Nature is Nurture

Electrifying Lobelia


Lobelia on my patio in dappled sunlight


I believe I have found the perfect blooming plant for my hanging baskets, the ones that are positioned to get only morning sun.  Blue is a cool color that usually fades into the background, but the electric blue of Lobelia is exquisitely vibrant.  I personally love
blue flowers and I have been admiring this low trailing, blooming plant in other people's yards and containers for several years now but I just hadn't come across any to purchase in the nurseries.  This year, I found some early and scooped them up.  I also ordered seed via catalogue and have a few planted in 4-inch pots.  I see sprouts (not many) so I'll have to let you know how growing from seed turns out in one of my later updates, perhaps.

Well, I'm going to go on and on about this plant's color.  Actually, Lobelia is the genus name for a large group of plants of a variety of heights and bloom colors.  For example, Lobelia cardinalis (otherwise known as Cardinal Flower) grows up to 3 feet tall and blooms red in color.  Some types, including some trailing types, bloom in pink or white.   The particular type I am discussing in this post is Lobelia erinus.  While the other types and colors of Lobelia are indeed beautiful, I have found nothing more intense in color as the electric blue of the trailing Lobelia erinus. It is a floral hue that makes you do a double-take when walking by because you simply can't believe the blooms are real. 


Lobelia erinus
Picture compliments of http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/homegardening/scene3417.html

Now, having boasted about this plant's color I'd like to reiterate that it is an low profile edging, hanging basket, and/or filler plant.  Its vibrancy indeed makes a powerful statement wherever you choose to place it, but the plant itself is a bit dainty.  And being dainty, in general, usually means a little extra TLC may be involved.  Such is the case with Lobelia.   

Lobelia erinus is a tropical perennial, and thus, in areas north of Zone 10 (pretty much the entire US) it should actually be considered and treated as an annual.  Although it is plant of tropical origin and is accustomed to warmer temps, Lobelia is not a full sun candidate - especially in my part of the US - Texas.  Lobelia enjoys part sun, part shade and thrives in moderately moist (but well-drained) soil.  Thus, if you choose to plant Lobelia in a container or hanging basket you will need to water it more frequently than you would more drought-tolerant plantings.  In fact, no matter how beautiful the colors may mix, avoid grouping Lobelia with drought tolerants such as
Lantana, Purslane and Moss Rose.  Instead, add Lobelia to containers and landscapes that host Liriope, Caladiums, Coleus, and Impatiens.   Sweet Alyssum, which benefits from the same part sun conditions, is a great companion to Lobelia in both texture and color. 

The Lobelia pictured in my hanging baskets below receive morning sun from about 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and I water them daily since they are housed in coconut liners (and thus, the soil dries out rapidly.)  I am very pleased with their performance thus far as it has been difficult to find a suitable blooming plant for the area.  Fortunately, Lobelia fits perfectly with its part sun-part shade needs, moist but well drained soil preference, and its trailing habit!


Lobelia in morning sun

With regard to pests, the only thing I've found in my research that bothers Lobelia are thrips.  Thrips are those tiny "invisible" bugs that sometimes land on and bite humans if you happen to walk in their path.  They are especially attracted to white, yellow and yes, you guessed it - blue flowers.  The best method to rid your Lobelia of thrips is to give them a spray of organic Insecticidal Soap.
  Since thrips are so tiny, you might give your Lobelia a spray now and then for preventative measures - just be sure to treat when your plants are in the shade or you may burn them.  

An interesting side note about the Lobelia genus is that several plants in this group have medicinal properties.  Native Americans historically smoked Lobelia inflata (otherwise known as Indian Tobacco) to alleviate respiratory conditions.  In the 19th century, it was used to rid the body of toxins and as such, it earned the name "puke weed" in addition to Indian Tobacco.  In today's herbal medicine world, it is still used (in moderation) to help with asthma.  An extract of Lobelia inflata is thought to have properties that may assist with drug addiction and treatment of cancer.  Keep in mind herbal medicine is just as powerful, if not more so, than traditional medicine - so never try to diagnose yourself.  The "puke week" reference above should keep you from partaking on your own!  See http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/lobelia-000264.htm for more info.

In closing, I hope you are as fortunate as I have been and are able to seek out a few Lobelia pottings in your nearby nursery or garden center.  Surely you have a spot in your landscape that can benefit from a little blue electricity this season!

Until next time,
Cindy

 

  

Played: 67 | Download | Duration: 00:07:31

Rapid Radishes - For Kids or Otherwise Impatient Gardeners


The quickest and easiest germinating vegetable, by far, is the radish. You can plant the seed one day and three days later you will have a nice row of tiny green sprouts.  Not only is the radish fast germinating, it is also fast maturing.  You can harvest a large crop of fresh, crunchy radishes in just three weeks! 

The radish is a cool weather, early spring root crop and thus, now (April) is the perfect time to sow the seed in the majority of the US.  Some areas of the US can plant radishes in the late fall as well.    Radishes enjoy full sun and somewhat loosened soil, so pick a sunny spot and simply till the top crust of your garden by hand.  You may also sow radishes in containers if you'd like.  Next, take a small spade and draw rows in the soil at about 1/2 inch in depth (or draw circles if using a pot).  Scatter seeds in a line inside the rows and very lightly tamp soil over the seed.   Water carefully, but amply.  In just a few days you will surely see sprouts - too many sprouts in fact!  Give the sprouts about a week to establish themselves and then carefully pull up every other one  - or more if there is an area where they are obviously too crowded.  You will need to allow each plant room enough to create an inch-and-a-half round radish underground - although some radishes are shaped like traditional carrots!

Speaking of . . . there are indeed several varieties of radishes available today relative to shape, color and taste. The most common radish is perfectly round and is red on the outside and white on the inside. It is crisp, juicy and can be a little spicy at times.  It is thought the hotter the weather while growing, the hotter the radish will be.   Round varieties also produce pink, purple, bi-colored and white fruit.  And, as I mentioned, there is the White Icicle variety that simply looks like a white carrot.  Timely enough, there is even an Easter Egg seed packet you may purchase that is a mixture of many of the varieties above!  



Although most kids and some adults do not care for the taste of radishes, they are a colorful and nutritious bonus to salads.  In addition to adding color and texture to a salad or meal, radishes are high in Vitamin C, folic acid and potassium.  They are also a good source of magnesium and calcium.  And best of all, they are filling yet have almost no calories!

Because radishes are quick developing plants and are not in the soil for long, fortunately they are not attacked by many pests and have no known diseases that I am aware of.  I have grown radishes almost every year for the past 25.  Only once did I have an issue with insects on my radishes and that was just an odd year all around.  I had developed a root maggot infestation.  It literally grosses me out to think about it even now.  That particular year, the root maggot fly (which looks like a light gray housefly but a tad smaller) infested my radishes, turnips and carrots.  As I pulled them out of the ground, little white wiggle worms were all over the veggies.  Sadly, once a garden is infested with these pests it is hard to salvage your root crops.   The best thing to do is to discourage the adult fly from the beginning by placing row nets over your plants and leaving beneficial wasps and beetles (that eat the fly) in the garden.  Nematodes can also be added to the soil to deter the larva of this pest and others.  Well, although I spent a lot of words describing this situation, chances are - you'll be able to grow a crop or two of radishes this season without having this very undesirable issue.   
   
So - if you'd like to spark your children's interest in gardening, I highly recommend beginning with the rapid radish.  (It is also the best veggie to begin with if you are attempting to green the thumbs of some of your impatient adult friends and family members too!)  Not only is the radish easy to sow and fast to grow, it is extremely fun to harvest.  You might consider it an underground Easter egg hunt!)  Kiddos love pulling up the little multicolored balls from the ground - although I admit they may not like to eat them!  But the good news is, if you've sparked their interest in gardening with the radish you may have challenged them to grow longer season fruits and veggies like strawberries, watermelon, cucumber and tomatoes.  -And we all know there isn't anything more delicious than a home grown tomato with a "shake" of salt!  They'll be hooked -

Until next time,
Cindy


Played: 39 | Download | Duration: 00:07:09

Elephant Ears


If you wish to create a bold and beautiful tropical background to your landscape this summer, now (March/April) is a great time to plant Elephant Ear bulbs.

For about the past 15 years, I have been fortunate to enjoy Elephant Ears in my back yard with very, very little garden work involved. There was only one really very cold winter that I recall when I had to plant a few extra bulbs the following spring, otherwise my Elephant Ears have reliably sprouted and multiplied throughout the years.  (That really cold winter I'm speaking of was the very unusual February in 2011 when we had freezing temps and ice on the ground for 3 -4 days straight - during Super Bowl weekend of all inconvenient times!)  At any rate, the reason I mention this is because Elephant Ears are tropical plants and thus, are considered annuals in Zones 7 and northward.  You will most likely have to dig up the bulbs and overwinter them from year to year if you reside in the less than tropical zones of the U.S.  The good news about this practice is it will give you the opportunity to split the corms (or eyes of the bulbs) and produce more plants the following year.    I personally live in Zone 7b (the southern part of Zone 7) and as I stated earlier, my Elephant Ears are definitely perennial so there is a little wiggle room with the annual/perennial designation depending upon the location in your yard that you plant your bulbs.  (For a detailed garden zone map, including lookup by ZIP code, see http://www.garden.org/zipzone/index.php.)

