Gardener's Corner

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Comment by Chief Walks on September 21, 2014 at 1:56pm

Can there be anything more beautiful than the seasons of a tree? A tree stands in beauty from year to year and keeps its grace and dignity. Its secrets are at its center and it tells nothing of people and their passing events. We learn when we watch a tree. It constantly prunes itself, continually sheds any excess. When it is growing in a difficult place it sends down deep roots to grapple for a firm footing. Every leaf is unique and beautiful - but they also serve to remove toxic poisons from the atmosphere, and send out a clean fragrance to shade us from heat. To sit beneath a tree, or to lie on the earth beneath an oak is the essence of pleasure. But to see the topmost leaves that no human hand has ever touched is to see a common miracle - a miracle with a message that says to get a firm footing in everything that is good and stand tall with our eye on the sky.

Comment by Chief Walks on September 19, 2014 at 1:04pm

It really is simple ...

Comment by Chief Walks on September 17, 2014 at 8:09am

Natural Bug Killers

Sometimes despite your best efforts, you need natural ways to kill pests. Believe it or not, there are just a few products you can make at home that can do a wide range of damage, without being damaging. Here are some ideas:

•Insecticidal soap is simple to make and kills many common and annoying pests, such as spider mites, aphids, Japanese beetles, white flies, mealy bugs, and many others. It’s extremely effective. To make your own insecticidal soap, simply combine 1 tablespoon dawn dish soap with 1 table spoon canola oil in one gallon of water. Pour some of your mix into a spray bottle and spray directly onto the bugs. In this concentration, it’s not harmful to plants- but still be careful spraying insecticidal soap onto plants like cacti and succulents.

•Pepper oil used as a spray is another very effective spray for most all bugs. Mix two tablespoons of pepper oil and one tablespoon of Dawn into one quart of water and use it as a spray as well.

•Ladybugs can be used in the garden to eliminate insect pests, such as aphids.

•For grubs that are in the ground, a product called milky spore will kill them. It comes as a granule that you spread in the soil, and contains a bacterium that kills grubs.

•Diatomaceous earth works to kill most all soil dwelling bugs and their larvae. It comes in powder form and works as a treatment but is best used as a preventative.

•Traps are another solution. The beer in a shallow dish works to kill slugs. Yellow fly paper, apple maggot traps, and covering your crops to keep bugs out are other natural methods of stopping insect damage.

Comment by Chief Walks on September 10, 2014 at 10:58am

Do you have an abundance of fresh peppers? If so, this simple freezer preservation method may be for you.
Directions

1. For bell peppers, take and slice off all sides. For me, this usually is four slices per pepper. For banana peppers, I usually slice from the bottom, making little rings. You can also follow this method with bell peppers, for a pretty look.

2. Place slices in a freezer-safe quart bag, taking care to make sure as much air is out as possible.

3. Add quart bags to a gallon freezer-safe bag. Place in freezer.

NOTE: You will be able to add a few quart bags to one gallon bag. Adding quart bags to a gallon bag keeps the peppers extra freezer-safe and makes storage handier.

This is such a simple method to preserve peppers. My favorite part about it is that I can pull out a not-yet-full quart bag from the freezer and add pepper slices as I have them ready. Sometimes, I only have slices from a couple of peppers to start a quart bag with. Using this technique though, I can add to my stores as needed. The beauty of this is that it’s a very non-overwhelming way to stay afloat of your food preservation, and you don’t have to wait until you have tons of peppers to do something with them.
Using Your Frozen Peppers

Simply remove desired amount of pepper slices from a quart bag. Reseal the quart bag immediately and return it to the freezer. Rinse the peppers with warm water, and it will quickly thaw them out. You can even place them in a bowl of warm of water for a few minutes, if desired. Take your peppers and chop into tiny pieces or long strips, depending on your need. Add to chili, spaghetti, soup, etc.

Comment by Chief Walks on August 26, 2014 at 2:27pm

Did you know EVERY county in the country has an Extension Office. Get your soil tested there for free! Know what your Ph level is. It makes all the difference in the world as to the food your plants want and need.

Comment by Chief Walks on August 26, 2014 at 2:22pm

It’s August—Check Your Trees

August is Tree Check Month, and the USDA wants help saving trees from Asian longhorned beetles. When you’re outside this month, please check for this beetle by taking the following four actions.

Here’s an alarming thought: The Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) has the potential to destroy 70 percent of our nation’s tree canopy. So the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has declared August Tree Check Month and is asking for your help saving trees from the ALB and other pests.

