newsonawink

Weeds. They're pests. But you can do some things to get rid of some of them.One of the older, and tried remedies if you have some plants, and flowers, is to put a bit of mulch around them.The best way to find out how much should be around them is to ask the extension office. They help with almost everything.They are a wealth of knowledge. Another alternative is pluck them out. It's time consuming, but at times you need the relaxation. Weeding the garden used to help me relieve stress. I always felt better after fiddling with the garden.My bulbs were my favorite. I used to dig them up in the spring, and separate them and place them where I wanted my new Gladiolas to be. By Summer, I had a flower bed full of Gladiolas and Elephant Ears.  And I always kept them all trimmed to look nice. If you want to find out more about natural ways that might help in controlling pests in the garden, looking on the internet may help. No guarantees anything will work real well. You'll ...

PLEASE PLEASE DON'T FORGET THE COUNTY PLANT SALES COMING UP FOR SPRING IN YOUR COUNTY!!! Most people it seems have forgotten the older ways of beautiful gardening! Youngsters interested should be shown. Here's your chance to help yourself, and maybe a friend, or neighbor add some beauty to their yard! These people at the county offices are fantastic!!! They'll assist you if you are a new gardener, or older. They can give advice that you wouldn't believe. They have low-income advice, and any level, and at the same time, check out some of the other events coming your way that they have in store for you! So on March 28th, grab a few gals, pals, and others, and head over to your local County Extension Office .They are there to serve you with smiles a and happy to be there NOTE:Sadly, the plant sale looks as if it's been cancelled for now due to the sheltering in place order. But there is plenty planned for later after the order is lifted, and if I remember corre...

There's nothing like a good soapy, hot soak in the tub! Plants feel the same way too! They love a good shower. And hopefully it rains gently for yours. If not, just keep a bucket or small pail of some kind, to catch a bit of rainwater for them. They enjoy the delicious drink. If you are a flower fanatic, do something your plant will relish, and it's relaxing for you as well. Take an old cloth if you'd like and give the leaves a nice rub-down. Especially if it's a Pothos Ivy. They love that!!! Spoiled little darlings.Rose plants enjoy it too. And the leaves are bright and shiny too on Ivy's. The Ivy I speak of, are those that are dappled with white and green leaves, they are usually pretty good sized. If you don't have a yard, sometimes you can find a nice spot where you can drop a seed or two of your favorite flower, or vegetable that you maybe visit every few days, so you can check on it, and pick the veggies when it begins to produce. Or ask(never hurt...

If you've got baby plants (seedlings), it may be best to take them indoors for a bit. Looks as if it may get pretty chilly for them. If that's not possible, then cover them to protect them from cold, and too much rain. This can be done by putting a few small sticks in the ground nearby for support of the plastic covering them. Then place a small rock, brick, or anything with weight on edge of plastic to keep them covered.  It will protect them from wind, rain, and cold. Also, if you'd like to give them rainwater, that's still a possibility.  Just set a old pan, or any container nearby to catch rainwater, and once the weather is nice, you can give them fresh, nurishing, rainwater.They'll love you for it.  If they're inside already, please make sure they get sunlight a couple hours a day, or use what they call a grow lamp. But check your distance before using this piece of equipment, as young plants could possibly be harmed if over-exposed.Put young on...

I love Gladiolas. They are so beautiful, and full of blossoms, all sorts of colors, and so loyal, as long as you are. Glads, as I call them are in bulbs. You may purchase them at a feed store, or Dept. Store. They generally seem to enjoy good soil, so be prepared to buy some soil for planting. They love to be cultivated, and watered regular. They take to being pampered, like a baby. They were lots of fun for me to grow. You may enjoy them too. I would gently turn the soil a few times a week, and found new bulbs, and separate them from the mother one, and plant them beside her. In the winter, I always pruned mine back to about an inch, or a little more, then would trim the elephant ears if needed to get rid of dead leaves, then I would dig my Gladys up , and put the bulbs in the freezer for the winter. Wrapped up in foil of course.Some people probably don't. I did. I can't remember where I heard of that, but that way I figured they hibernated better. Come sprin...

