I don't mind working. Actually, I pretty much enjoy it, but I hate cleaning after. But, clean up isn't too bad, if you clean as you go.
Whether you're cooking, painting, working on your car or building something, you are going to make a mess. It can't be helped. Little is mote discouraging than finishing a project only to look around and realize that you have an hour's worth of cleaning. The secret is, take little breaks and straighten up then.
Say you are making dinner. After getting the basics started, stop and clean up the very little mess you have made. Then, say after you season and stir, do a bit more. Keep doing that and when you are ready to serve, you have only the pots and pans you cooked in left to clean. Then, while the food rests (you must let meat rest a bit or it will be dry) wash those pots and pans. Then, when dinner is finished, you only have a few plates and bowls to wash. That is a lot better than realizing, after a nice meal, that you have a mountain of dishes. Also, when you spill while cooking, wipe it right then and keep your garbage can handy, don't let trash pile up. As a bonus, you will have a much safer kitchen. Trying to move hot pans and chopping vegetables in the midst of clutter and spills is a sure way to have accidents.
This same procedure applies to any job you are doing. For many years I did building maintenance and was always shocked to see people struggling to work in the mess they created. There are very few tasks that will not let you take a minute here and there to get your workplace in order and safe.
Even when I began working in kitchens I was surprised to find trained cooks trying to work in sloppy conditions. They should have known better.
Make your life easier and a lot safer. Take the time to clean as you go.
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Monday, June 27, 2016
Do You Really Need A Grass Lawn
Americans love their lawns, I guess. I am not really sure they give it much thought. It is more of a custom, a habit. We mow and weed and water and feed and generally spend a lot of time, and money, on our massive green carpets, but, ask yourself this. Why?
Now if you play a lot of croquet or badminton, yes, you need a lawn. If you chip golf balls or play touch football, okay, you need at least a small lawn. Otherwise, no.
Well, you say, I can't leave bare dirt. Correct, but, there are alternatives. The simplest and cheapest is to cover your grounds with gravel or mulch but, that is boring. But there are alternatives that are beautiful and easy to maintain.
Patios are great. You can entertain or just hang out yourself, enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. You can plant gardens, vegetable and flower. Trees break up the flat landscape, just make sure you allow for full growth - don't plant an oak 3 feet from your bedroom window. Vary the styles and shapes of your plants and mix in color. If you spend time out at night, perhaps you have a pool, consider surrounding it with a white garden, composed of plants with white flowers; when your night lights come on, the effect is very nice.
If you don't have or want a pool, consider other water features, a small pond or simple fountain is a nice effect, as are bird feeders. Got a dog? Build, or but, him/her a nice house; They love having a shady spot of their own to hang out in.
Use stone, gravel or mulch to lay out walking paths. Now, you are still going to have some space left. Fill that with ground covers such as juniper, loriope, or mondo grass; You rarely have to feed these, once established they need little water and there is no mowing; if they get too high, top them with a weed whacker. Ivy works great, but you will have to stay on top of that or it will soon cover you house.
Better still, check with a local nursery for hints on xeriscaping. This involves using plants that like your local climate. They will need far less care. Remember, water is going to become a serious problem. It already is in many parts of the World. Do you really think you should be pouring vast quantities on grass when there are other more interesting choices?
Think about getting rid of all that grass. You will save yourself a lot of time, labor and money. When your neighbors are out on a hot August afternoon, you can be sitting with a cold drink, watching a ball game.
Now if you play a lot of croquet or badminton, yes, you need a lawn. If you chip golf balls or play touch football, okay, you need at least a small lawn. Otherwise, no.
Well, you say, I can't leave bare dirt. Correct, but, there are alternatives. The simplest and cheapest is to cover your grounds with gravel or mulch but, that is boring. But there are alternatives that are beautiful and easy to maintain.
Patios are great. You can entertain or just hang out yourself, enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. You can plant gardens, vegetable and flower. Trees break up the flat landscape, just make sure you allow for full growth - don't plant an oak 3 feet from your bedroom window. Vary the styles and shapes of your plants and mix in color. If you spend time out at night, perhaps you have a pool, consider surrounding it with a white garden, composed of plants with white flowers; when your night lights come on, the effect is very nice.