Elephant Ears are fast-growing, huge foliage plants very similar to, but much, much larger than their close relatives, caladiums.  Depending upon where you live, Elephant Ears will grow 3 - 6 feet tall and their leaves can become as large as . . . ummm . . . Elephant Ears!  Because of their bold appearance and need for ample space both in width and height, it is best to plant Elephant Ears in corners of your home or landscape - or on the back row of your beds.  They will give a tropical, summertime feel to any landscape and thus, are especially attractive planted in yards with pools or ponds. You may find bulbs that produce green, variegated or dark purple leaves.   So - depending on the color of your home's brick, rock, wood, etc. you are sure to find striking specimens perfect for your surroundings. Various leaf margins can also be found among the exotic species, such as smooth, ruffled or scalloped.


Black Magic Elephant Ears  http://scienceray.com/biology/elephant-ears/

Unlike most bulbs & tubers, Elephant Ears enjoy warm, humid and oftentimes wet conditions.   In very hot areas of the U.S., such as south Texas and Florida, Elephant Ears do best if planted in full to almost full shade.  Areas north of these states can plant the bulbs in mostly sunny to partly sunny locations. My Elephant Ears are planted in a corner of my backyard that is mostly shaded and stays a bit damp.  They thrive in this (relatively) cool, damp locale, although they do get a burst of sunlight for a couple of hours in the late afternoon - amazingly from the reflections of a couple of my neighbors western facing windows!  Sometimes the sun is so intense bouncing off the windows in the Texas heat, I will find the leaves of my plants will have temporarily wilted and dipped to the ground.  However, after a quick spray of the water hose they usually perk up by the next morning.

Once you have located the perfect location in your landscape for your Elephant Ears, you will need to plant the bulbs, pointed end up (or sideways if you have a bulb that is hard to differentiate), at about 2 inches under the soil.  Typically, the bigger the bulb, the bigger the plant, thus, depending on the size of your bulbs you may wish to leave about 1.5 to 2 feet between each one accordingly. 

As I mentioned earlier, in the ornamental sense, Elephant Ears are grown specifically for their large and beautiful leaves.  However they do flower on rare occasions.   The flowers remind me of those of peace lilies (although about 10 times larger!).


Frog in Elephant Ear Flower www.emilycompost.com


Another interesting fact about Elephant Ears (also called Taro) is their bulbs have been cultivated for many centuries in the tropical areas of Oceanic, Asian and African countries, and still are today an important part of the Hawaiian diet.  In fact, Taro is considered a "tropical potato".  Different cultures utilize the bulb (and sometimes the stalk and leaves) in different ways, but it is always cooked thoroughly.   If not, the plant can cause quite an upset stomach, among other problems, as it contains calcium oxalate crystals which can produce gout and kidney stones in humans.  Since pests are hardly a problem with Elephant Ears, it is thought the spiny calcium oxalate crystals within the raw plant actually deter insects from eating the plant as well. 



Elephant Ear (Taro) Bulbs

(Incidentally, as I was researching Elephant Ear, or Taro, I came across many photos of people eating Elephant Ear pastries at county fairs.  At first I thought they were actually deep fried Elephant Ear leaves!  Well, come to find out, it is just another name for a huge pastry - one that does not include chlorophyll, by the way.  Elephant Ear pastries, no matter how authentic they look to deep fried leaves, are simply another tasty carnival tidbit similar to funnel cakes and Belgian waffles.  Either they don't routinely bake them in Texas or I simply have overlooked this treat all of my life (which is hard to believe since I love funnel cakes!))  

Well, at the close of this post, I'd like to point you to a few Web sites that provided me a wealth of information - but the main reason I'd like you to visit them is to gaze upon the photos to see just how huge an Elephant Ear leaf can get.  Truly amazing.   

I hope you find the perfect place to create your tropical paradise this year!

Until next time,
Cindy


References:  
 http://www.emilycompost.com/elephant_ear.htm
 http://www.elephantearsplants.com/elephantearsgrowing.htm                             
 http://www.tarofestival.org/  
 http://www.tropical-plants-flowers-and-decor.com/elephant-ear-plants.html



  


Played: 24 | Download | Duration: 00:09:55

Ranunculus

 
               



A very good friend of mine, Stella, surprised me with a gift of a brilliant yellow potted Ranunculus at work one day recently.  She knows I very much enjoy flowers and had seen this plant at the local home improvement store and was spellbound by its gorgeous springtime-reminiscent blooms.    She thought I might know all about the plant, but alas, I only knew its name!  I had often seen the paperflower blooms in catalogs and gardening books but for some reason I did not think Ranunculus grew very well here in Zones 7/8.    

I believe I've been wrong. 

From what I've read, being on the cusp of Zones 7 & 8 can offer two choices when planting Ranunculus and the good news is, since it is early March, it isn't too late to take part in one of the choices.  If you live in Zone 8-11, you could have planted the bulbs/tubers last October/November for a display of flowers right about now.  This is good advice for next year for those of you whose winters never reach below 10 degrees.   For those of us that live further north and overlap a bit with the above zones - say Zones 8 and northward, you can plant Ranunculus bulbs this month and enjoy their vibrant colors come late May or June.   
 


My Ranunculus Gift from Stella on the Patio - Doing Great!

Ranunculus, sometimes commonly called Persian Buttercup, produce full, rose-shaped blooms in a variety of bright colors.  They are indeed cool weather plants.  As mentioned above, they grow from tiny bulbs or tubers and hence, they prefer dry soil.  They do not take to the heat very well, and perhaps, knowing how hot our summers (and sometimes springs, falls and even winters) are here in North Texas, this is why I pretty much wrote them off early on.  However, after having witnessed their beauty and resiliency (my stunning lemon-colored gift has resided in a pot on my patio all week and still looks great) I have indeed had a change of heart.  I can now attest that Ranunculus are very worthy of planting along with other cool season ornamentals such as pansies, dianthus, and snapdragons.  Of course, you may wish to simply plant a few bulbs/tubers in pots and enjoy them on your patio or front porch.  In my opinion, their greenery is just about as pretty as their blooms, reminding me of full, healthy chrysanthemum leaves.  

While it is possible to dig up the bulbs/tubers after the greenery dies down and store them in a cool/dry area until the next fall or spring, most folks treat Ranunculus as an annual.  The tubers are indeed quite small and inconspicuous and usually when the earth becomes warm and wet with early summer rains, they are prone to having rotted anyway.  Considering on my lunch hour today I purchased 15 tubers for $4.98, it certainly isn't expensive to grow new plants from year to year. 

                     
                                                               Ranunculus Tubers

Well, when I arrive home from work today I plan to locate a few high-ground, mostly-sunny spots in my backyard to plant my Ranunculus tubers.  After researching the best way to sow these tubers, I learned it may be a good idea to soak them for about 30 minutes to plump them up before planting.  (The claw-like tubers actually look like dried up mini-tarantulas if you ask me!)  Once plumped, you should plant them right away at about 2 inches under the soil, with the claws pointed downward.  

So . . .  within a couple of months, I hope to enjoy a rainbow of Ranunculus in my backyard.  I hope you find time to plant your rainbow this spring too!

Until next time,
Cindy

P.S.  Ranunculus are touted to be among the best of cut flowers as not only are they beautiful, they stay fresh for 7 days in a vase


 

Played: 56 | Download | Duration: 00:07:17

Love Thy Neighbors



It's mid-February and if you are like me, your mind tends to drift off to visions of springtime gardening and flower bed planting.  It is the season when we begin to emerge from our dark, but cozy, homes and venture out into our front yards to see what needs to be repaired, replaced or completely redone.  As the weeks creep into warmer weather, naturally, we begin to see more of our neighbors out and about as well. 

I consider myself a good neighbor.  I keep my yard and house up as best I can.  I don't have loud parties.  I have pets, but they are old and quiet.  I speak when spoken to, but I don't go out of my way to be nosy.  I'm happy to be observant when neighbors are out of town and I'll help with their pets from time to time.  I like kids.  I'm stable - I've owned my house for about 20 years.  Overall, I'd say I fit in well and consider my neighborhood a great place. 

However, I'd like to share a few episodes I've had with neighbors throughout the years - not all of them necessarily gardening or nurture-related - but are perhaps a tad funny and worth mentioning!


  • Last summer, one of my neighbors to the east assisted me in cutting up a large portion of my Vitex tree.  It was felled by a very windy storm and was lying across both our yards.  As he was assisting me, he got the courage to ask if he could go ahead and cut down the "tumbleweed" in my front yard while he had the chain saw warmed up.  I was very puzzled by the question as I simply did not have a tumbleweed in my yard that I was aware of.  I soon learned this is the name his wife had given my Texas Sage bush that is planted near my mailbox.  Granted, it is an older variety of shrub and isn't quite as full and vibrant as later varieties, but the comment hurt my feelings nonetheless.  It is still there, by the way.  My neighbor has since told me my Texas Sage has become a very good landmark . . . when giving directions to visitors, they just tell folks they live at the house "next to the one with the ugly tumbleweed!"

