Planting ?Paper

You’ve might have seen seed paper recently.  It is homemade paper with flower seeds in it.  When it is planted in the ground and given lots of TLC it will bloom into beautiful flowers you can enjoy.  Here is a tutorial for a project using seed paper.
First, you need to make the paper.

Use paper you have around your house.  This is a great way to recycle old scraps.  Tear them up into small pieces and place in a blender.  Add enough water in the blender so the paper is covered and blend.

When your paper is nice and evenly blended  you can add your seeds.  Unplug your blender and use a wooden spoon to gently stir the seeds into the paper mush. Do not blend them!

Now it is ready to be shaped.  Place a colander in the sink and pour the paper mush into it. If you have large holes in your colander like I do, go ahead and place a towel in it to catch the pulp, but not the water.

Place a towel on the counter and if you have a piece of felt, place the felt on top of the towel.  Then gently pour your seeds and paper pulp on the felt and spread evenly out.

Take another towel and press it down on the paper pulp to help dry the excess water.  You can now blow dry the paper or let it sit out overnight to dry.

When your paper is dry, cut it out into a flower shape. Make a simple card with cardstock and glue the flower to your card.  Feel free to get creative here and draw, stamp, or cut out a stem.  If you don’t like flowers, make a cute butterfly or tree.  The options are endless and no matter what shape you choose–it will be a hit with the recipient of the card.

Make sure you add a message somewhere on your card to let the recipient know they can plant it!

Vintage Garden

Seed Holder and Vintage Seed Fronts

Can you garden in the winter Snow ?

Other Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRnulbOqo0k

Chinese Perennial Primrose

My daughter was asked to find me a perennial primrose and came home with this little darling.

I will be planting it in the front somewhere.

Primula -vialii
 ________________________________________________ 

Family: Primulaceae Genus: Primula (PRIM-yew-luh) (Info) Species: vialii (vy-AL-ee-eye) (Info)

Comman Name: Chinese Perennial Primrose

Category:
Perennials

Height:
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)

Spacing:
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)

Hardiness:
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)

Sun Exposure:
Light Shade

Danger:
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction

Bloom Color:
Violet/Lavender

Bloom Time:
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer

Foliage:
Deciduous

Other details:
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings

Soil pH requirements:
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)

Patent Information:
Non-patented

Propagation Methods:
By dividing the rootball
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors

Seed Collecting:
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Seed does not store well; sow as soon as possible

Tinkerbelle Lilac

I have two planted in the front yard and this is there second year.
The bees and butterflies spent weeks on them.
I recommend this little lilac and will be updateing photos

____________________________________________________
Tinkerbelle Lilac
Syringa "Tinkerbelle"
Syringa "Tinkerbelle" flowers
This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid
Height: 5 feet
Spread: 4 feet
Sunlight:    Full
Hardiness Zone: 3b
Group/Class: Fairytale Series Lilac

Description:
A new hybrid introduction related to the Meyer lilac, featuring showy spikes
 of spicy fragrant true pink flowers in late spring, small rounded foliage and
 a compact habit of growth; neat and tidy, an excellent garden shrub; full sun
 and well-drained soil
Ornamental Features:
Tinkerbelle Lilac is blanketed in stunning panicles of fragrant pink flowers at
the ends of the branches in late spring, which emerge from distinctive crimson
 flower buds. The flowers are excellent for cutting. It has dark green foliage
 throughout the season. The small pointy leaves do not develop any appreciable fall
color. The fruit is not ornamentally significant. The smooth gray bark is not
particularly outstanding.
Landscape Attributes:
Tinkerbelle Lilac is a dense multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with a more or less
 rounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants
 with less refined foliage.
This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should only be pruned after flowering
 to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for
 attracting butterflies to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Tinkerbelle Lilac is recommended for the following landscape applications;
General Garden Use
Mass Planting
Hedges/Screening
Accent
Plant Characteristics:

Tinkerbelle Lilac will grow to be about 5 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 5 feet.
 It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer
plants in front, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate,
 and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.

This shrub should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry
 and moist locations, and should do just fine under average home landscape
conditions. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban
pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments.

Decline of our Birds

Just me or can anyone else figure out if you take the food away the birds will die ??

Common Birds In Decline

What's happening to birds we know and love?
                   
