In the Garden
By Catherine Dougherty
Last week I had written my article but had not yet ‘saved it’ when the power went off. Twenty minutes later it came on and as I finished writing, it went off again. I assumed it was not ‘meant to be’ and sat quietly the remainder of the day, listening to the wild birds squabble with the squirrel on the birdfeeder. Needless to say, this weather, with the never-ending overcast days of rain or snow, is rather depressing for the gardener.
Actually there is a syndrome/disorder for the way many of us are feeling about now. It is called SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as Winter Blues. There are various symptoms of SAD listed below, all of which result in seasonal depression.
1. Difficulty waking up in the morning and the tendency to oversleep as though in hibernation. *This is perhaps an unconscious effort to wait out the boring month of February by sleeping it away.
2. The predisposition to overeat, especially with a craving for carbohydrates which are a ‘comfort food‘. *Naturally this may lead to weight gain which is a further reason for depression.
3. A general lack of energy, difficulty concentrating or completing tasks, and withdrawal from social activities.
The odd thing about this syndrome is that it often appears in totally mentally healthy individuals who simply find themselves confined by winter. A trip to the tanning parlor will help immensely as light is the cure.
Another weather related syndrome some of us may be experiencing is called ‘Cabin Fever’. First recorded in 1918, cabin fever is a term for
a claustrophobic reaction that takes place when a person or group of persons are isolated and unable to leave a confined space for an extended period of time. Symptoms of cabin fever include restlessness, irritability, laughter, forgetfulness, excessive sleeping, and finally distrust of anyone they are trapped with. Often there is an urge to race outside even in the snow or dark as the individual assumes the unknown is far better than entrapment with their companions. Humorously it has been referred to as a reaction of extreme boredom.
It can safely be assumed that the recent power outages may have contributed to a rash of cabin fever for how many hours can one find entertainment sitting in the dark listening to clocks tick?
Take heart… all of this misery will end with the arrival of the Sun and surely it will be shining soon. Hand me a trowel!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
The Garden and the Freeze
In the Garden
By Catherine Dougherty
Most of the nation has been gripped by sustained dangerously dipping temperatures accompanied by winter storms. In spite of this, the knowledge that spring is approaching, that each day receives two more minutes of daylight, gives the house-bound gardener the will to survive this tiresome time. Rather than pacing and continually looking out the window like a teenager trapped in Latin class, this is precious time that may be used to plan a magnificent garden for the next season.
It is possible that this ice cover has damaged many of the bulbs which usually survive here quite nicely if left in the ground for the winter. The dependable yet tender Cannas and Elephant Ears will probably not survive as will the Caladiums.
In quickly touring the garden it may be noted the early spring bulbs have begun to emerge, their tiny green stalks peaking above the snow covered ground. It is always somewhat alarming to see such new and tender foliage appear while we have so much of winter left. Fortunately most bulbs have a natural internal antifreeze which keeps them from freezing and their foliage can survive sustained temperatures as low as 10 degrees for several weeks. Since most of the ations temperatures dipped too low for an extended period of time, the bed should be lightly covered with hay before further damage may occur. The hay is assurance the frozen bed will not thaw on the next warm day only to freeze again with more cold air. Meaning the mulch does not keep the cold out as much as it protects from a damaging and premature thaw followed by more freezing temperatures.
The cold is a natural boon for the Peonies for it is necessary for them have a hard freeze in order to assure profuse blooming in the spring. Without a freeze, they will have lovely foliage but few blooms. Left undisturbed for many years, the Peony will become established, expand, and bloom perfectly for decades. The older a clump of Peonies, the better they become. Martha Stewart recommended dividing them every few years, however she was mistaken. In gardening, as in all important endeavors, it is prudent to seek information from many sources and often the little old lady with the fifty year old garden has more knowledge than all the experts combined.
Spring bulbs can survive the cold nicely until the blooms begin to appear in the spring. Several years ago we had a hard freeze just as our lovely early Iris blooms were “in the boot”, which means they were small, just emerging, about to swell and open. The entire bed froze so completely that all of the immature blooms became soggy mush and dropped off. We had to wait several weeks for the later varieties to begin their show.
