Hello fellow readers,
So long 2014. We’ve learned lots from each other. We found Nemo, the analogy of rediscovering Neem Oil – the old tried and true natural alternative to synthetic pesticides that’s not harmful to people, pets or beneficial bugs such as butterflies, bees and earthworms.
Speaking of worms, they can make rich composted soil from your garbage right in the comforts of your home. Though worm composting may not be for the faint of heart; that would be me especially when it comes to harvesting the bounty.
We talked about the birds and the bees and the planned parenthood of zucchini. Also plants that attract birds and bees. Plus the proper ways to feed them without luring wildlife and putting them at risk.
It came out that road kill, found greens, makes for beautiful window boxes. And Paperwhites like to drink but only in moderation.
There’s a time to prune and time not to prune; that was the question after the havoc of last year’s winter on broadleaf evergreens.
There are fuzzy creepy crawlies that are fun to touch like the Woolly Bear also said to predict winter weather. There are others, like the white Hickory Tussock caterpillar, which can inflict an awful rash.
I shared the lesson from the JCP&L lineman to count the time between thunder and lightning to determine if the storm is moving out; which had nothing to do with gardening other than he used a garden rake to guide my new power line in place. Then there’s the benefits of grounding, gardening in bare feet that is, which is best to avoid during thunderstorms especially with tools in hand.
We could all learn from succulents which are easy keepers, resilient and forgiving.
Re-read all your favorite stories in The Press’s online archive or on this website searchable by topic. Now you can even follow Garden Dilemmas on Facebook – woo hoo, we’re getting so trendy!
Thank you for your great questions, those that helped with answers, and for this wonderful paper for bringing us together. Here’s to a New Year of discoveries!
Window Crystals this Morning! Brrrrr…
Garden dilemmas? askmarystone.com
