Poinsettia care after the holidays

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For a vast majority of people, Christmas poinsettias are a disposable commodity. There are a few of us, however, who adopt them as part of our permanent plant collection. A while back, for several years in a row, I kept one particularly bright red poinsettia that eventually grew to almost 4 feet tall. You can … Continue Reading →

Final garden preparations for winter

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There’s some talk among weather prognosticators about a speed bump developing in the polar vortex this winter. Some are saying very cold, below normal temperatures are just over the horizon and heading our way. If you haven’t already done so, now’s the time to finish up prepping your garden for winter. I’ve done all I … Continue Reading →

Gardening
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Getting to know chickens

Regular readers of this blog know that I have a flock of chickens that not only provide eggs but also help out in the garden. For example, in the spring I let them out to weed fallow areas and to dig up grubs and other underground garden pests before I plant. I’ve had hens for … Continue Reading →

Gardening
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Digging dahlia tubers late

Last week I talked about the potatoes that I dug up very late in the season. What I didn’t mention was that same day I also dug my dahlia tubers that were still in the ground. Turns out they where in fine shape as well. It makes perfect sense that the tubers would look so … Continue Reading →

Gardening
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Too late to dig potatoes?

Earlier this week I was out working in my vegetable garden. I finished off the season by digging the last of my potatoes. Since we’ve had a cold November,  I was somewhat concerned about the shape they might be in. Now, I have occasionally found potatoes in the spring that have gone through an entire … Continue Reading →

Gardening
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Fall leaf burning, another vanishing tradition

I’m running behind in my fall garden projects, including taking care of the fallen leaves all over my lawn. Maybe it just feels like I’m behind because of the snow we’ve been having recently. This past weekend while driving back from up north, I spotted several people catching up on their fall tree leaf clean … Continue Reading →

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Are you kidding me?

My range of emotions while working in my childhood neighborhood during the past 11-plus years has touched nearly every point along the way from elated to despair. The feeling you get after putting on a successful event at the park — after watching people come together for a common good, seeing deprived children feel happy … Continue Reading →