Southern Gardening and Food

The transition of a season.

2021-10-10T00:40:00.000-07:00

I love how the changes from season to season are starting to show up in my garden, Right now is the best time to plant radish, beets, and many other cool season vegetable seeds.

Radishes are some of the fastest-growing veggies you can plant, with some varieties ready in as little as 3 weeks. Plant in containers or beds where you’ve pulled out spent summer vegetables.

Lettuce is one of the quickest crops you can grow, with baby leaves of some varieties ready in about 3 to 4 weeks. Plant a mix, or mesclun, for the best salad combination of different colors and textures. Lettuce also grows well in pots and window boxes because its roots are so shallow, but it’s not happy in the heat, so give it a little afternoon shade and keep the soil moist while waiting for it to sprout.

Carrots are another root crop that likes cool weather. There are many different types, but look for quick-growing dwarf varieties that mature in about 2 months.

This is my Kale I have been growing all year. Kale takes about 60 days to mature, and it comes in so many varieties from tender Red Russian to sturdy lacinato, or Tuscan kale. It’s quite cold-hardy and will taste sweeter after the first frost. In many regions, the plants will survive well into winter and green up again next spring.

Radishes the other super food.

2021-09-30T14:03:00.002-07:00

I planted this radish 4 months ago and I'm so pleased at how good these radishes of mine grew. There will be a garden update very soon I have taken time to take care of my family and 1 son has graduated.

There are major health benefits with radishes.

Radishes are rich in antioxidants and minerals like calcium and potassium. Together, these nutrients help lower high blood pressure and reduce your risks for heart disease. The radish is also a good source of natural nitrates that improve blood flow.

Let's take a look at some of the other benefits of this root vegetable:

1. Saves those RBCs:Radish is known to control damage to our red blood cells, and in the process also increases oxygen supply to the blood.

2. High on Fiber:If you eat it as part of your daily salad intake, without going overboard of course, radish also provides your system with ample roughage and fibers, therefore improving your digestion. It also regulates bile production, safeguards your liver and the gall bladder, and is great for taking care of water retention.

3. Guards the Heart:Radishes are a good source for anthocyanins that keep our hearts functioning properly, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Plus they are high on vitamin C, folic acid, and flavonoids too.

4. Controls Blood Pressure:Radish also provides your body with potassium, which can help lower your blood pressure, and keep your blood flow in control, especially if you are known to suffer from hypertension. According to Ayurveda, radish is believed to have a cooling effect on the blood.

Lavender Oil Uses at Home

2016-11-17T14:44:00.001-08:00

As a Natural Perfume

Do you want to smell good without using toxic perfumes? Lavender oil is a great scent for women and for men too. You can either try adding pure oil directly to your skin, or you can dilute oil in water for a more subtle scent.

If you’d like to rub the oil right onto your skin, try adding 2-3 drops into your palms and then rubbing your hands together. Then add the oil directly onto on your skin, clothes, or hair. You can also try using 2 drops of lavender oil added to a spray bottle with about ½ cup of water. Shake up the spray bottle and then spray whatever you’d like. You may also want to consider combining lavender oil with other relaxing oils, like cedar wood essential oil or frankincense essential oil. Combining different oils means you have lots of versatility when it comes to different scent options, without needing to purchase many different bottled, expensive perfumes.

As a Non-toxic Air Freshener

The same way you use lavender oil as a perfume, you can use it around your home as a natural, toxic-free air freshener. Either spray lavender oil around your home or try diffusing it. To create a relaxing atmosphere in your bedroom before you fall asleep, try spraying the lavender oil and water mixture directly onto your bed sheets or pillow. You can try the same method in your bathroom as well, and also on your bath towels. Before taking a relaxing bath or shower, spray your towel with lavender oil so its relaxing scent is waiting for you when you step out of the shower.

As a Natural, Chemical-Free Lip Balm

Lavender oil is excellent for preventing sun burns on the lips and also healing chapped, dried lips. Try adding a couple of drops of oil to shea butter, jojoba oil, coconut oil/coconut butter, or another “carrier oil” and then rubbing it into your lips for protection whenever you will be in the sun. If you are sun burned in other areas on your body, try using the same method to heal the skin more quickly and prevent itchiness and pealing that can result after a bad sun burn.

As a Remedy for Stomach Discomfort

Many people find the scent of lavender to be soothing to the stomach. If you are feeling nauseous, or know that you are going to be traveling in a car of plane and are prone to motion sickness, spray some lavender oil on your skin and clothes or rub it into your temples, next, and palms.

As a Secret Flavor Booster in Healthy Recipes

Lavender is a great flavor enhancer in things like grain-free muffins, teas, and even salad dressings. Lavender oil is completely edible, but you will want to use a very small amount since the taste is very powerful. Try adding 1-2 drops to your recipes for a surprising flavor booster. Lavender is said to pair perfectly with things like dark cocoa, pure honey, cranberries, balsamic vinaigrette, black pepper, and apples.

