break as quickly as they thrill.

They are gifts that settle in—quietly encouraging anyone, gardener or not, to step outside, pay attention, and find delight in the creatures that ask for so little yet give so much.

If you give such a gift, you’re really giving a habit: the habit of noticing.

And some would say that’s the finest gift of all.

Return to GoGardenNow.com.

Here is a gardener’s to-do list for December, 2025, across the United States

Here is a gardener’s to-do list for December, 2025, across the United States. December is the deep breath of the year—the garden rests, and so should the gardener… but not entirely. There’s still beauty to tend, plans to lay, and a quiet kind of work to do that echoes through the coming spring.

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Northeast

• ❄️ Protect Plants: Mulch deeply around shrubs, roses, and perennial beds.

• 🧣 Wrap Trees: Guard young trunks from sunscald and rodent damage with tree wrap.

• 🌿 Bring in Greenery: Decorate with cut branches of holly, fir, or boxwood—nature’s ornaments.

• 📚 Plan Next Year: Cozy up with seed catalogs and dream of spring.

• 🧤 Keep Watering: If no snow, water evergreens during dry spells.

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Midwest

• 🌾 Mulch Beds: Top off insulation around root zones of perennials and garlic.

• 🌲 Prune for Décor: Cut evergreen branches for wreaths and porch pots.

• 🪓 Clean Up: Store tools, oil blades, and repair garden structures.

• 🔥 Protect Shrubs: Shield from windburn with burlap or windbreaks.

• 📝 Inventory Seeds: Check what’s left, what grew well, and what to order.

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Southeast

• 🥬 Keep Planting: Sow carrots, kale, mustard, onions, and leafy greens.

• 🌼 Cool Season Flowers: Pansies, violas, and snapdragons still thrive.

• 🌿 Cut Back: Trim frost-damaged plants; remove leaf debris from beds.

• 🐜 Pest Check: Look out for slugs and aphids on overwintering vegetables.

• 🎄 Use the Garden: Clip evergreens and berries for natural holiday arrangements.

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Southwest

• 🧄 Plant Garlic and Shallots: Still time in milder zones.

• 🪴 Container Plants: Protect or bring in potted tender perennials.

• 🌱 Seed Start Indoors: Begin onions and leeks under lights.

• 🌸 Cool Flowers: Sow desert wildflowers, sweet peas, and calendula.

• 🚿 Water Sparingly: Reduce irrigation, but don’t let things dry out.

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Pacific Northwest

• 🌧️ Watch Drainage: Ensure garden beds are not waterlogged.

• 🧊 Protect from Frost: Cover winter vegetables during hard freezes.

• 🌿 Harvest Herbs: Snip rosemary, thyme, and sage—especially for holiday cooking.

• 🧤 Rest and Reflect: Review your gardening journal (or start one).

• 🌾 Mulch Deep: Especially over fall-planted garlic and perennial beds.

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Mountain West

• ❄️ Mulch Deep: Snow insulates—mulch does too. Protect roses, berries, and veggies.

• 🔒 Shut Down Water: Ensure hoses, spigots, and irrigation lines are fully drained.

• 🌲 Decorate Naturally: Use pine, juniper, and sagebrush in wreaths and arrangements.

• 🧯 Protect Evergreens: Water during winter thaws if no snow is covering roots.

• 📖 Plan: Research cold-hardy varieties and native plants for spring.

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California

• 🥬 Keep Planting: Broccoli, cabbage, beets, carrots, and leafy greens.

• 🌼 Add Flowers: Pansies, violas, stock, and sweet peas love the cool air.

• 🍋 Citrus Watch: Protect trees during cold snaps; harvest as fruit ripens.

• 🌱 Start Seeds Indoors: Think tomatoes and peppers for early start zones.

• 🧹 Clean Garden: Pull weeds before rains help them spread.

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December whispers instead of shouts. It’s a month for mindfulness and preparation, a quiet tending of roots—both in the soil and in the soul. While the garden sleeps, the gardener dreams. And that dreaming is part of the work.

Return to GoGardenNow.com.

Fireside Evenings: Holiday Gatherings Around the Backyard Hearth

 

When the days grow short and the air turns sharp, families have always done the same sensible thing: draw close to the fire.

This year, you don’t have to wait for a camping trip or cram everyone around a drafty fireplace indoors. Our outdoor fire pits are on sale now, ready to turn your patio, deck, or backyard into a warm, welcoming gathering place for the holidays.

Turn “Let’s Go Inside” into “Let’s Stay Out a Little Longer”

You know the scene: dinner’s done, the dishes are (mostly) rinsed, and everyone’s hovering in the kitchen wondering what to do next. Instead of drifting off to screens in separate rooms, you can say:

“Let’s go out to the fire.”

A good fire pit:

• Takes the edge off the chill so people linger outside instead of bolting for the door.

• Pulls everyone into a circle—no TV, no distractions, just faces in the firelight.

• Creates instant atmosphere: crackling wood or dancing flames, visible breath in the cool air, stars overhead if the clouds behave.

In other words, it quietly does what good hosts have always aimed for: it makes people want to stay.

Perfect for Holiday Traditions—Old and New

Outdoor fire pits are ideal for:

• Thanksgiving weekend – Coffee, dessert, and leftover stories by the fire.

