Keeping Track of ATP TradesI have added folders in my Treemail to make handling the details of trades much easier to track.
Less Mess When Repotting HouseplantsWhen re-potting houseplants or containers inside your house, use a cheap plastic table cloth from the dollar store as a working surface. Easy clean up by shaking the mess into a garbage bin, or if ruined, you can toss them. I cut mine in thirds.
Oily Sand for ToolsKeep a bucket of oily sand in a handy place to stick your tools in to prevent rust.
Root Cellars and Bright City LightsThe last time I made my way out of the darkness of a root cellar was in 1952 and I vowed then I'd never return. So why is it that now, 60 years later, I'm longing for a root cellar?
Recycle Your Bamboo RakeDon't throw away your old bamboo rake. The tines can be re-purposed as plant supports or cut up with a wire cutter as bulb markers or plant labels.
Rooting Plants in Glass BottlesUse glass wine or beer bottles for rooting plants before you transfer them outdoors. The small neck helps the plant from falling into the water.
The Proper Way To Plant in Strawberry PotsPlant in the pot, not in the cup. Place the entire root ball in the pot so the plant crown is at the surface of the pot opening, not the cup opening. Mulch with mini-bark in each cup. Start with the bottom row of cups and add soil with each layer. Feed the plant through the holes from the inside of the pot. The cup holes are often too small to squeeze the root ball through the opening. I also add a little slow release fertilizer with each level. Take care to not have fertilizer in direct contact of roots.
Cold Weather Gardening TipWatering before a predicted freeze helps outoor plants, especially container plants, make it through a hard freeze by allowing the plants to take up moisture before the soil or ground is frozen, preventing water from reaching the root zone. Making sure your outdoor plants have adequate hydration is one of the best ways to protect them from harsh weather.
Have You Thanked a Plant TodayPlants are an integral part of our natural heritage. Among other things, they provide us with food, shelter, fragrance, and beauty. They also provide us with a surprising number of active ingredients in the medicines we take.
Seed Starting Tip: Mulch with VermiculiteKeep your soil-mix moisture level more consistent by mulching with an even, thin layer of pre-moistened vermiculite (just enough to cover soil). I like to grind it finer for small seeds that are recommended to be surface sowed. You will see quick germination and easier care for the seedlings
Use Fish Aquarium Water for Your HouseplantsFor people who keep freshwater aquariums: when you do your water changes, keep the water for your houseplants or take it outside for your garden. Fish Emulsion is a nice way of saying fish poo, and a lot of expensive organic fertilizers are "fish emulsion". Why spend $20 for a bottle of fish poo when you can get it for free from your aquarium?
Silica Gel for Dry Seed StorageUse a little silica gel as a desiccant to keep seeds really dry. It's cheap and you can find it in the flower drying aisles in craft stores.
Explaining Indoor LightingIndoor lighting tips: Bright light: south or west window with bright light all day. Low light: Place plant in the middle of a room, near a north facing window, or a window shaded by trees all day. Indirect light: East facing window or in the middle of a room.
Inexpensive PlantsALWAYS go to the clearance racks at garden nurseries before shopping for full priced plants. Sometimes a little TLC is all a plant needs and at 75% off, you can’t go wrong.
Quick Clean for Small ToolsClean your small tools in the dishwasher and then spray with oil for added protection against rust. Quick and easy!
Looking for Magic: Cayenne PepperAunt Bett always said, "Look for the magic that hides in plants, look real close and you'll find it." Cayenne pepper, HOT! On a hot scale of one to five, I'd rank it close to a six, it's that powerful. Even so, it too contains magic; let's find it.
Snow Is a Great Insulator"Snow is a good insulator". Anyone who gardens in the North has probably heard this numerous times and even repeated the statement to others, without knowing how much of a difference the snow makes.
Looking for Magic: ThymeAunt Bett always said, "Look for the magic that hides in plants, look real close and you'll find it." I needed a little magic in my life and I think I've found what I need in spices. Along with a few others, thyme is one that is ripe with nutrition. Let's check it out.
Moisture Crystals and Water-Loving Plants in GroundI don't have any boggy areas in my garden for water hogs like Canna and Colocasia. To reduce watering frequency, work in 2-3 times the recommended dose (5 gal. container) of dry moisture crystals.
What's Blooming in OctoberAlthough our gardens are still officially beset by this year's drought, and we're still about eight inches shy of our average annual rainfall, we've been blessed with some pretty generous rains lately. And despite numerous frosty nights, our gardens are not yet bereft of blossoms. Come on in, see what's blooming, and check out the winner of last month's What's Blooming contest.
Repel Deer NaturallyIrish Spring soap sliced 1 inch thick and tied to a 2 foot stake will repel deer.
Feeding and Attracting Honey BeesHelp the bees help you! Green manures planted in and around your garden and flowerbeds are excellent bee plants, offering pollen to the hive as a food source. The more varieties of plants the better, encouraging successive flowering. In the vegetable garden often-times a planting such as clover and/or buckwheat will be enough to provide a consistent diet for them and does double duty nourishing your soil as well.
Looking for Magic: Bay LeafAs often as we use herbs and spices, we really should be aware of their nutritional value. Finding their magic is important too. Let's take a close look at bay leaves and see the surprises they bring to our kitchen.
Marking Your BulbsA golf tee makes an inconspicuous marker for bulbs. Place one when you plant so you'll know where to expect them to pop up.
Fall Preparation for Spring PlantingAdd compost to the flower beds during the fall before you plant. Top dress with more after you plant, and you'll need to water less.