Lavender Oil Side Effects to Consider

For most people, using lavender oil is completely safe, however there has not been an extensive amount of scientific research done on lavender oil interactions with other medications, or for its use in pregnant women, so there are certain situations where you will want to use caution.

Medication Interactions

If you are already taking any prescription medication for sleep related disorders or for depression, be cautious of the fact that lavender can increase the effectiveness of these medications. Even if you use an over-the-counter sleep aid or any type of sedatives (even cough or flu medicine), keep in mind that lavender makes many people sleepy and even somewhat drowsy, so it’s best to not combine lavender oil with other medications or sleep-related supplements. If you are planning on having surgery or undergoing anesthesia in the near future, you will also want to avoid using lavender oil.

Pregnant Women and Children

There has not been enough research done at this time to show that lavender oil is completely safe for pregnant women or women who are nursing. Because it can have a relaxing effect on muscles and can also effect hormone levels, it’s not recommended that women who are in their third trimester use lavender oil. It’s best to speak with your doctor about use of any essential oils when pregnant, since it has not been guaranteed that these are safe at this time.

Lavender oil is considered generally safe for children to use, although there is some concern that lavender’s effect on hormone levels could be harmful for boys who have not yet gone through puberty. Although there isn’t strong evidence for lavender being a hormone disrupter (only 1-2 very small studies were ever completed), parents are told to use caution if using lavender oil frequently on young children.

Ingesting Lavender Oil

Studies to date have primarily looked at the effects of using lavender oil topically on the skin or inhalation. There have been no negative symptoms found when 3 drops of oil is mixed with a carrier oil and applied directly to the skin, however not much research has formally been done to look at the effect of swallowing the oil. Most people experience no negative symptoms when consuming lavender oil, but because of it’s high levels of anti-oxidants you would want to keep this to a minimum and be careful if you have a sensitive digestive system. There are no known food interactions of lavender oil at this time.

Lavender Growth Experiment

2016-11-15T17:21:00.002-08:00

I have been a fan of the Aero Garden for some years now and this year I decided to take a garden journey with Lavender and this picture is from 3 months of growth.

This is the lavender from 4 months of growth and I am really shocked on how great it was doing. I cut some off to see how fast the drying process is and yes it was great drying out fully in 5 days.

I don't know if you can see the difference but this is a picture from today. This a full 6 months and I am very pleased with this experiment and now all I can do is find some uses for it and I just found out they have new Areo Gardens now so ya never know what's next

Peppers can be medicine

2016-11-14T18:28:00.003-08:00

Broccoli Chedder Cheese Soup

2016-11-14T18:22:00.000-08:00

Its time for recipes to warm the body and keep colds at bay. This recipe can feed a family of 4 easy and it doesn't last long at all...enjoy

Homemade Fertilizers

2013-01-03T07:12:00.000-08:00

As the spring is approaching slowly but surly I am on the look out for ways to fertilize my plants without having to go off the beaten path and go for inorganic fertilizers. This year i have looked up ways that you can use what you probably already have in the house to get you started.

1. Epson Salt

Epsom salt – actually magnesium sulfate – helps seeds germinate, makes plants grow bushier, produces more flowers, increases chlorophyll production and deters pests, such as slugs and voles. It also provides vital nutrients to supplement your regular fertilizer. Although magnesium and sulfur occur naturally in soil, they can be depleted by various conditions, including heavy agricultural use. But unlike most commercial fertilizers, which build up in the soil over time, Epsom Salt is not persistent so you can’t overuse it. Here are some other tips for using Epson salt in the garden.

Houseplants: 2 tablespoons per gallon of water; feed plants monthly.

Roses: 1 tablespoon per foot of plant height per plant; apply every two weeks. Also scratch 1/2 cup into soil at base to encourage flowering canes and healthy new basal cane growth. Soak unplanted bushes in 1 cup of Epsom Salt per gallon of water to help roots recover. Add a tablespoon of Epsom Salt to each hole at planting time. Spray with Epsom Salt solution weekly to discourage pests.

Shrubs (evergreens, azaleas, rhododendron): 1 tablespoon per 9 square feet. Apply over root zone every 2-4 weeks.

Lawns: Apply 3 pounds for every 1,250 square feet with a spreader, or dilute in water and apply with a sprayer.

Trees: Apply 2 tablespoons per 9 square feet. Apply over the root zone 3 times annually.

Garden Startup: Sprinkle 1 cup per 100 square feet. Mix into soil before planting. About Epsom salt

2. Banana peels

Cut a banana peel into small pieces and mix them up with fresh soil for an added boost when planting a new plant. Banana peels can be mixed into the soil around plants, shrubs and trees at any time for an added fertilizer. If you happen to have access to a banana tree, add leaves, stalks and skins to your soil as well.

3. Urine

Human urine is one of the fastest-acting, most excellent sources of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and trace elements for plants, delivered in a form that’s perfect for assimilation. Not only that, we all have a constant, year-round supply of it - and it's free!