If you don't have or want a pool, consider other water features, a small pond or simple fountain is a nice effect, as are bird feeders. Got a dog? Build, or but, him/her a nice house; They love having a shady spot of their own to hang out in.
Use stone, gravel or mulch to lay out walking paths. Now, you are still going to have some space left. Fill that with ground covers such as juniper, loriope, or mondo grass; You rarely have to feed these, once established they need little water and there is no mowing; if they get too high, top them with a weed whacker. Ivy works great, but you will have to stay on top of that or it will soon cover you house.
Better still, check with a local nursery for hints on xeriscaping. This involves using plants that like your local climate. They will need far less care. Remember, water is going to become a serious problem. It already is in many parts of the World. Do you really think you should be pouring vast quantities on grass when there are other more interesting choices?
Think about getting rid of all that grass. You will save yourself a lot of time, labor and money. When your neighbors are out on a hot August afternoon, you can be sitting with a cold drink, watching a ball game.
Friday, June 24, 2016
Think Small - Cheap Fun
All too often, in our modern America, we equate fun with expense, with grand spectacles. It doesn't have to be that way.
Take my great love, music. To go to a big time show, be it rock, pop, country, whatever, it is going to cost a lot, a ridiculous amount. I hate to write these words because I sound like a typical old man, but when I was younger, I paid, on average, $6 to go see a rock show, featuring top bands, always at least 2 on a bill (the exception was The Grateful Dead, who were the only band that night, but then, they played 5 hour sets). Now, $6 won't even by 2 beers.
There are still bars and clubs that feature music, good music, that won't bankrupt you. There are, in some places, concerts put on by the city, generally outdoors, that are cheap or even free. There are a myriad of small fairs and festivals around the Nation. They often feature music, and, in addition, they generally have food, crafts, and rides. In general, they are a grand way to have some fun with little expense. I have seen, many times, musicians in small venues who were the equal of any big time performer out there. Often, they were better.
Like movies? Many communities, small ones generally, have what are called 'movies in the park night.' You pack some food, sit outside with others and enjoy a fine night and a cheap movie.
Like sports? Consider watching local kids teams or high school teams. The skills may not quite be there, but it's the same game and it is fun for little money. If your town has any minor league teams, support them. The idea is just to have some fun.
Golf? Well here you have some problems and this may, ultimately spell trouble for the game. Again, when I played, in the 60s and 70s, I never paid more than $12 for a green's fee, often less. Now, the cheapest I hear of is about $50. You cannot spread the game if parents have to pay that to take their kids out for a round, nor are beginners likely to want to pay that. Good news? There is a small movement among designers and pros to get small inexpensive courses built. Par 3 courses and short 9 hole courses can be run for a lot less money and they are fun. Actually, most folks who play are going to have a lot more fun on courses like that than they will struggling around 7500 yard courses.
Take advantage of beaches and parks and of any inexpensive attractions in your community. Join local groups and participate. Just because the events are small and not spectacular doesn't meant they aren't fun. Enjoy yourselves without breaking your budget.
Take my great love, music. To go to a big time show, be it rock, pop, country, whatever, it is going to cost a lot, a ridiculous amount. I hate to write these words because I sound like a typical old man, but when I was younger, I paid, on average, $6 to go see a rock show, featuring top bands, always at least 2 on a bill (the exception was The Grateful Dead, who were the only band that night, but then, they played 5 hour sets). Now, $6 won't even by 2 beers.
There are still bars and clubs that feature music, good music, that won't bankrupt you. There are, in some places, concerts put on by the city, generally outdoors, that are cheap or even free. There are a myriad of small fairs and festivals around the Nation. They often feature music, and, in addition, they generally have food, crafts, and rides. In general, they are a grand way to have some fun with little expense. I have seen, many times, musicians in small venues who were the equal of any big time performer out there. Often, they were better.
