Get them involved in the garden. Mixing plants, soil, water and sunshine with a bunch of kids is a winning combination. And, who knows, you may be even able to get them to eat their vegetables too! A garden is a hands-on, living classroom. Gardening will teach them responsibility and patience; it helps improve life skills and helps form a positive relationship between the child and the environment. Gardening can also increase self-confidence, creativity and a love of nature all …
Then you need to check out all the amazing varieties of heucheras! Heuchera foliage has been bred to produce a wide burst of colors, from amber, gold and orange to lime-yellow, red, purple, brown and even black. Heuchera is now 30% off along with all other perennials. The little stalks of flowers that give the plant its common name of coral bells are still there, but it’s the leaves that are prized. Although traditional coral bells had only green leaves …
Soon it will be THAT time of year…the time of year when I have an abundance of tomatoes from my garden. I LOVE tomatoes and this Tomato and Parmesan Toasted Bread is the perfect way to use them up. 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 large sprig fresh rosemary, finely chopped 1/4 cup olive oil 1/2 tablespoon kosher salt Ground black pepper 4 large, thick slices sourdough bread 4 large tomatoes 3 ounces Parmesan cheese Heat the oven to broil. …
Do Not Touch This Plant: If you come in contact with this plant, you could experience severe burns to your skin, and risk temporary or permanent blindness. Giant Hogweed is an invasive, non-native plant that poses a serious threat to human health and natural ecosystems. If you haven’t already heard, Giant Hogweed has now been detected in many counties across Michigan. The Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development states on its website, “Giant Hogweed is a public health hazard …
This simple salad of fresh tomatoes and sweet corn will breathe new life into a summer dinner or backyard barbecue. What You’ll Need: 6 ears corn, husked and cleaned 3 large tomatoes, diced 1 large onion, diced 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil 1/4 cup olive oil 2 tablespoons white vinegar salt and pepper to taste Step by Step: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook corn in boiling water for 7 to 10 minutes, or …
It’s not something that you want to think about, but winter will be here a lot sooner than we would like and now is the time to start thinking about getting your roses ready for winter. Do not prune your roses now. That should be done in the spring. Do not fertilize past the first week of September. You want the plant to put most of its energy into the roots, not producing flowers. You need to protect the graft, …
Have you ever wondered how roses get their names? The process of having a rose named is actually very simple. The real difficulty is in hybridizing a rose that’s worthy of naming! A very popular older Hybrid tea, the ‘Peace’ rose was introduced right after the end of World War 2. It was actually sheer coincidence that Berlin fell and a truce was declared on the same day as the naming of the ‘Peace’ rose. In naming the rose, this …
Cleaning your bird houses is essential for good bird health and safety. Dirty bird houses can harbor rodents, insects, feather mites, fungus and bacteria that can spread disease to the birds. Ideally, a bird house should be cleaned after all babies have grown and left the home. Remove all old nesting material and scrape out any feces or clumped matter. This material should be disposed of in a plastic bag to prevent spreading any parasites it might harbor. Scrub the …
If you are one of the few who saved your poinsettia in the hopes of getting it to bloom again… this is for you! The trick to getting Poinsettias to bloom is a very strict light and dark schedule. If it is not followed chances are your Poinsettia will not bloom. 1. Starting September 20th until December 1st, keep your Poinsettia in light from 8 am to 5 pm. Place in a closet with no window from 5 pm to 8 …
How would you like to turn your kitchen scraps into amazing nutrient rich soil that surpasses anything you can buy from a store? It’s pretty simple and easy if you use worm power. That’s right – I said worms! Worm composting (Vermicomposting) is a clean and odorless way to transform food waste into a rich fertilizer. Not only can these red wigglers create the most nutrient rich soil, they will also help you reduce the trash you produce and keep things out …