 



  • This same family (and others, I might add) had another occasion to contact me when my lawn service mowed over the internet/cable TV wires that just happened to service the entire street and happened to be strategically placed in the small lawn strip behind my fence in the alley.  (Oh yes, I  hire a lawn service!  Ever since my ancient lawn mower died a couple of years ago (although I rigged the wheels with paper clips) I have had to hire out my lawn to be mowed.  This summer I hope to purchase a new mower and go back to doing it myself.  I miss sweating off 5 lbs a week!)  At any rate, my hired  mowers got too close to the cone shaped cable cover (that had been busted for some time, by the way) and the mower sucked the wires out from under the device, shredding them to bits.  Needless to say, I was the pariah of the neighborhood as nobody had cable TV or internet for two days and in my part of the metroplex, without cable TV, you basically have no TV due to lack of signal  - plus, most of my neighbors at least partially work from home via the internet.  My lawn service wrecked havoc on both the work and home lives of multiple households surrounding me!   Well, to show good faith that I would do my part to ensure this doesn't happen again, I took one of my coveted wrought iron garden obelisks and placed it over the ugly, busted, faded green cone behind my fence.  I wince every time I see my beautiful garden art on top of a dinosaur egg-looking device - but at least it is serving a purpose and keeping me off the pariah list! 

 

  • My neighbors to the west have a pit bull.  I have written about him in the past.  I love animals, but this dog I fear greatly and as a result, the west side of my home is slightly neglected.  My shrubs are overgrown, my birdbath lies empty, and from the window inside my house I can peer out and see weeds and sometimes the occasional trash bag or fast food wrapper adorning my side yard.  I can also see the pit bull staring through the cracks of the fence slats.  Well, I have become well acquainted with the three juvenile boys that live next door and own the dog.  Unfortunately, I have had to have a window replaced three times, as well as my A/C repaired, and a major gas leak fixed - all along the west side of the house.  Because no one in their right mind will work near the dog, I have repeatedly over the years walked over and knocked on my neighbors' door to ask that they put "Max" in the garage so the repairmen can do their jobs.  The boys oblige, but I'm probably not their favorite person because of it.  Although, a long time ago when Max was a puppy they routinely asked me to feed him when they went on trips and I accommodated them.  They said the trick was to open the canned dog food and fling it out of the can as fast as I could over the fence and into their backyard.  Otherwise, they said, "Max will tear you up if you get too close to him."  Should've been a clue . . . now the dog simply sees me as walking ground beef!





  • Speaking of signs, I've done my share of posting signs in my yard and otherwise to get messages across to unknown perpetrators. Throughout the years I've had various vehicles consistently park in front of my home on a regular basis.  Well, there isn't much that can be done about a vehicle parking in front of your home on a public street and so I can't let that bother me.  However, when the vehicle inches over into the area in front of my mailbox - now that is a different story.  I can't afford to not get my bills!  Most recently I had this problem and I posted a sign in front of my mailbox and the situation seems to have been remedied.  A couple of years back, though, there was a dull green Plymouth Reliant that consistently parked in front of my mailbox even though I had placed a sign in the area politely asking they discontinue parking there.  About the 2nd week into this situation, I decided I undoubtedly needed to place the sign on the vehicle itself, so I did - one 8.5 X 11 on the front windshield and one 8.5 X 11 on the back.  I'd also dropped the please and thank you's by this time. The day after I placed the signs on the Plymouth, the car was nowhere in sight.  Mission accomplished!  Well . . . that next weekend I was outside in my front yard pulling weeds when out of the corner of my eye I saw a very elderly man inching down the sidewalk of the home diagonal from mine.  The man had to have been in his late 90's as he was frail, white-haired, severely slumped and shuffled like Tim Conway's old man character in a Carol Burnett Show skit.  As he VERY, VERY slowly inched into the street, I noticed he had something in his hand.  Not having been introduced to him (they were new tenants) I felt he surely wasn't coming over to speak to me but perhaps instead was returning an item to another neighbor.  After all, I was without makeup, dressed in sweats and my hair was in a makeshift ponytail.   I wasn't prepared to have a first encounter with anyone in close proximity.  Yet, as I tried to become deep into the task of pulling weeds, I could see out of the corner of my eye that the trajectory of the path of little old man was dead on toward me.   I stood up from kneeling and decided to give him a friendly, across the yard, wave.  That solved it.  He was indeed heading my way.  A big smile crossed his face as he tried to put himself into faster gear, nearly falling in the middle of the street.  I decided I needed to meet him halfway or it could be hours before he reached me and I certainly didn't want one of the pit bull owning-teens next door to hit him as they come barreling down the road in their SUV oblivious (as most teens are) that cul-de-sacs host kids and pets like any other street.  The elderly man and I met at my mailbox.  He had to have been more than a 100 years old.  He was soft-spoken and kind.  He shook my hand, introduced himself and said he was  staying with his granddaughter & great grandchildren for a few days to help them get moved into their new home.  I welcomed him and in turn introduced myself as I saw he continued to clasp the rectangular object close to his chest. He then said, "I'm sorry I parked my car in front of your mailbox for a few days."  YIKES!  I gulped and said, "Oh, that's OK.  Really, it's just that the postman will not deliver mail if your mailbox is blocked.  You have to be careful of that around here as postmen don't get out of their vehicles to deliver mail anymore."   I don't think he heard my "neighborly advice".  He merely turned over the object in his hands and gestured for me to take it.  As he did, he said, "Maybe this gift will soften you and bring you peace."  I looked down and saw he was giving me a warped, framed picture of Jesus kneeling in prayer!  He then turned and began his slow shuffle back to his granddaughter's house.  For hours, it seemed, I stood there in the middle of the street with my mouth open, holding the picture of Jesus in my garden gloves! 

 

Well, truly, as I mentioned earlier, I consider my home is in a good neighborhood filled with good neighbors even though some are a bit quirky to me.  I guess we all have opinions and ways of interacting that could be considered odd at times.  Respecting differences and the preferences of others is just part of life, I've decided. 
 
Although I don't plan to chop down the "tumbleweed" I did trim it back a bit.  I'd say it is a compromise.  It isn't quite so large, but large enough to still serve as a landmark!

I've decided my garden obelisk has a new, permanent duty as "protector" of the neighborhood cable wires.  I may just add my second obelisk out there in the alley and be content my yard art is being admired by all those folks living on my street.

It's hard to say anything positive about the monster dog next door - except this:  I know if anyone with ill will ventures within feet of my house, Max will scare the you know what out of them - and if he just so happened to break out of the fence, he would no doubt track down the perpetrator.  I rest easier at night knowing this (although at times a skunk, rat, opossum or raccoon sets Max off for hours on end some nights, making me look like an errant raccoon the next morning.)

And lastly, although I admit I am still the neighborhood "sign lady" and sometimes I have to resort to posting them in front of my mailbox, I make a point to leave in the please's and thank you's -no matter how frustrated I get with my neighbors.  I still have the cheap, faded framed picture of Christ that the little old man cross the street gave me that day.  I know the gesture was a probably a little self-righteous on his part, but I just can't bear to throw the gift away!  His mission was accomplished, I'd say!

Here's to embracing good neighbors as we enter the season of yardwork and outdoor socials, no matter how quirky they may be!

Until next time,
Cindy
 
  



   

Played: 57 | Download | Duration: 00:14:25

The Language of Flowers


Language of Flowers Wallpaper from www.homemadesimple.com

The gifting of plants and flowers to represent love, honor celebrations, and soothe those in mourning has its roots in ancient traditions. 
In Victorian times, when public display of affection was frowned upon, suitors would send specific messages of their "blooming" love in the form of flowers. (See http://www.rosaflora-flowers.com/meaning-of-roses.html for an interesting description of the meaning of the various colors, mixtures and quantities relating to the gift of roses.)   It is thought the Victorian practice of using flowers to speak that which should not be spoken, actually derived from the "language of flowers" originating in 15th century Persia.  This floral language was so refined during this time that flower arrangements were routinely dispatched as secret military messages to allies and unsuspecting enemies throughout the Middle East.  With regard to the practice of funeral flowers, archaeologists have uncovered flower petals and garlands in tombs of many ancient burial sites, including the tomb of the Egyptian king, Tutankhamun. It is thought by some that the ancient ritual of presenting flowers at death was in part to assist with alleviating the odor of the dead.  The practice may have also been done to provide the soul of the departed an offering to take with them into the afterlife.  Then, there was the thought that blooming flowers signified renewal, thus by sending flowers to the bereaved you honored the re-birth of their departed loved one.