Like movies? Many communities, small ones generally, have what are called 'movies in the park night.' You pack some food, sit outside with others and enjoy a fine night and a cheap movie.
Like sports? Consider watching local kids teams or high school teams. The skills may not quite be there, but it's the same game and it is fun for little money. If your town has any minor league teams, support them. The idea is just to have some fun.
Golf? Well here you have some problems and this may, ultimately spell trouble for the game. Again, when I played, in the 60s and 70s, I never paid more than $12 for a green's fee, often less. Now, the cheapest I hear of is about $50. You cannot spread the game if parents have to pay that to take their kids out for a round, nor are beginners likely to want to pay that. Good news? There is a small movement among designers and pros to get small inexpensive courses built. Par 3 courses and short 9 hole courses can be run for a lot less money and they are fun. Actually, most folks who play are going to have a lot more fun on courses like that than they will struggling around 7500 yard courses.
Take advantage of beaches and parks and of any inexpensive attractions in your community. Join local groups and participate. Just because the events are small and not spectacular doesn't meant they aren't fun. Enjoy yourselves without breaking your budget.
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Buying in Bulk
There are things that are cheaper, a lot cheaper to buy in bulk. Not everything, for example, you don't want to buy spices in bulk, unless you are running a restaurant; they lose flavor over time. Likewise, buying a case of lettuce is cheaper than buying a head, but it will rot before you get half way through the case, if you are buying for a normal family.
But, there is a way around such problems. Get together with family and/or neighbors and form a loose cooperative group. Buy in quantity, divide the purchase and the cost and everybody saves, and, again, you can save a lot.
This doesn't just apply to produce. Canned and boxed goods can be purchased in case lots, as can cleaning supplies. Frozen vegetables are very cheap when you buy by the case. Again, just divide the purchase and the cost, and everybody's happy.
When it comes to meat, the savings get even bigger, but, generally, when bought that way, the meat is in big pieces. So, if possible given your finances and room, buy a freezer. They aren't cheap, but they will, if used wisely, pay for themselves fairly quickly. You will also need a good chef's knife and a cutting board. With a little practice, you will learn to cut those big pieces of meat to size with no trouble. For example, ground chuck can often be bought in 10 pound tubes that come 8 to a case. You divide the case with 3 others and you each have 20 pounds of ground chuck for a fraction of what you pay retail.
Where do you buy in large amounts? If you live near any urban area, you will likely have a food distribution company that services restaurants fairly near by. Contact them. They often will sell to private citizens if the quantity is large enough. I know that Sysco opens to the general public once a week, and there are other distributors that you can work something out with.
Let me add 2 notes. When you buy meat in this manner, you will get good meat. It will not be what you get in the finest steakhouse so keep your expectations real, but it is good quality. Second, before you place the order, sit down with your buying partners and write out the order. Make sure everyone gets a copy and that they know what they are getting and how much they are paying. It is best to avoid any possible disagreements.
But, there is a way around such problems. Get together with family and/or neighbors and form a loose cooperative group. Buy in quantity, divide the purchase and the cost and everybody saves, and, again, you can save a lot.
This doesn't just apply to produce. Canned and boxed goods can be purchased in case lots, as can cleaning supplies. Frozen vegetables are very cheap when you buy by the case. Again, just divide the purchase and the cost, and everybody's happy.
When it comes to meat, the savings get even bigger, but, generally, when bought that way, the meat is in big pieces. So, if possible given your finances and room, buy a freezer. They aren't cheap, but they will, if used wisely, pay for themselves fairly quickly. You will also need a good chef's knife and a cutting board. With a little practice, you will learn to cut those big pieces of meat to size with no trouble. For example, ground chuck can often be bought in 10 pound tubes that come 8 to a case. You divide the case with 3 others and you each have 20 pounds of ground chuck for a fraction of what you pay retail.
Where do you buy in large amounts? If you live near any urban area, you will likely have a food distribution company that services restaurants fairly near by. Contact them. They often will sell to private citizens if the quantity is large enough. I know that Sysco opens to the general public once a week, and there are other distributors that you can work something out with.
