Petee

A friend's puppy chewed on the exposed root of a Rhododendron in his yard and became severely ill with seizures. Even though he lived, they eventually had to have him put to sleep because it had damaged his nervous systom too badly. A lot of plants have some toxicity and it depends on how much of it is eaten. It's probably best for plants and dogs to have plants blocked off from dogs and vice versa. if possible.

You probably had such good luck with your petunias because we've had such a long beautiful fall. Everything rebloomed or at least tried. Next year, keep your regular petunias trimmed back on a frequent basis and they will perfrom better.

A Honey Murcot is a heavenly fruit! But it's never sold here. I have to have someone bring them from the South when they're in season. http://www.ediblelandscaping.com/Plants/Citrus.htm

It's not the season for Murcots or you'd have something to bring! :-)

I'll be happy to pick them up and store them for her if anyone in the DuBois area who has them can give me a call at 371-3322.

I was curious so I hunted them up on the internet! It looks like they are a lot of work but well worth it for the flavor. http://tomclothier.hort.net/page21.html The Ultimate Nut! http://www.black-walnuts.com/

It's the fruit, not the plants. I wondered because I didn't think they grew this far North. He has them for $2 each. 371-7126

Big Lots doesn't stock any items on a regular basis. They just get odd lots and discontinued stuff.

Be sure to amend the soil at the bottom of the Hyacinth hole very well and they will reward you with a long life. I have Hyacinths that are over ten years old and they continue to multiply.

There is one variety of Glad that is considered to be a hardy gladolia but it will be specifically labeled as such. Just toss them into a plastic container of peat for the winter, put the container in a cool dry place and plant them in the spring.

In the spring when it is about time to plant the Dahlias you should see some sprouts, kind of like potatoes. If you want to divide them, then is the time. Use a sharp knife and divide them so each fat root has a sprout. Let the cuts dry for a day and then plant them as usual.

When we planted the trees at the Medicine Shoppe we used a mixture of top soil and mushroom compost to fill the holes. We had to have everything that was dug out hauled away because it was rocks, clay, bricks and construction backfill like we have found in about every hole we've dug in DuBois. You'll find that your soil will stay pretty nice to dig in, but you still should do a soil test in the spring.

This is one of the tips that I send out daily to the B.U.D.S. members. Sometimes I add more tips of my own at the end in red. To get these, you just have to send me an e-mail address. Content provided by The National Gardening Association. Squirrels consider tulip bulbs to be the equivalent of candy. There are several things you can try, but if there are a lot of squirrels where you live it may be better to plant daffodils instead. You can try: dipping the bulbs in a mole and rodent repellent just prior to planting; applying a repellent spray to the mulch over the planting area; watering the area repeatedly immediately after planting to settle the soil well; covering the area with wire mesh or old window screens to cage them out; or encase the bulbs in wire mesh cages before burying them. You can also make a basket of chicken wire in which to plant a cluster of tulips. The leaves will just grow right up through the wire. It all depends on the value of the bulbs and how badly you want to see them in the spring. Also, don't forget to give your old tulips a hefty dose of Bonemeal right now. It provides lots of food for them to live out the winter without stimulating fall growth. Best wishes, Cheryl

Parsley is really easy to start on a sunny window sill in February. By late May when you can put it out, it's already big enough to harbest a few leaves from for a recipe. Parsley that is kept protected a little bit can also grow right into November. Chives, ugh...I can't get rid of them! They are definitely little reseeding devils! Dill will come back in this area if you have a really sunny garden and make sure you leave plenty to reseed itself. If you harvest it all, there are no seeds to scatter for next spring. The BUDS will have a nice selection of herb at the spring sales at the Medicine Shoppe, so keep an eye out arounf the end of May and the month of June.

Spruce grows very slowly, so depending on how soon you want privacy, you may want to use something like Hemlock which can easily be pruned into a hedge and grows faster. Otherwise, definitely plant in consideration of the full size of the tree. You may also want to consider that you may have one or more die. I lost a very good sized Spruce this summer. It just DIED! Ugh.

I just talked to a clerk at Kohlhepp's, and they are out of them till late tomorrow. They are called a Roma Food Mill/Strainer for about $40. They should have them in late tomorrow. She said one is already spoken for, but they should have two more. If you want one, I would call them and have it set back for you. 371-5060

Smokeefree, you need a Squeezo from Kohlhepps with all the canning you do!

I'm going to be making a canner full of vegetable soup from a recipe I've used since my kids were small. That's it for me.

Those Cannas are $1 each at Lowes today, so I picked up 5 to winter over for the Franklin Street planting bed.

It may well crop its leavea again but keep watering it at a reduced amount. You want to keep it dormant if possible, or as near to that as possible. If the stem tips start to shrivel, give it more light and water but no food.

Apparently it's better to take cuttings in the Spring, but if you have a huge sunny window, you may be able to fool it. Seeds seem doable but very difficult. http://www.passiflora-uk.co.uk/passion-flower-growing.htm

It started out as one skinny little teepee of vines. Each fall it just doubles and triples. It smells good too. It's a little costly at first, but when you see a few years growth, it's cheap!

I love the fun of planting seeds indoors in the spring and watching them grow, so Canna seeds could be great! If you have viable seed, you could get more of the parent plant or something completely new. http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/seed/msg092205599569.html http://boards.hgtv.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/7184011632/m/3731072013

Check out this beauty! I bought it from an ornamental grass place for more money that I usually spend, but I saw it overflowing a stone wall somewhere on the way to Harrisburg and I've never forgotten it.

I would love to try some in the spring. Starting plants is my favorite winter and spring pastime!