Now that we have our flower order forms, I thought this would be the perfect month to focus on the gardening concept of “polyculture”-a system that encourages gardeners to leave the realm of familiar and explore planting arrangements that support conservation and plant diversity. Visualize a bed full of vegetables all over the place, masses of color and different textures instead of traditional rows. Polyculture tries to imitate nature by growing a range of different crop varieties within one growing Continue reading “Horticulture Report – February 2016”
Diane’s Wheat Grass
Cheryl’s Horticulture Tip of the Month
Growing Wheat Grass
- Wheat berries are sold at Health food stores or on line. The seeds and grass are both edible.
- Soak wheat berries over night.
Cheryl’s Horticulture Tip of the Month
“Marvel Meal,” a mixture of peanut butter and other items, is fun to make and is a favorite of chickadees, titmice, wrens, and even bluebirds. It can be pressed into the holes of a log feeder or smeared directly onto the bark of trees. It also can be frozen into blocks and put in a suet feeder or sliced into chunks and placed on a feeder tray.
Recipe for Marvel Meal
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup vegetable shortening
• 4 cups cornmeal
• 1 cup flour
• 1 handful of sunflower seeds (optional)
Horticulture Report – January 2016
February is National Bird Feeding Month
On February 23, 1994, Congressman John Porter from Illinois, read the following resolution into the Congressional Record proclaiming February as National Bird Feeding Month:
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize February, one of the most difficult months in the United States for wild birds, as National Bird-Feeding Month. During this month, individuals are encouraged to provide food, water, and shelter to help wild birds survive. Continue reading “Horticulture Report – January 2016”
Horticulture Report – December 2015
Outdoor Plant Guide – Mulch perennial beds once the ground has frozen hard. Apply 2 to 4 inches of shredded bark, composted manure or garden compost, if not done already. Evergreen boughs from seasonal wreaths or small sections of Christmas tree branches may also be used as winter protection on garden beds. Continue reading “Horticulture Report – December 2015”
Paperwhites are in full Bloom!
Paperwhite Update
See how well Cheryl’s Paperwhites are doing! Continue reading “Paperwhite Update”
Horticulture Tip for November
At our November meeting, Cheryl, our Horticulture Chair, demonstrated how to easily and inexpensively grow Paperwhite flowers in our own home. All you need are Paperwhite bulbs, pebbles and a container. Continue reading “Horticulture Tip for November”
Horticulture Report – November 2015
Add 2 to 4 inches of shredded leaves, composted manure, or garden compost to perennial borders and garden beds once the ground has frozen completely.
Continue to feed the compost pile with grass clippings and dried plant material removed from garden beds. Avoid adding diseased plants to the pile. Turn the pile regularly to speed decomposition. Continue reading “Horticulture Report – November 2015”