Nothing inspires more jealousy in me than a content, sedate, oxygen-gushing houseplant. I have had very few in my life. Mostly, I think, this is because I'm not very good about caring for them; I don't water regularly and there aren't a lot of sunny windows for them to bask in. But as the air grows cooler, I find myself becoming more of a kind and attentive mother. Our current roster is below, listed from most to least hardy:

Coleus (no scientific name; cutting was a gift from a friend) This thing WILL. NOT. DIE. - a great thing for an absentee owner like me! We've had it for about five years. The leaves are deep purple and fuschia in the summer, when it lives on the front porch; they fade to mostly-green in the winter, when we move it indoors. I've successfully started plants for friends by breaking off a stem and sticking it in some soil -- it's very reproduction-friendly. Sorry that I can't tell you the exact type, but I'd be glad to send you a cutting!

Purple Oxalis (Oxalis regnelli) Don't let the photo deceive you; I really tried hard to kill this one. I completely forgot about it for the first couple of months of the semester, and when I finally went to water it, there were only two sad spindly stems remaining. However, it has rebounded quickly in the Plant Hospital (the sunny basement window that seems to help just about any plant recover from neglect). The deep purple leaves are lovely, and you can see one lone flower starting to emerge from the center; they're light purple with long, sloping stems and delicate petals.

The cool thing about Oxalis is that they close up at night, folding neatly into what look like restful butterflies. In the morning, their leaves are spread out again, ready for more photosynthesis. They'd be a good plant for children to enjoy, as long as they're old enough not to put it in their mouths (oxalates are a mild toxin).

Primrose (I think? Maybe? Lost the tag) This was a hostess gift, and it's still here eighteen months after the guest departed! I'm vexed with myself for losing the tag, as it's a really lovely plant that blooms every few months or so (and more if I remember to deadhead). The flowers are a pretty bright pink, a sight for sore eyes in the drab brown days of winter.

Burgundy Ficus (Ficus Elastical Decora "Burgundy") I keep thinking this ficus is about to kick it, and then I see the magical burgundy spikes that signal the forming of a new leaf. There have never been more than 8 or 10 on the plant, but it stays healthy-looking all year (except when the temperature is too cool, as on the shady side of the house.)

Jade Plant (Crassula ovata) I was so excited to finally get my own jade plant, the one I had heard would survive a nuclear holocaust. However, as evidenced by this photo, I have done something terribly wrong. I know overwatering is a danger, so I've resisted until the soil is bone dry several inches down, then given it a thorough soaking until the next time; but somehow the leaves always seem to be dropping off, and the stems slump in defeat. A real blow to my gardener's pride!

So, there's the motley crew we're hosting here. What are your favorite houseplants? And do you have any tips for, um, making sure they don't die?

We have the Asparagus-etched Modofly Moleskine gardener's journal (5.25"x8.25", gridded) we recommended in the Gardenaut Gift Guide sitting here, and it's been mumbling about how we really shouldn't keep it, because that would be selfish. So we want to give it away, and better yet, we want to tell you that if you want to buy one of your own - Asparagus or another one of their really cool designs, in whatever size and format you like, you can use a 10% off discount code they set up for us, and get your own! The code is ZRECS. There is someone in your life who will think one of these is an amazingly thoughtful and intriguing gift - check out their range of designs and you'll see what I mean. These puppies sell for $36 (smaller ones for $22), are etched to order by folks who put talented artists' illustrations on premium journals every day as the orders roll in, and they are worth talking about as well as writing in.

The ZRECS discount code is only good through December 13, which means you need to hustle, because that's about the latest they can accept orders and guarantee that you'll get it before Christmas.

However, you also have a chance at getting our sample, which is in mint condition and is a lovely book. As a gardener, there is really nothing like having a detailed log, complete with funny pictures, inspirations and ideas, weird diagrams &c. to carry you through the winter and help you learn from your experience.

If you'd like a chance to win this book, visit the Tranquil Parent Gift Guide, find something you like, and come back here and comment about it. We'll accept entries until 5 p.m. CT Thursday, Dec. 11, and will email the winner that night to let them know they won, so please make sure you're using an address you live and breathe at when you submit your comment.

I took my son and wife to the Piper's Creek Orchard at Seattle's Carkeek Park recently. It's an old pioneer orchard, recently saved from the blackberries and partially restored by volunteers. Almost every tree is a different kind of historic apple or pear or quince.

Anyway, as we walked in, this dude's lying there on his back in the middle of the orchard. Was he barefoot? My mind may have embellished the memory. But he looked all the world like Johnny Appleseed.

It turns out he's the protector of this orchard and an expert on heirloom apples. He gives free advice to anyone who asks. I asked about my apple problems. He made me feel better.

Here's what Johnny said: The nylon booties I've been using did keep out the apple maggot. He says I got away with my mid-June application this year because the spring was about two weeks late. Generally I should apply the nylon booties June 1. However, it doesn't keep out the coddling moth (or of course the scab). To keep out the moth, he's experimenting with dipping the booties in BT prior to their application. (BT is an organic pest control method, a bacteria that various bugs eat which causes them to lose their appetite and then starve to death.)

The apple maggot tunnels all over the place and destroys the apple. That pest was stopped by my booties.

However the coddling moth, after penetrating my booties, tunneled straight to the core via a visible hole and straight back out again. This is consistent with what I found when I dug into one of those troubled apples a few weeks ago. You can cut around that kind of damage.

The crop is saved! Thanks, Johnny.