I'm nearing the finish line ... these cherry tomatoes were grown as part of my test of the AeroGarden Elite6. They sprouted on September 3, making them almost 3 months old. And these are some very healthy cherry tomatoes--it's hard to see in the picture, but they are almost the size of golf balls. Check back often for updates, and when I'm done, I'll write a full review of my experience with the AeroGarden.

I think of these as the Thanksgiving Herbs, and I just this week stocked up on all of them. Here's my plan: chop off big chunks of them next week, while we're cooking our Thanksgiving meal, and then move them to my "herb windowsill." What a great excuse to add to my herb garden!

Photo © Kerry Michaels

Just because I'm feeling particularly cold today ... This lovely and very warm-looking orchid photo came compliments of About's very own highly talented Kerry Michaels.

For more on orchids, visit the orchid page.

Talk to enough people about houseplants, and you'll get used to hearing this sentence: "Plants just die for me. I don't know why."

The most common cause of plant collapse is improper watering. Either you drowned the plant, causing it to wilt and sag, then collapse, or the water can't reach the roots because of old, bone-dry potting media.

So what can you do? Well, plants are pretty cheap. You might just consider buying a new one. But if you're intent on saving it, make sure to check up on its preferred conditions, adjust the watering, repot into fresh potting mix if needed, and promise to be a careful waterer ...