Let me add 2 notes. When you buy meat in this manner, you will get good meat. It will not be what you get in the finest steakhouse so keep your expectations real, but it is good quality. Second, before you place the order, sit down with your buying partners and write out the order. Make sure everyone gets a copy and that they know what they are getting and how much they are paying. It is best to avoid any possible disagreements.
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Cleaning
Everyone, everywhere, has to clean. Well, there are some of us who do so
sparingly, but most of us like a clean home. Okay, simple enough, but what is
the best way to go about it?
First, use chemicals sparingly and make sure you use the right cleaners.
Also, use the simplest, safest chemicals that will do the job.
Ammonia. Stay away from ammonia unless you are stripping wax or paint, or
grimy ovens. The stuff is hard on your lungs and seldom needed. If you must use
it, make sure you have the windows open and fans on, then, when finished, go
outside for a few hours. Really, the stuff is nasty. Do not ever, ever, ever,
mix it with bleach. I have known folks who did this and, yes, it did clean, and
yes, they ended up hospitalized, with bleeding lungs. In essence, they made
mustartd gas, something used only in chemical warfare.
Bleach. One thing I want to make clear. Bleach does not clean. It whitens
and it sanitizes. It works great to sanitize cutting boards and if you have
mildew in your bathroom, it will kill it. Other than that, avoid bleach.
Baking Soda is a fantastic cleaner. A paste made with baking soda and water
is a great scouring powder, cheap, safe and effective. Also, it removes foul
odors.
Vinegar is a mild acid and will clean up stains quite nicely. Also, if you
have clogged drains, try this before you buy harsh drain cleaners; pour baking
soda in the drain, add vinegar and immediately plug the drain; it will fizz
like crazy and, when it stops, rinse with cold water and your drain should work
fine and smell much better.
All purpose cleaners. Most are some sort of solution involving a degreaser.
Fine, if in fact, you are cleaning up grease, but, be careful. These chemicals
are harsh. Don't use them on wood, they will damage it. Never use them without
gloves. They will pull the fats out of your fingers and leave them dry, sore,
and if over exposed, bleeding. Don't be fooled by labels saying 'all natural'.
Many of those use substances like orange oil or pine oil, they are natural, but
just as harsh.
It is true that with simpler, safer chemicals, you may have to scrub a bit
harder, well, okay, a lot harder, but think of it this way. A lot of folks pay
a lot of money to go to gyms and work out. Working around your house/apartment
can give you a great workout for free.
Friday, June 17, 2016
Pay Attention and Save Money
This may seem like odd advice, but you can save a lot of time, energy and
money by doing one simple thing, paying attemtion. Many accidents, maybe most,
happen because folks are not devoting their full attention to the task at hand.
I see people working with earbuds firmly tucked in, whether listening to
music or talking on the phone. Seems harmless enough and if you are just
walking the neighborhood, fine. When you are working around potentially
dangerous equipment, it is not. If you are doing complex office work, it is
also not acceptable to be half paying attention. If you are interacting with
customers, it is absolutely not acceptable.
Contrary to polular belief, neurologists have proven that we cannot multitask. When we
think we are, our brain is actually switching from one task to another, at
rapid speed, yes, but not with great efficiency. Keep it up long enough and you
will make mistakes.
The mistake may be small, a papercut when opening an enevlope. However, in
an instant, it may be deadly, as has been the case in things like train
derailments and chemical explosions.
None of us are perfect but why go out of your way to risk an accident.
Accidents cause alot of mental and physical pain and, to be mercenary for a
moment, they cost a lot of money. At best, when you make unnecessary mistakes,
you waste time straightening them out.
So take out the earbuds and pay attention. When you finish the task, then
you can enjoy anything you want, worry free.
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Gardening - Choosing Varieties
I am going to end this series on gardening with a discussion of the incredible varieties of plants available. The possibilities are head spinning. But, a little common sense is all you need.
