Only 10 days left to get your ‘Quarter and a Pack of Seeds in. For quick and easy details email me at inthegarden@softcom.net
Greenhouse Dreams
March 21, 2011Gardening during inclement weather is an impossible task unless one has a 
greenhouse, which I do. It’s stacked piece-by-piece against the interior barn wall in the form of salvaged window frames. I even have building plans that I downloaded a year ago from the internet and tucked in the office armoire. The windows and plans are stored away because I need more windows before the construction can begin. Once I have enough (did I say they have to be freebies?), it will take a little nudging to get hubby started on the project.
He can build anything as his construction résumé could circle the state of California. Years of amazing work at occupational job sites, building our house, my garden house, his barn, and other projects at the homes of friends and family members make him a fit candidate. My only candidate.
I can picture the greenhouse as a quaint, attractive glass cottage, unheated because that would defeat the economic purpose of seed germination. There could be power, though, for heated tables on cold wintry days like this. Wouldn’t that be nice? Kind of like a heated bathtub. Of course, if we have the ingenuity to install a homemade solar system, my cottage greenhouse would be perfect in every aspect— seeds sunbathing through repurposed window frames or when needed, sprouting by way of solar heat.
I’ve been hoping to set up a temporary greenhouse in the garage but it hasn’t happened yet. The garage and barn are hubby’s manly precincts. If I were to move potting mix, watering can, and flower seeds into his zone, life would be over. I could sneak one or two flats into the garage but I need a dozen or more to make an impact in the beds. I could put a flat on top of the refrigerator (a great place to germinate seeds because of the warmth from the refrigerator) but for me, it’s all or nothing. So here I sit inside my cozy house on another stormy day, picturing in my mind a quaint greenhouse. And I have to say, it looks pretty darn good.
Soulful Plotting
March 18, 2011
Humus:
An organic substance resulting from the breakdown of plant material occurring naturally in soil or in the production of compost.
Humus is rich in plant nutrients and is very retentive of water when added to soil.
Humus is extremely important to the fertility of soils in both a physical and chemical sense.
The Shamrock
March 16, 2011
By Bernadine Chapman-Cruz
For centuries, the shamrock has been surrounded by Irish legend and lore. Often the green three-leaf plant is confused with the lucky four-leaf clover. Other traditional Irish icons are closely associated with the shamrock. The Emerald Isle’s mischievous leprechauns, pots of gold, and rainbows have a place in Ireland’s history, but the shamrock has a fascinating legacy all its own.
Early pre-Christian Irish history depicts the shamrock connected with pagan ceremonies, fire rites and spring festivals honoring the gods and goddesses of plant life. During this time, ashes from burned branches and other green foliage, including moss, grass and shamrocks were spread across pastures and fields. Farmers hoped this treatment would make soil more fertile for grazing livestock and the coming season’s crops.
Later accounts claim St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland, used the shamrock to represent the Holy Trinity, because of its three leaves on a single stem. Over time, the Irish embraced the plant, holding it dear in their hearts.
Today, shamrocks are regarded as the national plant of Ireland for their simple, fresh beauty displayed amid a natural background of castles, rugged mountain terrains, the grey stone of old walls, and rustic peat cottages, where they reign supreme as the most identifiable symbol of the country.
However, on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, no matter what race, nationality or creed, we all become Irish for a day. Enjoy this whimsical transformation by wearing green clothing, drinking green beer and eating corned beef and cabbage or giving a shamrock plant to a friend. Or, even better, plant a perky patch of bright green shamrocks. Your garden will reflect the groundcover of Ireland’s misty valleys, mossy vales, and serene meadowlands throughout the year. Copyright © 2011 Bernadine Chapman-Cruz
March 15, 2011
. . . a prayerful moment of silence for those affected by the earthquake and Tsunami.
A Quarter and a Pack of Seeds
March 14, 2011
I have partnered with Dinner Garden in a fund drive and you’re invited to help with this worthy cause. All you have to do is donate 25 cents, which will grow one garden for someone now, and a pack of seeds used to help someone grow a garden in the future.
Dinner Garden, featured in the Mar/Apr 2011 issue of Angels on Earth, a Guideposts Publication, is a non-profit organization that provides fruit and vegetable seeds free of charge to anyone in the United States who wants to grow a garden. Currently they are working to provide vegetable seeds to the thousands of students who only eat when they get free meals at school. With Dinner Garden’s Seeds for Kids program, Dinner Garden (www.dinnergarden.org) hopes to increase food security for families through gardening and to help lessen their dependence on public assistance.
What I like about this wonderful fund drive is that it’s affordable. These days most people are experiencing major cutbacks. But just about everyone can give 25 cents and a pack of seeds.
A Quarter and a Pack of Seeds begins today March 14 and ends March 31, 2011, midnight. Please feel free to invite your friends, neighbors, family members, and co-workers to take part. One-hundred percent of the collected funds and seeds will go to Dinner Garden in San Antonio, Texas.
All donations (a quarter and a pack of seeds) must be sent snail mail so be sure to email me (inthegarden@softcom.net) for details. It’s simple and only takes a few minutes.
I appreciate your support in the fight for hunger, in and around the garden. — Dianne
West Sacramento Tree Program
March 12, 2011Sacramento residents: GET 2 FREE 15 gal. Shade trees for your home or business. Come to the LAST FREE SHADE WORKSHOP this year on Weds. April 6th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at City Hall 1110 West Capitol Avenue, Sacramento CA. For more information go to http://www.westsactrees.org
Soulful Plotting
March 11, 2011
Horticulturist:
Scientists who use a variety of tools to study plants from fruits, vegetables, and flowers to ornamentals. Horticulturists may focus on a variety of issues, from fruit yield to appearance to the ability to endure cold or drought. They are interested in everything from plant genetics to breeding to aesthetics and may work everywhere from greenhouses to gardens to parks.
Epicurious on Fresh Produce
March 9, 2011
I came across a great website, Epicurious, that I thought you’d find helpful. Epicurious offers an interactive map that you can click on to see what fresh produce is available in your area at local markets. This nifty tool makes budgeting and everyday meal and special event planning easier. In addition, Epicurious also has recipes.
http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/seasonalcooking/farmtotable/seasonalingredientmap
Pet Lover’s Vacation Sites
March 7, 2011
It’s time for spring break and vacation planning. The March-April issue of Via AAA Traveler’s Companion shares readers’ favorite places to visit with pets. If you don’t receive this magazine, here’s the listing:
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, Fort Bragg, CA. www.gardenbythesea.org
First Awakenings, Pacific Grove, CA. www.firstawakenings.net
The Forge in the Forest Restaurant, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA. www.forgeintheforest.com
Fort Funston, San Francisco, CA. www.sfdogparks.com/Fort_Funston.html
KC’s Downtown Grill, Windsor, CA. www.kcsdowntowngrill.com
Mill Creek Canyon, Salt Lake City. www.fs.fed.us/r4/uwc/recreation/wcnf/trails/slrd/dog_trails.shtml
Moss Beach Distillery, Moss Beach, CA. www.mossbeachdistillery.com
Tahoma Meadows B&B Cottages, Tahoma, CA. www.tabomameadows.com
For a Pet Packing Checklist and other tips go to: http://www.christinecolumbus.com/Petchecklist.asp
If you have a favorite pet-friendly vacation place please leave a comment. We’d like to know about it.
In and Around the Garden 