tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2565967940020732144Thu, 14 Feb 2013 17:54:28 +0000Photo From my KitchenVermipostingWorm CompostPhoto Courtesy of MorguefilePhoto of Asparagus Fern From my GardenVermicompostingComposting With WormsThe harrowing tales of a reluctant gardener. . . . Why I hate gardening, and love it, too.http://handandkneesgardening.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Sara Elliott)Blogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2565967940020732144.post-5350603366418670006Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:05:00 +00002008-06-19T18:11:00.216-07:00VermipostingVermicompostingComposting With WormsWorm CompostLike the idea of compost, but hate the mess, smell, and look of a nasty bin. Don't give up on the idea of recycling your scraps and creating rich, dark compost. Vermicomposting is odorless, easy, and you can do it indoors in a plastic tub. If you have children, it can teach them about nature, the environment, and conservation.Composting Using Worm Power Vermicomposting or vermiposting is http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~3/oYGhGt5zumc/what-is-vermicomposting.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sara Elliott)3<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~4/oYGhGt5zumc" height="1" width="1"/>http://handandkneesgardening.blogspot.com/2008/06/what-is-vermicomposting.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2565967940020732144.post-6174761567580411864Sun, 20 Apr 2008 14:47:00 +00002008-04-20T17:24:37.183-07:00Okay, a bit far fetched? Not so. German researchers discovered that turning your soil during in the dark hours can help cut down on the growth of weeds. If you are a night owl, the garden may be the best place for you. Pun intended. The thinking is that exposure to light triggers germination in weed seeds. If you turn your soil in the dark, they don't get the necessary flash of light, which http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~3/UxLq3W-EBPc/having-insomnia-can-help-you-control.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sara Elliott)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~4/UxLq3W-EBPc" height="1" width="1"/>http://handandkneesgardening.blogspot.com/2008/04/having-insomnia-can-help-you-control.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2565967940020732144.post-3029804628688156514Sat, 19 Apr 2008 22:18:00 +00002008-04-19T15:22:37.077-07:00Photo of Asparagus Fern From my GardenHere in zone five my asparagus started coming up a few days after the daffodils bloomed. They poked through their (very thin) thatch of mulch like soldiers; bless them. The emerging asparagus shoots are my own personal precursor of spring. More than the daffodils, the chives, or even the crocus, those showoffs.I don't know if it's that asparagus is edible, or that they are so spare. Those sturdy http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~3/7h3U3jXQFls/asparagus-after-much-anticipation.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sara Elliott)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~4/7h3U3jXQFls" height="1" width="1"/>http://handandkneesgardening.blogspot.com/2008/04/asparagus-after-much-anticipation.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2565967940020732144.post-736414885301799903Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:10:00 +00002010-06-20T12:20:14.542-07:00Photo Courtesy of MorguefileJapanese beetles have been terrible, voracious visitors to my garden. In years past, I've watched them destroy so many beautiful blooms that I actually considered pulling out all of my rose bushes. Two years ago I found a two pronged solution to the problem. Catch Japanese Beetles Early In most areas, Japanese beetles emerge at the end of June. You will see a few tentative specimens checking http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~3/Nbol-0-KM84/getting-rid-of-japanese-beetles.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sara Elliott)10<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~4/Nbol-0-KM84" height="1" width="1"/>http://handandkneesgardening.blogspot.com/2008/04/getting-rid-of-japanese-beetles.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2565967940020732144.post-4005712727171983163Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:15:00 +00002008-04-15T15:28:26.013-07:00It must be spring because I just got my first garden splinter of the season. I was out harvesting asparagus and snagged my thumb on something. Well, it was bound to happen. By mid June, my hands look like a battleground. Yes, I do have gloves, but somehow I still find myself playing in the dirt barehanded more often than not.How to Remove a Wooden Garden or Deck Splinter (a minor wound)Here's thehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~3/_G-6pvB3bBc/how-to-remove-splinter.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sara Elliott)2<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~4/_G-6pvB3bBc" height="1" width="1"/>http://handandkneesgardening.blogspot.com/2008/04/how-to-remove-splinter.