"Huge Profits Growing Peach Trees"

"Peach trees can offer a delicious crop of fruit for both your family to enjoy and for you to sell for a nice profit. When properly cared for, with in three years, a single peach tree can produce 45 pounds or more of crop! That is a tremendous return on your investment! Here are some simple tips to getting started."

Click on the link below to view the complete eHow article by Gracie 1402

http://www.ehow.com/how_2323056_huge-profits-growing-peach-trees.html

Click on Wild Bird Food Recipes to order today.

How to Know the Latest Garden Trends

"Gardens are changing along with the economic, political and environmental climate. Here are some of the latest trends you can incorporate into your garden or landscape."

Click on the link below to view th complete eHow article and beautiful picture by Gardegates.

http://www.ehow.com/articletemplate3.aspx?id=4591890&originalurl=%2fhow_4591890_latest-garden-trends.html

Click on Square Watermelon Secrets Revealed to order now.

How to prune a weeping cherry tree

"One of the biggest pruning mistakes is cutting off branches in the wrong place. Without knowing it, many people tend to leave too much of a stub when removing branches. Once the stub dies off, it makes an entry point for disease and insects. Trees have a natural defense system built into to them (right where the trunk intersects the branch), known as the "collar". It is important to do your best to make a flush cut without removing the collar. Cuts should be made just beyond the collar without leaving a stub but leaving the swollen area."

Click on the link below to view the compet eHow article by Gracie 1402
http://www.ehow.com/how_2268773_prune-weeping-cherry-tree.html

Click on High Density Gardening to order your ebook now.

"How to make a compost pile"

"Compost piles are great sources of fertilizer for your garden and a great way to naturally eliminate food and yard waste. They do require attention and several months of work before they are in full swing, but well worth the time and effort if you have a garden or just want to do your part for the earth."

Click on the link below to read this eHow article by Bfastattifanys.

http://www.ehow.com/how_4517855_compost-pile.html

------------------------------------------------------------------

Click on The Secret to High Yield Vegetable Gardening to order your ebook now

"How to prune hydrangeas"

"Hydrangeas are always a bold addition to your garden. The big blooms (on most varieties) are what draws most people to the Hydrangea. Pruning hydrangeas are much easier than one might think, in fact, very little pruning will help to produce even larger, more beautiful blooms the following year!" Gracie 1402

Click on the link below to this eHow article by Gracie 1402 with step by step instructions, including pictures.

http://www.ehow.com/ArticleTemplate3.aspx?id=4553560&fid=4553560&OriginalURL=%2fhow_4553560_prune-hydrangeas.html%3ffid%3d4553560

-------------------------------------------------------

Click on The Gardner’s Handbook and order your copdy now.

DeStress the Fun Way

Whether you are male or female, young or old, everyone has stress in their lives at one time or another. Not all stress is bad either- a wedding, new baby, an awards dinner are examples of good stress. Here are some of my family’s favorite ways to de-stress.

DeStress the Fun Way


http://www.ehow.com/how_4544787_destress-fun-way.html

Clean & Deodorize Your Microwave Without Chemical Cleaners

Ever have an explosion of food in your microwave? With seven children in my house this happens regularly. I usually find the explosion after it is hard and crusty. Here is a simple cleaning & deodorizing technique a co-worker passed on to me.

http://www.ehow.com/how_4550868_clean-deodorize-microwave-chemical-cleaners.html

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween!!!

My Mom gave me a Halloween flag specifically for my garden gate.

Halloween Recipes Ebook

"Friendships, like gardens, must be nourished and cultivated if they are to flourish and thrive."

Halloween Creepy Crawley Cookie Cake

Halloween Creepy Crawly Cookie Cake

What do you do with a bunch of teenagers at a Halloween slumber party? My bunch of teens made a Creepy Crawly Cookie Cake which was devoured in less than 15 minutes. It was a hit!!!

http://www.ehow.com/how_4575409_halloween-creepy-crawly-cookie-cake.html

Burpee Seed Company

Burpee Seed Company has been the top company for ordering seeds, bulbs and plants for my family for generations. It was founded in 1876 by 18 year old W. Altee Burpee.