Fresh human urine is sterile and so free from bacteria. In fact it is so sterile that it can be drunk when fresh; it’s only when it is older than 24 hours that the urea turns into ammonia, which is what causes the 'wee' smell. At this stage it will be too strong for use on plants, but poured neat on to the compost heap it makes a fabulous compost accelerator/activator, with the extra benefit of adding more nutrients.

Dilute one part urine to 10-15 parts water for application on plants in the growth stage. Dilute in 30-50 parts water for use on pot plants, which are much more sensitive to fertilizers of any kind. Trees, shrubs and lawns are fine with undiluted urine, but for obvious reasons apply it underneath fruiting bushes, as opposed to directly on to foliage and fruit. Some fertilizers such as seaweed, are specifically used as foliar feeds [applied direct to leaves], but urine is always best applied directly to a plant's root system.

Antibiotics, vitamin supplements and other medications will end up in your urine, but in such minute quantities as to be negligible, especially when diluted in water.

This is all I could come up with right now but as spring approaches I will add more.

Determinate vs Indeterminate Tomatoes

2013-01-02T02:12:00.001-08:00

Happy New Years everyone in the start of the gardening season I want to learn about Determinate and Indeterminate Tomatoes. There is nothing in this world like a home grown tomato and when i learned there is a difference yall know I had to investigate lol. One of the most common questions about tomato plants is what the difference is between determinate and indeterminate varieties. Once you know the difference, it's easy to make informed decisions about which tomatoes will work best in your garden. The most simple explanation of the difference between determinate and indeterminate tomatoes is that determinate tomatoes bear their crop all at once, while indeterminate tomatoes bear fruit over the course of a season. Indeterminate varieties tend to grow longer vines and will require more support in terms of staking or caging over the course of a season. Determinate varieties often (but not always) tend to be more compact and manageable.

Spring has come

2011-03-26T06:24:00.000-07:00

Garden bed ideas

2011-03-21T01:29:00.000-07:00

Have you planted a bulk of seeds just to discover in early spring you don't know where to put them or what beds to put them in. Here are some photos that might be a help for you

3 sisters garden

2011-03-20T18:32:00.000-07:00

The Three Sisters all work together. Critters will find it harder to invade your garden by interplanting your corn, beans and squash. The corn stalk serves as a pole for the beans, the beans help to add the nitrogen to the soil that the corn needs, and the squash provides a ground cover of shade that helps the soil retain moisture.

1. In late May or early June, hoe up the ground and heap the earth into piles about a foot high and about 20 across. The centers of your mounds should be about four feet apart and should have flattened tops.

2. First, in the center of each mound, plant five or six corn kernels in a small circle.

3. After a week or two, when the corn has grown to be five inches or so, plant seven or eight pole beans in a circle about six inches away from the corn kernels.

4. A week later, at the edge of the mound about a foot away from the beans, plant seven or eight squash or pumpkin seeds.

5. When the plants begin to grow, you will need to weed out all but a few of the sturdiest of the corn plants from each mound. Also keep the sturdiest of the bean and squash plants and weed out the weaker ones.

6. As the corn and beans grow up, you want to make sure that the beans are supported by cornstalks, wrapping around the corn. The squash will crawl out between the mounds, around the corn and beans.

Patio Gardening

2011-03-19T14:49:00.000-07:00

I love to see a person living in a apartment with limited space plant a garden. when it comes to creating a patio Garden its really easy and rewarding.

What to grow

Grow whatever you like in the containers

There’s no rule that says that any plant won’t grow in a container. I grow trees, perennials, vines, roses, water plants, annuals, vegetables and herbs in mine.

Why not?

And you can combine them!

Again, why not put a perennial in with annuals? Why not tuck a basil or parsley herb in amongst the vegetables? Why not grow a big banana tree and tuck annuals at the base? Or put other smaller pots around on the soil of the bigger pot?

(That’s how I overwinter some of the more tender patio gardening plants – I set several smaller pots on the soil of my banana tree pot to relieve crowding at the window – soil doesn’t need light, the leaves do)

Spring has officially sprung

2011-03-19T13:44:00.000-07:00

Gardening in November

2010-11-11T17:15:00.000-08:00

As I sit here and look at the calender i'm like what is there to do in the garden for Nov. I took my ? to the web and evidentially things are still to be done no vacation yet fellow gardeners lol.

Protect cauliflower curds by folding over the leaves. This will keep the cauliflowers a nice creamy white.

Brussels sprouts ready
for picking

Turnip

Clay forcing pots were
traditionally used for
forcing seakale and rhubarb

Make your own leafmold

Winter cover

Make sure that bare ground is covered. Autumn leaves make a good winter mulch spread over the soil protecting it from heavy rainfall.

You can use leaves collected last autumn, or, when they fall this year. Your local council may deliver leaves on request to allotments and other sites where lorry access is possible. Ask for parks and cemetery leaves, rather than street swept ones.

