There are times we forget things. What variety of tomato was our favorite last year? What was the name of that plant by the garage?

Here’s a suggestion to help with that.

When adding a new plant to the landscape, note its location and name on a sheet of paper. Keep the paper in a three ring binder. Take the tag from that new plant and punch or drill a small hole through it. It can then go in the binder as well.

You’ll not only have a name and location, but all the information pertaining to the plant. The best part is it will be all in one place.

This same procedure will work in the vegetable garden as well.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I just realized that we’re nearing the end of International Composting Awareness Week.  It ran from Sunday, May 4 through Saturday, May 10.

In honor of this event I will soon be passing along some composting tips.

These tips will include a simple way to compost in smaller yard settings.

Stay tuned.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

Today I was finally able to complete my work in the raspberry patch.

It mostly consisted of transplanting those I had rooted in late last summer.

A trailing raspberry can be rooted by burying a branch in the soil. It will produce roots and can then be separated from the mother plant.

Those plants were cut loose and dug up. They were then replanted in a mix of soil and compost,

I then added a fresh layer of compost to the established plants. They then received a layer of mulch. In this instance, it was grass clippings.

An added note: Upright growing berries produce additional plants from their roots. these can be transplanted by carefully digging them free of the mother plant.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I’m just getting started with some landscape renovations around our house.

I’ll be doing the work myself while keeping you updated. I hope you may pick up a few tips along the way.

When completed, you will see the before and after photos. There will also be a complete cost breakdown.

Stay tuned!

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I noticed today that the Austrian Pines are beginning to drop their cones.

These are wonderful for holiday decorating. They also work well as bird feeders when packed with a peanut butter and seed mixture.

Now is the time to collect them and store in a dry place. They will be ready for you when you’re ready to decorate.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I was recently asked how to rid a yard of mosquitoes without the use of harmful chemicals.

They had already taken the first step. That is to eliminate as many breeding areas as possible and prevent standing water.

Another way to help accomplish this is to find something that will feed on those mosquitoes and other pesky bugs in our yards and gardens. So let’s invite birds into our yards.

A bird feeding station can be the answer. They can be purchased or made at home.

Something as simple as a post in the ground will work. Add a few “arms” to it to hang your feeders [homemade or purchased] and it’s done. Just don’t forget to keep those feeders full! Soon the birds will be dining there and on insects as well.

One thing to remember is that the birds will want water. There are many styles of birdbaths available in many price ranges. There are many homemade options as well.

If the birdbath water is kept fresh there will be no mosquito problems associated with it. Just empty the old water out before refilling.

I’ll see you in the backyard.

I was cleaning up a few limbs in the yard. The strong winds on Saturday brought them down. It was then I realized that a large well branched limb would make a great bird feeding station for all seasons.

The limb would just need to be set in the ground like a post. The difference is that the branch can be placed straight or noticeably crooked. The choice is yours.

Just be sure the branches are strong enough to hold filled feeders. You can decide whether to purchase feeders or build your own.

Built in suet feeders are as simple as drilling large hole in the branch where the birds have room to perch. These holes can be filled with a sticky type of food. I make my own by heating inexpensive peanut butter. When it becomes almost liquid mix in bird seed and let it cool.

Don’t forget to keep all the feeders full. Your visitors will soon be helping themselves to the mosquitoes and other bugs in your yard and garden as well.

I’ll see you in the backyard.

When I first began planting my current garden area, the soil was less than desirable, so I added lots of compost. Mulching with grass clippings helped keep the moisture in and the weeds under control.

At the end of the season, I would use the tiller to work it all into the soil. My sons and I raked all of the fallen leaves into the garden area and spread them evenly. The next spring, I tilled them under and was ready to plant.

I am at the point now where I won’t till it this year. The soil has become more fertile. Dig anywhere and you will find an abundance of earthworms. You’ll find, if you haven’t already, they are a gardener’s best friend.

I plan on planting pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, and sunflowers this year. I’ll mulch it with last year’s leaves and this year’s lawn clippings.

Most of my vegetables will be planted in containers and raised beds. I just want to try something different, even though it may limit my planting choices.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

If you plan on using tomato cages, put them on right after you plant. This year, I am also using cages on the pepper plants. Last year’s crop had the plants bent over and some were even breaking. Here is another quick tip for planting:

• Plant a grouping of 3 or 4 plants.
• Berm the soil around the plants so it appears they are in a saucer. This keeps the water where you want it.
• Place a pot of compost in the middle of the grouping. Make sure there are at least 4 holes (one in each corner) in the bottom of the container.
• When watering the plants, water the pot of compost instead. The water drains out of the bottom, bringing nutrients with it.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I’m sure there are some folks out there who already have some of their gardens planted. This year, I’m not in such a hurry. I do have some leaf lettuce coming up nicely; but I must admit, it came up on its own from year’s crop.

I always plant most of my garden around Mother’s Day. Granted, it could be earlier, but I’m not trying to be the first to have a crop for the Farmer’s Market. It is just grown for our use, with any extras going out to our little roadside stand, which is just for fun.

I’ll see you in the backyard!