Their website http://www.burpee.com/ has many gardening articles, tips, gardening supplies and recipes. You can order online or through the mail. If you go to their website http://www.burpee.com/ you to can order a catalog or call 1-800-333-5808 or write W. Atlee Burpee & Co.300 Park AvenueWarminster, PA 18974.

They stand behind their products. I highly recommend this company. Now would be the time to get on their mailing list.

Organic Vegetable Gardening

Click Here!

Cosmos Flowers

My Aunt came to visit and commented on my Cosmos Flowers. She stated that Cosmos Flowers were my Great Grandmother Josephine's favorite flower. I had no idea as she had died when I was 2 years old. Here are some of my Cosmos flower photos.

CADarko-Gosnell 2008
Cosmos flowers starting to turn to seed. My Cosmos are Purple Cosmos Flowers.

CA Darko-Gosnell 2008

CA Darko-Gosnell 2008

CA Darko-Gosnell 2008

CA Darko-Gosnell 2008

More information about Cosmos Flowers:

http://plantanswers.tamu.edu/flowers/cosmos/cosmos.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmos_(flower)

Cinder Block Gardens

"The greatest good is wisdom."

-St. Augustine

Butternut Squash - Cooking the Easy Way

This is a quick and easy way to cook Butternut Squash. Follow the steps and if you want to freeze the Butternut Squash put it in freeser containers or bags, label with the date.

Supplies:
Microwave
Cutting Board
Sharp knife
Spoon
Microwave safe Bowl with cover
Bowl
Measuring Spoon

Ingredients:
Butternut Squash
Water
ButterOptional: Maple Syrup or Brown Sugar










CA Darko-Gosnell2008
1. Cut stem end off the Butternut squash.









CA Darko-Gosnell 2008
2. Cut Butternut squash in half lengthwise.










CA Darko-Gosnell 2008

3. Scoop out the Butternut squash seeds. If you want to save the seeds for planting then wash the seeds and allow to air-dry for 3 days. After the seeds are dry place in an airtight container until ready to use.









CA Darko-Gosnell 2008
4. Place Butternut squash in microwave safe bowl, pour 2 teaspoons of water in area where seeds were scooped out, place lid on bowl and microwave on high for 6 minutes.









CA Darko-Gosnell 2008
5. Spoon out the flesh of the butternut squash and put in a bowl.









CA Darko-Gosnell 2008

6. Mash the Butternut squash and add butter. Optional: drizzle Maple syrup or sprinkle brown sugar over squash.

Garden Rack

“True happiness consists not in the multitude of friends, but in the worth and choice.”
-Ben Jonson

Mini Hothouses

Soda bottle mini hothouses are a great way to protect your seedlings from frost.

Supplies needed:
* Empty 2 liter soda bottle
* Scissors or sharp knife
* Seedling

CA Darko-Gosnell 2008

1. Rinse out an empty 2 liter soda bottle. Replace cap.

CA Darko-Gosnell 2008

2. Remove label and discard.

CA Darko-Gosnell 2008
3. With a sharp knife or scissors cut off bottom. CAUTION: Be careful when cutting the plastic edges are sharp and can cut you.

CA Darko-Gosnell 2008
4. Throw bottom of soda bottle into your recycling bin.

CA Darko-Gosnell 2008
5. Place soda bottle over plant and twist down into dirt.

CA Darko-Gosnell 2008
6. On warm days simply untwist soda cap to allow fresh air.

Keep Earth Green

“Yesterday's news is good for the compost heap”

Irises-(Dr. Pauline Thompson variety) – Part 4 of 4

In part four of the Dr. Pauline Thompson Irises series I will show hoe I started a flower bed by my steps. This time I used a new less time consuming method.

CA Darko-Gosnell 2008
Early July-2008

The first thing I did was measure 2 feet out from the steps and placed a fence guide. Then I measured and dug holes 2 ½ feet apart for the Irises, placed some granulated fertilizer in the hole, placed some compost on top of the fertilizer and added some water to the hole. To prep the Irises cut the tops off 2inches from the bulb. When planted fan the roots out, place in the hole, cover with dirt just covering top of bulb, press firmly and water

CA Darko-Gosnell 2008
Late July 2008

Notice the Iris in the front has grown. You can see the leaves that were cut and new leaves shooting up. Annuals and bi-annuals were planted around the Irises.