Vegetables that can still be planted this month

Garlic

Plant in November, or even later on light soils. The sooner the better for the best crop. It is preferable to plant named varieties of garlic, such as Thermidrome and Printantor, rather than using left-over cloves from garlic bought from the greengrocer. This will avoid the risk of introducing disease, and help ensure you are growing a variety suited to the UK. Some varieties of garlic, such as Printanor, can also be planted in early spring, but will give much better yields if it goes through a cold period over winter. There is a useful article on garlic growing in issue 169 of The Organic Way (pages 29-31). Members can download back copies of The Organic Way here.

Broad beans

Broad beans are traditionally sown in autumn (late October to early December) for an early summer crop. Autumn sown plants are also less attractive to blackfly. But their success can be variable; mice and wet conditions can cut plant numbers considerably. Sow in November in a well drained spot. Dress soil with a potash fertiliser if chocolate spot disease is a regular problem. Use extra hardy cultivars such as Super Aquadulce, Aquadulce Claudia, Imperial Green Longpod, or The Sutton (a bush variety good for small gardens under a cloche). If autumn sown crops tend to fail in your garden, don't despair; some of the spring sown cultivars can produce a crop that is almost as early.

Hardy peas

Round seeded, hardy peas can be sown now for a June crop. Suitable varieties include Douce Provence, Feltham First, Meteor and Pilot. They can also be sown in the spring. Pea seeds are a favourite with mice, so it is not worth sowing them now where mice are a problem.

I have planted Roses yall

2010-11-11T17:05:00.000-08:00

This year was my first introduction to planting roses I have 3 rose bushes (later i will get into the varieties) I want to draw attention to taking care of them the reason it has taken me so long(3 years to be exact) is because every Gardner I came in contact with would tell me its hard to grow roses, you have to do this you have to do that but so far so good so i'm crossing my fingers for next year here is some tips to help you create a rose garden.

Black Spot: Black spot is a fungus that is very common during humid weather because it is a water-bourne disease. As its name implies, small black spots form on leaves and stems, eventually causing the leaves to drop and weakening the plant.

Treatment: Choose black spot resistant varieties and be meticulous about sanitation. Water the roots of the rose, avoiding the foliage. Water in the morning, so that splashed leaves have time to dry off. If Black Spot is an annual problem, try a dormant spray of lime sulfur at the end of the season and again in early summer. Once Black Spot appears, it is hard to stop. Neem oil and Sprays containing Potassium bicarbonate are somewhat effective.

Downy Mildew: Downy mildew is a very serious disease that spreads rapidly and can defoliate a rose plant in days. It is not as common as Black Spot and favors cool, wet weather. Purple spots with yellow edges form , often on the veins on the top side of the leaves and along the stems. Pale gray fuzz can form on the under side of the leaves. The leaves will eventually become brittle and fall.

Treatment: The good news is that Downy Mildew often clears up with the weather. To reduce the chance of Downy Mildew, practice good garden sanitation and keep the rose plants well pruned for air circulation. As with other diseases, a dormant spray may help.

Rust: A Rust infection is easy to spot. Small orange pustules spots form on the undersides of the leaves. This fungus can also cause defoliation. Rust is most prevalent when nights are cool.

Treatment: Treatment of Rust is similar to treatment of Black Spot, above: Good sanitation and a preventative dormant spray after pruning. Once infected, remove all infected leaves and try Neem oil for control.

Mosaic Virus: Once a rose is infected with Rose Mosaic Virus, there’s not much to be done except check with the nursery for a replacement. Rose Mosaic Virus shows up as yellow mottling on leaves and deformed new growth. It can stunt growth or it can be a mild infection. If there are only a few affected leaves, the plant may continue growing and blooming fine. The really good news is that it won’t spread to your other roses.

Garden QUOTES

2010-11-11T16:58:00.000-08:00

I love a great quote which is why I have chosen this topic. Quotes can inspire and make you see the world in a whole new way so these are a few quotes i have ran across about Gardening enjoy.

My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant's point of view. ~H. Fred Dale (Thanks, Anne)

Gardening requires lots of water - most of it in the form of perspiration. ~Lou Erickson

Science, or para-science, tells us that geraniums bloom better if they are spoken to. But a kind word every now and then is really quite enough. Too much attention, like too much feeding, and weeding and hoeing, inhibits and embarrasses them. ~Victoria Glendinning

In my garden there is a large place for sentiment. My garden of flowers is also my garden of thoughts and dreams. The thoughts grow as freely as the flowers, and the dreams are as beautiful. ~Abram L. Urban

Weather means more when you have a garden. There's nothing like listening to a shower and thinking how it is soaking in around your green beans. ~Marcelene Cox

God made rainy days so gardeners could get the housework done. ~Author Unknown

Gardening is about enjoying the smell of things growing in the soil, getting dirty without feeling guilty, and generally taking the time to soak up a little peace and serenity. ~Lindley Karstens, noproblemgarden.com

10 uses for orange peels

2009-07-10T09:27:00.000-07:00

10 Unique Uses for Orange Peel

Orange is a delicious fruit. Not only the inner part of orange (fruit) but also the outer part (peel) is useful in many ways. Here are the ten unique uses for orange peels.

As A Bathing Powder Dry some orange peels and make them as a powder. Use this powder

regularly for bathing to make your skin glow.