Jumping to present times and continuing to speak of funeral flowers, I typically opt to send a potted plant combined with a few mixed blooms to those in mourning.  In my mind, this practice ensures the family has a living memorial to their loved one once the initial flowers have faded. However, when a loved one lost is very near and dear, you may find you have intense emotions when selecting flowers for their services (indeed the "language of flowers" kicks in and runs deep in times of great love and great loss.) As in the case of a dear nephew I lost far too young a couple of years ago, I opted for a spray of "white as snow" roses. Their meaning of purity and innocence and their symbolism of heaven was the perfect final earthly gift I could present to him.

In addition to honoring our departed, we often send flowers to friends, colleagues and relatives upon happy occasions - such as to honor births, birthdays, anniversaries, promotions and retirements. You can certainly research the language of flowers and find the best flower for the exact occasion, including the very flower which represents a child's particular birth month (see http://www.babiesonline.com/flowersbirthmonth/.)   On the contrary, no matter the occasion, if you know a person's favorite color or favorite flower, the arrangement will be greatly appreciated no matter its floral meaning. This is especially true when sending a Get Well bouquet.

Well, as we near Valentine's Day, we are often reminded of how red roses epitomize romantic love and, as such, we honor our sweethearts by presenting them with bouquets of these beautifully-hued flowers.  While other colors and combinations of colors of roses and flowers represent other sentiments, don't fret if your sweetheart mistakenly sends you friendship roses on that special day. I would venture to say that although 90% of the male population knows best to stick with red roses, most do not consider 15th century or Victorian floral symbolism when they spot a "bargain" mixed bouquet! Keep in mind, though, there are geographical exceptions to some meanings of flowers.  For example, in Texas, yellow roses also signify true love (versus friendship) and in fact, are my favorite. 

So - now that you know a little more about the language of flowers, I urge you to explore and research a bit further and buy yourself a meaningful bouquet or two around Valentine's Day.  See
http://victorianbazaar.com/meanings.html.  There simply are times in our lives we may not have a sweetheart or a cause to buy for another, but this shouldn't prevent us from partaking in this ancient tradition.  Whether purchasing from the florist or taking cuttings from your own backyard, I encourage you to become fluent in the language of flowers this year.  All the while, keep in mind that although ancient floral symbolism is quite fascinating and can certainly add meaning to a gift, every flower - whether sent or received, picked or still on vine - is truly a miracle to behold! 

Until next time,
Cindy

Technorati Code:  V2KDQT2NP5GR


     



Played: 62 | Download | Duration: 00:06:49

After Christmas Amaryllis


 


Although we are in the midst of winter and some of us have landscapes covered in snow, we gardeners can enjoy getting our hands dirty and satisfy our urge to sow by planting a few Amaryllis bulbs indoors. The bonus with planting an Amaryllis indoors is, unlike most "house" plants, it will result in large, beautiful, lily-like blooms within a few weeks - some with double or multiple blooms.  (See the pic below of the one I am growing now - it appears it will have two separate stems.)  



Amaryllis Bulb at southern-facing window with blooming Crown of Thorns and Coleus in the background.


As I began researching this topic, I found a couple of Web sites to refer you to that pretty much say it all, along with complimentary picture diagrams, thus, I will spare you the details of planting and care here except to say that it is VERY easy.  If you haven't tried Amaryllis bulbs before, I urge you to do so now while the timing and price is right.  The only prerequisite before purchasing a bulb kit is that you have a nice, sunny window with a lot of space.  Amaryllis requires bright light to sprout and plenty of room to grow as it can reach 18 -24 inches tall.  Yes, they are big plants!  In the U.S. and other parts of the Northern Hemisphere, the best place for Amaryllis to grow would be near a spacious southern facing window in either your home or office.  
However, once your plant begins to bloom, usually in about 5 - 8 weeks, you should move it away from  sunlight so that the blooms will stay fresh for a longer period of time.  

Amaryllis care Web sites: 
 
http://www.amaryllis.com/pac.htm

http://www.rochestergardening.com/bulbs/amrylcar.html


Now, to the main point of this relatively short blog post for me - as I hinted above, you can purchase these gorgeous plants at this time of year on clearance for about $3 each or less.  Some Amaryllis are offered in a kit which includes everything you need:  the bulb, a dehydrated potting soil disk, brief instructions, and a plastic, but useful, pot.  I feel especially fortunate because I found my Amaryllis kit at Target this past weekend (January 7) for $2.98 and it included a nice, roomy ceramic red pot.  The pot alone is worth $2.98 in my opinion!  At Target, they had a choice in colors of both pots and blooms.  I chose a deep red blooming plant to match my deep red ceramic pot, but they offered white, pink and striped blooming varieties in either a red or white ceramic pot.  In addition to Target, I have seen Amaryllis bulb kits on clearance at ridiculously low prices at Wal-Mart, Lowes and Home Depot as well.  Before you buy, though, peek into the pot to see if the bulb has sprouted and bloomed on its own over the holidays.  Some of those on the higher shelves at Target (where they were exposed to bright fluorescent light) had prematurely bloomed inside the pot.  Once I delved into the ones stacked toward the back on the lower shelves, I was able to find plenty of bulbs that were at their prime for potting (a little green popping through the bulb is OK). 

So, next time you are out doing your grocery shopping or scanning the after Christmas clearance aisles at your local home improvement store, spring for a couple of Amaryllis bulb kits!  In a few weeks, as winter continues its barren path, you'll be happy to have a little taste of springtime to admire indoors.


Until next time,
Cindy 


For you green-thumbed guys out there, here's a hint:  If you hurry, you may be able to present your sweetheart with a very nice blooming Valentine - just look for a bulb that has already begun to sprout, which shouldn't be hard to find at this time of year. While I don't want to get anyone into trouble who is expected to annually give Roses, Amaryllis also blooms in the colors of love . . . red, white, and pink . . . plus it will last longer than cut Roses and will bloom time and again with proper care. I know I'd appreciate one from my sweetheart, but then again, I love ALL PLANTS equally so please give at your own risk! 
                        

 





 

Played: 44 | Download | Duration: 00:06:45

A Dog Called "Chumpie"

There is a little white dog with reddish-brown spots that lives, unfenced, two doors down from my mom (about 6 acres away).  He probably isn't full bred, but he definitely has a lot of Bud Light's "Spuds McKenzie" in him or rather, Bull Terrier blood, that is.  

I first met this little dog two and a half years ago when he invited himself to our annual 4th of July cook-out and homemade fireworks display, routinely held under my mom's carport and in her rural back yard.  Spanky, my mom's 10 year old Schnauzer, is deathly afraid of fireworks and hides in the closet every 4th of July.  He's a house dog and only ventures out in the fenced front yard for necessities, so we didn't expect Spanky would be joining in the loud festivities.   Instead, this tough, stout, little white dog with a spotted nose and tiny triangular eyes came down and celebrated with us that evening.  He never flinched when the fireworks got a little too close for comfort or when my mom yelled at him to stop chewing on spent sparklers.  It was pretty apparent nothing fazed this little dog. 

That night, I donned him "Chumpie".   I don't know why, but it is a name that fits and he seems to like it.   Chumpie has made a point to trot down and visit us at every family gathering since, and I don't doubt for a minute it is because he netted a couple of grilled hot dogs (in addition to spent sparklers) that 4th of July more than two years ago! 

 
Chumpie and my niece, Amber

Jumping to present time, last weekend, my mom's Schnauzer, Spanky, in an extremely unusual act for him, dug out of the fence.  He was gone about an hour before my mom noticed he had escaped.  As I mentioned earlier, Spanky is an indoor dog that only goes outside into a protected chain-linked fenced front yard.  Spanky is not at all adapted to the wide-open rural life as some "country" dogs are.  Realizing what he had done, my mom panicked of course and immediately began looking for Spanky.  She knew his sheltered life would not serve him well in a rural area that boasted of free range, territorial ranch dogs - not to mention the occasional coyote, bobcat, rattlesnake, and rifle-carrying protective land owner.  Most frightening to us, however, were the 70 mph missiles on the two farm-to-market roads that bordered my mom's widespread neighborhood.  Folks in the country do not tend to slow down when a "critter" is in the road.  This is not so much because they purposely wish to run over it - but for two reasons, really.  Number one - there simply isn't any room to swerve on two-lane country roads as generally there aren't shoulders present and you certainly don't cross the yellow center line into oncoming traffic.  Number two - most roaming country dogs know to get out of the way of vehicles. (I'm not sure how they know this, but they do.  In fact, they know just how close they can get to your vehicle to chase beside it without getting hit.  Ever driven past a rural home and out of nowhere comes a German Shepherd or Collie that can keep up with your vehicle as you drive the length of the property?)  Well, at any rate, Spanky is not one of those adaptive creatures.  And to top it all off, Spanky escaped on New Year's Eve - the second most popular night for fireworks!  My mom was having visions of Spanky darting in all directions trying to avoid the onslaught of fireworks exploding in the dark rural sky that evening. 