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2565967940020732144.post-2570483050428677019Wed, 09 Apr 2008 22:42:00 +00002008-04-09T15:47:32.667-07:00Photo From my KitchenAfrican violets are one of the easiest houseplants to grow. They are hearty, easy to bring to flower, require infrequent watering, and bloom year-round. It’s no wonder that some people have covered every available surface of their homes with these perky and reliable little performers.An Error Free Watering MethodIf you haven’t grown African violets, or are having trouble keeping track of all yourhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~3/2aI3yRH9hnw/grow-african-violets-easy-way-wick-them.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sara Elliott)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~4/2aI3yRH9hnw" height="1" width="1"/>http://handandkneesgardening.blogspot.com/2008/04/grow-african-violets-easy-way-wick-them.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2565967940020732144.post-3225937709287134071Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:59:00 +00002008-04-08T18:22:24.553-07:00I don't know if you caught it, but the Old Farmer's Almanac garden tip for today turned out to be a great recipe for a natural, homemade pest spray for aphids and other insects. You can take a look at it here: Gardening Questions and AnswersIt's a combination of a liquid soap recipe I've used before, with the addition of rubbing alcohol. For my garden, I'd probably use: 1/2 cup alcohol 1 1/4 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~3/uWj_23WtCLY/natural-pest-spray.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sara Elliott)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~4/uWj_23WtCLY" height="1" width="1"/>http://handandkneesgardening.blogspot.com/2008/04/natural-pest-spray.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2565967940020732144.post-3175050483773392176Sat, 05 Apr 2008 00:41:00 +00002008-04-04T17:54:24.693-07:00Photo From my KitchenI come from avocado country, but never had a tree in my yard. Over the years, I've tried to start avocado from seed, but my results have been hit-and-miss. Sometimes the old toothpick and glass method would works, sometimes not. Recently, I've been trying to start plants using a plastic lunch bag and a sheet of wet paper towel; it has worked every time. Here's how:I completely clean the pit in http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~3/QIdszCBKdTg/growing-avocado-in-plastic-bag.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sara Elliott)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~4/QIdszCBKdTg" height="1" width="1"/>http://handandkneesgardening.blogspot.com/2008/04/growing-avocado-in-plastic-bag.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2565967940020732144.post-6711024316595936075Thu, 03 Apr 2008 01:27:00 +00002008-04-02T18:42:47.474-07:00For the latest poop on. . . .well, poop, visit the Manure Guide at The Old Farmer's Almanac. It has useful information on what type of manure to plant with your crop for the best results. Tell your friends you know your s#*&! and have the information to back it up.When you're a hands and knees gardener, you need the latest information. Don't get caught with your pants down. Know your manure.http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~3/dNYwMfQLxM4/manure-guide.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sara Elliott)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~4/dNYwMfQLxM4" height="1" width="1"/>http://handandkneesgardening.blogspot.com/2008/04/manure-guide.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2565967940020732144.post-4639927308048796764Tue, 01 Apr 2008 21:38:00 +00002008-04-02T18:37:01.213-07:00Fleas can be a plague in the garden and in your home. They make fido miserable and seem to get worse and worse over time. Once you've been infested, they seem almost indestructable. Harsh chemical solutions can be worrisome, but there are other ways to cope.My herb gardener blog has an interesting entry on treating fleas with herbal solutions. You might want to take a look. If you have ever beenhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~3/_D9TuJSiP0w/fleas-in-garden.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sara Elliott)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~4/_D9TuJSiP0w" height="1" width="1"/>http://handandkneesgardening.blogspot.com/2008/04/fleas-in-garden.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2565967940020732144.post-1785399881298996567Thu, 27 Mar 2008 23:10:00 +00002012-04-19T14:38:38.055-07:00Photo Courtesy of Morguefile1. The peony family is of the order Dilleniales made up of 33 species in the genus Paeonia, and is distributed through most areas of the world. 2. Most peonies fail because they develop root rot from standing water, are planted to deep in the soil, or don't get enough sun.3. Ants are not necessary for peonies to flourish.4. There are peonies on record that have lived for over 70 years.5. Peonies http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~3/5woA_wO-E2c/ten-things-you-should-know-about.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sara Elliott)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~4/5woA_wO-E2c" height="1" width="1"/>http://handandkneesgardening.blogspot.com/2008/03/ten-things-you-should-know-about.