Let's take tomatoes for example, although these guidelines apply to all plants. Some varieties do well in full sun, some in partial shade. Some like the hear of mid-summer, some, the mild springs, Some grow as vines and require support, while some grow as bushes. Among the bushes, there are various heights. And there are other variables, like length of growing season, moisture required. So, what do you do?
Simple. First, pick a variety that suits your climate and when you are planting. Then, look at the conditions in your garden; size, watering arrangements, how much direct sun it gets, what is your soil condition, what else you are planting. Then look at the information that comes with your plants, on the seed packet, if that's how you are starting or on the pot if you are buying seedlings. If you are still undecided, there are many handbooks and online sites that will tell you everything you could possibly need to know. If you don't have time for that, just stop by any nursery, they will help or, better still, talk to neighbors who have gardens.
This series has been only a brief introduction to gardening. My intention is simple. I would like to see more people enjoying this healthful pastime and saving some money by growing their own produce.
Let's take tomatoes for example, although these guidelines apply to all plants. Some varieties do well in full sun, some in partial shade. Some like the hear of mid-summer, some, the mild springs, Some grow as vines and require support, while some grow as bushes. Among the bushes, there are various heights. And there are other variables, like length of growing season, moisture required. So, what do you do?
Simple. First, pick a variety that suits your climate and when you are planting. Then, look at the conditions in your garden; size, watering arrangements, how much direct sun it gets, what is your soil condition, what else you are planting. Then look at the information that comes with your plants, on the seed packet, if that's how you are starting or on the pot if you are buying seedlings. If you are still undecided, there are many handbooks and online sites that will tell you everything you could possibly need to know. If you don't have time for that, just stop by any nursery, they will help or, better still, talk to neighbors who have gardens.
This series has been only a brief introduction to gardening. My intention is simple. I would like to see more people enjoying this healthful pastime and saving some money by growing their own produce.
Friday, June 10, 2016
Gardening - Pest Control
Little is as discouraging as walking to your garden and finding it crawling with critters. This will happen, but it need not be a disaster. Accept the fact that you will find some bugs and realize that a few won't hurt. If you see birds, frogs, and spiders near by, sit tight. They eat a lot of bugs and may keep things reasonably under control. Again, as long as there is not a major infestation, and your plants are healthy, a few chomps here and there by some bugs are not a big deal.
However, in our noisy, modern cities, sometimes, natural pest predators are not to be found. Then, you need to be vigilant. When 1 or 2 bugs begin multiplying, you must take action. What to do? Well, the simplest, cheapest and safest thing is to put a spray nozzle on a hose, blast them off and then step on the little creatures, or, if they are large enough, just knock them off with your hand and squash them. Then, keep an eye out; they may have left eggs and, if you start seeing little ones, repeat the above procedures.
However, if you find the prospect of squashing bugs unappealing, you will need chemical intervention. Probably the safest are the insecticidal soaps. They work fairly well, but remember, they will kill beneficial insects so don't spray when you see bees buzzing around. From there, you move to harsher and harsher chemicals. I hate the idea of harsh chemicals but if worms are devouring my cabbage, I will use them. Caution: Please use them only as directed, wear goggles, a mask, and gloves and don't spray on a windy day. Also, use chemical insecticides sparingly. Remember, healthy plants can stand a few bugs here and there.
Fungus and molds are a different matter. Water and mulch properly and you may never have these problems, again, healthy plants can stand a little damage. If fungus and mulch become widespread, you have 2 choices. Invest a lot of time and money in the proper chemical treatments or dig the plants up and burn them. I recommend the latter since, if you don't kill every bit of the problem, it will come back and it will spread. Do not compost infected plants, the heat generated in composting may not kill all of the spores. Just burn the plants, then treat the soil with the proper chemicals.
Once again, a black spot on a leaf or a caterpillar crawling on your squash is not cause for panic, but you do need to watch things. Always start with the safest easiest treatment, and only resort to powerful chemicals as a last resort.