After my mom searched for a couple of hours with no luck, she called me and I loaded up my car for an overnight stay and drove down there.     It would be close to dark before I arrived at her home, but I had a couple of flashlights and binoculars and we would do as much searching as we safely and cautiously could, I supposed.  If you read my blog regularly and in chronological order, you are aware my dad passed away recently. To me, this major loss and very raw wound increased the importance of finding my mom's furry companion.

That evening we drove around four adjacent rural neighborhoods, calling out Spanky's name between fireworks explosions and cautiously shining our flashlights into vacant fields.  (Note my mention of rifle-carrying protective land owners earlier.)  As we drove down one of the county roads, out of nowhere comes none other than Chumpie!  He had heard us in the distance calling out to Spanky and decided he'd answer the call.  (He knows Spanky as the dog on the other side of the fence, so to speak.  They've met before - nose to nose.)  At any rate, Chumpie decided to get out in front of my car headlights and lead the search party.  This little dog ran in front of my car the length of two long county roads, stopping every now and then to christen a mailbox post.  At the end of the second road, I took pity on poor Chumpie as his short legs had slowed to a trot and his tongue was dripping and hanging out to the side of his mouth.  I lured him into my car, setting him between my mom and I in the front seat.  I don't know that he's ever ridden in a car before, but he wasn't afraid and seemed to thoroughly enjoy it.  

Defeated for the night, we drove back to my mom's, letting Chumpie off at his designated house along the way.  
                                            

The next morning, my mom and I got up early and created about 30 posters with Spanky's picture, description and mom's contact information listed.  We then resumed our mission, this time with the blessing of daylight.  We passed out posters to folks working in their yards and taped the remainder to fence posts located at the entrances of several nearby dead-end country roads.  As we did these things we continued to call out Spanky's name.  Well, you probably guessed it, here came along Chumpie again - this time running to us from a different direction and across another field.  Again, he led the search party, taking the time now and then to walk up into some of the yards where we humans couldn't legally venture.  The three of us searched all that second day with no luck. 

Spanky was found that night.  Alive and well.  Hallelujah!  

He had dug inside the fence of a home located two county roads over from my mom's.  We can only guess that he became disoriented by fireworks, or any one of the other aforementioned dangers, and decided it was best to be fenced in after all!  The problem was he didn't pick his home to dig back into - he picked a vacant home several acres away in which to seek shelter.  Fortunately, a kind and sympathetic woman noticed a little black dog hiding under the porch of this fenced-in, known-to-be-vacant home, put two and two together and called my mom's phone number listed on the flyer that we had posted at the entrance of her development. 

                             A jealous Spanky looking on as my mom and nephew, Vincent, feed an abandoned kitten. 
                                                                          The kitten was ultimately adopted by my niece, Kristin.




Well, in the end I'd like to say Chumpie had something to do with Spanky's rescue . . . 

So I will! 

Although Chumpie did not directly find Spanky, he certainly led the search party for two straight days.  Most of all, he gave us hope.  How?  We knew if Chumpie could hear us calling three county roads away, then surely Spanky could hear us too.  We knew if Chumpie could run toward us, dodging thick brush, makeshift fences, creeks and ponds, then Spanky could most likely get to us too.   We knew if Chumpie, a tad smaller than Spanky, was able to withstand the dangers and elements overnight, then Spanky probably could too - at least for a little while.   Thus, Chumpie gave us the fortitude to keep on looking - all the while posting more flyers and searching further out than we originally thought plausible.  Chumpie inspired us and proved that an unlikely feat can oftentimes be accomplished with mere perserverance.

Thank you, Chumpie.  We definitely owe you a few grilled hot dogs at the next family gathering!


Chumpie following after my niece, Kristin, in the rain.
(Sorry about the spotted pic.  Wasn't going to post it, but then again, it is telling of Chumpie's personality.)


Until next time,
Cindy

P.S.  If your pet gets lost, don't give up - even if it has been gone a few days.  Post flyers in your neighborhood (within sign ordinance guidelines), post ads in newspapers and online, and call your local animal shelter and nearby veterinarian offices to make them aware of your loss. Be safe by limiting personal information (a phone number is sufficient contact info.)  In suburban areas, many folks routinely walk for exercise and have developed a keen sense for out of place pets along their path.  You'd be surprised just how many people (and Chumpies) are out there willing to help!

  

      

Played: 39 | Download | Duration: 00:12:28

Embracing a Kinder and Gentler New Year




This post may not qualify as a typical "Nature is Nurture" excerpt, but I've toyed with writing the story for several years and I believe it is fitting for the New Year - especially for those of us that may have experienced loss and are looking forward to a brighter future.

As with every year in our lives, there are good and bad experiences.  There are gains and there are losses.  

I've lost two close family members to unexpected deaths within the past 24 months.  Mourning must run its course as I learn to embrace and honor my loved ones' memories.  Their lives meant, and still mean, more to me than I can articulate.  If your past year included such a loss or losses, strive to be ever so gentle with yourself in the coming year as you, too, will learn to live life fully again, but with a new "normal."

Well, there are other losses some of us may have experienced this past year, such as jobs, homes, friendships, and/or marriages.  In no way do I wish to minimize the validity of feeling sad and depressed when experiencing the loss of one or more of these tangible items.  However, I truly believe some of these losses may indeed be cause for pause and reflection. This is where I'd like to begin my brief, but poignant, New Year's Eve story:

Six years ago I divorced during Christmas week.   I did not initiate the proceedings yet I ended up being the sole partner reporting in front of the judge that deciding day.  The judge hit his gavel and said, "Divorce granted.  Merry Christmas."  The divorce was devastating to me in more ways that one.  However, at the time, I did not realize it was the marriage itself that was the true devastating force upon my life. 

Having endured Christmas week as a self-labeled newly divorced, middle-aged woman with tons of loose ends to tie up, I was not looking forward to the New Year, let alone celebrating New Year's Eve.  In fact, I had planned to have a quiet night alone contemplating how I would eventually furnish and repair my empty, damaged home (another story for another time, perhaps.)  Instead, at the last minute, I accepted an invitation from a very kind woman I had met indirectly at work.  This woman exuded positivity and enthusiasm and had a awesome zest for life, although her family had also experienced divorce that particular year.  She had invited a varied group of people in age, marital status and ethnicity to celebrate the New Year together in her home.  We honored traditions, danced to a variety of music and partook of scrumptious food and drink from several cultures that evening.  It was by far the best New Year's Eve I had ever experienced in spite of my depression over my divorce. 

During one especially festive dance that night, in which we were all hand in hand, a child accidentally struck and spilled a glass of red wine onto the light carpet.  My mind instantly went into auto-pilot as I sucked in my breath and ran to the kitchen to find a cloth, all the while spontaneously coming to tears.  I feared yelling, belittlement and very harsh admonishment for the child.  I also expected the host would become irate and the festivities would surely end.  I was prepared to leave. 

Not so!  The attendees broke into applause, yelled "Opa! Opa!", and danced even more feverishly - they didn't miss a beat! They congratulated the child for the spill of wine as it meant "Good Luck" to all present for the coming New Year.   They celebrated an occurrence that would have without a doubt been cause for an evening of hostility and tears in my former life.  

I am forever grateful I accepted the invitation that night to celebrate the coming of the New Year as part of a caring and wonderful, multi-generational and multi-cultural group.  This remarkable gathering of people taught me there is a positive side to most everything in life if you choose to look for it - and - there is no sense in crying over anything spilled!  The significance of their celebratory reaction to the spilled red wine brought to light I was indeed mourning the end of a very unhealthy relationship - a relationship that should've ended long before and one which I should be oh so grateful wasn't entering the New Year.  Needless to say, I cultivated a refreshingly new perspective on life that New Year's Eve of 2006.

No matter the losses you have experienced this past year, I hope you realize you have the power to place yourself in kinder and gentler environments and surround yourself with kinder and gentler people.  In 2012, my wish is that you stay ever so close to the people, places and things that truly nurture you. 

Happy New Year!

Cindy

In my research for this post, I learned in most European cultures (especially in Italy) it is considered Good Luck to spill wine as it is symbolic of the ancients giving thanks by "sharing" a bit of the fermented bounty with the soil of the vineyard that produced it.  http://www.schonwalder.org/Menu_Wine_TheBestofaMistake.htm
 

Played: 36 | Download | Duration: 00:07:24

Winter Solstice - A Time of Hope


 

                           http://www.stonehengetours.com/html/stonehenge-winter-solstice-tour.htm


December 21st is the shortest day of the year in 2011.  You probably are asking, "What do you mean the shortest day of the year?  Aren't there 24 hours in every day?"  Absolutely.  Allow me to be more specific. 

December 21st is the date in which there will be less daylight hours than any other day in 2011.  It is the time of the winter solstice - which in Central Standard Time will occur around 11:30 p.m. this year.  The winter solstice usually occurs sometime between December 21 and December 23 every year in the Northern Hemisphere.  It is the time of the year when the North Pole is tilted at its greatest distance, 23.5 degrees, away from the sun.  The winter solstice also signifies the first day of winter.  