Audubon's unprecedented analysis of forty years of citizen-science bird population data from our own Christmas Bird Count plus the Breeding Bird Survey reveals the alarming decline of many of our most common and beloved birds.

Since 1967 the average population of the common birds in steepest decline
 has fallen by 68 percent; some individual species nose-dived as much as 80
 percent. All 20 birds on the national Common Birds in Decline list lost at least
 half their populations in just four decades.
The findings point to serious problems with both local habitats and national
environmental trends. Only citizen action can make a difference for the birds
 and the state of our future.

Which Species? Why?

________________________________________________

Invasive Plants 


In some species, cultivars of a perennial are not as invasive as others. Use this list to check into the
plants you are considering for your garden.

List

Achillea spp. (Yarrow) - invasive roots
Aegopodium spp. (Goutweed) - reseeds, invasive roots, use in confined areas
Ajuga (Bugleweed) - invasive roots, excellent ground cover in shade, use in confined areas

Ajuga (Bugleweed) - invasive roots, excellent ground cover in shade, use in confined areas
Anchusa spp  - reseeds, invasive roots
Artemesia spp. (esp. Wormwood) - invasive roots
Borago officinalis (Borage) - reseeds, invasive roots
Campanula rapunculoides (Creeping bellflower) – invasive roots
Centaurea cyanus (Bachelor button) – reseeds
Cerastium tomentosum (Snow in the summer) - invasive roots, can overwhelm desirable plants
           in a rock garden.                        
Chrysarrthenium parthenium (Feverfew) - reseeds
Convollaria majalis (Lily of the Valley) - invasive roots, excellent ground cover if confined
Leucanthamum sp. (Oxeye daisy, Shasta daisy) - reseeds, invasive roots
Lunaria annua (Money plant) - reseeds
Lysimachia nummularia  (Creeping Jenny, Creeping Charlie) - invasive roots
Lythrum salicaria (Purple loosestrife) – noxious weed, DO NOT PLANT
Macleaya cordata (Plume poppy) - reseeds, invasive roots, use in large containers
Mentha  (Mints, esp. Catnip) - reseeds, invasive roots
Monarda didyma (Beebalm) - invasive roots
Myosotis (Forget-me-not) - reseeds
Oenothera spp. (Evening Primrose, esp. speciosa ‘Rosea’) - invasive roots
Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper) - reseeds
Phalaris arundinacea var. picta (Ribbon grass) - invasive roots, confine in a container
Physalis alkekengi (Chinese lantern) - invasive roots
Physostegia virginiana (Obedient plant) - reseeds, invasive roots  
Polygonum cuspidatum (False bamboo, Japanese Knotweed) - invasive roots
Rosa (Roses, esp. wild roses, brambles) - invasive roots, use in native plantings or where
                                                                   the roots can  be confined
Sedum spp.  esp. ‘Golden Acre’ - this and other sedums drop pieces that will re-root
Stach’s bysantina (Lamb’s ear) - creeping stems root and spread
Tradescantia virginiana (Spiderwort) - invasive roots
Veronica spp. (Speedwells, esp. creeping speedwell) - invasive roots, pieces drop off and re-root
Viola spp. (esp. Viola odorata) - reseeds and becomes a problem in lawns
Yucca spp. - invasive roots

Sea Thrift in the Little Yard

Armeria maritima
Common Name: sea thrift

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Plumbaginaceae
Zone: 4 to 8
Native Range: Mountain and coastal areas in the northern hemisphere
Height: 0.5 to 1 feet
Spread: 0.5 to 1 feet
Bloom Time: April to May
Bloom Color: Pink, White
Bloom Description: Pink to white
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry
Maintenance: Medium
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Tolerates: Dry Soil, Shallow, Rocky Soil, Drought
Uses: Groundcover, Will Naturalize

Culture:
Best grown in infertile, dry, well-drained soils in full sun.
Foliage mounds tend to rot in the center if grown in moist,
 fertile soils or in heavy clay. Good drainage is essential.
 Deadhead spend flower stems to encourage additional bloom.

Noteworthy Characteristics
Thrift or sea pink is a compact, low-growing plant which forms a dense,
mounded tuft of stiff, linear, grass-like, dark green leaves (to 4" tall).
Tufts will spread slowly to 8-12" wide. Tiny, pink to white flowers
bloom in mid spring in globular clusters (3/4-1" wide) atop slender,
naked stalks rising well above the foliage to 6-10" tall. Sporadic
additional flowering may occur throughout the summer.
Flower clusters are subtended by purplish, papery bracts.
In the wild, thrift or sea pink commonly grows in saline environments
along coastal areas where few other plants can grow well,
hence the common name.

