GARDENING MAGAZINES

I mentioned in my last post that I'm leafing through old gardening magazines. I'm coming across loads of useful information.

One of my gardening friends who lives in the country happened to mention how much she dreads encountering a snake. The next day, I read a tidbit about repelling animals...for snakes, ring your garden with sisal rope. Snakes won't crawl across it.

My favorite Farmers Market plant supplier and I were discussing uses for winter savory. "Herb Companion" had a whole article (with recipes) about winter savory. The following week I took the magazine to market day.

My friend, Janet, loves her Harry Lauder walking stick. I'll send her the information on trimming leaves to enhance the curling branches.

Most of my fellow gardeners would like the tip on repelling deer..spritz a scented bathroom spray on boards and place the boards every 10 to 15 feet around the garden.

Here's a really good hint I plan to make use of tomorrow...use needle nosed pliers to pull weeds growing between sidewalk sections and in cracks.

More on Bird of Paradise

I have tons of old gardening magazines. Lately I've been leafing through them, then passing them along to my gardening friends. More often than not I come across pertinent, valuable information. This is what I learned about the Bird of Paradise from a 1994 edition of "Horticulture":

Native of South Africa

Flowers only when it's mature (around 6 to 8 years) and pot bound

Needs bright sunlight

Is a heavy feeder

Once it blooms, expect repeat blooming in subsequent years.

Once beautiful, but fading fast..I hope to collect seeds though.

My very own Bird of Paradise flower

"Wait til next year"! Isn't that the motto for all avid gardeners! Is there research about the average life span of gardeners? It is a fact that we gardeners are keenly aware of the need to take care of ourselves, we must endure, we must live to see another spring.

Seven years ago I vacationed in Maui. The trip included a visit to a beautiful botanical garden. The plants were amazing tropical wonders that I could only dream of growing in my zone 5 garden. However, I am the eternal optimist when it comes tropical plant collecting; I purchased Bird of Paradise seeds. Back in Michigan I planted the seeds and marveled at the two beautiful strong plants that emerged. Each fall I hauled the potted plants to my basement to overwinter. The two Bird of Paradise plants grew stronger each year but did not flower. That is, until this year. I could hardly believe it, the stalk that was shooting up contained a flower and not another leaf. It has been well worth the seven year wait to watch this intricate and beautiful Bird of Paradise flower bloom in my very own backyard.

A FUN PROJECT

These are matchboxes and little booklets I made to include in my three year old granddaugter's Easter basket. I downloaded the templates from the Etsy website. Decorating the boxes was lots of fun. I used materials I had on hand, including pressed flowers, bits of fabric and ribbon, photos, balsa wood. I plan to make another batch soon. Maybe I'll invite some friends over for a matchbox-making party.

HOLIDAYS NO MORE

Wow, it's so difficult to get back into the swing of things after the holidays. Thanksgiving and Christmas were so enjoyable. I loved spending time with family. We talked, we played games, we opened gifts, we laughed, we cooked, we ate and we ate, and we ate. Is it possible to have a get together without a table laden with food in our midst?

Now it's the end of January. It's back to work, it's back to the gym, it's back to eating sensibly again.