Freeze Whole TomatoesHave a bumper crop of tomatoes, but no time to deal with them right away? Freeze for later!
Landscape "Planning"Some of the best plant combinations come about by just planting what you like, rather than by following prescribed rules about "what goes together." If it makes you happy, it is a successful combination!
Garden with Children- Part 2Give each of your kids a designated area of the garden (ornamental or vegetable, it doesn't matter!) in which they can plant anything they want. There is no better way to grow the next generation of gardeners than to put the power in their own little hands!
Garden with ChildrenIf you want your kids to grow up liking vegetables, involve them in the growing, harvesting, and preparing. They are a lot more likely to eat a tomato if it is "their" tomato.
Mark the Front AND Back of Your MarkersIf you use metal plant markers, such as the popular zinc markers, include the plant information on the back of the marker, too. If the front fades or is damaged, the info on the more protected back side will still be readable.
Helping Your Fresh Christmas Tree Last LongerIf it will be more than 4 hours between the time you cut your fresh Christmas tree and the time you set it up in the tree stand, put it in a bucket of water in an unheated, sheltered spot like a garage or porch until you're ready to bring it inside. Cut a fresh "cookie" off the base of the trunk before placing it in the tree stand, so it can continue to take up water. No other additives are needed. Be sure to keep adding water as long as the tree is taking it up. It will absorb up to a full gallon in the first day.
Take Note of Your PlantsKeep notes or diagrams on where you plant things. That way you'll still have a good idea what a plant is, if the label is moved or destroyed.
A Time-Saving TipKeep a pair of gardening gloves and pruners near the back door of your house, so you can easily grab them when you are "only stepping outside for a minute." You KNOW you can't go out into the garden for even a minute without seeing something that needs to be weeded or pruned!
Springtime Care for ClematisDon't give up on the clematis that seems to have died over the winter. Give it a good soaking with a little Epsom salts in the water, and you may be pleasantly surprised to see the resurrection of your lost plant!
Measuring Fresh Herbs for CookingWhen using fresh herbs in a recipe that calls for dried, the general rule of thumb is that 1 Tablespoon of fresh herbs equals about 1 tsp. of dried herbs. The herbs lose about 2/3 of their bulk when they are dried.
Photo Boxes for Seed OrganizationThe boxes intended for storage of photographs are a great size for organizing seed packets. Most even come with dividers marked with the letters of the alphabet. I use a green one for edibles, such as herbs and vegetables, and a pink one for ornamentals.
Herb Harvesting in the FallBefore the first frost of fall, harvest the last of your herbs. Chop them finely, put them in an ice cube tray, and cover with either water or olive oil. (I designate my blue trays for herbs, so they aren't inadvertently used for regular ice cubes later.) You can do cubes of individual herbs (one cube would equal about 1-1/2 tsp. of dried herb in a recipe), or a combination of compatible herbs, like basil and oregano, or rosemary and thyme. Cover the tray with plastic wrap, and when they are frozen hard, transfer them to labeled freezer bags.
What To Do While You Wait for Your Plant OrderAfter you order plants or bulbs online or by mail, make good use of your waiting period by making up plant labels. That way you will be ready to dig when they arrive.