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2565967940020732144.post-3600325968976112876Mon, 24 Mar 2008 18:34:00 +00002009-06-13T09:08:59.224-07:00Photo Courtesy of Morguefile If you've had a bad growing season because of any number of pests or diseases, you can turn back the clock on your soil by organically sterilizing it. Use the sun to "cook" your soil into shape. Here's how:Measure the area that you need to sterilize and cover it with plastic sheeting. Either thin or heavy plastic will do. This doesn't need to be gardening plastic, or an expensive investment, http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~3/4sZ-wCm6BS0/sterilizing-garden-soil.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sara Elliott)2<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~4/4sZ-wCm6BS0" height="1" width="1"/>http://handandkneesgardening.blogspot.com/2008/03/sterilizing-garden-soil.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2565967940020732144.post-711145310722508189Mon, 24 Mar 2008 18:02:00 +00002008-03-24T11:05:35.266-07:00Every year I am torn between getting my plants out early, and waiting to make absolutely sure that all the frosty overnight temperatures are over for the season. If you're like me, you guess wrong sometimes, but there are resourses out there to help.In the US there is a website that evaluates frost zones. This year, before you get your hands into loamy soil, check your area to make sure that http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~3/swZEVJoX_3Y/spring-plantings-avoid-frost.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sara Elliott)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~4/swZEVJoX_3Y" height="1" width="1"/>http://handandkneesgardening.blogspot.com/2008/03/spring-plantings-avoid-frost.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2565967940020732144.post-5427975888361822222Tue, 12 Feb 2008 18:43:00 +00002008-02-26T07:51:59.127-08:00Photo Courtesy of MorguefileDesert soil that is acidic, high in salts, low in organic matter, and compacted, is unappealing to most plants. Dealing with challenging soil requires amendments and work, but the results can be breathtaking. Beautiful gardens in difficult locals are all the more compelling for being rare and their beauty hard won. This may sound like a bit of a pep talk, because it is. The process of preparing http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~3/zI77oCGYF_s/preparing-desert-soil-bringing-your.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sara Elliott)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~4/zI77oCGYF_s" height="1" width="1"/>http://handandkneesgardening.blogspot.com/2008/02/preparing-desert-soil-bringing-your.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2565967940020732144.post-1217485966946689478Sat, 09 Feb 2008 23:23:00 +00002008-02-12T11:57:26.421-08:00Photo Courtesy of MorguefileRaising a garden out of the desert and finding the best desert plants to create thriving flowerbeds is a challenge, but sometimes the most satisfying things in life are the most challenging. With some time and a little knowledge, you can create an oasis of your own, and it won't cost you a fortune to do it.Three factors have an enormous impact on desert gardening: soil, water, and weather. In http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~3/Ji2dOyAhQno/desert-gardening.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sara Elliott)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~4/Ji2dOyAhQno" height="1" width="1"/>http://handandkneesgardening.blogspot.com/2008/02/desert-gardening.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2565967940020732144.post-9176094051567815160Thu, 07 Feb 2008 03:55:00 +00002008-02-06T19:58:25.617-08:00According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, it probably comes from one of two sources:Either its origin is linked to the reign of King Edward I of England, who enjoyed fresh green peas so much that he had half a dozen serfs working to keep him supplied, a prize going to the one with the greenest thumb, presumably from hours of shelling; or it comes from the fact that repeatedly handling clay pots http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~3/dOgcpwTDT80/what-is-origin-gardeners-green-thumb.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sara Elliott)5<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~4/dOgcpwTDT80" height="1" width="1"/>http://handandkneesgardening.blogspot.com/2008/02/what-is-origin-gardeners-green-thumb.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2565967940020732144.post-6079884425962690385Sun, 03 Feb 2008 18:26:00 +00002008-04-08T06:41:17.720-07:00Photo Courtesy of MorguefileStrawberries are a favorite of mine. The following strawberry facts might surprise you:Strawberries belong to the rose family.Yes, strawberries grow in very rich soil, soil that is sometimes referred to as mostly dung . . .which has been sterilized in order to make it COMPLETELY safe.A cup of strawberries contains about 45 calories and is packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~3/Hip7gaHCTHI/understanding-strawberries.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sara Elliott)1<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HandAndKneesGardening/~4/Hip7gaHCTHI" height="1" width="1"/>http://handandkneesgardening.blogspot.com/2008/02/understanding-strawberries.html