The Birds and The Bees

Tis the season to begin planting things inside, to plant outside at the proper time.  Items to start now are tomatoes, cabbages, cauliflower, curkes, and celery.  This will give them enough time to grow to a decent size before hardening them off prior to planting them outside.  Other items can wait until about April, so they have about a 6 week headstart.Read more

Chase the winter blues away with a windowsill herb garden; they are fun, they smell good and you can cook with them.  If you can, buy the plants already started.   If due to the season you are unable to buy plants, be sure to buy extra seed, since sometimes only a fraction of them will actually flourish.  Herbs that do well indoors are mint, rosemary, chamomile, lavender, basil and oregano.

Mixing potting soil with a little sand and a small amount of lime will give your herbs the best soil conditions for growth.  Layer some gravel in the bottom for good drainage.  Most herbs require at least a moderate amount of sunlight; south facing windows are perfect for them.  Placing them near a window or skylight is ideal; especially this time of year.  You may have to supplement by using fluorescent lighting.

When your herbs receive the right amount of water, they will flourish and thrive.Read more

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!  It’s beautiful, isn’t it? Now if we could all stay home and enjoy it…

As this column is titled “Birds and Bee’s” I should write something about them.   Well, the bee’s are all gone for the year.  So, this is for the birds.........

String some  popcorn (unsalted) or cranberries and decorate the trees or fences with them.  The birds will love you for them and do their best to entertain you and your kids.Read more

Have you put your bird feeders up yet?  It is a yearly event at our house, I love to watch all our feathered friends during the winter.Read more