At the time of the autumnal equinox, September 23rd, daylight and dark were equal in length at 12 hours each.  Since then, in the Northern Hemisphere, daylight has progressively decreased with each day.  In fact, territories north of the Arctic Circle will experience 24 hours of darkness upon the winter solstice. 

It is important to mention this seasonal phenomenon is reverse for the Southern Hemisphere.  For example, the territory south of the Antarctic Circle will experience 24 hours of daylight on December 21st.  And, in the areas between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn, the balance of daylight and dark hours remains stable and the weather warm and humid.  (Thus the reason we must mimic the 12 hours of darkness for native tropical photoperiodic plants such as the
Christmas Cactus and Poinsettia to force their blooms/bracts in our part of the world!) 

If you've done any reading or research about ancient cultures, you are familiar with the fact they viewed the transitions between the seasons as very important.  The solstices and equinoxes determined when crops should be planted and harvested, when berries and nuts became ripe and when certain game could be hunted.  The winter solstice, in particular, marked the time ancient peoples were to begin preparing food and supplies, obtained from their autumn harvests and hunts, in anticipation of the next three months of cold weather.  Ancient civilizations, such as the Aztecs, Druids, Egyptians, Greeks, Mayans, Phoenicians and Romans, among others, erected incredibly accurate temples, pyramids, monuments and calendars that assisted their villages in knowing when the seasonal changes were occurring.  Stonehenge, in the photo above, is an example of such structure.  The photo below is of the Megalithic Passage Tomb at Newgrange in Ireland.  It is a mounded tomb structure that is estimated to have been built in 3200 BC.  There is a roof box over the entrance of the tomb which at sunrise during the winter solstice, a shaft of sunlight breaks through and illuminates the entire interior of the structure.   

                                               http://www.knowth.com/winter-solstice.htm

As with human rites of passage, celebrations and feasts were a major aspect of the ancient seasonal transitions as well, especially during the winter solstice.  Fruit and nuts were plenty, beer and wine were fermented and animals thought not to survive through the winter were slaughtered.  Food was in abundance at this time of year in the Northern Hemisphere and feasting was done in preparation for potentially 90 days of sparse sustenance.   

Festivities surrounding mid-winter holidays certainly continue in most cultures of the world today.  In fact, Julius Caesar deemed December 25th the date of the winter solstice in early Roman times.  And as most of you know, later on, the Christian church adopted this sacred date in honor of the birth of Christ.       

In conclusion, you may ask why I have titled this post, Winter Solstice - A Time of Hope, when it apparently marks the time of anticipated hard, cold weather.  As I pondered all the reasons, the scientific one came to mind first.  Every day after December 21st brings more sunlight.   The ancients knew if they prepared what food and supplies they could for the coming of winter and feasted on that which remained, each day they survived offered more sunlight and eventual warmth.  Hope simply helped them endure the season of long bitter nights and barren days. 

In today's world, the winter solstice falls at the time of year (Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa) when most of us, no matter our religious persuasion, strive to mend relationships, are charitable to those in need and reflect on our personal blessings.  It is a time of faith and observance and thanksgiving.  It is a time we come together to congratulate and to celebrate.   It is a time we come together and mourn those no longer with us yet we remain determined to continue the traditions that have become all the more meaningful in our loved ones' absence.  It is a time we deeply reflect upon our life and muster the determination to live better physically, emotionally and spiritually in the coming year.



As a Christian, I believe the date of the Roman winter solstice was absolutely purposefully chosen to represent Christmas Day, as the spirit of Christmas signifies great hope for all mankind.

No matter your faith or circumstances, I wish you the amazing experience of hope this winter season. 
 
Until next time -
Cindy




This post is dedicated to my nephew, Vincent, who was born 10 years ago on the shortest day of the year!





Played: 35 | Download | Duration: 00:07:57

Poinsettias



 



When we see Poinsettias most of us naturally think of the Christmas holidays.  A single potted Poinsettia has the ability to make any room festive - from a messy college dorm to an austere auto body reception area.   Multiple pots of red, pink and/or white Poinsettias create instant holiday decor for bank lobbies, government offices, museums and other public buildings. I usually purchase one or two every winter to admire and enjoy in my home. (A common myth is Poinsettias are poisonous. While their milky sap may cause skin irritation in some allergic persons and accidental consumption of the plant may cause an upset stomach in kids and pets, exposure is typically not serious.)

I personally prefer the traditional deep red Poinsettias, but I believe the white, pink and new marbled varieties look amazing in certain settings.  White poinsettias look classy in a neutral room or a room filled with predominately gold Christmas decorations.  The pink and marbled varieties compliment rooms adorned in pastel hues or blue and silver toned decor.  And, most recently the stores have offered Poinsettias sprayed with glitter - adding a little extra bling to the season.  

Of course, I normally wouldn't recommend spraying glitter or anything toxic onto a beautiful plant, but Poinsettias are plentiful, relatively inexpensive and have been hybridized to the point they may or may not return in following years with the same vibrant color.  Thus, I treat them as "annuals" or "seasonal" interior plants.  

As such, below are are a few tips to keep your seasonal plants happy:

  • Place your potted Poinsettias in bright or sunny areas if possible.
  • Indoor temperature around 70°F is ideal for long plant life.
  • Avoid severe temperature fluctuations and warm or cold drafts.
  • Water only when the soil is dry.
  • Do not fertilize when the Poinsettia is in bloom.

    If you are up to retaining your Poinsettias after the holiday season, you should certainly give it a try!    First of all, remember that due to hybridization, your subsequent plants may not "bloom" quite as vibrantly as before.  Also of importance is the fact that what we consider as the blooms of Poinsettias are actually their modified leaves, also known as bracts. The true flowers of the Poinsettia are the small yellow centers of the red (or otherwise colored) bracts.  As such, Poinsettias make attractive, GREEN, potted plants that can be placed outdoors in temperate zones after the last frost of spring.  They enjoy sun, but should be placed where they will receive afternoon shade during the summer months.  As fall approaches, the plants should be moved back inside.   Secondly regarding blooms, Poinsettias are perennial tropical natives to Mexico and, like the Christmas Cactus , are photoperiodic.  This means their blooming (or leaf-turning) is dependent upon them receiving just the right amount, or lack, of light.  Eight weeks prior to blooming season, Poinsettias require 12 hours of uninterrupted darkness per night.  You can accomplish this by moving the plant to a dark room or closet to mimic their light requirements, however be careful to treat with "kid gloves" for again, like the Christmas Cactus, Poinsettias can be finicky when it comes to their environment.  

    I have to admit when you enter my home, you are met with at least 25 -30 live plants throughout my abode.  Off the top of my head, I have a Ficus Tree, numerous Philodendrons, English Ivy,
    Coleus, Sansevieria, Dieffenbachia, several varieties of Dracaenas, and a Gerbera Daisy I am over-wintering again.  In addition, I have one deep red Poinsettia as the centerpiece on my dining room table.  Although I admit I have two in my home in areas of no sunlight (a hallway and a dark corner) I simply am not a fake flower or fake plant person . . . until it comes to Poinsettias, that is.  I love to decorate my Christmas Tree with them!  

    In years' past, I would place Poinsettia stems strategically on my Christmas Tree after having adorned it with ornaments.  I focused not only on balancing the decor of the tree, but on filling in the bare spots that allowed a person to look through to the trunk.  Red is my favorite color, so I fell in love with this practice.  This year, having tired of my usual tree topper, I decided to go easy on placing Poinsettias in the body of the tree and instead, I created a bouquet of Poinsettias as my topper.   Needless to say, I am very pleased and next year, I may spring for a few more Poinsettia stems to make it even more full!

                


    Well, I hope that no matter your religious persuasion, you choose to brighten your home and/or workplace during this gray winter season by adorning it with a colorful Poinsettia or two.  After all, December 12th is National Poinsettia Day!  -And if you are up for the challenge, I wish you much success in keeping them around for many more National Poinsettia Days to come.

    In my research for this post, I came across a wonderful and very comprehensive site from the University of Illinois.  For more detailed information about the beautiful Poinsettia and its history, see 
    http://urbanext.illinois.edu/poinsettia/index.cfm.


    Until next time -
    Cindy

    Happy Holidays!  Just a quick note to remind you if you are a holiday online shopper, as am I, it is not too late to take advantage of the offerings at Amazon.com.  Simply click on the ads to the left and enter this awesome shopping site  (where you can search for what you need) through my blog.  It will not cost you one cent more but will assist me in continuing my posts.  Thank you if you choose to do this!  




     

    Played: 27 | Download | Duration: 00:08:34

  • Winter Wonders: Pansies and Ornamental Cabbages

    If you reside in a warm temperate climate, such as the southern US, it is prime time to transition your outdoor landscapes and pots to their winter adornment.  Among a very few other ornamentals, pansies and cabbages are the perfect complimentary accessories you can add to your yard and planters at this time of year. 

    Pansies are among the most favored of flowers worldwide and have a history of admiration going back to their ancestral relative, the tiny viola, written about as long ago as 4th century BC in Greece.  A classic wintertime flower in most areas of the US, the beautiful hues and varied faces of the pansy adorn many a bare lawn during the festive holiday months and throughout January and February.

