Almanac for Homemakers

Check Acid Needs of Shrubs Near House Foundation "Don't plant acid loving shrubs or trees too close to the foundation or, if you must, take care to treat them regularly to a dose of acid soil-conditioner such as aluminum sulfate." According to our Almanac, certain foundations can seep basic calcium compounds into the soil that can actually poison your plants. So the danger isn't that the plants could hurt your foundation, it's that your foundation can hurt your plants. This is important if the plants are trying to grow are blueberries or strawberries. Some of the shrubs, vines, and whatevers that produce good food to eat love acid rich soil. So how do we make soil more acidic? 1. For small gardens, try using sphagnum peat aka "peat moss". 2. Add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar for each gallon of water. 3. Buy fertilizer that has ammonium nitrate or ammonium sulfate. Some gardening soil will tell you right on the pa...

It's Time to Revive a Poinsettia "Danger of frost is now past in most of the cooler parts of the country. If it is where you live, it's time to get out a poinsettia if you have one in storage." We had briefly talked about poinsettias before in February when you were instructed to store your flower away from the freezing temperatures. Now that the threat of freezing weather has mostly passed, you can take your plant and move it to your garden. Poinsettias need to be in temperatures above 65 degrees fahrenheit. These guys also like to be watered daily. This is why they are indigenous to Mexico. They love humid, warm temperatures. So if you don't want yours to end up in compost, you need to take care of them. These flowers are like the extroverts of the garden. They like attention. They want your attention. They are so red to stand out for that attention. This is why me and gardening do not mix. I'm an introvert. I ne...

Take Cuttings of Favorite Chrysanthemums "Taking cuttings about this time of year is an excellent way to have more of the chrysanthemums that you especially like." Alright Almanac. I'll bite. What is a chrysanthemum? 1. It is a mouth full.  It sounds like I am trying to chew gum and say something at the same time. 2. I'm guessing it is a plant. ding ding It's a plant. It's more commonly called a Mum. I love you almanac but I'm not going to do this. I have recently started taking care of a succulent! Those guys are easy. They like to be watered once a week and prefer that you leave them alone. I really don't know how these homemakers did it. I have three kids. That takes the option of a garden out of the equation. I have to feed and water these tiny humans. There is no way that I am also going to try to take care of all these other tiny things around the house. But you do you Homem...

Flue Tiles Make Decorative Planter for Flowers "Planters filled with flowers such as geraniums or petunias are attractive when arranged around a lawn, porch, or patio, but the fancy planter are pretty expensive." These clay flue tiles come from your typical chimney like this image below. The clay tile aides in safely venting smoke away from the inside of your home. Somehow, someway, someone thought it would be a good idea to put some plants in one. Because of this, we have all kinds of clay pots for sale at any garden center for all your flower potting needs. You can still purchase these flue tiles for gardening. The price can vary depending on the size you need for your gardening. I was trying to find out what started this gardening trend and I can't point to one place in history that this started. I did find many people who claim that they originally came up with idea.  Well guess what, they didn't. This project of writin...