Problems No serious insect or disease problems.

The Little Pink Mounds in the back and around the tree is the Sea Thrift

Right on the tree trunk are chives ready to go to seed.

.

More on the Little Yard Boxwoods

Buxus microphylla japonica 'Winter Gem'

Excellent evergreen shrub for small hedges.
Among the hardiest of Boxwoods, the rich green foliage acquires
a golden bronze hue through winter, returning to green in spring.
Evergreen.

Botanical Pronunciation: BUK-sus mik-ro-FIL-la
Key feature: Hedge Plant
Plant type: Shrub
Deciduous/evergreen: Evergreen
Cold hardiness zones: 5 - 9
Light needs: Partial to full sun
Water Needs: Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat.
Average landscape size: Moderate growing 4 to 6 ft. tall and wide, when unpruned.
Growth rate: Moderate
Flower color: Yellow
Blooms: Inconspicuous
Foliage color: Green

 
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep,
 extensive root system. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins
 in spring. For a tidy, neat appearance, shear annually to shape. Pruning time: summer
after flowering.

Design Ideas
This is the classic hedge plant. Its dense, evergreen growth makes it perfect for
shearing into a small, formal hedge. Ideal for defining different spaces in the garden
 or for a tidy foundation cover-up. It is especially lovely against red brick. Use as a
 partition to divide your front yard or driveway from your neighbor's. Also beautiful
as background foliage. Creates lovely topiaries, particularly in cone shapes if planted
where it snows. An excellent plant for parterres and hedge mazes. Keeps its color over winter.

Companion Plants
Boxwood is so versatile and offers a nice backdrop to a variety of low growing
shrubs and perennials. If kept more natural in shape, pair with Lilac, Burning Bush,
 Smoke Tree and Japanese Rose. For a formal appearance or knot garden, combine
 with topiary forms, fragrant plants and culinary herbs such as Germander,
Rosemary and Sage.

History
Also known as B. harlandii, this species is native to Japan. Boxwood is so
named because its very hard wood was valued in ancient times for making
 boxes and small containers.

My Little Yard this week June 17 2012

Not Time to Plant !

BY JAMES HAGGERTY (STAFF WRITER)

Published: May 7, 2012

Sue Genovese knew vegetable gardeners misunderstood the calendar during a 10-day period in March when local temperatures topped 70 degrees eight times.
"People were expecting to find eggplant, basil and tomatoes," said Genovese, whose family owns the Garden Path in Scranton. "They were looking for all the wrong things. You kindly say, 'In this area, it's truly not time yet.' "

Read more :http://citizensvoice.com/news/eager-gardeners-getting-an-early-start-1.1311415#axzz1uC4U0PJA

Merchants and Purveyors Of Heirloom Seeds

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

2278 Baker Creek Road
Mansfield, MO 65704
(417) 924-8917
http://rareseeds.com
Catalog: Free online.
Baker Creek has been issuing catalogs for ten years now, and the current one builds on their already impressive offerings. They feature hundreds of non-hybrid vegetables, flowers, and herbs, this catalog is especially strong on hot-weather crops. It lists 44 different eggplants, 175 tomatoes, plus ample numbers of old-time corn, squash, and melons. The other garden vegies are here, too, just in smaller numbers.

Bountiful Gardens

18001 Shafer Ranch Road
Willits, CA 95490
fax: (707) 459-6410
email: bountiful@sonic.net
http://www.bountifulgardens.org
Catalog: Free online.
Offers only open-pollinated varieties, including some newer varieties as well as a fair number of old-timers. Of these, only a few are identified as heirlooms, even though many others, including some fairly rare ones, are also heirloom

Colonial Williamsburg: The Colonial Nursery Seed List

The Colonial Nursery
P. O. Box 1776
Williamsburg, VA 23187-1776
http://www.history.org/History/CWLand//nursery1.cfm
Catalog: Seed list free online.
Gardening was part and parcel of colonial life, and this remarkable museum displays everything from the aristocratic pleasure grounds for the governor to a work-a-day kitchen garden of vegetables and herbs, all carefully researched and authenticated. Their "Colonial Nursery" sells period-appropriate vegetable, flower, and herb seeds, plus bulbs, gardening accessories, and other goodies.