Mosquito Repellent Apply orange peels over your exposed skin on nights to repel the mosquitoes.

Get Rid of Ants Take few orange peels in a cup of warm water. Make it as puree in a blender. Pour this solution into the anthills to prevent ants.

As a Scent Boil orange peels on the stove with a few cloves to make your home filled with scent.
Keeps Brown Sugar Soft If you place a piece of orange peel in your bag of brown sugar the sugar will stay soft.

As Bath Oil Dried orange peels can be used as homemade bath oils. Orange peels can be used in dried flower arrangements.

Household Cleaner Limonene, a carbon-based compound that makes up around 95% of the oil found in orange peel is often used to give household cleaners a citrus smell.

For Kindling in Winter Dried orange peels can be used as kindling at fire places. The flammable oils found inside the peels enable them to burn much longer than paper.

Protects Leaves of Household Plants From Cats Rub the leaves of your house plants with orange peel once a month and put some orange peels on the surface of the soil in potted plants which prevents them destroyed from cats.

Make Delicious Oil You can make delicious homemade oil with orange peels. Place some orange peels and cranberries in olive oil and close it with a cork. You can observe a wonderful flavor to the oil after some weeks.

Orange peels can help us lower environmental pollution: Scientists are researching to make plastic from orange peel (orange peels have a carbon compound limonene) which is eco-friendly.

Seed Tape

2009-07-08T11:56:00.000-07:00

It's difficult to space tiny seeds, such as carrots, in the garden. The best way to solve this problem is to make homemade seed tape. Here's how to do it:

1. Unroll a strip of toilet paper on a table (double ply works best), mist it with a sprayer, and place the seeds along the center of the strip. Be sure to space the seeds based on the seed packet's recommendation. Tip: Alternate carrot seeds with radish seeds because when the radishes sprout, they help to mark the row and break the ground.

2. Starting along the strip's long edge, fold a third of the paper over the seeds, then fold the other third over to cover the seeds completely. Lightly tamp the paper, misting it again to secure the seeds. Make as many of these strips as you need. Then carefully carry them to the garden.

3. Make shallow furrows in the prepared soil, lay the strips down, and cover them. In a jiffy, your small seeds will be planted and perfectly spaced.

2009-07-05T09:13:00.000-07:00

Sweet Mace or Mexican Mint (Tagetes lucida) Enjoy this late-blooming marigold in teas, drinks; a great flavoring for many dishes. This old Hispanic heirloom is hard to find nowadays, but is still a great garden plant that is easy to grow and quite flavorful.

The plus to this flower is that it repels pest.

Other uses have included treat-ment for colds, fevers, coughs, wounds, infections, rashes, and wasp and bee stings.

Marigolds are very easy to grow from seed. The seed is fairly large and easy to handle. It germinates quickly and the resulting seedlings are large and easy to identify. Transplanting marigolds grown from seed is a pleasant garden task, as the seedlings have well developed root systems, strong stems and tough leaves.

Marigold seed may also be sown directly in the flower garden. Wait until all risk of frost is past, sow the seed, cover lightly and water in well. Germination outside in the garden will be slower than in the seed flat, and expect a lower germination rate. The marigold seedlings may come in closer together than you wish. The seedlings may be transplanted to other areas of the garden

They are also the wedding flower in India.

gladiodias a must grow flower

2009-07-01T11:29:00.000-07:00

GROWING GREAT GLADS
For the gardener with little time to spend in the yard, gladiolus are a colorful, easy care plant, perfect for borders and large containers. They make great cut flowers, too! Selecting a variety of glads and staggering their planting dates will produce a succession of height and bloom from spring through fall.

GLADS ARE EASY TO GROW!
Most garden soils that will produce a good crop of vegetables or weeds
will also grow good glads with little or no added fertilizer. Glads prefer
good air circulation and full sunlight but will do reasonably well with a
little high shade in early morning or late afternoon. Choose an area
with good drainage. Glads don't like wet feet! Raised beds are an
ideal solution.
Plant only clean, plump gladiolus corms (also known as bulbs).
Here in the valley, foothills, and Bay Area, plant a few glad corms
every week or two, from late January through early April. That way,
there will always be a gladiolus in bloom throughout the warm weather months.
Plant gladiolus corms three to five inches deep and from four to six inches apart, with the tip side facing upwards.

GLADS ARE EASY TO CARE FOR...AND ENJOY!
Water regularly while they are growing or blooming, perhaps once a week.
Water twice a week during heat waves. Weed by shallow cultivation
and hand weeding. A three inch layer of mulch of bark, straw, leaves,
grass clippings, etc., between rows will discourage weeds and help conserve moisture.
To get the most enjoyment of glads as a cut flower indoors, cut off the flowering
stalk when the lowest buds begin to open. Be sure to keep at least four leaves
on the plant to allow the corm to renew itself for the following year.
At the end of the season, cut off the stem just below the lowest flower buds.
This keeps the energy from the leaves flowing towards the corm, not to seed production.