    In addition to pansies, the popularity of planting cabbages for ornamental affect has increased in recent years. Cabbages enjoy the same basic light, soil and temperature requirements as pansies, and their coloration - predominately in variations of green tinged with pinks and purples - looks stunning when complimenting the deep purples and magentas of some pansies and when contrasting with the yellows and orange-golds of others. 


    Pansy


    So - if you haven't already taken advantage of the moderate fall temperatures these days and planted a few pansies and ornamental cabbages, it isn't too late!  With the first day of winter not arriving until December 21st, there are indeed a few weeks of fall left to allow these beautiful winter hardy plants to take root. 

    Speaking of winter hardiness, both pansies and ornamental cabbages can survive low temperatures to 5 degrees fahrenheit.  In fact, I have witnessed a bed of pansies emerge more full and vibrant after enduring a one day snowfall here in the North Texas area.  And, although I don't intend to eat my ornamental cabbage,  I understand heavy frost causes a sugar surge within the plant that results in its leaves tasting sweeter.  (Both pansies and ornamental cabbage can be eaten if your palate approves!)    Even though both plant varieties do well in the cold, it is highly recommended after planting them that you heavily mulch around pansies and cabbages to improve their chance of survival during bitter and/or unusually lengthy cold snaps.

    In addition, pansies and cabbages should be planted where they will receive at least 5 hours of full sun, whether planted as winter ornamentals in the south or during the springtime in the northern temperate and polar zones.   They should be watered moderately, about 1 inch per week, if rainfall is sparse in your area. 

    With regard to pests, pansies, being low growing flowers, are most susceptible to snails and slugs.  Other soft bodied insects can be troublesome, such as aphids, but they aren't usually as much of a problem during the cooler winter months.  Same with spider mites - there is a slight chance they can be bothersome but not usually until it has become so warm the pansies need to be pulled up anyway. 

    Ornamental cabbages are prone to the identical pests you'd find with other plants of the Brassicaceae family, such as broccoli, cauliflower, kale and brussels sprouts.  These pests are cabbage loopers/worms, harlequin bugs and whiteflies.  Fortunately, like with the pests of pansies, these bugs are not prevalent during winter months.

    As mentioned above, pansies and ornamental cabbages enjoy full sun, moderately watered soil, rapid winter growth and very few pests.  There is one trait of which they are opposite, however.  Aroma!   I actually did not realize just how wonderful pansies smell until I entered a greenhouse one year that was chock full of them.  The scent was absolutely intoxicating.  I hope you can partake of the aroma of pansies on your patio sometime this year.  In contrast, ornamental cabbages smell, . . . well, . . . like cabbage!  I discovered this by accident too.  When making a purchase of a six pack of varied cabbages on the fly one day after work, I inadvertently left them in my car overnight.    If you've ever cooked boiled cabbage at home, you know the odor.  Needless to say, as pretty as cabbages look in pots, it is probably best that they are left to adorn your outdoors!     

    Well, this past weekend (prior to Thanksgiving) I took advantage of the mild weather and planted a couple of flats of deep purple pansies in my hanging baskets, flower beds and pots.  In one of my larger pots, I added a few ornamental cabbages of varied hues to the mix, along with a bit of white 
    alyssum and wandering traveler for a drapery effect.   See below.



    As I sit admiring my "masterpiece" I know it will only get bigger and better with the cold.  -And there simply aren't many plants you can say that about! 

    I hope you find time to plant a few of these winter wonders this season.

    Until next time,
    Cindy


    If you do some of your shopping online as do I, please consider doing me a favor to help build "authority" for my blog - place your orders from Amazon, Petsmart, iTunes and others by clicking on the ads to the left. There is absolutely no difference in price to you by going through my blog and you can order anything from the shopping site - not just the item on the ad. This helps promote and build authority for my topics so that I can continue to be found in the search engines! 

    Thanks! 


     



     

    Played: 35 | Download | Duration: 00:07:31

    Biscuit, aka Psycho Cat

                                                        Biscuit - AKA "Psycho Cat"


    I wasn't planning to write a post this morning.  I have one in the works for tomorrow or sometime next week regarding pansies and ornamental cabbages, but it isn't quite finished. 

    This is the week of Thanksgiving and I am so thankful I was indeed able to sleep in this Saturday morning as I had no hair appointments, grocery shopping, impending chores or otherwise to do early.  It felt good to wake to no alarm, a rare occurrence for me and I dare say, for most of you, too.  You see, I'm one of those people that naturally needs 10 hours of sleep per night.  I'm not lazy, although I am sure some folks with high metabolisms think I am.  I merely function optimal with 10 hours rest.  At my age, I have simply learned to accept this fact and try to plan accordingly. 

    At any rate, while I didn't awake to a nasty alarm this morning, I did wake to my cat, Biscuit - lovingly called Psycho Cat at times - meowing and nudging me.  Although I had no personal pressing chores to do, I did need to feed her, my blind & deaf dog, Buzz, and the blue jays that were stirring by that time. 

    After feeding Biscuit and Buzz, I decided it being Thanksgiving week I would fill all my bird feeders to the brim this morning.  After all, I had plenty of black oil sunflower seed in the garage.  Feeding chores done, I planned to leisurely have an extra cup of coffee in the kitchen and watch the birds surround my autumn backyard as I browsed my computer for Christmas deals. 

    Psycho Cat interrupted this plan. 

    Biscuit, aka Psycho Cat, is an indoor cat.  She has no front claws.  Not by my doing, but by the person who owned her years ago before I adopted her.  She's been a rather skittish cat for the most part, but for some reason she has recently decided to come out of her shell - or she has simply become bored in the house.  Over the past couple of weeks she has, inch by inch, ventured out into the backyard via Buzz's doggie door.  I've seen her partake in a little green grass outdoors - which is good for kitties to eat every now and then, by the way. If they eat too much, though, you will find it regurgitated in areas you hoped not to.

    This morning, Biscuit decided to venture outside after finishing her breakfast.  She hung out on the patio a while, preventing numerous birds from flocking to the seed I had just deposited in the feeders.  Oh well, I thought to myself, the birds will come later.

    Next thing I know, Biscuit is hiding in the knock-out roses, scouting a dove that is perched on the bird bath.  All hell breaks loose as the dove, not the fastest bird on the block, freaks out and flies smack dab into the fence.  I immediately get up from my coffee and whisk Biscuit into the house before she can pounce on the poor stunned dove.   

    Well, that lasted 3 minutes.  Psycho Cat's now had a taste of the possibility that she might actually capture a bird, no claws and all.  She's back out there hiding behind my St. Francis statue, lying in wait for another fat dove.  How ironic is this, I think?  St. Francis is holding a dove in his hand. 
     
    I get up again from my now cold coffee and shoo her away again.  In less than 3 minutes she's back outside (thus, the luxury and limits of having a doggie door.)  This time there is a huge ruckus in the backyard and I'm hearing chattering and clicking noises I've not heard from a bird before.  I look up and Biscuit has amazingly scaled my live oak tree, due to shear speed, no doubt, as she falls 8 feet to the ground when her clawless paws don't stick.  She's quite unhappy and so is that something which is chattering  and clicking from above.  As I walk outside, I see there is a squirrel above us, flicking his tail wildly and giving Biscuit the ole, "haa haa haa ha haaaa, you didn't catch me" business!   

    I scoop up Biscuit and walk her back into the house for the 4th time.  I decide I'll give her some extra food this morning to fatten her up and hopefully make her drowsy for the remainder of the day.  I can only hope. 

    This trick gives me about a 5 minute reprieve.  I'd settled back into my comfy kitchen chair with a refill of coffee, when I hear thumping and over the counter I see a white flash dashing back and forth in my living room.  I assumed Biscuit was playing around with another piece of curling ribbon she found around the house so I wasn't too worried . . .

    FLASHBACK . . . those of you on my Facebook Page know that two days in a row this week I arrived home from work to find my blind & deaf dog, Buzz, with his two back legs completely wrapped up in curling ribbon - no doubt, compliments of Biscuit.  Both days I found him sleeping soundly in his doggie bed, unable to walk properly because his legs were bound.  You see, I had wrapped a gift earlier in the week and left the remaining ribbon out on the kitchen counter.  Only Biscuit could retrieve it.  I can only imagine in my mind how bonkers the curling ribbon must have made her to get to the point she ran 'round and 'round my poor helpless dog - two days in a row!  Of course, after the second day I placed the ribbon in a drawer where Psycho Cat could not find it - well, at least I had hoped she wouldn't find it!

    Back to the story this morning . . . as I sat at the kitchen table with my laptop, trying to order one simple item for my mom for Christmas, I had to yet again get up from my seat and check out what Psycho Cat was up to.  After all, she was now bouncing off the couch, coffee tables and fireplace and I wanted to be sure she wasn't binding and gagging Buzz again!  Mystery solved.  Seems as though while eating her second breakfast this morning, Psycho Cat found a huge, cold-stunned, helpless moth in the garage.  I tried to save it before it became headless, but no such luck.  Psycho Cat may not have claws, but her teeth can do a world of damage and she's discovered maiming insects with her teeth make them more fun to play with.