Eternal Seed

657 Pritchard Road
Farrellton, Quebec
J0X 1T0
Canada
(819) 827-8881
Catalog: free
Even though their website is a work-in-progress, it still includes a fine selection of heirlooms, including some nice short-season varieties and some that are very rare. Many are grown organically and packaged without pesticides. They also offer many old-fashioned flowers (including some choice vintage sweet peas) and a long list of herbs. BTW, I've never had any problems with customs or plant quarantines when I've ordered seeds from Canada.

Fedco Seeds

PO Box 520
Waterville, ME 04903
(207) 873-7333
questions@fedcoseeds.com
http://www.fedcoseeds.com/
Catalog: Free online.Vintage woodcuts, and amusing illustrations, this 100 page catalog has a mix of modern varieties and heirlooms. Among the latter, some are superstars, others are family favorites, many are historic. Informative write-ups help sort out which is which. Fedco has some rare varieties. In fact, they may be only commercial source for some of them. Of course, you're going to want these seeds. Order early. The deadline for mail orders is March 20.

Filaree Farm

182 Conconully Highway
Okanogan, WA 98840
(509) 422-6940 (Message only)
http://www.filareefarm.com
Catalog: Free online.
This organic farm offers hundreds of garlics gathered from literally all over the world. Some are heirlooms.

Heirloom Tomatoes

Heirloom Tomatoes
5423 Princess Drive
Rosedale, MD 21237
http://www.heirloomtomatoes.net/
Catalog: Free online.
Astonishing collection of tomatoes, and carrying his tradition forward. As before, this website offers hundreds different heirloom tomatoes -- red, pink, orange, yellow, green, purple, and black tomatoes, big ones, little ones, short-season tomatoes, hot-weather tomatoes, and everything in-between. Best of all, Donna even has tomatoes that taste like real tomatoes.

Heritage Harvest Seed

Box 40, RR3
Carman, MB, R0G 0J0
CANADA
(204) 745-6489
http://heritageharvestseed.com/
email: seed@heritageharvestseed.com
Print Catalog: $2.00 in U.S. Free in Canada.
Specializing in rare and endangered varieties, this young company's catalog is chock-full of intriguing heirlooms. Some, such as 'Champion of England' peas, 'Boston Marrow' squash, and 'Tip-Top melon' are vegetable superstars of days-gone-by. Others, including 'Brandywine' tomatoes and 'Moon and Stars' watermelon are popular today. If those weren't quite enough, HHS offers Canadian originals, Native American vegetables, and short-season varieties. For many of them, HHS is the only commercial seed source. A laudable effort, especially since without niche seed companies like this one, many rare and choice heirlooms would simply cease to be

Johnny's Selected Seeds

955 Benton Avenue
Winslow, ME 04910
1-877-Johnnys (1-877-564-6697)
http://www.johnnyseeds.com/
Catalog: Free online.
While Johnny's specializes in short-season crops, it also offers a nice selection of heirlooms identified as such

Landreth Seed Company

60 East High Street, Bldg #4
New Freedom, PA 17349
(800) 654-2407
http://www.landrethseeds.com/
Catalog: Free online.
This historic company (founded 1784) offers an assortment of old and open-pollinated vegetables. This year, they added a page devoted entirely to the heirloom vegetables, many of which they have offered since these varieties were new. The 193 varieties listed here (with nifty vintage images) include many classics, and is worth a browse.

Spring Planting

Here are some quick tips adapted from Easy Answers for Great Gardens to help you get started with knockout plant containers that cost more dimes than dollars.


 Metal
Metal containers are all the rage this season, so why not use what you already have on hand? A large olive oil tin, an old bucket--any container will do; simply use a nail to pound out drainage holes. (If it's galvanized, pot your plants in a separate container first; zinc can kill plants.)
For added color, a local restaurant may give you giant tomato sauce tins or boxy olive tins with the artwork labels printed right on the metal surface. Use these lovely artifacts to add European atmosphere to your patio by planting them with cherry tomatoes, golden sage, and dark-leafed basil. Herbs and easy-to-grow flowers like nasturtiums are especially suited for growing in these containers since they tolerate the higher soil temperature of heat-conducting metals.



