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August 16, 2000 | ||
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The Beauty Of Bugs... | |
My
two-year-old son Jake and I walked out onto the deck one night last week
and he looked up at me and asked, "Mommy, what's that
noise?" I stopped to think for a moment and then it dawned on
me. It must be the cicadas. So I look at him and start making
this crazy noise (you know, like a cicada makes) and he looks at me and
replies, "Yeah that noise." He was very intrigued and
wanted to find one so off we went to satisfy his curiosity. Let me
just say that I have never been fond of "bugs". They are
OK from a distance but I certainly do not walk around the yard picking
them up. To think that we are searching for one and that I may have
to pick it up is a little unnerving for me. Anyway we spotted one
alive and clinging to the deck. So we watched him for a couple of
minutes and when he did not perform for us my two-year-old decided it was
time to move on. Shoo! Lucky me! Didn't have to touch the
bug! The funny part about this whole situation is that Jake was so
fascinated by how the cicada looked. His fascination made me stop
and think that so many times when I am working in the garden I am just
going through the motions, especially this time of the year when it is so
miserably hot out. I really need to take more time to enjoy what I
have. Maybe even the bugs!
Is anyone else ready for fall? I have had quite enough of this heat! Bring on the cooler weather! |
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~ Shelly |
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Dreams Of Spring... |
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Nothing
signals the return to gardening after a cold winter than the appearance of
flowering bulbs. We're a long way from there right now but
Savvygardeners are collecting bulb catalogs in anticipation of fall
planting.
We always have big plantings of tulips and daffodils but have learned to experiment every year with some lesser known bulbs. Some we like and plant every year. Others don't work out and become memories. As you peruse your bulb catalogs over the next four to six weeks make a commitment to plant something new and unusual. When the ground warms next spring you will be so pleased with your foresight. |
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Waste Not, Want Not... |
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Most of us are fairly conscientious when it come to preventing drips in our faucets and other indoor plumbing. For some reason however we are ready to ignore dribbles and trickles in our garden hoses and spigots. Unless those leaks are falling right where moisture is needed (not likely) it is simply a waste of water. Depending on the rate of the leak it is entirely possible to waste hundreds of gallons of water every day. In most cases it's a matter of simply tightening hose connections and fittings. Applying Teflon tape to threaded connectors will stop more stubborn leaks. It may also be time to replace that old leaky hose altogether. | ||
Saving Sunflower Seeds... |
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You
don't have to be a Kansas Savvygardener to appreciate the beauty of
sunflowers. For those of you who want to harvest your sunflower
seeds and don't know when they're ready just look for these tell-tale
signs:
Gently shake the head of the flower and the seeds will fall off. Store them in a nice dry place for planting next spring! |
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Wait Not, Weed Not? |
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It
just isn't fair. You've toiled all spring and into summer to get
your garden looking great. It's hot. It's humid. You
want to rest and enjoy the fruits of your labor. But a close
inspection of your garden reveals the return of an old nemesis - weeds!
When the flowers and vegetables peak and subsequently slow down because of summer's stresses weeds take advantage. Use a hoe or cultivator when the weeds are still small and your work will be minimized. Some weeds, when left to grow too big, will establish deep roots. Be careful trying to pull these stubborn guys up. If their roots have intertwined with those of your flowers or vegetables you may accidentally uproot them as well. |
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Wake Up Call For Dormant Turf... |
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If all or parts of your cool season grass have gone dormant this summer you should prepare for a fall comeback now by starting a deep watering program. Make sure your lawn gets a morning soak twice a week and you will be rewarded with stronger, more lush growth this fall. | ||
What's Hot On The Hotline... |
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Severe thunderstorms have rolled through the area over the past few weeks. Many Savvygardeners were spared the wrath of Mother Nature while others took a direct hit. High winds have left many with a yard full of branches or an entire tree wiped out. Questions have come into the Hotline on repairing storm damage. The answers are in this week's Hotline... | ||
Garden Plans For You To Enjoy... |
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If you have big landscaping plans for this fall it's time to start making decisions on which plants you will purchase and where they will be placed. As you do your shopping try to imagine how long you will live in your current home. The average American family moves every five years. If you think you might move within five years consider buying the biggest plants you can afford. If you buy small you won't be around to fully appreciate your garden when it matures. | ||
Finally... |
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"It's
the flock, the grove, that matters. Our responsibility is to
species, not to specimens; to communities, not to individuals."
~ Sara Stein, 1998, Noah's Garden |
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