GreatGardenStuff – Newsletter, January 10, 2008

My Dear Gardening Friends,

The weeks are just flying by, it is already more than half way through January, I hope that you are escaping the bad colds and flu that seem to be doing the rounds - I have a few tips for you that might help if you are suffering. New research proves that potent compounds found in flowers can be just as effective as over-the-counter medicines at combating colds, coughs and the flu. The following flowers can help to keep you on top of the sniffles all winter:

Speaking of flowers, let’s try making an arrangement that will last for several weeks. I have noticed in a number of places that they are selling flowering bulbs, or use your own that have not flowered yet. Take a small wicker basket (try the thrift stores if you do not have about 50 of them in your storage space). Line the basket with polythene or even foil to make it watertight, you will also need two small cartons for any cut flowers that you might use. The bulbs should be packed into place with moist bulb fibre, peat, oasis (this you can usually purchase at florists) moss, earth, or potting soil. Put the tallest of the bulbs, whether flowering or not in first. Make sure that these are standing well. If they are top heavy then either wedge them in with stones, or put each bulb in a small carton or small flower pot, arrange the rest of the bulbs in the growing medium, cover the top with small stones, gravel, or moss if you can find it on sale. Make sure that none of the moss trails over the edge of the basket, for it might act as a siphon. Finally fill the cartons with soaked oasis and arrange any fresh flowers into this container, then add to your basket. Use Hyacinths, small double tulips, aconites and perhaps a spider plant. You can add driftwood, bark, or any pretty figurine - very fast and very simple - this would make a really sweet hostess gift, or let it help to brighten your day, by keeping it on the counter near where you are working - I usually have something on my counter - or on a table in the room where I do my writing - this is a good use of those little flowering bulbs that are appearing in the super markets, it will also make a Valentine's day arrangement, and much nicer than a card - afterwards, put the bulbs in the garden - feed them well and they should bloom again next spring (outside of course).

I was reading my Gardening Tasks by the Months, we are trying to get some more calendars for you at our For the Love of Gardening Show on April 11th 12th and 13th for I know that you all enjoy this month by month chore list. Hopefully it will only be $1 again.

For January it says:

Whilst we are thinking of planning a new garden think about raised beds, you can build your own and grow wonderful flowers and vegetables. My son-in-law heard about raised beds, many years ago, knowing nothing about them he had a pile of old railway ties delivered and built the beds to above his waist level, we of course all laughed at him, now the laugh is on us, for the beds are still there, he tops them up with fresh soil and compost when necessary, 25 plus years later he does not have to bend to weed, the plants are at almost eye level, so he cans see the nasties that live on our plants. Phil you were right. However, one does not need raised beds quite so high. So I am going to give you a few tips about this project.

Limit the size of your raised beds to allow easy access to all the plants. You should be able to reach the middle of the bed quite easily, for weeding and of course harvesting. Plant lettuce around the edges so that you can just pop out for a salad - keep the herbs close to the edge too. If you plan to use the walls of the beds as benches, make sure that they are at least 18 inches high and wide enough to sit comfortably. Fill the bottom of the bed with a few inches of rocks, or pebbles to make sure you have good drainage. You can also include some holes in the walls, slightly above the ground level so that this will also help the water to drain away. For wooden beds, choose pressure treated wood to prevent rotting, if like Phil you use railway ties, make sure that they are clean and have not been treated with creosote and oil.

Build the walls on a solid foundation, using proper construction techniques, you can either go on line, or try your local library for plans. This is especially important in our areas. For the cold and frost may cause your walls to move if more than three layers of lumber or cement blocks are used, it is recommended that you use steel reinforcing rods, for added support (Phil, did not and the beds are still there). For extra strength stagger the sections of the materials to eliminate continuous vertical joints. Several weeks before you plant, fill these beds with good top soil, compost, aged manure and coco fibre. Water it well and allow it to settle. There are your raised beds. Wasn't that easy? Especially as we look out onto our snowy landscapes, we can almost feel spring in the air, we have a long way to go yet, and do not forget Canada Blooms on the horizon, giving us that much needed taste of gardening. You can explore the universe looking for somebody who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and you will not find that person anywhere said Buddha.

Never cut down a tree in winter.
Never make a negative decision in the low time.
Never make your most important decisions when you are in your worst moods.
Wait, be patient.
The storm will pass, and spring will come.
-Robert Schuller

I think that we should all be thinking about growing our own vegetables this season, I was just listening to the dire stock market report. I do not understand why, when the "market" and stocks go down, prices go up?

Keep in mind the small arrangement for Valentine’s Day is less than a month away, despite the fact that it was advertised before Christmas!

Hats, gloves, scarves, sunscreen, lip moisturizer, snow shovels and do not forget to stretch before you shovel the snow away.

Lovingly, Beryl