Sowing Suitcases

A classic-looking suitcase lined with a garbage bag or plastic tablecloth is a novel way to showcase potted plants and greenery all year long. Rather than adding soil and planting directly inside your newfound container, simply fill it with pre-planted pots. You can keep the the pots from sitting in their drainage water by placing them on saucers turned upside down. For hanging or draping plants, stack several suitcases in a tower and use them as pedestals.

Looking for more ideas? Transform a cosmetic case or decorative wicker suitcase into a table centerpiece by filling it with blooming African violets, or use it to welcome visitors with pots of tulips on a protected front porch. Even an old foot locker can be propped open, lined with plastic, and utilized as a gigantic planter box.

Blooming Baskets

A wicker laundry basket makes a lovely porch planter for bulbs or summer annuals. Line any basket with a thick plastic garbage bag and then poke a knife through the slats of the wicker for easy drainage. Add potting soil, and you're ready to begin planting.
From
Marianne Binetti is the author of several books, including Easy Answers for Great Gardens and Perennials for Washington and Oregon. An avid horticulturalist, she shares her tips in several print publications and on TV. She lives and gardens with her family on two acres in Enumclaw, Washington.
Sent from a reader about Marianne

Flower card

What to do with all that extra paper this winter
Here is a wonderful idea and link

Fall Garden

Spring Divisions Caring for Your Flower Beds Budget Gardening: Increase Stock with Cheap or Free Garden Plants
Some perennials do best if divided in the spring, some do best if divided in the fall, and others may be divided in either fall or spring.
The following may be divided in the fall with good results. I think you will be surprised at how many perennials can be successfully divided in the fall!

Propagation by division assures the new plant will be an exact match with the original.
Division is an inexpensive way to increase your stock of a favorite plant, or to create extra plants for swapping with friends.

1 Dig up the clump, taking care to get as much of the roots as possible without damage.Most roots are in the top 12 inches of soil, and the root’s mass will usually be the diameter the plant plus 3 to 6 inches beyond the plant. For digging and transplanting, going larger than this shouldn’t be necessary.

2 Use a sharp spade to cut or cleanly break the clump into two or more pieces (divisions), each with an obvious growing point and some roots.Work on the clump quickly so the plant parts don’t dry out too much (you can cover them with a tarp or mist them occasionally if need be). Discard any unproductive portions and any shriveled or rotten parts. Leave the roots surrounded with the soil to protect the root hairs from drying out and becoming damaged.

You can pry apart fibrous-rooted perennials with your bare hands; all others require sharp, strong, clean tools that are equal to the job: a stout knife, a trowel, even two spades or gardening forks braced back-to-back.

3 Replant the new pieces.Plant some in the same spot and the others perhaps elsewhere in your yard (or share them other gardeners).

Many perennials can be left in place for at least several years before they need dividing
-- and a few such as peony and baptisia -- rarely need dividing, if ever. But if you have plants that need to be divided, see if they are listed. If so, do it this fall and both you and your plants will get a good jump on spring!

These Perennials May Be Divided in Fall
Listed Alphabetically by Botanical Name

Achillea
Aconitum
Aegopodium
Ajuga
Amsonia
Anaphalis
Anchusa
Anemone
Anthemis
Arenaria
Armeria
Artemisia
Aruncus dioicus
Asarum
Astilbe
Aubrieta
Aurinia
Baptisia
Brunnera
Campanula
Centaurea
Cerastium
Chelone
Cimicifuga
Convalleria
Corydalis
Coreopsis
Crocosmia
Dianthus
Dicentra
Disporum
Dodecatheon
Echinops
Eremurus
Erigeron
Eupatorium
Euphorbia
Filipendula
Galium
Gaura
Geranium
Geum
Helenium
Helianthus
Hemerocallis
Heuchera
Heucherella
Hosta
Houttuynia
Iris (early fall)
Kniphofia
Lamiastrum
Lamium
Liatris
Ligularia
Lilium
Linum
Liriope
Lobelia
Lycoris
Lysimachia
Monarda
Nepeta
Paeonia
Papaver
Physostegia
Platycodon
Polemonium
Polygonatum
Potentilla
Pulmonaria
Ranunculus
Rodgersia
Salvia
Saponaria
Sedum
Senecio
Sidalcea
Smilacina
Solidago
Stachys
Stokesia
Tanacetum
Thalictrum
Tiarella
Trollius
Uvularia
Veronica
Viola
Yucca