CA Darko-Gosnell 2008
Early August 2008

The level part of the stairway show how the mulch was put down. Usually I do not dig up the grass but in this case I did to level it out. In the front of the photo you can see newspaper with mulch on top. To do this first water the ground, place 10 layers of newspaper (DO NOT use the shiny ads in the newspaper), wet thoroughly, add 1-3 inches of mulch, water thoroughly and gently step on the mulch. The newspaper keeps the weed population down.

CA Darko-Gosnell 2008

Mid September 2008

The annuals and bi-annuals are in full bloom. Next year the dirt and mulch will be removed to reveal the top of the Iris bulb so they can bloom.

High Density Gardening

“Love of flowers and all things green and growing is with many men and women a passion so strong that it often seems to be a sort of primal instinct.”
-Helena Rutherford Ely

Irises-(Dr. Pauline Thompson variety) – Part 3 of 4

Part 3 of the Dr. Pauline Thompson Iris Series takes us to the largest Iris flower bed, which is on the side of my house.

CA Darko-Gosnell 2007

Side Flower Bed - June 2007

This flower bed was started in June of 2007. I dug up an area the length of my home out from the foundation 12 inches. The Irises were planted 2 feet apart about 8 inches from the foundation. In between the Dr. Pauline Thompson Irises, toward the lawn edge of the flowerbed, I planted annuals. You can see the Clown Violets in the above photo. Cedar mulch was placed over the top of the bulbs so they would not bloom again. This allows the bulbs to spend energy on bulb reproduction rather than on buds.

CA Darko-Gosnell 2008
Side Flower Bed - Early May 2008

If you compare this photo to the photo above you can see how much the Dr. Pauline Thompson Irises have multiplied in a year. The flower bed was expanded another 8 inches to accommodate low annuals and perennials. Now is the time to brush last year’s cedar mulch off the top of the Iris bulbs so they will bloom. If you are using a granulated fertilizer that lasts 3-4 months now is the time to sprinkle it. DO NOT let it touch the leaves or bulbs as the fertilizer will burn them. This should be done before you add a fresh thin layer of cedar mulch to the flower bed.

CA Darko-Gosnell 2008
Side Flower Bed - Late May 2008

The Dr. Pauline Thompson Irises have buds on them and are approximately 2 feet tall. Notice how the Irises cover up the blah foundation adding beauty to the building.

CA Darko-Gosnell 2008

Side Flower Bed - Early June 2008

By early June the Dr. Pauline Thompson Irises are starting to bloom and are as high as 3 feet tall. In the lower right hand side of the photo you will see the Lily of the Valley white flower.

Wild Bird Food Recipes

“All the great blessings of my life are present in my thoughts today.”

-Phoebe Cary, Poems and Parodies

Irises-(Dr. Pauline Thompson variety) – Part 2 of 4

In 2006 the Dr. Pauline Thompson Irises were planted in the rear of my home. This area only has sunshine approximately 3-4 hours per day. The Irises do grow, but have fewer and smaller blooms than those that are planted in a sunnier area.

CA Darko-Gosnell 2008

Mid May 2008

Irises are beginning to shoot up against the foundation of the building. The violets are also shooting up in front of the Dr. Pauline Thompson Irises. Notice how the cedar mulch is not covering the top of the Iris bulbs. By doing this it allows the Iris to bloom.

CA Darko-Gosnell 2008
Early June 2008

The White Violets are blooming in front of the Dr. Pauline Thompson Irises which have yet to get any buds. There is just too much shade during the day in this area. I have decided to transplant them this fall to a sunnier area.

CA Darko-Gosnell 2008

Early June 2008

The White Violets have finished blooming and the Dr. Pauline Thompson Irises never even got buds even though the bulb tops were not covered with mulch. Notice the Petunias growing in front over the White Violets. I had expanded this flower bed 10 inches to accommodate the Petunias which do well in partial sun.

Make Money From Greenhouse

“Living well and beautifully and justly are all one thing.”
-Socrates

Irises-(Dr. Pauline Thompson variety) – Part 1 of 4

Dr. Pauline Thompson Irises are my favorite type of Iris. Part 1 of this series will cover the front flower bed where I first started my Irises. Originally they were planted at my former home of thirteen years and then transplanted in 2004 to my current residence. The Parent plant is 16 years old. It still blooms vibrantly.