However, in our noisy, modern cities, sometimes, natural pest predators are not to be found. Then, you need to be vigilant. When 1 or 2 bugs begin multiplying, you must take action. What to do? Well, the simplest, cheapest and safest thing is to put a spray nozzle on a hose, blast them off and then step on the little creatures, or, if they are large enough, just knock them off with your hand and squash them. Then, keep an eye out; they may have left eggs and, if you start seeing little ones, repeat the above procedures.
However, if you find the prospect of squashing bugs unappealing, you will need chemical intervention. Probably the safest are the insecticidal soaps. They work fairly well, but remember, they will kill beneficial insects so don't spray when you see bees buzzing around. From there, you move to harsher and harsher chemicals. I hate the idea of harsh chemicals but if worms are devouring my cabbage, I will use them. Caution: Please use them only as directed, wear goggles, a mask, and gloves and don't spray on a windy day. Also, use chemical insecticides sparingly. Remember, healthy plants can stand a few bugs here and there.
Fungus and molds are a different matter. Water and mulch properly and you may never have these problems, again, healthy plants can stand a little damage. If fungus and mulch become widespread, you have 2 choices. Invest a lot of time and money in the proper chemical treatments or dig the plants up and burn them. I recommend the latter since, if you don't kill every bit of the problem, it will come back and it will spread. Do not compost infected plants, the heat generated in composting may not kill all of the spores. Just burn the plants, then treat the soil with the proper chemicals.
Once again, a black spot on a leaf or a caterpillar crawling on your squash is not cause for panic, but you do need to watch things. Always start with the safest easiest treatment, and only resort to powerful chemicals as a last resort.
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Gardening - Weeding and Mulch
As your plants grow, you will find weeds here and there. By definition, a weed is any plant that is not wanted where it is growing. A fine rose growing amidst your tomatoes is, in that case, a weed.
What do you do with weeds? Pull them. Yes, there are herbicides, but you really do not wants to use them near your produce. A tiny gust of wind or a slip of the hand and your lettuce is history, so, just yank them out, chop them up, and add them to the compost heap. If they are tough to pull, use a hoe or a small garden shovel. If your plants are just sprouting or newly set in the beds, be very gentle near them.
But, there is an alternative, mulch. Mulch is darn near anything you want to use, piled over the bare ground between plants. I would recommend that you buy mulch, in bags for small areas, or delivered by the yard for large gardens. Mulch purchased that way is sterile and won't rot and sprout fungus or mold. I mention that because many communities have programs that provide free mulch from wood chips left from county tree trimming programs. Free is nice but this mulch will rot, smell, and very likely sprout all sorts of fungus and mold, some of which are a bit toxic. If you mulch with this, wear a mask; breathing in spores is not a good thing.
There are other mulches. Stone or gravel is good but expensive. I would use it more in ornamental gardens and it is very attractive. Old, shredded newspapers are very effective but, it is unlikely you will have that many newspapers and they really are not attractive.
Applying mulch is simple. just cover the bare spots between plants to a depth of 2 or 3 inches. Note: do not pile the mulch up against the stems, this can lead to rot. If your plants are still small, just add a thin layer and add more as they grow, otherwise a good wind will blow them and bury your plants.
Mulching has 2 other advantages. As it decomposes, it will add organic matter to your soil, just like compost. Also, it will hold water and you will find yourself saving a lot of time and money on water.
What do you do with weeds? Pull them. Yes, there are herbicides, but you really do not wants to use them near your produce. A tiny gust of wind or a slip of the hand and your lettuce is history, so, just yank them out, chop them up, and add them to the compost heap. If they are tough to pull, use a hoe or a small garden shovel. If your plants are just sprouting or newly set in the beds, be very gentle near them.
But, there is an alternative, mulch. Mulch is darn near anything you want to use, piled over the bare ground between plants. I would recommend that you buy mulch, in bags for small areas, or delivered by the yard for large gardens. Mulch purchased that way is sterile and won't rot and sprout fungus or mold. I mention that because many communities have programs that provide free mulch from wood chips left from county tree trimming programs. Free is nice but this mulch will rot, smell, and very likely sprout all sorts of fungus and mold, some of which are a bit toxic. If you mulch with this, wear a mask; breathing in spores is not a good thing.