For this reason it is wise to plant bulbs and tubers which bloom in succession. Plant early, mid and late blooming Iris, Tulips, and Daffodils and you will be assured a lovely show of blossoms even if Old Man Winter refuses to leave town and nips the early varieties.
After the ice and snow of last week, we wandered outdoors Sunday evening in the bitter cold and it smelled like Spring! I have no idea whether it was the moisture or the newness of the year, however the aroma was unmistakable; it was clean.
By Catherine Dougherty
Most of the nation has been gripped by sustained dangerously dipping temperatures accompanied by winter storms. In spite of this, the knowledge that spring is approaching, that each day receives two more minutes of daylight, gives the house-bound gardener the will to survive this tiresome time. Rather than pacing and continually looking out the window like a teenager trapped in Latin class, this is precious time that may be used to plan a magnificent garden for the next season.
It is possible that this ice cover has damaged many of the bulbs which usually survive here quite nicely if left in the ground for the winter. The dependable yet tender Cannas and Elephant Ears will probably not survive as will the Caladiums.
In quickly touring the garden it may be noted the early spring bulbs have begun to emerge, their tiny green stalks peaking above the snow covered ground. It is always somewhat alarming to see such new and tender foliage appear while we have so much of winter left. Fortunately most bulbs have a natural internal antifreeze which keeps them from freezing and their foliage can survive sustained temperatures as low as 10 degrees for several weeks. Since most of the ations temperatures dipped too low for an extended period of time, the bed should be lightly covered with hay before further damage may occur. The hay is assurance the frozen bed will not thaw on the next warm day only to freeze again with more cold air. Meaning the mulch does not keep the cold out as much as it protects from a damaging and premature thaw followed by more freezing temperatures.
The cold is a natural boon for the Peonies for it is necessary for them have a hard freeze in order to assure profuse blooming in the spring. Without a freeze, they will have lovely foliage but few blooms. Left undisturbed for many years, the Peony will become established, expand, and bloom perfectly for decades. The older a clump of Peonies, the better they become. Martha Stewart recommended dividing them every few years, however she was mistaken. In gardening, as in all important endeavors, it is prudent to seek information from many sources and often the little old lady with the fifty year old garden has more knowledge than all the experts combined.
Spring bulbs can survive the cold nicely until the blooms begin to appear in the spring. Several years ago we had a hard freeze just as our lovely early Iris blooms were “in the boot”, which means they were small, just emerging, about to swell and open. The entire bed froze so completely that all of the immature blooms became soggy mush and dropped off. We had to wait several weeks for the later varieties to begin their show.
For this reason it is wise to plant bulbs and tubers which bloom in succession. Plant early, mid and late blooming Iris, Tulips, and Daffodils and you will be assured a lovely show of blossoms even if Old Man Winter refuses to leave town and nips the early varieties.
After the ice and snow of last week, we wandered outdoors Sunday evening in the bitter cold and it smelled like Spring! I have no idea whether it was the moisture or the newness of the year, however the aroma was unmistakable; it was clean.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Entertaining Angels Unawares... a seasonal thought
Meeting an Angel Unawares
It was late December and our children were still little so naturally we were broke. Christmas was coming and although we were not extravagant, we still provided special food and thoughtful gifts for all eight of them. We were entering the on ramp on I-40 to go home from a grocery excursion and saw standing alone, an elderly gentleman leaning on a wooden crutch. He was about 70 with a stubble of beard; he was dressed in fairly ragged clothing, wearing an old gray hat. His belongings were in a small stained bag, and he had an old woolen blanket pulled tightly about him. I felt sudden sadness upon seeing him and asked my husband if we should stop. He said no because we had three of the children with us and he would have to squeeze him in the backseat with them. He said that surely someone would pick the old gent up for me not to worry. And yet both of us felt a nagging sadness at the old man’s plight.
The following morning we realized we had forgotten some necessary items and again made the twenty mile run to the adjacent town. It was overcast, drizzling and a very cold blasting North wind made conditions miserable. As we drove I asked my husband if he thought someone had picked up the old man. He promised me that surely someone had. We bought the last of our necessities and had only forty dollars left as we entered the on ramp.