CA Darko-Gosnell @2008

Irises in Early May 2008 (Originally transplanted July 2004)

The Irises are just beginning to shoot up. Fresh cedar mulch has been added to the flower bed to retain moisture. Only place mulch around the outside of the plant, not directly on the top of the bulb. This area needs to be exposed in order for the Iris to bloom. If it is covered the Iris will not bloom.

CA Darko-Gosnell @2008

Late May 2008

In this photo you can see how crowded the flower bed has gotten. The Daffodils (yellow flower), Tulips (pink flower) and Irises (green shoots) are all intermingled.

CA Darko-Gosnell @2008

Early June 2008

The Irises are in full bloom. They need to be thinned out. Now that fall is here it is the perfect time to do this. Last year one parent plant produced 19 bulbs. You do not have to wait until fall to thin and transplant bulbs, but it is best to wait about 4-6 weeks after they have flowered and the leaves are beginning to turn brown. The reasoning is this allows the parent plant to produce bulbs. To have the plant produce the most bulbs allow all the leaves to turn brown.

Create Your Own Farm Implements

Click Here!

"This is perfect share-a-sweater weather."

Irises-(Dr. Pauline Thompson variety) Introduction to a 4 Part Series

Irises (Dr. Pauline Thompson variety) are another of my favorite flowers. The blooms are a beautiful shade of purple. They are a large flower with a hardy stem. When cut for a vase they last a long time and have a light fragrance. I will be doing a 4 part photo series to show how my Iris flower beds have developed over the past four years.

Square Watermelon Secrets Revealed


Click Here!

"Trees make the best jungle gyms."

Strawberry Jell-O Cake

The pansies are not in full bloom. Instead of making the glazed pansy topped cake (for my birthday) I made a Strawberry Jell-O Cake.
Ingredients:
1 prepared 9 x 13 vanilla cake
6 oz strawberry Jell-O
3 ½ cups boiling water
8 oz cool whip
1 pound fresh strawberries




Equipment:
Stove with oven
Refrigerator
9x13 cake pan – preferably glass
Mixer
6 cup pot with lid
wooden spoon
measuring cups
spatula
paring knife
Large mixing bowl

CA Darko-Gosnell @2008

1. Prepare cake according to the box directions or if making from scratch according to recipe directions. Cool cake completely.

2. Put water in pot with lid and put on the stove to boil before starting step 3.
3. Take the handle of the wooden spoon and poke holes in the cooled yellow cake as shown in photos.
4. With wooden spoon mix 6 oz. of strawberry Jell-O with 3 ½ cups of boiling water in mixing bowl.

5. Slowly pour hot Jell-O over cake and especially into holes. Take Cool Whip out of freezer and place in refrigerator to defrost. Refrigerate cake for 3 hours

6. While cake is gelling, prepare fresh strawberries. Wash fruit, cut off leaves and then slice as shown in photo. Place, covered, in refrigerator.

7. Using a spatula spread 8 oz of cool whip over entire top of cake

8. Place strawberries on top of cool whip. Cake must be refrigerated until ready to serve.

9. A slice of Strawberry Jell-O Cake shows how the Jell-O has gelled in the holes. It is a delicious refreshingly cool cake.

Living On A Dime

Click Here!

"May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night, and a smooth road all the way to your door."

-Irish Toast

Pansy Visitor

Another pansy has bloomed in my back shade garden. I took a photo and when I downloaded it realized this pansy had a visitor

There are more blooms coming. They should be in full bloom by the weekend. The plan is to bake a cake and decorate it with sugared pansies. Yes, pansies are edible.

Natural Insecticides

Click Here!

"Gaze upon a distant star and know life's wonder reaches far."

Trimming Zucchinni Plants

Zucchini seeds grow into a very large plant. The leaves can be as big as or bigger than two hand palms. Sometimes the plant gets a fungus. I prefer to trim the leaves off rather than use chemicals or dish soap and water solution.

Zucchini plant after trimming the diseased leaves off is healthier and more vibrant.

To trim you need a pair of gardening scissors or hand pruners and a pair of gloves. The zucchini leaves are very bristly which can give you a slivers.

Zucchini plant with fungus before trimming.