Snow Peas

Snow Peas, Edible Podded Peas, and Sugar Snaps
Description - The pods of snow peas are flat and thin with the bulge of the tiny seed barely visible at prime eating stage.
The bright green pods should be turgid and crisp. They contain five to seven seeds and reach a length of two to three
inches. The pods of sugar snaps are plump like regular English peas but are sweet and tender, thus eaten whole
without being shelled, eaten raw or cooked. The vigorous growing vine is a legume.
Culture - Plant six to eight weeks before the last expected spring killing frost. Peas grow best in well-drained sandy soil.
Plant seed in single rows about one inch deep with seed spaced about five inches apart. Trellis the plants to support
the vines and keep pods from touching the soil. Maintain good soil moisture during bloom, pod set and pod fill for
tenderest, sweetest pods.
-------------------------------------------------------
Stir-fry snow peas
Serves 2 to 4
Ingredients:
8 - 10 ounces snow peas
1 tablespoon canola, olive, or peanut oil, or as needed
1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 - 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce (such as Kikkoman), to taste
Preparation:
Rinse the snow peas and trim the ends.
Heat the oil in a preheated wok or skillet on medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the finely chopped garlic. Stir-fry briefly until it is aromatic, then add the snow peas and salt.
Stir-fry briefly, then add the soy sauce. Stir-fry for another minute and serve. (Total stir-frying time for snow peas is about 2 minutes.)
-------------------------------------------------
Chicken with snow peas
serves 3 - 4.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 7 minutes
Total Time: 37 minutes
Ingredients:
3/4 chicken meat (boneless, skinless chicken breasts are good)
Marinade:
1 tablespoon light soy sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons Chinese rice wine or dry sherry
1/2 teaspoon Asian sesame oil
1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
Sauce:
1/3 cup water
1 1/2 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons Chinese rice wine or dry sherry
1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cornstarch
Other:
6 - 8 ounces snow peas (mangetout)
1/4 -1/2 teaspoon salt, as desired
peanut or vegetable oil (canola is good) for blanching the chicken and stir-frying
Preparation:
1. Cut the chicken meat into large cubes. Add the marinade ingredients, adding the cornstarch last.
Marinate the chicken for 20 - 30 minutes.
2. While the chicken is marinating, prepare the sauce and ingredients. In a small bowl, combine the
sauce ingredients, whisking in the cornstarch. String the snow peas, rinse and pat dry with paper towels.
3. Heat the wok and add 1 1/2 cups oil. When the oil is hot, add the chicken cubes. Blanch in the hot oil for
about 30 seconds, using a spatula or long cooking chopsticks to separate the chicken cubes.
Remove the chicken cubes and drain.
4. Remove all but 2 tablespoons oil from the wok. Add the salt. Add the snow peas. Stir-fry until the snow peas turn bright green (about 2 minutes).
5. Add the chicken back into the pan. Give the sauce a quick re-stir and add in the middle of the wok, stirring quickly to thicken. When the sauce thickens, mix everything together. Heat through and serve hot.

Growing the Tomato

Great Tomato Info sites

Weekendgardener

Tomatogardeningguru

Growing-tomato.com

Plans to build a wishing well For your Garden

Found this cute wishing well project while surfing this am.

Instructions and Plans  may be found,

HERE

Also a great picnic table set of instructions

HERE

The Dye Garden

Some easy to grow plants for dye.


• Yarrow (Achillea hybrids). The plant tops produce mostly yellow, tan and gold colors. It is a tough and hardy perennial in the garden and flowers from early summer to late fall.


• Marigolds (Tagetes spp. and hybrids). The flowers and leaves will produce a variety of colors, depending on the mordant, from bright yellow and gold to dark brown.

• Yellow cosmos (Cosmos surphureus). This annual flower blooms in yellow, orange, even red, including cultivars such as ‘Bright Lights’, ‘Diablo’ and ‘Sunny Red’. The flowers in a dye bath produce golden colors, oranges and rusty browns.

• Sunflower (Helianthus annuus). This common, cheerful flower is an annual that can tower to 4 or 6 feet by season’s end. It yields a array of soft green colors in the dye bath.

• Hibiscus (Hibiscus hybrids), also called rose mallow. Look for red-blooming varieties of this perennial shrub, and in the garden, give it about 2 feet of space on all sides. Harvest the flowers as they bloom, as they won’t last more than a day or so. The petals can yield many colors, from purple and green to gray, even black.

