Out back, in the garden...
Featured Article
Garden Monthly!
To Ponder
Growing Community
Closing Comments
Subscription Management
WELCOME !!
Garden Notes Subscribers!!!
and "Happy Valentine Month! For all you who look forward to this holiday!
February is:
- National Bird Feeding Month -
In January 1994, Illinois 10th District Congressman John Porter read a
resolution in the Congressional Record making February National Bird
Feeding Month. The observance was established because it's one of the
most difficult months in much of the U.S. for birds to survive in the wild.
- National Cherry Month
- National Grapefruit Month
- National Potato Month
We are SO very excited this month, we have some new MAJOR developments!
First, we have partnered with two new companies to bring you some of the
most comprehensive shopping experiences in gardening on the internet!
Garden Simply's purpose is to be one of the most valuable sustainable gardening
resources online. Read "About Us" Here. In order
to fulfill that purpose, we have to produce income. Until now, we have been
almost strictly information, no sponsors, no sales pitches, no hype at all.
And we don't intend to start now. What we do intend to do is succeed in
our mission, and to do that, we must produce an income. We have been doing
our research and are proud to introduce to you
Garden Simply's Online Nursery, a partnership
between us and Nature Hills Nursery based in Omaha, Nebraska, family owned
and operated.
Nature Hills' successes are attributed to marketing healthy and competitively
priced products as well as making sure each item shipped comes complete
with planting, care and storage instructions. We even guarantee our products.
Please take a minute and browse our site
even if you are not in the buying mood today; we enjoy visitors, and are
happy that you have chosen to visit us!
Second, We got a new layout for Garden Notes! How do you like the new
design? Please send compliments (he he!) so that
we can feel justified in the expense! We would love to post them. And don't
forget to include your name and area!
And Thirdly, We've decided to start posting all our new articles in the
newsletter for the review of all interested... it's a pain going there and
looking to see what has changed every so often (like you'd know if you saw it right?
)
So we thought this would make it easier for all our members to see things as
they are added.
Happy Reading!
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Out back, in the garden...
Well, judging from the activity we've had this month, spring is just around
the corner and gardening die hards from all walks are starting to think
spring!
We've had a record month of visitors here at Garden Simply and we would like
to thank all who visit us, but most of all, our subscribers. You all make
this the most wonderful project in the world! We got an email last week
from Cathy that said,
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"Great site, thank you. I subscribed and I think this will be my favorite
place to check frequently!"
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Let us tell you, it's those comments that shine light on a gray day!
Thank you for sharing! Be sure to keep gardening journals and let us in on
your exploits, and TAKE PICTURES! we'd love to
post them on the site .... We
will be highlighting what we receive in the 'Growing Community' section of
Garden Notes. Hey, is anyone going to grow
Three Sisters this year?
Remember....
Even though it's cold, continue to water regularly. Cold winter winds dry
out soil and plants, especially transplants, with fatal consequences.
Give plants a good watering the day before a cold snap for extra protection.
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F E A T U R E D A R T IC L E
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Last month we talked about cold frames for
getting a head start on your spring. This month we're going to talk about
starting your own plants indoors for spring planting.
For those of you who have saved seeds from last year, (or if you're like us,
maybe who KNOWs how far back!) here's a tip....
Check your old seeds. Some vegetable seeds, such as beans, okra,
and sweet corn, have a fairly short life. Other seeds, such as tomatoes,
can last several years. When in doubt, do a germination test - count out
10 seeds, wrap them in a moist paper towel, put the towel in a baggie,
and keep the baggie at room temperature. Keep the paper damp (not soggy!),
and check daily. If 7 seeds germinate, then you can expect a germination
rate of about 70%, and you'll just need to over-plant a bit. Seeds that
germinate at less than 50% should be composted.
And there are MORE Articles on this topic.
Now then for our article of the month! If you are going to be starting your
own seedlings for planting in your garden this year, here is some must have
up to date information.
It's lengthy, so we've just put in a link to it
HERE...
Enjoy!
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G A R D E N M O N T H L Y
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Check out what goes on in the sustainable garden
in the month of February!
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HELP ANOTHER GARDENER OUT !
If you have any interesting gardening tips that you would like to share,
Share them HERE!
We are in the process of creating a place to post all our subscribers' tips
and tricks to help out other gardeners. Full credit will be given for
every tip published, including your name and website if you have one.
Thank you for your help and suggestions!
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T O P O N D E R
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Sustainable farmers recognize the importance of protecting the natural
environment. These individuals manage their farms and gardens in a responsible
manner, maintaining the fertility of the land and preserving resources for
future generations; feeding their families healthy whole food.
Vs.
Industrial agriculture practices are responsible for a host of environmental
problems; in addition to causing massive topsoil erosion, aquifer depletion,
and the reduction of genetic diversity, factory farms pollute our air, water,
and soil with hazardous gasses, toxic chemicals, and harmful pathogens.
Industrial farms cause $34.7 billion worth of environmental damage in
the U.S. each year.*
Sustainable Table.org
*Norberg-Hodge, Helena , Todd Merrifield,; and Steven Gorelick.
Bringing the Food Economy Home: Local Alternatives to Global Agribusiness.
Bloomfield , CT : Kumarian Press, Inc. 2002.
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G R O W I N G C O M M U N I T Y
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Plan community gardening activities for the coming year now while the
outdoor workload is lighter. Host an informal gathering of gardeners.
At the same meeting, begin assigning responsibilities for the coming year.
In this cold season, pitch in to help agencies that provide meals and shelter
for those who need it, especially families. One inspiring program is the
Urban Ministry Center's 'Room in the Inn', in Charlotte, North Carolina.
It organizes local houses of worship and colleges to provide shelter and
hot meals in cold weather for homeless families and individuals.
Read about it at
http://www.urbanministrycenter.org/programs.html.
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C L O S I N G C O M M E N T S
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Well, our Welsh Corgi puppies are ready to go! If you would like to see
our adorable little bundles of love, ready JUST in time for Valentine's Day
check them out, HERE. ©
We are pleased to offer products from one of the largest, most dependable, and
easiest places to navigate on the web, Gardener's Supply Company. They offer
simply everything you'll need to get done what you want to get done.
We incur expenses every month making Garden Simply a truly valuable internet
resource and with you visiting our sponsors, it will help keep us single
moms at home with our children and help us all get through school!
And NOTE! They are offering FREE SHIPPING! on all orders over $55!!!
Thank you for your support!
Until next month, remember the words of William Shakespeare ....
"What's in a name?
That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet."
Let GardenSimply help you with a plan of action
for YOUR garden every month!