Sweet Jesus, he was still there! How could he still be there? We stopped just beyond the old man and my husband got out of the car to help him to his seat. He settled in and I turned the heater to warp while he began thanking us. He said he was trying to make it the Indian Pueblos in New Mexico where he knew he could stay for the winter. He said was Canadian and had served in WWII for the US but had been denied benefits due to his citizenship status. He had fallen on hard times and just needed a bus ticket to get on his way but could find no help in getting one. He said had been standing on the on the on ramp for many days. My husband suggested that we take him to the Travel Plaza where all of the truckers stopped for gas and that perhaps he could find a ride from someone there. He gratefully accepted the idea and said he was warming up a bit. My husband stopped at the plaza and pressed our last forty dollars into the gentleman’s hand as he helped him into the building.
As we drove away we kept feeling a nagging worry and so after unloading our bundles, we drove the seven miles back to the plaza to check on him to see if he had obtained a ride. Our inquiries were met with puzzled looks for no one had seen him… not the people inside my husband had spoken to as he opened the door, not gas attendants nor any the truckers…no one. Only we had seen him.
As this recession deepens, let us remember that many times our sense of compassion, our sense of brotherhood and our ability to unconditionally share with those less fortunate than ourselves may be tested. And let us remember: ‘Forget not to show love unto strangers for thereby some have entertained angels unawares‘.
It was late December and our children were still little so naturally we were broke. Christmas was coming and although we were not extravagant, we still provided special food and thoughtful gifts for all eight of them. We were entering the on ramp on I-40 to go home from a grocery excursion and saw standing alone, an elderly gentleman leaning on a wooden crutch. He was about 70 with a stubble of beard; he was dressed in fairly ragged clothing, wearing an old gray hat. His belongings were in a small stained bag, and he had an old woolen blanket pulled tightly about him. I felt sudden sadness upon seeing him and asked my husband if we should stop. He said no because we had three of the children with us and he would have to squeeze him in the backseat with them. He said that surely someone would pick the old gent up for me not to worry. And yet both of us felt a nagging sadness at the old man’s plight.
The following morning we realized we had forgotten some necessary items and again made the twenty mile run to the adjacent town. It was overcast, drizzling and a very cold blasting North wind made conditions miserable. As we drove I asked my husband if he thought someone had picked up the old man. He promised me that surely someone had. We bought the last of our necessities and had only forty dollars left as we entered the on ramp.
Sweet Jesus, he was still there! How could he still be there? We stopped just beyond the old man and my husband got out of the car to help him to his seat. He settled in and I turned the heater to warp while he began thanking us. He said he was trying to make it the Indian Pueblos in New Mexico where he knew he could stay for the winter. He said was Canadian and had served in WWII for the US but had been denied benefits due to his citizenship status. He had fallen on hard times and just needed a bus ticket to get on his way but could find no help in getting one. He said had been standing on the on the on ramp for many days. My husband suggested that we take him to the Travel Plaza where all of the truckers stopped for gas and that perhaps he could find a ride from someone there. He gratefully accepted the idea and said he was warming up a bit. My husband stopped at the plaza and pressed our last forty dollars into the gentleman’s hand as he helped him into the building.
As we drove away we kept feeling a nagging worry and so after unloading our bundles, we drove the seven miles back to the plaza to check on him to see if he had obtained a ride. Our inquiries were met with puzzled looks for no one had seen him… not the people inside my husband had spoken to as he opened the door, not gas attendants nor any the truckers…no one. Only we had seen him.
As this recession deepens, let us remember that many times our sense of compassion, our sense of brotherhood and our ability to unconditionally share with those less fortunate than ourselves may be tested. And let us remember: ‘Forget not to show love unto strangers for thereby some have entertained angels unawares‘.
End of the Year and Seeds!
In the Garden
By Catherine Dougherty
Like the January Ice storm of 2001, Christmas of 2009 will not be soon forgotten. The blizzard that battered the city managed to make it a bit hazardous for us, but saved the huge wallop for those just to the east. It was ferocious in velocity and managed to play havoc on many planned Christmas celebrations this year. Apparently Mother Nature is not to be taken lightly.
With the coming New Year, many make resolutions to change old habits, add a healthful hobby, or improve oneself in some positive manner. The most recent statistics indicate gardening is the fastest growing (no pun intended) hobby in the United States. The reasons are numerous, but there is no doubt that the personal and financial rewards are the primary justification of this joyful pursuit. According to the Edible Gardening Trend Research Report, over forty one million American households grew a vegetable garden in 2009. That is a full 38%! Additionally 18% grew herbs and 15% grew fruits.