• Indigo (Indigofera suffruticosa, I. tinctoria). This perennial shrub thrives in warm climates, and elsewhere is an annual. The fresh leaves contain the classic blue pigment.

• Purple basil (Ocimum basilicum purple-leaved varieties such as ‘Dark Opal’, ‘Red Rubin’ and ‘Purple Ruffles’). Annual in most climates, purple basil can reach about 2 feet. Use fresh tops in a dye bath for a variety of greens and browns.

• Marjoram (Origanum majorana). Generally an annual, this oregano relative yields yellows, oranges, browns and grays, depending on the mordant used. It stays under 12 inches and is easy to grow.

• Weld (Reseda luteola). This biennial or annual is a traditional European dye herb, with flower stalks that can reach 3 feet or more. The leaves and flower stalks produce strong yellows and pale greens.

• Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia spp.). This easy, popular perennial plant blooms summer to fall. The leaves and flowers produce golds, browns, oranges and dark greens.

• Goldenrod (Solidago spp.). This native perennial can reach 4 or 5 feet by season’s end, so give it some space. Plant stalks produce yellow and orange to tan, brown and rust colors.

• Zinnias (Zinnia elegans and other species). This easy annual bedding plant is available in both transplants and seeds. Harvest the flowers regularly to keep it blooming all summer. The flowers yield pale yellow colors.
Colors blended from Plants

BLACKS
Alder Bark
Ash Bark
Walnut Hulls
Bugleweed

BLUES
Indigo
Larkspur
Bayberry Berries
Blueberry Fruit

BROWNS
Apple Bark
Laurel Leaves
Maple
Tea Root

PURPLES
Cedar Root
Dandelion Root
Vine Plant Berries
Elderberry Fruit

REDS
Bedstraw
Cochineal
Pokeberry
Dogwood Root

YELLOWS
Broom Plant
Catnip Stalk
Onion Skins
Tomato Vine

GOLDS
Aster Plant
Cocklebur Plant
Dahlia Flower
Madder Root

GREENS
Ash - White
Cane Leaves
Solomon's Seal
Mistletoe Leaves
 
 http://www.herbcompanion.com/gardening-plans/garden-spaces-grow-these-herbs-to-make-natural-dyes.aspx#ixzz1LUFwmGC0

Frisbee Bird Feeder

Bird feeder made from mainly recycled materials.

Approximate Time: 30 min - 1 hour

Supplies:
•2 bolts, washers, and nuts
1 empty grated cheese container
strong glue - like Goop
screw driver
2 Frisbees
drill
long needle nose tool
wire and "s" hook
Instructions:


I have two Chihuahuas and the last thing they would ever do is play with a Frisbee, so when we received two free ones I knew I had to come up with something. Here's what I did:

1.Drill holes in the center of the Frisbees top and bottom, also top and bottom of the container, the same size as the bolts you will be putting through.

2.Drill the bottom Frisbee with several holes for water drainage. Drill two small holes (across from each other) near the bottom of the container about 1/2 inch from the bottom. These holes should be about 1/3 inch wide.


3.Match up the container top to the underside of the top Frisbee and glue.

4.Put bolt through top and bottom set of holes, add washer and then the bolt, tighten. For top section have a loop of wire ready to wrap around the bolt before tightening. For the bottom use the needle nose to brace the bolt from inside the container while using the screw driver on the outside of the Frisbee.

5.Now it's ready to fill, turn the top Frisbee and the container cap should screw right off with it. Some bird seed may come out of the bottom feeding holes, but if the drainage holes are small the seed will stay in the Frisbee. Add your "s" hook and it's ready to hang.


Hope I have explained this well enough, if not let me know. I just set it out this morning so I haven't seen any birds yet, but once I do I am going to try to get some photos.

By NoRulesArt from Sunny FL

Recycle Seed Starts

The last two weeks have been really warm so of course I got my seeds started.
We have snow today but the seeds are started and will be moved to the cat buckets under plastic in about 3 weeks.
My seeds are started in egg cartons inside recycled cake containers.
I set them on top of the freezer or fridge for a few days until they sprout then move to a towel on the kitcken island for another few weeks.
You just lift the egg cartons out cut apart and plant straight into the soil when there ready.