GLADIOLUS CAN GET BUGGED!
Thrips are one of the most damaging insects to glads, especially in the summer.
Look for silvery flecks on the foliage and silver or brown blemishes on the flowers
and buds. You may also see their black droppings on the leaves.
These tiny (less than 1/20th of an inch long) creatures scrape away the plant tissue,
suck the juice and lay their eggs inside. Control thrips with a blast of water from
the hose or insecticidal soap. Healthy plants can outgrow thrip damage.

CAN YOU DIG IT? SURE! BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO EVERY YEAR!
Here, where the ground doesn't freeze in the winter, you may choose
not to dig up your corms. However, disease brought on by too much
rain and too cool of a soil, as well as eventual crowding, may reduce
the amount and quality of next year's bloom.
It is suggested that you dig and divide your corms every couple of years
in the fall, being sure to discard any damaged or diseased corms.
The plant should be separated from the corm as close to the corm
as possible, either by hand breaking or cutting with pruning shears.
Store any lifted corms in a cool, dry place, in single layers in a flat or
ventilated tray. Then, replant those corms the following February or March.

The Scoop On Poop

2009-07-01T07:21:00.000-07:00

In the 1960's, when the Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) secret gadget-makers invented a listening device for the Asian jungles, they disguised it so the enemy wouldn't be tempted to pick it up and examine it: The device looked like tiger droppings.The guise worked. Who would touch such a thing? The fist-sized transmitter detected troop movements along the trails in Vietnam.While most people would find tiger droppings offensive, there are millions of gardeners who look at look at manure as money in the bank. Many zoos, for example, are marketing giraffe even hippopotamus droppings. Can you guess what the best zoo doo is? (You'll find the answer at the end of this article).In the days when most families kept a milk cow and a flock of chickens, manure was a primary garden fertilizer. But with changes in food production practices and the advent of synthetic fertilizer in the 1930's, many gardeners stopped using manure. Today, organic gardeners have rediscovered the benefits of manure as a fertilizer, soil conditioner and

compost ingredient.
Where to find manure
Remember the story of the little boy who was digging through the pile of manure? "There has to be a pony in here somewhere," he told his father.
The hopeful lad probably lived on a farm, the best place for home gardeners to get manure. Or any place where domestic animals are raised, for that matter. Just listen for moos and clucking! Farm manure is often sold as bagged manure and is available at garden centers and hardware stores. Manures and composted plant materials add organic matter, which helps soil retain moisture and structure which prevents compaction, and helps prevent nutrients from leaching away. They also balance extremes in soil pH.
"The fairest thing in nature, a flower,still has its roots in earth and manure."—D.H. Lawrence, English novelist, poet (1885-1930)
Good poop, bad poop
What is good for the goose, is not always good for the gander. There are a few manures that should not be used, primarily those of meat eaters. According to Cornell University, "Homeowners should not use any manure from dogs, cats, or other meat-eating animals, since there is risk of parasites or disease organisms that can be transmitted to humans."
The most common sources of manure are horses, cattle, goats, sheep, rabbits and poultry. Below is a guide showing how manures measure up, nutrient-wise. While all animal manures are good sources of organic matter and nutrients, it's impossible to make a precise analysis, mostly because bedding materials vary so much. For example, manure with straw or sawdust will have a different nitrogen composition than pure manure. But it's useful to know whether the manure you're using is rich or poor in a particular nutrient such as nitrogen.
As you review the list, don't be misled by the N-P-K numbers that suggest manure is less powerful than chemicals. It is actually far better because it contains large amounts of organic matter, so it feeds and builds the soil while it nourishes the plants. This is one of the primary ways that organic fertilizers have a leg-up on chemical ones.
Still, many gardeners can't resist comparing the numerical amounts listed below with what they read on packages of synthetic fertilizers. Unfortunately, the values of manure and organic fertilizers in general, are often based on the relative amount of nitrogen (N), phosphoric acid (P) and potash (K) they contain. While these are important elements, "it is misleading to make a direct comparison between farm manures and chemical fertilizers on the basis of the relative amounts of N-P-K," says Jerry Minnich, author of Rodale's Guide to Composting.
Just like we need to eat to maintain our health, soil needs continual replenishment of its organic matter to decompose into humus. Humus helps create a rich, moisture-retaining soil and makes nutrients available to plants.( For more organic gardening tips, read the current issue of my UpBeet Gardener newsletter.)