If you're older, you may remember the old bean sprouts trick . In the 60's 70's , as kids, we had the great enjoyment in science class in elementary school of learning about plant growth, through a paper towel.  That sounds funny huh? Well, we did.  One of our science projects, was to watch a Bean's growth from a damp paper towel. Of course, I missed this due to illnesses. But I still got to see my classmates do it. This is not only a good time to have extra time with your child, but a great way for them to learn about plant growth.  You take a paper towel, fold it in quarters, and put a bean seed in one section of the fold, then spray a little water on the paper, and cover it with the other side of the fold. You set it in a sunny place, and check to make sure there's a little dampness to the paper towel every few days. In a few weeks, you have a young bean sprout ready to be planted. At this point you'll want to get a styrofoam cups, toothpick, and some good so...

Gardening is a great way to make good friends. And a great time to enjoy the outdoors and fresh, warm air in spring. First though, you need to pick out an appropriate spot. Try choosing a spot that is not too cool, not too hot in the summer heat if you live in the south, and make sure you think it has good soil for your plants. If you want to check the soil, I think the local extension office might be able to guide you. That's where my Mom used to go for assistance with her gardening, storing food, etc ....they can help with several things. If they can't, they should be able to tell you who will. And they used to have a pretty good selection of native plants and flowers for sale in the spring to promote natural growth in the area, and beautify the community as it grew in population.  One of my Mom's most beautiful flowering bushes that was given to her, was her Today, Tomorrow, and Yesterday. It was right out front of their house. She was so proud of it. I'll never forg...

If you're going to change your plant's, even young ones, to another planter it is a gentle process. Especially if they are young sprouts. If they are new, and it's still a bit chilly I'd change them inside, since they're young roots will be exposed. It's sort of like us taking a bath. You don't want to shiver. I'm sure they don't either.  Laying some newspaper down  to keep dirt off the floor is a good idea too. It's less messy that way. Pick you planter of choice for the new location, and put the young sappling beside it. Then gently turning it on its side, and cupping your empty hand around the mouth of the container, gently pet the bottom of the old pot, with the young sappling in it. Be very gentle. Remember; plants are sensitive to vibrations. That, and you don't want your young seedling toppling out in the process, and suffering any damage. Be careful. Tap it as if it was a baby's bottom, and your comforting a crying baby. Now, once...

Egg crates are wonderful. They are a great way to start a little garden.You can plant veggies(don't forget you can buy these buggers on food stamps to help), or you can plant some small flowers to start the seeds out. The kids will love it. They're guaranteed to check on them everyday. Take an old egg carton, and tear the top off after use(styrofoam ones are better) stryofoam ones are best because they last longer, you poke a few holes in the bottom as well for drainage. This is best done with a toothpick. Be careful though. Then fill with a little potting soil, or good yard soil if you have it handy, and plant away. Put your seed, or two in each little cup  in the carton, and set it in a sunny place, then wait. In a few weeks, you have baby flowers. Don't forget to water them every couple days. The reason I say styrofoam is better, is because it doesn't get damp, and fall apart. You'll want to stick an old cloth under to keep the area dry in case of drainage. Be su...

How do your flowers grow?  I took horticulture in high school, and I loved the little flowers like they were my children. They are, in a way. If you can raise a flower, you can raise a puppy. Flowers are especially nice around your house. They add beauty, and shine to anyplace. Just a sprinkle of them, here, or there is all you need. They are inexpensive, and easy to grow with love and care. You can go to any dollar store of any type and get a reasonably priced small planter, some potting soil(small bag), and seeds, and plant them in March on the very 1st. day, and have patience. It's fun watching and waiting for them to sprout up and grow. As you grow them, you may notice yellowing of the leaves, don't give as much water. This is usually a sign of too much watering.  Occasionally, it may still get chilly. I always bring mine in just to be safe. They're very delicate when they're growing.Make sure you plant your flowers in a suitable pot. The height of your flow...