Step 1– Grab the diseased leaf about 1 ½ - 2 inches from the main stem and cut.

Here you can see the leaf stems that have been cut. They are hollow.

Step 2- Throw out the diseased leaves. DO NOT put them in your compost heap.

Notice the bud is still attached to one of the zucchinis and there are allot of new leaves growing along with new buds and blossoms.

A close-up of the zucchini flower still attached to the zucchini.

The next day after trimming the zucchini plant I took this photo. The zucchini is lying on a bed of chives.

The flower top has fallen off the zucchini.

Worm Farms - Save Your Time and Money!

Click Here!

-"Some people talk to plants; others listen."

Pansy Flowers One of My Favorites

Pansies are a hardy flower that enjoys the cooler temperatures of spring and fall. I have planted them in spring and they usually die out in summer, but this year one pansy bloomed again in fall.



This year I planted my pansies in the rear of my home where they get some of shade. This is the only area where they have bloomed a second time in the same year. I have planted them in the front of my home where they get full sun. The blooms are beautiful and bright, but they have never bloom a second time in the same year there.

The color theme of my flower gardens is mainly purple. I do have some other colors, but basically the purple hues. The pansies I have planted have a rich purple color and are a low growing plant. I use them around as a border planted in between the spring tulips. As the tulips begin to die out the pansies are in full bloom before the summer flora arrives.

More Information

Utah County Extension has an excellent download about Growing Pansies

Here is another article about pansies

To order pansy seeds or plants go to Burpee Seed Company

Do It Yourself Worm Farm
Click Here!

Spring forward, fall back…and winter on a beach somewhere.

Gardening Tips for Vegetable Gardens

1. Make sure the area where you are going to start your garden gets at least 8 hours of sunlight. In the spring it may seem as though the area you have chosen gets allot of sun, but by summer when the trees are in full bloom this may not be so.
2. Have your soil tested. At your local extension office you can get a soil test kit for a nominal fee. When you get your results back the extension office can help you read and understand the report.
3. Unless you are doing raised bed gardens make sure to plant your seed or seedlings as recommended on the seed package or plant stick. Seedlings are small but grow quit large. Thin out your seedlings. If you plant too close together your actual yield will be much smaller than if planted as recommended.
4. Buy plants and seeds from a reputable dealer. Burpee Seed Company is well known for their delivery of exceptionable seeds. If you buy plants that are sickly chances are they will die when transplanted or you will spend more time than it is worth to nurse them back to health and only receive a small yield or no yield for your efforts.
5. Choose plants that will grow well in the climate that you live in. If you contact your local extension agency or a reputable nursery they will be able to help you with choosing which varieties will grow best for your area
6. It is important to water your plants properly. Do not water after the sun goes down as this will cause root rot and fungus. Make sure if it is very hot to water the root systems and not the leaves as they will burn. Water consistently. Press your finger in the soil to see if it is damp. If the soil is not damp then your plants need watering.
7. Use good compost for your garden before planting and this will reduce the need for fertilizer. Most recycling centers have excellent compost that you can buy at a reasonable fee by the yard or even get for free. If you use too much fertilizer your plants may shoot up fast, but may not be able to support any fruit. Cow manure is also excellent for gardens. The best source is a local farmer. The bags of manure you buy at a local nursery may contain other components such as sticks and stones that you do not need.
8. When planting figure out how much you can actually care for or will be able to eat. Any excess you can freeze, can, give away to family and neighbors or donate to a local food kitchen or food pantry.
9. Make sure to trim any dead or damaged leaves on your plants to encouage new growth. Pull any weeds to allow more room for your growing plants
   
10. Start a compost heap away from your gardening area. Never put any animal products in the compost heap. Any trimmings from plants, grass trimmings and leaves can go on the heap. Turn it with a pitch fork at least once a week. Put some worms on the compost heap. They help to decay the trimmings quicker and their elimination is very healthy for your plants. This compost can be used the following year for your garden.

The Secret To High Yield Vegetable Gardening
Click Here!

"How is it that what used to be weeds is now high-priced salad?"

Zuchinni Blossom Visitors

This Zucchini Blossom has some visitors, only I didn't realize that when I was first taking the photo for a future article on cooking zucchini blossoms.

Zooming in it looks like a bee.......

..............and a buddy!!!!