How common manures measure up
Manure
Chicken
Diary cow
Horse
Steer
Rabbit
Sheep
N-P-K
1.1 .80 .50
.25 .15 .25
.70 .30 .60
.70 .30 .40
2.4 1.4 .60
.70.30 .90
Sources: Rodale's All-New Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening, An Illustrated Guide toOrganic Gardening, by Sunset Publishing, and the Rodale Guide to Composting.
Note: Nutrient values of manures vary greatly, depending on the diet andage of the animals, and the nature and quantiy of bedding in the mix.
Chicken manurePoultry manure (chicken in particular) is the richest animal manure in N-P-K. Chicken manure is considered "hot" and must be composted before adding it to the garden. Otherwise, it will burn any plants it comes in contact with.Dairy (cow) manure"Dairy Manure may be the single most useful soil-builder around," says Ann Lovejoy, lifetime organic gardener and writer in Seattle, Washington. "Washed dairy manure from healthy cows is just about perfect for garden use; it can be used as a topdressing and for soil improvement," she adds. Dairy manure is preferable to steer manure, which has a higher salt and weed seed content. Though cow manure has low nutrient numbers, that's what makes ist safe to use in unlimited quantities.Horse manureHorse manure is about half as rich as chicken manure, but richer in nitrogen than cow manure. And, like chicken droppings, it's considered "hot". Horse manure often contains a lot of weed seeds, which means it's a good idea to compost it using a hot composting method.Steer manureSteer manure is one of the old standbys, but it's not the most beloved because it often contains unwanted salts and weed seeds.
Rabbit manureRabbit manure is even higher in nitrogen than some poultry manures and it also contains a large amount of phosphorus--important for flower and fruit formation. Sheep manureSheep manure is another "hot" manure. It is somewhat dry and very rich. Manure from sheep fed hay and grain will be more potent than manure from animals that live on pasture.
How to use manure

No matter what kind of manure you use, use it as a soil amendment, not a mulch. In other words, don't put raw manure directly on garden soils. Raw manure generally releases nitrogen compounds and ammonia which can burn plant roots, young plants and interfere with seed germination. In fact, it's recommended that all animal manure should be aged for at least 6 months. Many gardeners spread fresh manure in the fall and turn it in to the top 6 inches of soil a month before spring planting.A better treatment is to hot-compost manure before applying it to the garden. Hot composting, where the pile reaches at least 150 degrees F) helps to reduce the probability of passing dangerous pathogens on to people who handle the manure or eat food grown with manure compost. (For more information about compost, read my Compost Happens! article.)While the chance of contamination is slim, severe sickness and even death may occur if contaminated produce is eaten. To be safe, either compost your manure or apply it in the fall after harvest. Wash up after handling manure and don't forget to rinse the vegetables and fruit well before you eat them--always a good idea whether your use manure or not.
The bottom line

Anywhere from 75 to 90 percent of the plant nutrients fed to animals are excreted in their manure, so it should be no surprise that the stuff is an excellent fertilizer. E.B. White, author of Charlotte's Web, agrees. "There is no doubt about it, the basic satisfaction in farming is manure."
The best zoo doo? Elephant dung!
So there you have it: The scoop on poop!

2009-06-28T07:33:00.000-07:00

This is the first time for me and my family growing soybeans i was attending a garden festival this year and they were serving soybeans and I was like this is heaven. The wild thing for me was the soybeans were prepared by steaming only and the taste was great so I got home and started about 8 plants this year. The thing about this plant is that its just as captivating to watch grow as it is to eat a truly great plant if you have the time to grow it this year I promise that you will not be disappointed

Modern uses. In the early 1900s the first processing of seeds t`or oil and meal was done in England. For the most part, soybeans were a neglected crop until World War II. Germany developed a soy oil lard substitute and a meat substitute. In the U.S. increasing from soybean sprouts to steamed raw beans to roasted seeds to soy milk to soy sauce to fermented soybean paste and cake to soy flour to the commonly eaten curd called tofu (or doufu).
Soybeans reached the western world by the early 1700s and were first grown in North America by 1804. Benjamin Franklin appears to have been involved in introducing soybeans from France to Philadelphia at that time. A number of varieties were grown and evaluated in the United States during the 1800s. The primary use for the crop was for forage, hay and green manure.
In the 1880s, French scientists discovered that the soybean contains practically no starch so its use in diabetic diets began. Later its high protein content was recognized.
Modern uses. In the early 1900s the first processing of seeds for oil and meal was done in England. For the most part soybeans were a neglected crop until World War II. Germany developed a soy oil lard substitute and a meat substitute. In the U.S. increasing amounts of soybean meal were used as livestock and poultry feed, especially after 1945 when consumption of meat increased dramatically. More recently, an increasing proportion of American soybean production has been used by the food processing industry--in such foods as margarine, shortening, ice cream, salad dressings and mayonnaise. Industry uses lesser amounts in products including paint, ink, putty, caulking, wallpaper, rubber substitutes, adhesives, fire extinguisher foam, electrical insulation and gasoline. The versatile soybean is a part of everyone's life in developed countries.
At present, most soybeans (over three-fourths of the world supply) are grown in the United States (especially in the cornbelt and Mississippi Valley), in Brazil and Argentina. China produces most of the soybeans grown in the Orient, while only a few are grown in Europe. In the U.S., the soybean is third in production (corn and wheat are first and second) and second in value (corn is first) of crops grown.