Besides experienced gardeners, there was a sharp increase among first time gardeners aged 24-44 with 7.7 million of them adding to the numbers. The main reason given to researchers was to add fresh vegetables to their diets in a cost efficient manner. In an unexpected response, the new gardeners reported the most valuable information and instructions on planting was given them from friends above all other sources. I found this refreshing and recalled the times I had stopped to admire a garden only to walk away with a start of a new plant and information I had never known before. Gardeners are such a kind and generous lot!
As the year closes, the seed catalogues have begun arriving. Once the seasonal energy has become somewhat diminished, it is delightful to make a cup of tea and relax by thumbing through them to decide what to add to the garden in the spring. With the emphasis on modified seeds, the heirloom variety is looking more promising than ever.
Many of our ancestors brought seeds with them from the old country and Michael and Margaret Ott were no exception. They brought two varieties from Germany in 1883... a pink tomato and a deep purple morning glory with a ruby star in her throat. As Grandpa Ott’s health faltered he gave some of his treasured seeds to his granddaughter Dianne and her new husband Kevin Wheatley. From this gift in 1972, the Wheatley’s began their journey of collecting and saving from obscurity priceless heirloom seeds by forming the Heritage Seed Exchange. Today, membership in the Seed Exchange is world wide and some of the infinite variety of our precious seeds has been saved by the Wheatley‘s diligence. These antique seeds are outstanding and affordable; I have never seen such color and texture! Inclusion of one of the heirloom varieties from the Seed Saver’s Exchange will add conversational interest and surprising taste to the garden so plan to order some!
Research Source: Garden Writer's Association, Growing Trends
By Catherine Dougherty
Like the January Ice storm of 2001, Christmas of 2009 will not be soon forgotten. The blizzard that battered the city managed to make it a bit hazardous for us, but saved the huge wallop for those just to the east. It was ferocious in velocity and managed to play havoc on many planned Christmas celebrations this year. Apparently Mother Nature is not to be taken lightly.
With the coming New Year, many make resolutions to change old habits, add a healthful hobby, or improve oneself in some positive manner. The most recent statistics indicate gardening is the fastest growing (no pun intended) hobby in the United States. The reasons are numerous, but there is no doubt that the personal and financial rewards are the primary justification of this joyful pursuit. According to the Edible Gardening Trend Research Report, over forty one million American households grew a vegetable garden in 2009. That is a full 38%! Additionally 18% grew herbs and 15% grew fruits.
Besides experienced gardeners, there was a sharp increase among first time gardeners aged 24-44 with 7.7 million of them adding to the numbers. The main reason given to researchers was to add fresh vegetables to their diets in a cost efficient manner. In an unexpected response, the new gardeners reported the most valuable information and instructions on planting was given them from friends above all other sources. I found this refreshing and recalled the times I had stopped to admire a garden only to walk away with a start of a new plant and information I had never known before. Gardeners are such a kind and generous lot!
As the year closes, the seed catalogues have begun arriving. Once the seasonal energy has become somewhat diminished, it is delightful to make a cup of tea and relax by thumbing through them to decide what to add to the garden in the spring. With the emphasis on modified seeds, the heirloom variety is looking more promising than ever.
Many of our ancestors brought seeds with them from the old country and Michael and Margaret Ott were no exception. They brought two varieties from Germany in 1883... a pink tomato and a deep purple morning glory with a ruby star in her throat. As Grandpa Ott’s health faltered he gave some of his treasured seeds to his granddaughter Dianne and her new husband Kevin Wheatley. From this gift in 1972, the Wheatley’s began their journey of collecting and saving from obscurity priceless heirloom seeds by forming the Heritage Seed Exchange. Today, membership in the Seed Exchange is world wide and some of the infinite variety of our precious seeds has been saved by the Wheatley‘s diligence. These antique seeds are outstanding and affordable; I have never seen such color and texture! Inclusion of one of the heirloom varieties from the Seed Saver’s Exchange will add conversational interest and surprising taste to the garden so plan to order some!
