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We can't tell you how many times we've heard from people in various parts of the country that a certain plant blooms much earlier or later where they live, or that they have found a useful trick for growing a certain vegetable more effectively! Some can't wait to tell us that this is their favorite plant ever, while others may have found it really challenging. Whatever the case, we want you to be able to share your information with other gardeners — and that's where the reviews come in! To write a review, just click beside the row of stars above the price box of the product. A box will pop up with just a few questions to answer:
That's all there is to it! We hope that very soon, gardeners across the country will be helping each other choose the very best varieties, avoid mistakes, and make the most of their garden! | |||||||||
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First of all, if you're like us, you may be asking yourself, "Do I really have to divide any plants?" And while it's true that the Plant Division Police won't be patrolling your neighborhood, many perennials bloom and grow much better, and can even live longer, if divided every few years. Coreopsis is a prime example; if left alone, it can peter out after a few seasons, but if you take a moment every 2 to 3 years to pull it apart into smaller clumps and re-plant, it will thrive for a long, long time! Here is a quick list of the perennials that benefit from a late summer to fall division:
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| We have all heard horror stories about children eating Angel's Trumpet flowers or swallowing castor beans, yet this is surprisingly rare. The vast number of children's encounters with poisonous plants produce skin irritations or other allergic symptoms, and even these are easy to prevent with a little planning. The holidays present a number of challenges, beginning with those gorgeous purple Cotoneaster berries at the Thanksgiving table. You would have to eat a lot of them to suffer any ill effects, but still — they look beautiful and might be tempting. Keep an eye on your centerpiece!
Many houseplants can cause allergic reactions if ingested, so teach children early not to eat or rub the foliage on their skin. Umbrella Tree, Ficus, Jade Plant, African Violet, Calla lily, and Caladium are among the plants that can create reddening, inflammation, and pain. Outdoors, Jack-in-the-Pulpit can be a temptation, as can Rhododendron and Oleander. And many plants in the Solanum (nightshade) family are quite toxic, though others are edible vegetables, including potatoes and eggplants. If you have poisonous plants already present in your garden and do not wish to or cannot move them, take simple precautions to make them less accessible to curious children. Remove any branches within a child's reach, if possible. Prune back fruiting hedges before they set berries. And if you have a large toxic plant, such as a yew tree, make your problem into a virtue by surrounding it with deep flowerbeds or thick shrubbery so that it can't be approached! If something does go wrong in the garden, take quick action. If a child comes into contact with poison oak, ivy, or sumac, wash the skin at once and at length with lukewarm water and plenty of soap. If you suspect that a poisonous plant has been swallowed, immediately call 9-1-1 or a Poison Control Center. Resist the temptation to give the child ipecac or to induce vomiting — it can cause more harm than good. The best cure is always prevention, so teach children from a very young age never to put anything from the garden into their mouth unless a trusted adult has offered it. After all, by far the most common complaint about poisonous garden plants at Poison Control Centers nationwide is.... hot peppers! A searing chili pepper fresh from the plant can cause severe pain and inflammation, so bear in mind that "non-toxic" doesn't mean "good to eat," and instill caution in even the youngest gardeners! | |||||||||
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| Turn that late-summer garden into your own ready-made spa by harvesting tomatoes, cucumbers, and even avocadoes for their beneficial effects on your skin! The acids in tomatoes are excellent for your skin, especially when combined with sea salt or organic sugar for texture. Toss a few tomatoes in the blender (a great way to dispose of those less-than-perfect ones that sometimes arise in late summer!), sprinkle in some sea salt, and carry the mixture into the shower with you. It's a great invigorating body scrub!
Should you be lucky enough to grow avocadoes, you have a homemade wrinkle cream just waiting to be applied! Avocado is rich in vitamin E, which has great healing properties for skin (it is often applied to scars). Cream the flesh of an avocado, then add just a dollop of olive oil to hold it all together. Smooth it gently over those laugh lines and crow's feet, and leave in place for about 10 minutes before washing off. Mmmm — the heavenly smell is another benefit! What other beauty aids can you make from your vegetable and herb garden? When you start to think about dream pillows and infusions, the list seems endless! Have fun and save money by staying beautiful through gardening! | |||||||||
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We've placed this drawing of a tomato somewhere on our website. If you should happen to run across it, click on it. You'll be taken to a screen where you will be given instructions on entering our drawing for a $25 Park Seed Gift Certificate! On Wednesday, September 28, we will randomly select one random winner from all who have spotted the wily little | |||||||||
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September 5 — Labor Day — the first American Labor Day was observed on September 2, 1882 in New York City | |||||||||
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With Christmas come holly, ivy, poinsettia, mistletoe, and yew — all poisonous! The danger of poinsettia has been perhaps too well publicized: poison control centers report very few calls about this lovely winter houseplant. But everything is pretty and tempting at the holidays, so make sure your greenery (especially if it is fruiting!) is well out of reach of little ones!
Cucumbers have long been recognized for their cool, soothing properties, and you should use them freely on your skin. Cut slices to put over your eyes, of course, but also peel the cuke, then pulverize it in the blender for a soothing face mask. Keep it on about 10 minutes, then wash off. Your skin will feel pleasantly refreshed!
September 8 — International Literacy Day
