Hurrah! Let’s start with a bit of insect optimism. There's a monarch butterfly resurgence, which means more of those orange and black beauties cavorting through your yard. The eastern migratory population is showing marked upticks, with reports indicating a 64% increase this year. Credit is due to both favorable weather and conservation efforts. Nice news for all who admire these pollinators.

Next, a reason to be grateful: Did you know that there used to be giant insects, akin to dragonflies with two-foot wingspans (the extinct prehistoric Meganeuropsis permeana from, oh, 300 million years ago)? In a study covered in a recent Nature podcast, it seems that lower oxygen levels in today's atmosphere isn't responsible for the shift. Rather, it's a matter of large creatures that molt have soft exoskeletons, prone to collapsing. That, plus their size, means they are easier to catch and be gobbled up by predators. Which is why we're able to enjoy the outdoors without being beset by IRL Mothras, Mansquitos, and giant movie ants (see the movie Them! if you're curious). Whew!

As you’re contemplating new additions to your garden this spring, don’t sidestep citrus just because you don’t live in a super warm and sunny climate. Martha Stewart, our Chief Gardening Officer, told her #MarthasGardenCollective followers on Instagram to go ahead and plant a lemon, orange, or kumquat tree in a pot and then pull it indoors as temperatures drop. It’s how she hacks her way around her planting zone, and it’s a juicy idea to copy.

Ready for a different kind of garden project? Try this cute DIY trick of turning a metal filing cabinet into a hip-looking minimalist outdoor planter. And bonus points if can get the cabinet for free at your local freecycle swap shop.

Let's end with a shocking stat: We Americans spend about $3.2 billion on flowers for the holiday, with almost three out of four people buying blooms for their moms. Did you know that this buying bonanza can contribute up to 30% of a florist's yearly sales? If you want to go with the flow, roses are the #1 choice, accounting for 65% of orders, but peonies, which are in season so briefly, are another top option - just sayin'.