Gnat ControlHave a problem with gnats in your potting soil? Dump the soil into a container and hang fly tape above.
Sweep Up with a PaintbrushA large, clean paint brush works very well for "sweeping" up a potting area.
What's Blooming in DecemberReaders responded with an avalanche of photos to our call for blossoms from their gardens to publish in our December issue of What's Blooming. Thank you one and all! Before we take a look, though, let's hear from our Mystery Blossom Contest winner, Robin (Robynznest).
Tool CareTake care of your tools. Sharpening and cleaning them will prolong the life of the tools and they will perform better. It’s much easier to dig with a sharp shovel, and sharp pruners will not crush stems as you cut.
Growing Unusual Fruits and Vegetables from the Grocery StoreHave you ever wandered through a grocery produce section and wondered how some of the more exotic fruits and vegetables are grown and how they should be prepared? I recently roamed the aisles of a local grocery that caters to our city's growing international transplants. I had never seen so many root vegetables that were unknown to me. My husband wasn't along and therefore could not be embarrassed by his wife, so I asked permission to photograph some of the produce with my phone. The produce manager smiled and said, "People do it all the time."
Recycle Containers for Seed StartingRecycle small containers to start seeds in. One could use cleaned yogurt or gelatin cups, water bottles with the tops cut off, egg cartons, and the list could go on.
Tools and Their CareInvest in a good pair of pruning shears and take care of them. Much cheaper in the long run!
All About Grapefruit, Limeys, and Orange ConservatoriesMost of us are aware that we need a certain amount of Vitamin C daily in order to maintain optimal good health, but winter is a time when our bodies may need additional amounts of this vital nutrient. Citrus fruits such as grapefruit, limes, lemons, and oranges are a great-tasting way to add more Vitamin C to our diets. You may even decide to grow your own.
Snakes Eat SlugsHave a slug problem? Encourage Garter Snakes (Thamnophis ordinoides) to live in your garden. One of their favorite foods is slugs.
Garden Tour: Frostweed, (Josephine)We're going to Texas this week to visit the beautiful gardens of Frostweed. Come join us as we see what this very gracious lady has to share.
Prevent Algae from Growing in Your BirdbathTo keep algae growth from your bird bath drop some pre-1982 copper pennies in. I have what I would call a normal size bird bath & I use 7 pennies. The reason for the pennies being pre-1982 is that before that year, the pennies contained copper, a natural algicide. You could also use a small length of copper pipe or tubing, or any other copper coin. I have found this to work extremely well with the exception of those times when the temperatures stay above 90 for extended periods. Copper is not safe for fish so this would not be a good thing to use in a fish aquarium or a pond that has fish in it.
Save Your Milk Jugs To Use as Mini-GreenhousesSave milk jugs and cut out the bottoms to use in the early spring garden. You can use them as mini-greenhouses to give plants an earlier start. They also provide protection from the bunnies to tender young plants until the plants are more mature. A small slit in the side makes staking them and moving the container to the side during the day easier. Remove the container, or the lid, during the day (don't cook your plants!) and replace it in the late afternoon to store warmth for the evening.
All About SassafrasDo you like gumbo? How about hot tea? There's nothing better on a cold winter day than hot soups and hot drinks. How does sassafras enter into the picture? Climb up the mountain with Aunt Bett and me and we'll tell you.
Be Rid of Fungus GnatsA few drops of hydrogen peroxide in your water will keep the fungus gnats away.
Caddies Will Save Your Back and Your PlantsTo easily move and prevent large planters from staining the deck or patio, purchase plant caddies. They come in assorted sizes.
Why Gardeners Use BaggiesSmall, plastic, resealable baggies are a gardener's friend. They can be found in the craft section, often with the beads. Use them to save your seeds, as well as for mailing small seeds to friends. They can also be used to germinate daylily seeds. Simply add a small piece of paper towel and moisten with distilled water. Works great as you can see the seed when it's ready to plant.
The History of the PoinsettiaFew plants are as closely associated with any holiday the way the poinsettia is with Christmas. It's an intriguing plant with an interesting history.
Bug CatchersI keep a few small jars in my shed, and when I see a bug that I don't recognize, I put it in the jar until I find out what it is. That way I don't kill the good bugs.
Properly Storing an Extension CordWhen rolling up an extension cord, first stretch out the cord completely. Then, take the plug-in end and walk it back to the other plug in end. So now the cord is in half. Then start at the plug-in end and pull the rest of the cord to you in a circle... When you get to the "loop" at the end, wrap it two times around the middle of the circle and slip the "loop" part through the hole at the top of the circle. You can then hang the extension cord from this loop!
Garden Tours: LarryR, Larry RettigIt's to Iowa we travel this week, to visit the gardens of Larry Rettig and his wife, Wilma. I've been fortunate, I met Larry's Amana Colonies garden face to face earlier this year. I wandered those garden paths for days and every day I found something new. Let's take a look at these unbelievably beautiful Iowa gardens.
Grow MintGrow Mint. It's not only a great herb, but also a natural pesticide, and using natural pesticides whenever possible means less chemicals to harm the earth. Pinch and crush a few mint leaves and place under cabinets and around doors where ants might enter. Other natural pesticides: A thin amount of lemon juice along door jambs will keep out ants also. Garlic or Cayenne Pepper sprinkled on plants keeps aphids at bay.
Bury Your Compost DirectlyDuring the winter bury your coffee grounds and other compostable material directly in your garden. Come spring it will have decayed into a nice black planting spot full of worms.
All About HorehoundA nice hot cup of horehound tea with honey and lemon and a warm slice of banana nut bread covered in melted butter. That's one of my fondest childhood memories. With winter and the holidays just around the corner, I'm reminded of horehound and what a special herb it is.
Tool Bags Are Great for GardenersTurn an unused tool bag into a garden bag. There are plenty of dividers and little compartments for a wide variety of supplies. It’s handy to carry to a potting bench, greenhouse, garden, or plant swap.
Use an Old Electric Toothbrush for Garden CleanupUses for an electric toothbrush:
