Earthly Garden

Sorry guys, due to circumstances beyond my control (technical difficulties and a kidney infection) I’ve again fallen behind and I am sorry. Seems like every time I get back on track something comes along to knock me off again. Don’t you hate it when you get into a cycle like that? I’m happy to say that I’m just about over the infection and the technical difficulties have been fixed, so let’s try this again, shall we? They say 3rd time’s a charm!

Christmas is almost here and I’m quite excited. This will be my first Christmas as a married woman and the first Christmas in a long time where I’ve been blessed enough to be able to splurge on the people I love. I don’t care what I get this Christmas-in fact I don’t have a thing on my list. There really isn’t anything I want or need-I have it all. I realize I am very fortunate. Many aren’t this holiday season and while you’re counting your blessings why not bring a little holiday magic to those who may not have many to count? Pick up an extra Poinsettia or wreath and bring it to your local nursing home, veteran’s center or homeless shelter. Got some CDs or DVDs you don’t use much anymore? Freecycle them or donate them to a local nursing home or shelter. When you do your holiday grocery shopping, pick up a few extra canned goods and non-perishables and bring them to your local food pantry. These are all small and easy to do things that will mean a lot. This is the season of giving, and the more love and care you give away, the more you’ll get!

christmas, blessings, helping those less fortunate, holidays

Got my first Poinsettia of the season yesterday. It’s gorgeous! Bright red and busy and it looks great sitting next to my tree (yes my Christmas tree is up already! It’s not real unfortunately, as there is a law against having a live Christmas tree in an apartment) but its lovely! While most people think of Poinsettia when look for plants to give or decorate for the holidays, there are several other plants that were just made for the holidays as well!

Christmas Cactus- Prized for their blooms, which come in shades of red, pink, and purple, they get their name from the time of year they bloom. To insure the best blooms, don’t move them once they are brought home. Like the ficus, they hate being moved and will complain by shedding their buds and flowers. From spring to fall, keep moist, but in winter, allow the soil to dry out between waterings.

Potted Christmas Trees- These usually come in two types-the small tabletop trees that come predecorated, and the large floor specimens. The larger ones are almost always Norfolk Island Pines. These plants make lovely holiday decorations and can be kept as houseplants afterwards, providing they get plenty of light (a south or west window is best) and regular misting to increase humidity. Keep the soil moist at all times. They will grow to a height of 5 to 6 feet, so be sure it has plenty of room!

The smaller tabletop varieties of potted trees are actually young specimens of a variety of pines. They will not do well as houseplants but if planted outdoors after the holidays will eventually grow into a lovely pine tree.

Amaryllis- This plant is prized for its showy blossoms. They grow from bulbs that have been forced and are usually bought in the sprouting stage. They prefer bright light and moist soil during their growing period. Once the flowers fade the plant will slowly head into dormancy. Let the pots slowly dry out, remove the old leaves, and let the bulbs rest in a cool place for 10 weeks or so. Repot 6-8 weeks before blossoming is desired.

Christmas trees, amaryllis, norfolk island pine, poinsettia, christmas cactus

Hi everyone,

I want to apologize for the lack of posts the last few days. I’ve been dealing with a massive migrane, but the pain is finally going away, so I will be back posting regularly starting tomorrow. Thanks for your patience!

If you have a pest or disease that has become a problem try these natural organic control methods. Whichever ones you decide to use, please be sure and follow these simple rules:

1.Don’t spray when it is over 80 degrees. The early morning or the cool of evening is best.
2.Test a small part of the plant, wait 24 hours and continue if there is no damage.
3.Always protect your skin and face.

To keep cats and dogs out try this:

Mix two garlic bulbs and one tablespoon of cayenne pepper with one quart of water. Add one tablespoon of liquid dish soap (not the kind for dishwashers!). Strain into a spray bottle and use.

Garlic is also good for aphids and mites. Garlic contains sulfur and acts as an antibacterial agent and fungus preventative. Combine three ounces of minced garlic cloves with one ounce of mineral oil. Soak for 24 hours. Strain. Mix one teaspoon of fish emulsion with 16 ounces of water. Add one tablespoon of soap to this. Slowly mix the fish emulsion water with the garlic oil. To use: Mix two tablespoons of garlic mixture with 1 pint of water and spray.

To get rid of deer, cut up a bar of Irish Spring (or any other strong smelling soap) and put it in panty hose. Tie where deer have been known to feed.

For mites add one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid to one gallon of water and use with a spray bottle. This also works well for aphids.

Use rubbing alcohol to treat plants with spider mites or mealy bugs.. Several applications of rubbing alcohol to the infested areas will successfully get rid of them. Do not use on sunny days as it will burn the leaves.

To control Black Spot in early spring before the leaves come out, spray with lime sulphur dormant oil. This kills off over-wintering diseases and pests. Remove any leaves showing Black Spot as soon as you see them. To prevent or treat blackspot in roses to be used for cooking and such, or roses near a pond, use a mixture of baking soda and water. Mix together 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of dishwashing detergent and 1 gallon of water and spray on roses once a week.

To repel beetles on your roses, mash one cup of marigold leaves and flowers and mix with one pint of water. Soak for 24 hours and strain. Add 1-½ quarts of water then add ¼ teaspoon of soap and spray.

gardens, gardening, pest control, natural pest control, homemade insect sprays for plants

Fall has finally arrived here in New York. The air is crisp and cool and the leaves are turning color-finally! According to our local weatherman, the forecast is for cool and seasonable weather here on out, but that’s of little comfort to the leaf peepers. Thanks to unseasonably warm weather and dry conditions, the trees in many areas simply haven’t turned color-in fact many trees will end up dropping their leaves while they are still green. Experts say we’ll still have a peak foliage time, but it will be shorter and a lot less impressive than usual. Global warming? Maybe.

Whatever it is, it’s got most plants totally confused. It’s November 1st and my Petunias are blooming profusely. My tomatoes still want to keep on producing, and even my roses don’t know when to quit and head into dormancy. This could spell trouble, as plants that rely on winter dormancy to protect them from harsh conditions until spring could be killed by a sudden cold snap. It also endangers birds, who are lured into delaying their winter migration by unseasonable warm temps. Sure, lots of people may be thrilled when it’s 70 degrees and sunny up north in November, but gardeners know that the change in season and temperature is necessary for a happy and healthy garden. Plants need that rest period and so does the soil they grow in. I for one welcome the cooler weather and am looking forward to the first snow of the season! The garden needs it’s winter nap.

gardening, gardens, weather, petunias, fall, autumn

I am very happy to report that Earthly Garden has been nominated for a Bloggers Choice Award for Best Hobby Blog! If you enjoy this blog please stop by and vote for us!

gardening, earthly garden, hobby blog, blloggers choice awards

If you are a pet owner and a houseplant lover, you’ve probably found that keeping both happy can be a balancing act. Cats and dogs often view our plants as playthings, snacks, and sometimes even toilets! While there are many plants that are poisonous to our furry friends, here is a list of some safe varieties:

· African Violets (Saintpaulia)

· Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

· Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

· Swedish Ivy (Plectranthus australis)

· Zebra Plant (Calathea zebrina)

· Wandering Jew (Zebrina pendula)

· Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)

· Peperomia

· Jade Plant (Crassula argentea)

When shopping for houseplants, avoid obvious dangers like cacti. Dogs and cats don’t understand that the spines are sharp! Also avoid any plant that produces berries they are often too tempting for pets to resist. Here are some other plants to avoid or keep far out of your pet’s reach:

Oleander should NEVER be used as a houseplant. Although it is beautiful, it is also very poisonous. 1 leaf is enough to kill your pet-and you.

Trailing plants such as Philodendron and Pothos should be kept up high where their trailing stems won’t tempt. While neither is toxic, ingesting Philodendron will give your pet an itchy rash, and Pothos will cause vomiting. Diffenbachia should also be kept away from pets-the sap in its leaves can cause swelling of the throat and literally take your pets voice away. (It does the same thing to humans-this may be why some of its nicknames are “Mother in Law Plant” and “Dumb Cane”!) Ivies will cause a blistering rash, and even Aloe Vera, which is a plant no kitchen should be without(the gel inside is wonderful at healing burns and minor skin irritations), will cause vomiting and intestinal distress if eaten.

To be absolutely sure your pets and plants can coexist safely, know what you’re buying. That way you’ll know which plants you can leave around your plants and which need to be placed out of reach-or not purchased at all!

gardening, houseplants, pets, nontoxic plants

If you’ve had your houseplants outside for the summer, now is the time to bring them back in. With the nights getting cooler and cooler, your plants will begin to suffer. Before you do however, give them a good look over and check for signs of insects and disease. You may also want to clean the pots off and check to be sure none of them have outgrown their pots. Replace any pots that have cracked. Once you’ve brought them inside, don’t be surprised if they look a little sad for awhile. After a summer of being outdoors, your home will seem positively dark and dreary to them. After a few weeks they should adjust. Don’t worry about feeding them-this time of year is when their growth period begins to slow down. You’ll find you’ll need to water less as well!

gardening, gardens, houseplants, indoor gardening

Looking for a great holiday gift for your kids? Check this out-and kudos to Nintendo!

REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Nintendo is on a mission to make some locations — both virtual and real — a little greener. In honor of the launch of Chibi-Robo(TM): Park Patrol for the portable Nintendo DS(TM), Nintendo is offering 500 tree seedlings to kids who want to help keep their environments clean and beautiful.

Chibi-Robo: Park Patrol is one of the first games based on the growing environmental movement, and it's a great way to get kids and their parents on a green path. In the game, players take on the persona of a cute little robot. They clean up a park by planting flowers, building park equipment and defeating toxic enemies called Smoglings.

Chibi-Robo: Park Patrol lets players use the Nintendo DS touch screen to control actions like watering plants, squirting enemies or riding a bike. Chibi's good deeds are converted into Happy Points that power him and the friendly toys he meets along the way. He even uses environmentally friendly modes of transportation to get around.

“From hybrid cars to energy-conserving light bulbs, everyone is going green,” says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. “Chibi-Robo: Park Patrol represents one of the first environmentally themed video game adventures.”

To get a tree seedling, register at http://www.Chibi-Robo.com between now and Nov. 9. Before America Recycles Day on Nov. 15, Nintendo will choose 500 people at random to receive a seedling that they can plant in their community.

But Nintendo’s environmental efforts are not limited to video games. In the real world, Nintendo has already undertaken multiple initiatives to help preserve the environment. Nintendo:

— recycles the paper it uses company-wide, limits the use of colored
paper (since it’s not easily recycled) and purchases recycled paper
towels, report covers, message pads and writing pads.
— recycles more than 70 percent of the waste generated at its
headquarters and promotes the recycling of aluminum cans and glass in
its corporate cafeterias. According to the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, the United States as a whole recycles about 32
percent of its waste.
— requires manufacturers not use any banned substances (such as lead,
mercury, etc.) in components, nor use them in the manufacturing
process for any components used in its products.

Sounds like a great game, and three cheers to Nintendo for putting out a game that lets kids learn about the environment and growing things! I have a neice and two nephews and this sounds like the perfect Christmas gift!

gardening, trees, Nintendo, environment

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 2 /PRNewswire/ — Gold. It’s the color of success, sunshine and is associated with feelings of joy, intelligence and energy. As a rose color, it’s known for friendship, delight and the promise of a new beginning. For 2008, All-America Rose Selections(TM) (AARS(TM), http://www.rose.org) celebrates those sentiments with the introduction of its 2008 Winners: Dream Come True(TM) and Mardi Gras at this year’s Garden Writers Association Symposium in Oklahoma City.

As holders of the coveted “AARS Winner” title, these two new roses excelled during two years of testing against 15 criteria — including ease of maintenance and disease resistance — in the world’s toughest rose trial. Bearing the AARS red rose seal of approval ensures that these rose bushes will flourish in gardens nationwide.

“Since 1938, AARS has identified the best roses for gardens across the country,” said AARS president Tom Carruth. “We are continually impressed to see the unique — and exceptional — new rose varieties stand up to our rigorous testing. The 2008 Winners are sure to bring much delight to gardeners nationwide.”

Dream Come True
Dream Come True is a stunning sight of catchy colors, which lures the likes of even non-rose lovers to its side. This rose produces flawlessly formed yellow blossoms, blushed with ruby-red at the tips, all set amongst abundant matte green foliage. The big, bushy, vigorous plant yields long-stemmed, long-lived blooms with mild tea fragrance, making it lovely in the landscape and a great choice for bouquets.
Dream Come True was hybridized by Dr. John Pottschmidt of Cincinnati, Ohio — only the third amateur hybridizer to win the AARS Award in 67 years — and is introduced by Weeks Roses of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.

Mardi Gras
With flamboyant blooms in a novel blend of pink, orange, and yellow, and a delightful peppery scent, Mardi Gras creates a festive atmosphere in any setting. Each high-centered hybrid tea style bloom begins as an apricot-orange bud that slowly spirals open to reveal a 4-inch bright pink and orange bloom with a yellow base. As an All-America Rose Selections winner, this festive floribunda has proven to perform exceptionally well across the country with little-to-no care. The colorful blooms are perfectly framed with dark green, semi-glossy foliage, and its upright columnar habit makes Mardi Gras an ideal rose to use as a hedge or in a border with mixed perennials. Mardi Gras was hybridized by Keith Zary and is introduced by Jackson & Perkins Wholesale, Inc. of Medford, Ore.

gardening, flower gardens, All American Rose Selections, roses

CLEVELAND, Sept. 20 /PRNewswire/ — As nightly temperatures begin to drop, days become shorter, and leaves turn shades of orange and gold, nature is giving us the signal to put away the lawn mower and string trimmer and take out the rake. Prime gardening season may be over, but fall cleanup chores and key preparation for spring have just begun.

“After spending many mornings cultivating and caring for your landscaping, it's easy to forget how vital 'shutting down' your yard and tools for the winter is,” said Heidi Ketvertis, brand manager of Troy-Bilt(R), a leading manufacturer of outdoor power equipment. “But it's a critical step for the next gardening and landscaping season.”

Creating a checklist is a simple way to organize your fall chores into manageable tasks. If you feel overwhelmed, grab friends and family and encourage them to get outside and help with the fall cleanup; in exchange, you can return the favor on their yards. Troy-Bilt offers a few must-do items to ensure your yard and tools reap the benefits next spring.

— Walk around your landscaping - Remove any flowers or shrubs that didn't
grow well and tidy up the area for new bulbs; perennial planting is
best in early fall. Make a note of what plants didn't work and try
something new next year. Weed beds now to prevent pesky weeds from
growing next spring. Remove decorative stones or collectibles from
gardens and bring them inside.

— Fertilize the lawn - Fall is a great time to fertilize, reseed and
touch up bare spots before temperatures plunge. Try fertilizing and
reseeding once in early fall and once in late October. This process
pumps nutrients such as phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium into the
roots, giving them a boost to grow in the spring.

— Add leaves to the soil - Instead of raking leaves out of the flower
beds, spend a few extra minutes tilling them into the soil to enrich it
for next season. Chop up extra leaves with a quick pass of the lawn
mower and add to a compost pile, or take them to the nearest recycling
center.

— Plant new bulbs - Spring flowers like tulips, daffodils and hyacinths
should be planted in the fall to develop healthy root systems before
the soil cools.

— Clean up the vegetable garden - Start preparing your garden for next
spring by cleaning out dead plants and adding in organic matter from
your compost pile. Be sure to till the soil well to help to refresh the
soil's nutrient levels by breaking down old vegetable organic matter.

— Trim trees - Remove all dead or dying tree limbs before the snow starts
to fall. Snow or ice can build up on weak branches, causing damage to
property and bystanders. Trim healthy trees after leaves turn to
encourage healthy growth next spring. For easy cleanup, place an old
sheet or tarp underneath the tree to catch the trimmings.

— Prep your hand tools - Grab a wire brush and scrape off the caked-on
dirt from tools such as hoes and shovels, then clean with soapy water.
Wipe metal surfaces with an oiled rag. Lubricate all pivot points and
springs and wipe down wooden handles with boiled linseed oil to prevent
drying and cracking. Sharpen bladed tools like pruners, and spray bare
metal with a penetrating oil to prevent rusting.

— Prep your lawn equipment - Empty the gas tank and oil crankcase of lawn
mowers, string trimmers and edgers. Wipe the entire unit down with a
clean rag to protect its surfaces and grease all lubrication points.
Store your lawn equipment in a clean, dry place. If equipment is light
enough, hang on the wall in the garage.

— Check sprinklers and hoses - Make sure to drain all hoses to avoid
freezing and breaking. If you have a sprinkler system, shut it off to
prevent pipes from freezing, and store extra hoses in the garage, shed
or basement.

— Wash down lawn furniture - Give the lawn furniture a good cleaning
before you store it away. Wash all fabric cushions and store those
inside, out of damp weather conditions. Move ceramic fireplaces into
the basement; extreme cold weather can cause the pots to crack or break
completely.

Check out this article for more fall gardening info.

gardening, getting you garden ready for fall, fall gardening, garden tools

*apologies for the lack of posts the last couple of days-I had to have some dental work and it laid me low. Now back to gardening!

Last time we talked about how to start an indoor herb garden. Today I’m going to share with you some herbs that do great indoors!

Dill- This fragrant herb has attractive, feathery foliage and does well in a sunny window. Look for the compact “Fernleaf” variety. Dill is delicious when used in egg, fish or chicken dishes, dips, and of course, pickles. Both the leaves and the seeds can be used.

Oregano-This is another fragrant and popular herb. Choose the Greek variety, which forms an 8 to 12 inch mound. Oregano is fantastic in a wide variety of Italian and Mexican dishes.

Lavender-This herb is treasured for its beautiful and relaxing scent. The leaves can be dried and used in sachets and potpourri. Look for compact varieties such as Spanish Lavender.

Chives- This herb’s grass like foliage adds a mild onion flavor to many dishes. It’s especially good with potatoes, baked or mashed.

Parsley-This herb is the world’s most popular garnish and is also good for freshening breath after a spicy meal. Try varieties, the common “Curly Leaf” and the Italian version, known as “Flat Leaf” or Cilantro. Cilantro is a key ingredient in salsas and other Mexican dishes.

Chamomile-This herb makes a wonderful tea and is also good for sachets and potpourri. It’s known for its soothing, relaxing fragrance. It looks like grass until the small daisy like flowers appear.

Mints- Peppermint and Spearmint both make great windowsill plants. In fact, if grown in the ground they will quickly take over the garden! They make great teas and are a popular flavoring for all kinds of beverages, baked goods, and even meats like lamb.

Basil- This herb is a staple in Italian cooking. Look for the “Spicy Globe” variety as it stays nice and compact.

gardening, indoor herb garden, houseplants, windowsill garden

Here is a great article about setting up an indoor herb garden for the winter. Tommorow I’ll share with you the best herbs for indoor growing and how to succeed with each one!

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 /PRNewswire/ — Just because the days are growing cooler and the leaves are starting to turn, doesn’t mean the end of fresh herbs and the garden’s bounty. Container herb gardening is a great way to spice up your winter cooking with fresh, tasty herbs all winter long.

Gardeners at all levels can enjoy fresh herbs this winter with these five simple tips from Dr. Calvin Finch, horticultural educator and one of the country’s leading master gardener program directors.

Contain It. Selecting the right container is key. Choices range from standard flower pots and planter boxes to wooden barrels, hanging baskets and larger pots. Be sure to choose a durable container that has adequate drainage. For most herbs, mid-size containers are large enough to ensure the root area stays moist and is unrestricted. Line the base of the container with newspaper to prevent soil loss.