Research Source: Garden Writer's Association, Growing Trends
Monday, December 7, 2009
In the Garden...Forcing Bulbs
In the Garden
By Catherine Dougherty
December arrived with blustery winds, dipping temperatures, and the feeling that Winter is here. The last leaves have fallen and the stark sculptural beauty of the bare trees has a tranquil feeling. The overgrowth of the lawns and fields has disappeared and suddenly a quiet order has descended. It is the season of rest for the garden and gardener alike.
As December gets underway, it is always enjoyable to bring some Spring into the house by forcing some bulbs for the holiday season. It is not too late to start the darling Paper White Narcissus, which can always be counted on to bring both fragrance and cheer to enhance the Christmas festivities.
First select large, top grade, flawless bulbs which are free of sooty mold. Next you will need some great gravel, some polished rocks, or some colored glass stones for your bulbs to nestle in. Stones and rocks may be purchased quite affordably in the hobby department of any popular store. The variety is amazing so when selecting them, try to imagine the flowers spilling out above them.
Select a rather shallow container for your display. Pick one that will be beautiful as a centerpiece on the dining table or in the living room. Translucent clear red and green glass stones in a shallow crystal bowl are spectacular for the holidays. If you choose a glass bowl then you will have the added joy watching the roots as they begin to sprout and grow, slowly twining in and about the rocks. Fill the bottom of your bowl with the stones, making a bed about two inches deep.
Gently press your bulbs into the gravel about half way down the bulb mass. Try to space them about two inches apart remembering to place them in the center as well. After arranging your bulbs, fill your container with enough water to cover your stones and thoroughly wet the bottom half of the bulb. Keep this water level constant, adding a little each day if needed.
As the roots grow, the reed like foliage will appear and then suddenly several small shoots will grow from each bulb. The small, folded, baby blossoms will appear and slowly open over several days. When the blooms first appear, give the bowl a shot of gin. It will force the greenery to stand at attention and it will prevent the wilting foliage so prevalent in forced Narcissus. I have no idea why the gin works, but it does.
The flowers smell marvelous and last several weeks before it is time to discard them. Once they are forced indoors the bulbs are spent; we have in effect killed them. Toss them, guilt free, after their stunning display is finished. Naturally, the larger the container you choose, the more bulbs you will need and the more riotous your display will be. I always feel that more is better!
Monday, November 30, 2009
In the Garden... Winter Thoughts
In the Garden
By Catherine Dougherty
The past few weeks have been unusually dreary. With the clouds and drizzle, we feel as though we live in the Pacific Northwest rather than the central plains. The first few frosts simply nipped the garden and we had our first real freeze only last week. It is unbelievable that December is upon us.
I began rereading the Foxfire books again a few weeks ago. They were first published as magazine articles in 1966 but became so successful that the articles were published in a series of books. They are fascinating reading for in them one finds a multitude of little known and almost archaic information. Everything from forecasting the weather by observing the animals, insects, plants, or the patterns of fire to planting by moon signs, dressing a deer, building a log cabin, or making home remedies is covered, all of which seem timely as the recession deeepens.
The articles were initiated by Eliot Wigginton, a Cornell graduate with a master’s degree, who began teaching at a small school in Rabun Gap-Nacochee, Georgia. Deep in the Appalachians, the 240 pupil school was located in a rural community where the traditional culture was dying. After centuries of self-sufficiency, interest in maintaining the life style of the mountain people had ebbed and the next generation was opting for an easier life. As the elders died, the information they carried with them was gradually being lost forever. In the final days of that culture, Mr. Wigginton asked the students to collect stories and information from their grandparents for preservation. It is fascinating reading available at most Libraries and quite inexpensively online.
In keeping with that thought, we should recognize that much information known to our grandparents has been lost to us in our community as well. In the mid 1970’s we visited Marion Wise at his home east of town on many occasions. He was truly a remarkable man. Not only was he totally self-sufficient, but he had knowledge of the medicinal qualities of plants growing in his back yard and the fields beyond. He added a little of this and that to petroleum jelly and had a salve that truly cured skin cancer. Chew this for a cough, boil that for a headache; the information was priceless. I kept meaning to talk to him about his knowledge, to learn from him the old ways, but days turned to months and months to years between visits and suddenly he was gone. His home was sold and bulldozed, his garden became a cotton field, and it all of his secrets were lost to us forever.
Mankind depended upon remedies and concoctions from the garden for thousands of years for health and vitality. This knowledge was passed down from one generation to the next and everyone understood the connection between nature and mankind. Perhaps this winter, since flu shots are in scarce supply, we should think of adding Cranberries to our daily diets. They are a natural antiviral and boost the immune system. With a little vitamin C containing rose hips, a cup of red clover tea, and maybe a blackberry cordial if we’re feeling under the weather, we should survive the winter very nicely.
By Catherine Dougherty
The past few weeks have been unusually dreary. With the clouds and drizzle, we feel as though we live in the Pacific Northwest rather than the central plains. The first few frosts simply nipped the garden and we had our first real freeze only last week. It is unbelievable that December is upon us.
I began rereading the Foxfire books again a few weeks ago. They were first published as magazine articles in 1966 but became so successful that the articles were published in a series of books. They are fascinating reading for in them one finds a multitude of little known and almost archaic information. Everything from forecasting the weather by observing the animals, insects, plants, or the patterns of fire to planting by moon signs, dressing a deer, building a log cabin, or making home remedies is covered, all of which seem timely as the recession deeepens.
The articles were initiated by Eliot Wigginton, a Cornell graduate with a master’s degree, who began teaching at a small school in Rabun Gap-Nacochee, Georgia. Deep in the Appalachians, the 240 pupil school was located in a rural community where the traditional culture was dying. After centuries of self-sufficiency, interest in maintaining the life style of the mountain people had ebbed and the next generation was opting for an easier life. As the elders died, the information they carried with them was gradually being lost forever. In the final days of that culture, Mr. Wigginton asked the students to collect stories and information from their grandparents for preservation. It is fascinating reading available at most Libraries and quite inexpensively online.
In keeping with that thought, we should recognize that much information known to our grandparents has been lost to us in our community as well. In the mid 1970’s we visited Marion Wise at his home east of town on many occasions. He was truly a remarkable man. Not only was he totally self-sufficient, but he had knowledge of the medicinal qualities of plants growing in his back yard and the fields beyond. He added a little of this and that to petroleum jelly and had a salve that truly cured skin cancer. Chew this for a cough, boil that for a headache; the information was priceless. I kept meaning to talk to him about his knowledge, to learn from him the old ways, but days turned to months and months to years between visits and suddenly he was gone. His home was sold and bulldozed, his garden became a cotton field, and it all of his secrets were lost to us forever.
Mankind depended upon remedies and concoctions from the garden for thousands of years for health and vitality. This knowledge was passed down from one generation to the next and everyone understood the connection between nature and mankind. Perhaps this winter, since flu shots are in scarce supply, we should think of adding Cranberries to our daily diets. They are a natural antiviral and boost the immune system. With a little vitamin C containing rose hips, a cup of red clover tea, and maybe a blackberry cordial if we’re feeling under the weather, we should survive the winter very nicely.
Monday, November 23, 2009
In the Garden
By Catherine Dougherty
For our forefathers to have planned a holiday around giving thanks for nature’s bounty is indeed remarkably fortunate for us. In this hurried world of far flung families, Thanksgiving day combines two of the most important elements of mankind… food and the company of loved ones.
Since the dining is the center of the festivities, it is appropriate to decorate the table with interesting and eye catching elements. Whether one chooses to use Grandmother’s white linen tablecloth, placemats, or a roll of natural burlap rolled the length of the table, an impressive centerpiece is freely available and close at hand. One needs to look no farther than the garden, the bar ditch or a friend’s wooded field to gather items to use as decorations. With the mums still intact there are lovely additions from the field to include and they have changed to hues of yellow, orange and brown... perfect colors for a Thanksgiving arrangement.
Now that we have had a freeze, the field flowers and weeds have dried and stand in stark contrast to the more delicate plants that perished. Collecting then spraying them with inexpensive hair spray will keep them intact and eliminate any allergens still left on them. Pyracantha berries are glorious at this time of year and since they resemble baby pumpkins, they look adorable dancing along a table runner. Add acorns, maple leaves, and bittersweet twining among them for a show stopper. Additionally there are battery operated twinkle lights to lend additional magic to the table.