There are other mulches. Stone or gravel is good but expensive. I would use it more in ornamental gardens and it is very attractive. Old, shredded newspapers are very effective but, it is unlikely you will have that many newspapers and they really are not attractive.
Applying mulch is simple. just cover the bare spots between plants to a depth of 2 or 3 inches. Note: do not pile the mulch up against the stems, this can lead to rot. If your plants are still small, just add a thin layer and add more as they grow, otherwise a good wind will blow them and bury your plants.
Mulching has 2 other advantages. As it decomposes, it will add organic matter to your soil, just like compost. Also, it will hold water and you will find yourself saving a lot of time and money on water.
Saturday, June 4, 2016
Gardening - Feeding Your Hungry Plants
Okay, you have your soil prepped, garden ready, plants put in, watering organized, Now what? Well, plants need food and there are many ways to feed them.
There is always a debate between organic feeders and fertilizers. Truth is, your plants really don't care a lot. If they need nitrogen, they are not fussy about the source. The real question is how much work do you want to do, how much money are you willing to spend and what is the nature of your soil.
If you have poor soil and no chance to make compost or bring in top soil, then you will need to feed a lot and you will need good commercial fertilizers. Get a cheap one but be careful. One of the cheapest is Milorganite which is processed sewage. Now this is excellent for lawns and flowers, although it is a bit smelly, but processed does not mean sterile so do not use it around anything you might eat. At the other end of the scale, you have stuff like MiracleGro. This soluble food is wonderful but you have to apply it frequently and boy does it get expensive. Something in between these 2 extremes will do, just follow instructions, do not overfeed, and be ready to water after feeding or you will burn your plants to a crisp. Note: time released fertilizers are not any better but they are more costly; the 1 advantage is, you don't have to be as concerned with watering immediately.
There are fine organic formula fertilizers and they are better for eco-systems. They dissolve slowly, so your feedings last longer. But, they are expensive unless you mix your own. I have done this; you just mix stuff like bone meal and manure, and a few other things, depending on what your soil needs. How do you know that? Send a soil sample to a agricultural agency, an agricultural college or even take it to a nursery. they will test it, often for free, and tell you just what to use. Important note: if you use manure, make sure you buy sterilized manure, otherwise it will stink and you will not want to eat the produce (it will likely contain a bunch of unpleasant bacteria).
Before you do any of this, I urge you to compost. Compost is organic matter and contains pretty much everything your plants will need, plus, it is cheap. If you plant in compost rich soil, there is an excellent chance you won't need any fertilizers and even if you do, you will need very little. Less work and less cost make for a happier gardener.
There is always a debate between organic feeders and fertilizers. Truth is, your plants really don't care a lot. If they need nitrogen, they are not fussy about the source. The real question is how much work do you want to do, how much money are you willing to spend and what is the nature of your soil.
If you have poor soil and no chance to make compost or bring in top soil, then you will need to feed a lot and you will need good commercial fertilizers. Get a cheap one but be careful. One of the cheapest is Milorganite which is processed sewage. Now this is excellent for lawns and flowers, although it is a bit smelly, but processed does not mean sterile so do not use it around anything you might eat. At the other end of the scale, you have stuff like MiracleGro. This soluble food is wonderful but you have to apply it frequently and boy does it get expensive. Something in between these 2 extremes will do, just follow instructions, do not overfeed, and be ready to water after feeding or you will burn your plants to a crisp. Note: time released fertilizers are not any better but they are more costly; the 1 advantage is, you don't have to be as concerned with watering immediately.
There are fine organic formula fertilizers and they are better for eco-systems. They dissolve slowly, so your feedings last longer. But, they are expensive unless you mix your own. I have done this; you just mix stuff like bone meal and manure, and a few other things, depending on what your soil needs. How do you know that? Send a soil sample to a agricultural agency, an agricultural college or even take it to a nursery. they will test it, often for free, and tell you just what to use. Important note: if you use manure, make sure you buy sterilized manure, otherwise it will stink and you will not want to eat the produce (it will likely contain a bunch of unpleasant bacteria).