TO YOUR HEALTH

Soybeans

Soybeans are members of the pea (legume) family of vegetables. Eating soybean-based foods may reduce the risk of a range of health problems, including coronary heart disease. More research is needed, but the evidence so far suggests that it could be wise to include whole soy foods in the daily diet. Soybeans also contain hormone-like substances called phytoestrogens that mimic the action of the hormone oestrogen. The health benefits of soy for menopausal women could include fewer hot flushes, protection from coronary heart disease and lowered risk of osteoporosis. However, while whole soy foods have been shown to have health benefits, the benefits of taking phytoestrogen supplements are unproven. See your doctor or dietitian for further guidance. Nutrition profileSoy is a high quality protein. It is one of only two known plant foods to contain all the essential amino acids, similar to those found in meat (the other plant food is amaranth seed, a wild green). Some soy products can be a source of calcium and iron, such as Chinese tofu or tempeh (made with a calcium coagulant) and calcium fortified soy drinks. The soybean is:
High in fibre
High in protein
Low in saturated fat
Cholesterol-free
Lactose-free
A good source of omega-3 fatty acids
High in phytoestrogens.Phytoestrogens explainedSoybeans are thought to be of some health benefit to menopausal women. Soybeans contain hormone-like substances called phytoestrogens (‘phyto’ means plant). Given the right conditions, these compounds mimic the action of the female hormone oestrogen, but with much lower potency - about 1,000 times less. There are two types of phytoestrogen: isoflavones and lignans. Soybeans contain about 50 times more isoflavones than other members of the legume family, such as lentils and peanuts. (Lignans are found in cereals, vegetables and fruits.)Soybeans and menopausal hot flushesWomen in Japan and China typically have fewer hot flushes during menopause than their Western counterparts. This observation led to research into dietary differences, including the fact that Asian women tend to have soy-rich diets, while Western women have meat-rich diets. It is thought that a soy-rich diet helps reduce menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes because the phytoestrogens act like a mild form of hormone replacement therapy. The reduction rate of hot flushes varies from one study to the next, from 1.9 per cent to 45 per cent. However, it should be noted that some women in the studies experienced a reduction in hot flushes while taking dummy treatments too (the placebo effect). More research is needed, but soybeans seem to offer promise in helping some women to manage menopausal hot flushes. If phytoestrogens do work, studies suggest that you need at least 2-3 serves of soy products daily. This would mean either:
500ml soymilk per day
100g tofu per day
4-5 slices of soy linseed bread per day (depending on the brand).Soybeans and coronary heart diseaseOestrogen may protect women against coronary heart disease during their reproductive years, but rates of heart disease increase remarkably after menopause. Soybeans have been shown to lower blood cholesterol levels as well as lipoproteins, both known risk factors for heart disease. A meta-analysis (an analysis of a number of studies on a topic) of 38 clinical trials found that 31-47g of soy protein can reduce blood cholesterol levels by as much as 20 per cent. This amount of soy protein is found in two to three serves of soy products. It isn’t known whether the phytoestrogens or the soy proteins (or both, working in combination) are responsible for this health benefit. However, studies have shown that eating soy protein without isoflavones results in only small cholesterol reductions and isoflavone supplements alone have minimal cholesterol lowering effects. The cholesterol lowering benefits of eating soy foods may be better if the total diet is high in carbohydrate. This seems to help with the breakdown of the isoflavones. In recognition of the evidence, the United States Food and Drug Administration approved a health claim in 1999 acknowledging the heart health benefits of including at least 25g soy protein daily in a diet low in saturated fat.Other possible health benefits of soyThe soybean needs further research before its health benefits are conclusively known. The health benefits of soy are not without controversy. Some research suggests that it may adversely affect thyroid function in some people. The suggested health benefits of whole soy foods include:
Lowered blood pressure
Improvements to blood vessels, such as greater elasticity of artery walls
Reduced risk of osteoporosis
Protection against various cancers, including those of the breast, colon, prostate and skin
Management of endometriosis.

Humble Me

2009-06-28T07:21:00.000-07:00

The most thing I find captivating about music is the lyrics. Lyrics define a song and sometimes has the power to effect a person. The song from Norah Jones "Humble Me" is the most powerful song of hers in my opinion and I just wanted to share the words with you

Humble Me

Went out on a limb Gone too far I broke down at the side of the road Stranded at the outskirts and sun's creepin' up

Baby's in the backseat Still fast asleep Dreamin' of better days I don't want to call you but you're all I have to turn to

What do you say when it's all gone away ? baby I didn't mean to hurt you truth spoke in whispers will tear you apart no matter how hard you resist it it never rains when you want it to

You humble me Lord You humble me Lord I'm on my knees empty You humble me Lord You humble me Lord Please, please, please forgive me

Baby Teresa she's got your eyes I see you all the time When she asks about her daddy I never know what to say

Heard you kicked the bottle And helped __ build the church You carry an honest wage Is it true you have somebody keeping you company ?

What do you say When it's all gone away ? Baby I didn't mean to hurt you Truth spoke in whispers will tear you apart No matter how hard you resist it It never rains when I want it to

You humble me Lord You humble me Lord I'm on my knees empty You humble me Lord You humble me Lord Please, please __ forgive me

2009-06-27T16:26:00.000-07:00