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spring

Garden Logistics

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Spring season is always a matter of logistics when you live in a cold climate. In temperate Ohio we go from cold-can't-do-anything conditions to hot-don't-want-to-do-anything weather with only a fleeting spring in between. We can count on two months to get soil prepared and everything planted. Some years there may be some earlier breaks and if we don't mind working very early in the mornings and … [Read more...] about Garden Logistics

In Touch with the Weather

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A definite benefit of gardening is being in touch with the weather. It's a necessity, and counters the tendency of a modern life to live in isolation from nature. Of course, mankind has always been in something of a struggle with natural forces; but that is just an explanation for why we complain so much about the weather. (A vestigial sense of our recognition of nature's importance in our … [Read more...] about In Touch with the Weather

April in the Garden, One of the Busiest Times

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A photo posted by Ilona (@ilonagarden) on Mar 30, 2016 at 11:22am PDT April is always one of the busiest times in the spring garden season. If perennials didn't go in during March, they will definitely need to be planted during April. Getting the earliest crops of the vegetable patch planted, whatever new trees are to be planted, garden cleanup of beds, sowing half hardy seeds in situ, … [Read more...] about April in the Garden, One of the Busiest Times

My Rural Life

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My husband and I bought and started homesteading this place in the mid 1980's. I had no skills, and plenty of dreams. I never managed to have that flock of sheep I envisioned, but instead raised a flock of children. That became my main crop. We all worked hard. I sure wish we had used more mechanized equipment. I truly know what the old saying means, " a hard row to hoe..." Chickens It was … [Read more...] about My Rural Life

It Is Still Freezing, Cold, And Snowing

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Yes, playing with Picmonkey. What else on the rainy/snowy/frozen days we are having? Housework, you say? What is that? Yes, the weather again. We are still in the throes of winter. Throes I say! Everyone says they are tired of it, but we really don't have any say in the weather, do we? It will affect how soon we will be able to plant out our seeds and new plants. The ground will stay … [Read more...] about It Is Still Freezing, Cold, And Snowing

Sweet Scents Of Spring Arrive With The Lily Of The Valley

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A Nosegay of Lily of the Valley One of the joys of this time of year is the scent of the beds of Lily of the valley, Convallaria majalis. The fragrance is embedded in my memory from early years. These small, milky white bells arrayed long the delicate stem give out a slightly musky perfume that pervades the air of the garden. When describing flower scent, it is often remarked how certain … [Read more...] about Sweet Scents Of Spring Arrive With The Lily Of The Valley

New Sources For Garden Journals

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It is time to create a journal for your garden if you don't have one already. I came across some sources for you, in case you haven't found them yet: printable from your own computer. Underwood Gardens PDF Gives combo of information and record-keeping. Example sheet:   Garden Journal Printables Example sheet: A Pretty and Free Download-able Journal Journal … [Read more...] about New Sources For Garden Journals

Posted, A Short Garden Tip Video

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Mini-tutorial when you only have a minute On Care Of Ornamental Grass I wanted to add to the videos made for Ilona's Garden Youtube channel. I like short tips videos, so I made one while showing my son how to cut down the leftovers from last season. I have so many chores that I am delegating some of the ones that don't need any expertise. This is one of those easy tasks, just point and … [Read more...] about Posted, A Short Garden Tip Video

Spring Fever Struck

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Daffodils always bring Spring's message All my life I've heard the phrase, "Spring Fever", but oddly enough I don't think I ever properly knew the meaning of it.  I had the impression that it meant some kind of seasonal frenzy, a result of people becoming feverish to get on with the business of the new season of growing, spring cleaning, and activities like that. It turns out that it is … [Read more...] about Spring Fever Struck

Making Garden Video

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I have a long way to go admittedly, and I don't consider myself star material, but I am making videos on Youtube. I'd like you to subscribe to my lowly channel, give me improvement suggestions, like me.... and share my garden and experiences through the videos. I keep it real. You see the dandelions, the ground ivy, the undone tasks.... all kinds of mistakes, but you also see the beauty of a … [Read more...] about Making Garden Video

Seeds For Trial Garden

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A few of the seeds that were sent to me This year I received seeds to trial in my gardens from American Meadows. They arrived this last week, and the weather is finally warming up so that I can get ready to plant them. Exciting, is it not? I have a large amount that were sent in the nicest cloth bags, 1/4 lb. worth of an annual Wildflower mix, and equal amount of a Honeybee mix! Those … [Read more...] about Seeds For Trial Garden