There is a hi-tech type of treasure hunting happening, maybe under your very nose. If you don’t already know about it, it’s called Geocaching!

The hobby (or obsession) of geocaching began in 2000 when military satellite signals were unscrambled, allowing GPSr (Global Positioning Satellite receivers) to accurately pinpoint locations around the world. Someone in Oregon decided […]

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My garden file box used to be a very private spot until Cathy started to take pictures of it!

My first file box was a shoebox. I would throw in clippings from magazines, seed orders, lists of plants to try, plant labels etc. It was never organized but I always (usually) knew what was inside.
Then one […]

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Grab your bucket, mop and sponge and get ready to clean your way into spring. Use some of the recipes for alternative cleaning products featured in our last Simple Green Ideas post and get ready to tackle those tough cleaning jobs you’ve been putting off until the windows could be opened wide.
Dishwasher - 1 […]

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One of my favorite herbs and the first one I ever grew in my garden was thyme. I think it was Doone Valley Thyme - one of the taller versions with dusty purple blooms on fine foliage that just begged to be touched to release it’s fresh fragrance.
I’ve grown lemon thyme for using […]

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Spring is here and that means spring cleaning!
We have all become accustomed to using a variety of cleaners for numerous cleaning tasks around the house. They get the job done, but we know they may not be environmentally friendly. Why not try some “home-made” products that have been proven to work just as well as […]

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Continue to plant some seeds indoors. eg. thyme, allysum
Clean out flower beds, cut back dried perennials.
Lift overgrown perennials when you see new growth. Divide, re-plant or trade. Top dress with compost.
Sprinkle bloodmeal around bulbs before they flower, remove leaves after they die down.
Trim clematis, add lime and cover the root area to keep […]

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In the garden, Epson salts is a “boost” for your plants. The magnesium in the salts is used by plants for photosynthesis. And as a fertilizer, it will help to increase flower and fruit production.
Mix 2 tbsp into 1 gallon of water and use it to revive a Peace Lily or other houseplants. […]

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My garden file box includes this information for growing tomatoes. Your garden journal might include similar details and space for adding helpful tips as well. Don’t forget to record results, good or bad for next time.

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Mid-March is the start of the spring “planting season” for those who like to propagate garden plants indoors.

Containers
Plastic trays with small pots that fit inside are a common choice for seed starting. Most trays come with clear plastic lids to conserve moisture. I thought these small paper pots were an interesting alternative to the plastic […]

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Prune fruit trees, shrubs, roses before spring growth starts - do not prune spring flowering shrubs.
Cut Butterfly Bush close to the ground and also Dogwood if you wish.
March 15th - force forsythia or cherry branches to flower indoors.
Trim herbs to just above the ground.
Turn compost.
Spray Dormant Oil and Lime Sulphur before buds grow on fruit […]

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