If one chooses a large centerpiece,it may be arranged from wispy native grasses, sumac, and seed pods and heads. The tallest must be placed in the center and then work outwards, placing the smallest at the outermost edge of your vase. Should one choose a Cornucopia, a Thanksgiving tradition, a variety of miniature pumpkins and gourds are sweet and inexpensive and may be mixed with highly colored natural leaves for a stunning effect.
Sprays of wildflowers and grasses look festive hung on doors secured by decorative ribbon or placed in baskets on porches, stairways and entrances. Using branches with colored leaves and straw-colored grasses and grains surrounded by fall pumpkins is also an excellent composition.
However one does not necessarily need to limit the theme to the natural colors. On impulse one year we spray painted our branches, weeds, leaves, gourds, and acorns gold. We even spray painted our shoes… it was a magnificent year!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Why gardeners love winter.
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In the Garden
By Catherine Dougherty
It has been an incredibly odd and wonderful Fall this year. The first deep freeze, expected this week, will signal the end of the glorious show presented by the Mums, who have appeared dressed in all their finery for the duration of the season. Many of the roses are still in full bloom and the potted plants adorning porches are still lovely. The leaves have lived a complete and natural cycle of color change and discard without a freeze interrupting them, causing them to fall enmass overnight. The sporadic rains have come at exactly the correct times and provided perfect moisture. It has been a slow and sweet Autumn, the length of which is unusual and one we have not experienced for many years.
As the season ends, I thought to share one of my typical summer gardening days... it is the reason we gardeners find winter so relaxing.
My day in the Garden
This is how my gardening days usually go lately; I can’t find anything in the yard anymore. I spend all my time looking for lost tools. I’ll prune something, stack it then drop the pruners to carry off debris, planning to return momentarily. I see something else on the way back to the pruners and become distracted from the pruning job. A large clump of grasses or weeds lurking amongst the flowers catch my eye. I weed a bit then I begin to look for the rake to rake the weeds and grass I’ve just pulled before they can rebound and reroot. On my way to find the rake I see a lily with a heavy head that needs to be staked. I remember a stake is on the spent Iris so I go looking for it. I finally locate it then stake the plant. Then I remember, as I see the wilting weeds, I am looking for the rake. I finally find it in some obscure place then rake the weeds into a pile. I need my gloves to pick up the pile so I go to the garden table to get them. Not there. I remember I took them to the house so they would not get rain soaked, so I go to get them on the ledge of the porch. Bingo. Gloves on I pick now up the weeds. As I am carrying them off I see a six pack of wilting Petunias that desperately need to be put in the ground. I need my trowel. Hmmm? I look for one of my three trowels and finally find one in the herbs where I was digging grass days ago. I plant the Petunias then notice something that needs to be pruned. I can't remember where I left the pruners, it’s getting hot, I’m beginning to sweat and need a drink of water. I’ve gone full circle. No wonder I'm tired at night. Now if only I could get an uninterrupted night’s sleep….
Monday, November 9, 2009
Fall Fun With Gophers and Moles.
In the Garden
By Catherine Dougherty
Although this subject has been broached before, it bears repeating about now. Almost overnight it seems the semi-dormant gophers and moles have become incredibly active. Since they are a problem of fairly vast proportion to the gardener, a brief description of their physical appearance and habits might be helpful. They are rodents and require strong measures to eliminate and exterminate them.
Gophers live in long, complex tunnels below the ground. They dig with their powerful front feet and their sharp teeth. Their bodies are well suited to their lifestyle below ground as they have poor eyesight and move slowly. Most of their lives are spent digging and patrolling their tunnels to protect their territory from other gophers. Their tails are hairless and tactile; it is an organ of touch which can “feel” as the gopher backs up in his hole. Their food choices include the gardener’s favorites…vegetables, buds, grass, nuts, roots and bulbs. They can totally decimate a lovely garden in very few days.
