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GLEANINGS FROM THE "COLUMN IDEAS" FILE
A 6.65-acre floral flag was created in 2002 in southern California. It measured 740 ft. long and 390 ft. wide and maintained the proper flag dimensions as described in Executive Order #10834. The flag contained more than 400,000 larkspur plants. Each star measured 24 ft. in diameter; each stripe is 30 ft. wide.
Some gardeners claim excellent results growing tomato plants over ground covered with black plastic. To try plastic under your tomato plants, lay the plastic on bare soil. Dig small trenches and bury plastic edges with soil. Using a knife, cut X's into the plastic for the plants. Keep plants low so water drains to the plant. Make slits in low spots of plastic so water sinks in. Keep soil off surface of plastic during growing season.
Ever have finches or other birds that insisted on nesting in your hanging baskets? One ingenious gardener figured out a solution that nurtured both the flowers and the nesting birds. He placed an upside-down 2-liter plastic bottle in the center of his 12-inch basket, then surrounded the bottle with potting soil. A hole was cut in the side of the bottle to allow entry by birds, thereby creating a birdhouse in the hanging basket. Birds go in and out through the hole, and hanging baskets can be watered without disturbing the nest or baby birds. As flowers grow, they surround the bottle with leaves and blossoms and enable the flowers and birds co-exist in harmony.
Are any of the plants mentioned in the Bible hardy in Zone 4? Beth Jarvis, U of M extension horticulturist, offers the following list:
Yellow water flag iris, believed to be "lilies by the river of waters" in
Ecclesiasticus; garden hyacinths; Star of Bethlehem; redbud tree (purportedly the tree on which Judas hanged himself); Russian olive; mulberry; populus (genus name for trees in the poplar family), thought to be the wood of the cross based on descriptive words, "thus the leaves tremble with shame and horror;" and apricot, possibly the apple mentioned in old testament.
Ever hear of a soup recipe that calls for just one bean? According to Edwin Menninger, author of Fantastic Trees, you could make a pot of soup with just one bean if it was picked from the mora tree. The mora bean is the biggest bean seed in the world; the pod measures three by ten inches and contains one bean weighing up to four ounces. Each bean measures about 2 1/2 by 4 1/2 inches. Tribal members in British Guiana boil and grate the beans, then mix them with cassava (tapioca) meal to eat.
Skip Rither, a gardening friend from Anoka, says compost has more benefits than a good retirement plan. Compost moderates soil temperatures; retains soil moisture, especially on droughty soils; reduces nutrient leaching due to its increased cation holding capacity; reduces soil compaction; provides for more efficient nutrient uptake; provides nutrients to plants; and adds buffering capacity which resists changes in soil pH.
According to the University of North Dakota Extension Service, finished compost from a properly constructed and maintained compost pile will contain: Water 10-15%; organic matter 10-20%; nitrogen 0.8%; phosphorus 0.45%; potassium 1.45%; lime 1.25%; magnesium 0.3%.
And finally, the following story about a tree that should be planted in every yard.
The carpenter hired to help restore an old farmhouse had just finished a rough first day on the job. A flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric saw quit, and now his ancient pickup truck refused to start.
As the employer drove him home, he sat in stony silence. On arriving, he invited the employer in to meet his family. As they walked toward the front door, the carpenter paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands.
As he opened the door, he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned face was wreathed in smiles, and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss.
Later, as the carpenter walked the other man to his car, the employer paused by the tree and asked, "I am really curious. Why did you stop at this tree when we walked to your house?"
"Oh, that's my trouble tree," the carpenter replied. "I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one thing for sure, troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and children. So I just hang my troubles on the tree every night when I come home. Then in the morning, I pick them up again."
"Funny thing is," he smiled, "when I come out in the morning to pick them up, there aren't nearly as many troubles as I remember hanging up the night before."
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PUTTING DOWN ROOTS:
A Delightful Blend of
Gardening Wisdom, Wit
and Whimsy
$10 + $2 for shipping
by Cliff Johnson |
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