Archive for June, 2009
MAKING AND GROWING GARDEN HERBS FROM CUTTINGS
As your herbs begin to age and become woody and lose their capacity for producing the essential oils that you must have for culinary and medicinal use, you have to replace them with new plants.Certainly not the easiest of ways, but with a little knowledge and plenty of care, growing garden herbs from cuttings can be done even by a novice gardener.Good preparation is the key to growing garden herbs from cuttings - never skimp on the basics of good husbandry. (Strange how that word is used in this context of nurturing: would it be sexist to suggest "wifedry" would be more appropriate? - Perhaps we had better not go there!) Cleanness is the most important factor.Propagation trays from garden supply stores can be used again and again so are quite economical, but must be sterilised before every use. Always use a well sterilized container that is about three inches deep. Any type of tray that is the right depth, sterilizable and has drainage can be used for the purpose.Cuttings like a light soil so a normal seed growing compost from your garden store would be too heavy. So make up your own mixture using the lightest compost you can .. more »
GREAT BOOKS – HOW-TO WISDOM RESIDES IN BOOKS
Learning how to do things is the way we all grow and develop as humans. Using guidebooks helps shorten the learning curve of acquiring knowledge.With the amount of information available today, you can learn and do just about anything- from how to build a deck to finding your dream home in another country.How-to books teach you with the printed word, pictures, graphs and give you the option to return to the page before if your memory is failing you in a moment of need.Shopping for these printed knowledge volumes is easy and available in a number of ways for purchase. Checking through thrift stores, garage sales, and online for new and used books is a great way to start. Some projects are timeless and even nostalgic and for this one of the old how to books will be filled with information in the old ways and sometimes the best ways to complete a project.Be sure to choose wisely for your project. If updated information and material is available with the progress of technology and information, you will need to buy a newer book. With updated information you will find the healthiest, easiest and best way to grow plants, paint, or .. more »