Move It In. It’s relatively simple to cut a portion of an outdoor plant — such as chives, mint, oregano, rosemary, sage and thyme and plant it indoors. Get as many roots as possible when you remove the clump. You can also take a stem cutting by snipping a six-inch section of stem and removing the lower leaves before planting. Some plants, though, including basil and dill, will work best from seeding.

Choose Your Medium. Commercially prepared “soil-less” mixtures work well because they drain quickly and are free from soil-borne diseases and weed seeds. You can also purchase a good quality soil potting mixture, which generally consists of one part loam or topsoil, one part peat moss, leafmold or compost, and one part vermiculite or perlite. Regardless of the medium, make sure it is nutrient-rich to help plants reach their peak. Local soil alone won’t include the right balance of nutrients.

Let the Sunshine In,Your garden will require at least five hours of direct sunlight daily. Place plants in a south- or west-facing window. If good window light isn’t an option, fluorescent lighting can work as well.

Feed the Beast. Container plants can run out of “food” quickly since their roots can’t expand to find nutrients. At the time of planting, mix controlled-release fertilizer granules into the soil mix. Then, to maintain the nutrient supply, use a soluble liquid fertilizer with every other watering. Be sure to learn about the nutrient needs of your herbs, because requirements can vary substantially between plants. And be careful not to over-water. Check with your finger about one-third of the way into the pot to see if the soil is dry and needs watering.

Most Common Container Gardening Mistakes

Appropriate amount of light. Many plants that work well in containers indoors do not require full sun but many perform best with some light. Gardeners who are most successful research the light needs of their plants and seek locations that provide adequate light.

Over watering.Container plants require adequate water but the soil should not be soggy. Let the surface dry out between watering. It is usually best to water enough to have it run through into the saucer and then to empty the saucer. It’s much easier to kill herbs by overwatering than underwatering.

Sufficient nutrients.Fertilizers are critical in container gardening, but shouldn’t be used as a cure-all. Provide a controlled release fertilizer at planting and a soluble fertilizer every second watering for most plants, but don’t add extra fertilizer every time a leaf yellows. If you’re fertilizing properly, then consider water and light if your plants aren’t at peak health.

SOURCE Nutrients For Life Foundation

indoor gardening, herbs, growing herbs indoors, windowsill gardening, herb gardens

I know this blog usually discusses gardening, plants, and flowers, but today Earthly Garden is joining up with other 451 blogs to bring attention to Domestic Violence Prevention Month. I am a survivor of DV myself so the cause is unfortunately quite near and dear to me. If you know someone who’s being abused, reach out to them. If you are being abused yourself, know that there is help and hope. I posted a list of online resources for DV victims on my other 451 blog, HomeComputerTalk. Check them out and pass them along!

I’d like to share a story that I read long ago when I was still being abused. It helped me find the strength to get out of my situation before I got flowers too…

I Got Flowers Today
by Paulette Kelly

I got flowers today. Today was a very special day. It was the day of my funeral! Last night, he finally killed me. He beat me to death. If only I had gathered enough courage to leave him, I would not have gotten flowers today….

Check out the other 451 blogs participating in Domestic Violence Awareness Month:

http://watchingbsg.com
http://www.limitededitionfoods.com
http://www1PStart.com
http://www.astrologyexplored.com

domestic violence awareness month, domestic violence, help for battered women, Day of Unity

Hi folks!
Some parts of the country have been experiencing an Indian Summer-here in NYC it was 90 degrees! The unusually warm weather may be inspiring your plants to put out new blossoms. If so, and the plant already has fruit on it waiting to ripen, pinch off any blooms so that the plant will concentrate all it’s energy on ripening the fruit it’s already produced rather than on making more. There just isn’t enough time left in the season for both in most parts of the country.

Take advantage of these last warm days of the year to clean up your garden. Remove spent plants, clean out pots and store, and mulch anything you’re leaving in the ground. You’ll be rewarded in the spring with heathy plants, sturdy non weather weakened pots, and a neat and tidy plot ready for another growing season.

gardening, plants, cleaning up the garden, indian summer, mulch