The mole is a fast, tireless digger whose body is shaped for burrowing. With its narrow pointed nose, its wedge shaped head, and its large forelegs, it is a virtual digging machine. The forepaws, especially designed to scoop the earth, are hinged sideways on the mole’s body and equipped with large broad nails to act as a shovel. They are almost blind and although they have no external ears, their hearing is excellent. A mole’s home is recognized by the large mound of earth above it. Their nest is usually about a foot below ground and lined with leaves. The smaller mounds surrounding the nest are indicative of places they are searching for food. Their diet consists mainly of insects and worms, rather than plants however their mounds will easily spoil a lawn or garden. An odd bit of history is the fact that moleskin was once quite popular for coats, gloves and hats. It is warm, soft, thick and lightweight; gray fur was preferred, but brown and black were also used. In my opinion collecting enough for a coat would be a mammoth chore.
Now with an understanding of the habits of the two, methods for extermination must be examined. For the gardener, dropping bits of poison into gopher runs is ineffective as it seems to be the equivalent of giving them a vitamin tonic. And the old wives tale about dropping Juicy Fruit gum into a mole mound so it will destroy their digestive system is false. It is also ineffective to drop bits of poison into the mounds. The “bomb” one may obtain from Tractor Supply to drop into holes is ineffective as well. Flooding with a hose makes an unsightly mess and often the water will completely destroy a flower bed by imploding the underground burrows leaving deep crevices in its wake. Trapping is time consuming and a full time job.
The easiest and most efficient way to eliminate these pests is to purchase a marvelous invention which attaches to the exhaust pipe of your car and then to a simple garden hose. When the engine is running you can fill the burrows, tunnels, or holes with highly toxic, extremely fatal carbon monoxide exhaust. Available at True Value Hardware stores for only $16.95, it works! This handy device is guaranteed to provide hours of Fall fun for any gardener.
By Catherine Dougherty
Although this subject has been broached before, it bears repeating about now. Almost overnight it seems the semi-dormant gophers and moles have become incredibly active. Since they are a problem of fairly vast proportion to the gardener, a brief description of their physical appearance and habits might be helpful. They are rodents and require strong measures to eliminate and exterminate them.
Gophers live in long, complex tunnels below the ground. They dig with their powerful front feet and their sharp teeth. Their bodies are well suited to their lifestyle below ground as they have poor eyesight and move slowly. Most of their lives are spent digging and patrolling their tunnels to protect their territory from other gophers. Their tails are hairless and tactile; it is an organ of touch which can “feel” as the gopher backs up in his hole. Their food choices include the gardener’s favorites…vegetables, buds, grass, nuts, roots and bulbs. They can totally decimate a lovely garden in very few days.
The mole is a fast, tireless digger whose body is shaped for burrowing. With its narrow pointed nose, its wedge shaped head, and its large forelegs, it is a virtual digging machine. The forepaws, especially designed to scoop the earth, are hinged sideways on the mole’s body and equipped with large broad nails to act as a shovel. They are almost blind and although they have no external ears, their hearing is excellent. A mole’s home is recognized by the large mound of earth above it. Their nest is usually about a foot below ground and lined with leaves. The smaller mounds surrounding the nest are indicative of places they are searching for food. Their diet consists mainly of insects and worms, rather than plants however their mounds will easily spoil a lawn or garden. An odd bit of history is the fact that moleskin was once quite popular for coats, gloves and hats. It is warm, soft, thick and lightweight; gray fur was preferred, but brown and black were also used. In my opinion collecting enough for a coat would be a mammoth chore.
Now with an understanding of the habits of the two, methods for extermination must be examined. For the gardener, dropping bits of poison into gopher runs is ineffective as it seems to be the equivalent of giving them a vitamin tonic. And the old wives tale about dropping Juicy Fruit gum into a mole mound so it will destroy their digestive system is false. It is also ineffective to drop bits of poison into the mounds. The “bomb” one may obtain from Tractor Supply to drop into holes is ineffective as well. Flooding with a hose makes an unsightly mess and often the water will completely destroy a flower bed by imploding the underground burrows leaving deep crevices in its wake. Trapping is time consuming and a full time job.
The easiest and most efficient way to eliminate these pests is to purchase a marvelous invention which attaches to the exhaust pipe of your car and then to a simple garden hose. When the engine is running you can fill the burrows, tunnels, or holes with highly toxic, extremely fatal carbon monoxide exhaust. Available at True Value Hardware stores for only $16.95, it works! This handy device is guaranteed to provide hours of Fall fun for any gardener.
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