Before you do any of this, I urge you to compost. Compost is organic matter and contains pretty much everything your plants will need, plus, it is cheap. If you plant in compost rich soil, there is an excellent chance you won't need any fertilizers and even if you do, you will need very little. Less work and less cost make for a happier gardener.
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Gardening - What to Plant
Now comes the fun, selecting what to plant and where to plant it. First understand that vegetable/fruit/berry gardening can be just as aesthetically pleasing as flower gardening. These plants often have fine foliage, interesting fruit and lovely flowers. Personally, I would grow okra as an ornamental because of its beautiful, hibiscus-like flower and interesting, attractive pods. There are even ornamental varieties of broccoli and kale. However, first things first.
Decide what you want to grow and then look for varieties that suit your climate. Not all plants grow well in all places. If you live in Connecticut and want to grow bananas, you will be disappointed and if you want to grow apples in Miami, you will not do well. Don't bother trying to grow plants where they won't grow ( I know that sounds simple minded but I have known many a New Yorker who moved to South Florida and were shocked to learn that they couldn't grow their favorites).When you find a variety that suits your area, then find out when you plant it.
For example, I lived for years in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. If I wanted to plant lettuce, I planted no later than late February and again in October. If I did that up North, it wouldn't work, too cold. In Florida, perfect but, if I had tried to plant lettuce in May, when my Northern friends did, It would have been unable to withstand the heat. Actually, the only things I could grow well in the South Florida summers were collard greens, okra and cherry tomatoes and even then, I had to keep the tomatoes in a mostly shady area.
And that brings me to another point. Watch where you plant things. If a plant like full sun, don't plant it next to a tall plant that will shade it. If it likes a lot of water, don't plant it next to a plant that likes little water. Again, I don't want to state the obvious, but many folks seem to think that they can stick anything, anywhere, any time and have success. Trust me, that does not work and why go through the effort of putting in a garden only to have it fail.
But, none of this is hard to figure out. Just do a minimal amount of research. There are countless guides to planting, both in print and on-line; just follow directions. And, there is another way, one that I prefer. If you have a neighbor who gardens, take them a glass of iced tea or a beer and strike up a conversation. Most will be happy to share their knowledge of local gardening. If none of your neighbors garden, then go to a local nursery, not the garden section of Home Depot or Walmart, but a real nursery. They still exist and will be happy to help you.
Decide what you want to grow and then look for varieties that suit your climate. Not all plants grow well in all places. If you live in Connecticut and want to grow bananas, you will be disappointed and if you want to grow apples in Miami, you will not do well. Don't bother trying to grow plants where they won't grow ( I know that sounds simple minded but I have known many a New Yorker who moved to South Florida and were shocked to learn that they couldn't grow their favorites).When you find a variety that suits your area, then find out when you plant it.
For example, I lived for years in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. If I wanted to plant lettuce, I planted no later than late February and again in October. If I did that up North, it wouldn't work, too cold. In Florida, perfect but, if I had tried to plant lettuce in May, when my Northern friends did, It would have been unable to withstand the heat. Actually, the only things I could grow well in the South Florida summers were collard greens, okra and cherry tomatoes and even then, I had to keep the tomatoes in a mostly shady area.
And that brings me to another point. Watch where you plant things. If a plant like full sun, don't plant it next to a tall plant that will shade it. If it likes a lot of water, don't plant it next to a plant that likes little water. Again, I don't want to state the obvious, but many folks seem to think that they can stick anything, anywhere, any time and have success. Trust me, that does not work and why go through the effort of putting in a garden only to have it fail.
But, none of this is hard to figure out. Just do a minimal amount of research. There are countless guides to planting, both in print and on-line; just follow directions. And, there is another way, one that I prefer. If you have a neighbor who gardens, take them a glass of iced tea or a beer and strike up a conversation. Most will be happy to share their knowledge of local gardening. If none of your neighbors garden, then go to a local nursery, not the garden section of Home Depot or Walmart, but a real nursery. They still exist and will be happy to help you.
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