• Christmas and New Year’s gatherings – Toast marshmallows, warm cider, or a simple mug of hot chocolate.

• Family homecomings – Let grown children and grandkids reconnect outside, where the conversation flows and the sparks fly (in the fire pit, not the family).

Add a few blankets, a stack of wood (or a propane tank), and suddenly your backyard feels like a winter lodge without the travel bill.

Why Now Is the Time

We’ve marked down our selection of outdoor fire pits for the holiday season, so this is a smart time to bring one home:

• Special sale pricing – Save now, enjoy for years.

• Styles to fit your space – From classic bowl designs to more modern, clean-lined options.

• Built for real use – Sturdy construction meant to handle cool nights, repeated fires, and plenty of family stories.

You’re not just buying a metal bowl or a ring of stone. You’re buying the place where:

• Someone will make their first s’more.

• Two relatives who never talk inside end up laughing together.

• The last guest of the night says, “I really don’t want to go home yet.”

Bring the Warmth Home

If you’re planning to host this season—or simply want a reason to step outside and breathe the cold, clean air—this is your moment.

Light up your holidays.
Browse our outdoor fire pits, choose the one that fits your space, and get ready to take the chill off those family gatherings… without losing the magic of a crisp winter night.

Return to GoGardenNow.com. 

Here’s your nationwide roundup for December 2025 garden‑related activities.

 

Here’s your nationwide roundup for December 2025 garden‑related activities—botanical garden winter illuminations and Cooperative Extension programs lighting up the season. Crisp, clear, and across the map.

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Botanical Garden Winter Lights & Holiday Events

• Galaxy of Lights – Huntsville Botanical Garden (AL)
  A 30th‑year winter spectacular: Walking Nights Nov 14–30 (excluding Thanksgiving), Dec 3–6, Dec 17–27; Driving Nights Dec 7–16 & Dec 28–31; plus Dog Nights, 5K and Fun Run events. enych.cce.cornell.edu+1Huntsville Botanical Garden

• Garden of Lights – Brookside Gardens (MD)
  Illuminated pathways from Nov 21, 2025 to Jan 4, 2026, nightly 5 pm–9 pm (closed Nov 24–27, Dec 24–25, Jan 1). Wikipedia+3Montgomery Parks+3Tulsa Botanic Garden+3

• Garden d’Lights – Bellevue Botanical Garden (WA)
  Family-friendly light show from Sat, Nov 29 to Wed, Dec 31, 2025. Wikipedia+7Bellevue Botanical Garden+7Tulsa Botanic Garden+7

• Botanic Garden of Lights – Tulsa Botanic Garden (OK)
  Select evenings Nov 28–Dec 28, 5–9 pm, with s’mores, live music, Santa stops, and festive characters like Elsa, Buzz Lightyear, & Cindy Lou Who. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden+9Tulsa Botanic Garden+9Wikipedia+9

• Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights – Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden (VA)
  Iconic walk-through light display with model trains, s’mores, firesides, and miniature fairy villages—returning in November–December 2025. Extension | University of New Hampshire+11Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden+11Norfolk Botanical Garden+11

• Festival of Lights – Tanglewood Park (NC)
  Drive-through light extravaganza at the Tanglewood Arboretum, stretching over mile‑long loops with 180 displays and over a million lights. Wikipedia

• Magic Christmas in Lights – Bellingrath Gardens and Home (AL)
  Over 3 million lights set across themed scenes, running from the Friday after Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve. Wikipedia+1

• Holiday Lights – Honor Heights Park (OK)
  A botanical garden turned twinkling wonderland with 1.2 million lights illuminating azaleas, trees, and gardens during November and December. Wikipedia

• PNC Festival of Lights – Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden (OH)
  Shows nightly Nov 20, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026, featuring 5 million LEDs, animal lanterns, Polar Express train, puppet shows, and a “Happy Zoo Year” New Year's bash. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

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Cooperative Extension & Master Gardener Winter Events

• Gardening Questions Answered – CCE Orange County (NY)
  Monthly virtual Q&A sessions live on the third Thursday at noon; the December session is on December 18, 2025. extension.iastate.edu+6cceorangecounty.org+6cceorangecounty.org+6

• Other Cooperative Extension winter programs—such as webinars or workshops—weren’t explicitly listed for December 2025 nationwide.

A Prayer of Thanksgiving for Thanksgiving Day

Eternal Father,
from whom every good and perfect gift has ever come,
we pause in this appointed season to give you thanks.

You have carried us through days of labor and seasons of uncertainty.
You have set food upon our tables,
strength in our bones,
and hope in our hearts when the way before us seemed dim.
For home and hearth, for family and friends,
for the work of our hands and the rest that follows it,
we give you praise.

Grant us the grace to remember that all we hold is received, not earned;
that our breath is borrowed,
our time entrusted,
our blessings meant to be shared.
Keep us mindful of those who hunger,
those who grieve,
those who sit alone,
and move us to acts of mercy that match the gratitude we speak.

Make us humble in prosperity, steadfast in trial,
and faithful in all seasons,
that our lives may bear witness to your goodness.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit
be honor and glory, now and forever.
Amen.