August is peak time for the emergence of the ALB. Since its discovery in 1996, this invasive pest has destroyed more than 80,000 trees in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Illinois and Ohio. The trees affected are:

Ash
Birch
Elm
Goldenrain Tree
Hackberry
Horsechesnut
Katsura
Maple
Mimosa
Mountain Ash
London Planetree
Poplar
Willow

The states mentioned above have been hit hard by the ALB, but all states are at risk. So as you work in your garden, stroll in the park, hang out in your yard and hike in the woods, the USDA asks that you:

Look up. Stand back and look at the top of the tree. Do you see any dead or dying branches?
Look it over. Focus on the tree trunk. Do you see the beetles, dime-sized exit holes or shallow scars in the bark?
Look down. Do you see any sawdust-like shavings at the tree's base or on the branches? That's a sign the ALB has been eating.
Take action. Report signs of ALB presence by calling 866-702-9938 or by reporting online.

Remember: If the ALB is allowed to spread, 70 percent of your community's tree canopy could be lost. Report what you see, and keep our nation's trees strong and healthy for future generations.

Comment by Chief Walks on July 30, 2014 at 6:08am

How to Store Seeds

What’s the best way to store my garden seeds?

Seeds are living organisms, so don’t simply toss them into a shed or shoe box. To keep seeds you buy viable as long as possible, you should always keep them as cool and dry as you can. Usually, your best option is to keep them in the refrigerator, sealed in a glass jar.

If you live in a humid region, you can add silica gel to absorb additional moisture. Southern Exposure Seed Exchange sells silica gel beads for drying seeds, or you can find them at craft supply stores, where they’re sold for drying flowers. You can also use powdered milk as a desiccant: Measure 1 to 2 tablespoons from a freshly opened package onto a piece of fabric or a paper towel, fold it up, and then place it in the container with the seed packets. Powdered milk will absorb excess moisture for about six months.

If you’re saving seeds from your garden, dry them well before you store them in the refrigerator. Spread the mature seeds in a shallow layer over a fine mesh screen or ceramic plate, and dry the seeds in a warm, dark and airy location for several weeks, until the seeds are hard and no longer pliable. A fan may help speed up the process. If possible, gently stir the seeds every now and then to expose them evenly to the air. Package the dry seeds in envelopes labeled with the variety and date, and then store them in glass jars in the refrigerator.

If treated well, your garden seeds will stay viable for one to five years, depending on the plant type.

Comment by Chief Walks on July 27, 2014 at 6:43am

Birds require water year-round, but as the summer heat is in full force, water can be a magnet for attracting feathered friends to your yard. Not only will a bird bath provide neighborhood birds with a much needed drink, but it can also be a gathering place for them to take a refreshing dip or an instant attraction for insect eating migrants.

Here are five tips for creating a bath that both welcomes and attracts a variety of birds:

* Keep it shallow.To entice small birds to jump in, a bath should be no more than 3 inches deep.
* Provide extra footing. To allow birds to get a foothold while bathing, the interior surface should be textured. If you have a container that is a little too deep and slippery, line the bottom with gravel or stones.
* Set up your bath near shrubs or trees. In order for birds to be attracted to your bird bath, they need a quick escape route if they sense a predator.
* Clean it regularly. Since mosquitoes’ breeding cycle is a minimum of a week, replacing water every few days will ensure the pests don’t become a problem.
* Consider running water. The sound of water can be heard by birds from some distance and will draw them in. Try a multiple-tiered bird bath, fountain, bubbler or even a mister.

Comment by Chief Walks on July 3, 2014 at 9:26am

One of the best things you can grow in your yard is a gardener. Here’s how.

As parents, grandparents, relatives, and friends of young children know, one of the best things you can grow in your yard is a gardener. To help cultivate the budding gardeners in your life, consider these 10 tips from the National Wildlife Federation:

Set aside a spot in your yard for a children's garden--no wider than a yardstick--that can be easily managed. Other good options include window boxes or containers.
Sow fast-germinating seeds so kids can quickly see the results of their labor.
Choose plants that will excite the senses, such as eye-catching sunflowers, fragrant herbs, and fuzzy ornamental grasses.
Woo wildlife, which will wow your kids, by planting native perennials and providing food and shelter for animals.
Provide kid-sized tools and teach young gardeners how to use them safely. Don't overlook simple options such as spoons and measuring cups.
To keep kids safe, don't use toxic chemical fertilizers, weed killers, or pesticides. Use natural alternatives instead.
Getting dirty is half the fun, but make sure children wash up after working in the soil, as it can contain chemicals and harmful bacteria.
Take advantage of teaching moments. If you uncover a pill bug on the ground, for instance, explain that its roly-poly posture is a means of defense. If your children pose questions you can't answer, do research together at the library or on the Internet.
Encourage children to share their garden with friends and family. Giving tours reinforces their ownership and helps instill a sense of pride.
Have kids draft notes in a journal, draw a picture, or take photographs of their garden.

Comment by Chief Walks on June 26, 2014 at 12:57pm

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