    Paper towel in hand, I give the moth a proper burial in the garbage can.  As such, Biscuit is off to another adventure, no doubt.   

    Well, this is it for today.  Just had to share the events of my "laid back" Saturday morning!  By the way, before I sat down to type this post I scooted over to my email to confirm my online shopping order went through.   Yep, it went through - TWICE!    

    I can see Psycho Cat is back outside.    Where's that customer service number??   I think I better correct this on the telephone this time!

    Until next time,
    Cindy

    Speaking of online shopping, if you do some of yours online as do I, please consider doing me a favor to help build "authority" for my blog - place your orders from Amazon, Petsmart, iTunes and others by clicking on the ads to the left.  There is absolutely no difference in price to you by going through my blog and you can order anything from the shopping site - not just the item on the ad.  This helps promote and build authority for my topics so that I can continue to be found in the search engines! 

    Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!




    Played: 48 | Download | Duration: 00:09:37

    Collecting Seed

     

    Purple Coneflower Dried Flower Heads and Seeds


    Several years ago, when I first begun taking horticulture classes, I was assigned a research project that included the task of collecting about 70 different seeds.  I recall I was asked to collect around 20 seeds from ornamentals, 15 - 20 from trees and shrubs, 15 - 20 from vegetables and herbs, and 15 - 20 from grasses.  Although I was a mature student in my mid-40's, I'm sure I acted like a pampered 18-year-old freshman when I whined to my professor that I thought it was impossible to collect that many varieties of seed, let alone that many from grasses!  I went on to tell her that I lived in the suburbs and I doubted there were that many types of grasses even available to me.  I asked for a reduction in number of seeds required on the assignment. 

    Thankfully, my professor didn't coddle me.  She matter of factly stated that indeed there were more than enough varieties of plants in my part of the world in which to collect seed and I was well expected to do so.  However, prior to my going out into the field to perform the assignment, she offered me one very valuable bit of advice - always look for seed at the exact locations where the flowers of a plant were previously blooming.  And yes, folks, grass blooms too!  It is just that the blooms are usually so very tiny or inconspicuous that we don't pay attention to them. 

    Needless to say, I learned a lot from this one particular course and its professor.  In the end, I was ever so grateful that my professor held firm and didn't cut me any slack on the amount of seeds required for the assignment - after all, that wouldn't have been fair anyway.  (I had a period of adjustment to endure when I went back to school in my 40's.  I learned it really wasn't a factor that I was working full time AND going to school - the assignments still held all the same.  And rightly so!)

    Well on to the topic at hand - seed collecting.  Now (late fall) is the time to collect seed from your spent summertime plants.  This includes annuals, perennials, vines, trees, shrubs, vegetables and, don't forget, grasses.   Most seeds are enclosed in some sort of pod and in the case of fruits and vegetables, the seeds are in the fruit.  Again, to look for seed of any type of plant, you should look closely in the area of the plant where the flowers had been blooming. 

    Sometimes, the spent flower heads dry out on the plant in pretty much the same form as the flower.  The dried, shriveled petals become a part of the seed, or its "wind sail", if you will.  These types of seeds are easy to find, are usually very numerous, and are effortless to collect (that is, before they go wind sailing!)  Think of the Dandelion, for example. 
    Gerbera Daisy and 

    Clematis (pics below) are other examples.   Maple tree seeds actually twirl through the air similar to helicopters!  Another way seed is dispersed by wind, although indirectly you might say, is through tumbleweeds!  I must admit I never thought of a tumbleweed being a form of wind hitchhiking for seeds!  For a very detailed and interesting article about wind dispersal of seeds, see:  http://waynesword.palomar.edu/plfeb99.htm.

         
      Gerbera Daisy Seed                                                    Clematis Seed  

    Instead of seeds embedded in dried flower heads, other plants form pods in which one or more seeds are encapsulated.  Again, you will find these pods at the point where the former flower dropped off the plant.  Most times, seeds drop straight down from these types of plants (once the pod becomes dry and brittle) and they germinate nearby the mother plant.  Think of Morning Glory, Moonflower, and Cardinal Climber.  These seeds are relatively easy to collect by simply gathering the pods just prior to them dropping from the plant.  You can also look directly below the mother plant and gather seed from the ground as well.  


      Morning Glory Dried Seed Pod and Seeds

    With other plants, the seed pods eventually become so brittle they shrink, separate with force and actually pop interior seeds in the air, dispersing them outward from the mother plant.  Think about 

    Dwarf Mexican Petunia.  These types of seeds can be somewhat challenging to collect unless you happen across a dried pod just prior to it popping!  


    Dwarf Mexican Petunia Seed Pods in Various Stages (dark brown pod on right is almost ready to pop)

    As we know, seeds of vegetables reside inside the mature fruit of the plants.   -And where on the plant are vegetables harvested?  For the fourth time - at the point of a former flower!  Think of Tomato, Pepper, Squash, Cucumber, and
    Pomegranate plants, for examples.    In the natural, the pulp (or fruit) around the seeds serves as the ultimate fertilizer should the fruit drop or be left to rot on the ground.  I can attest to this as one lazy winter I left pumpkins out to rot behind my greenhouse in my backyard after using them for Thanksgiving decorations.   Come spring, I literally had hundreds of little pumpkin plants sprouting alongside my greenhouse!  Leaving the fruit pulp among the seed greatly enhanced the success of germination.  However, I do not recommend this method for many reasons - you'd probably prefer to eat the fruit if possible; it is too smelly and messy to plant an entire pumpkin, cantaloupe, etc.; and, of course, there are superb soil and fertilizer alternatives! 

    Well, if you had a prized plant or two or three in your garden this summer and would like the opportunity to grow additional ones from seed next year, take the time in the next week or so to look closely at the former flowering areas of your plants.  You will most likely find seeds or seed pods  in abundance at this time of year.  However, let me provide you a few of tips regarding harvesting the seed:

    • Keep in mind the size of a seed can vary greatly and may not correspond with the size of the plant necessarily.  Some seed are so tiny you can barely see them with the naked eye and others are hard to miss.  Moss Rose, Alyssum and some grasses have minute seeds.  Among those plants with large seeds are the Avocado and Peach trees. 
    • Unless it is a fruit or vegetable plant, wait until the seed or seed pod is dried (brown and crunchy) before harvesting.  I have never had success harvesting immature or green seeds.  This means you will need to allow your prized plants to dry up and "go to seed" versus tidying up for fall.  Think of Dill for example. 
    • If your seeds are inside a fruit/vegetable - after de-seeding the fruit, wash the seed and spread it in a single layer on a cookie sheet or paper towel and let dry on the counter for several days.  
    • Remove as much chaff as possible and store seed in a cool, dry area or container until planting time comes next spring.  I usually store seed in sealed plastic ware or used coffee cans and place in my garage or pantry. 
    • Lastly, after all this talk about collecting seed I must let you know not all plants produce seed that is "true."  What this means is, if you purchased an amazingly beautiful, unusually-colored Moss Rose hanging basket this year and wanted to duplicate it via seed next year, unfortunately its seed may not produce the exact colored flowers or it might not even produce flowers at all.  This is because the genetics and cross breeding involved with creating the unusual "hybrid" plant may have rendered it unable to reproduce "true."  If you are aware a plant is a hybrid, just keep in mind its seed may not produce an exact replica of the mother plant. 
    Well, after the last point I must redeem the virtues of seed collecting!  Even if you don't wish to capture seed for planting next spring, it is still an incredible experience to get up close and personal with plants and educate yourself, your kids or others about their amazing life cycle.  To this day, I remain ever so grateful for the horticulture professor that one fall semester who made me stick out the search for 70 seeds!

    Happy Hunting!

    Until next time,
    Cindy
    http://natureisnurture.net/


       



     








     



      

     

    Played: 35 | Download | Duration: 00:11:36

    Pet Products That Make Life Easier





    I am a declared pet lover and if I encounter an issue with one of mine, I strive to find the best method to solve the problem for both me and my pet.  I'd like to share a few products with you that in my opinion can make life a lot easier for a household with animals.  The use of a couple of these fine products may sound a tad questionable - but they're safe and they work.  Actually, I find it is far better to discover ways to quickly deter or prevent pets from unwanted behavior than to have them suffer through constant scolding and owner frustration.

    Even though, I must provide a disclaimer here.  You know your pet better than I.  This post is written based on experiences with my pets.  If you have an elderly, sick or extra sensitive pet, or have any reservations about the below products, do not participate in the recommendations.


    First of all, probably the very best thing I've done for my pets is install doggie doors

    Yes, there are a couple of negatives to doggie doors - such as the fact undomesticated creatures may venture inside your house (this rarely happens since most non-pet creatures are deterred by your pets' odors) or your pets may willingly bring these creatures in (I must admit I have found mice, moles and mockingbirds inside my house, see 
    http://natureisnurture.net/2011/05/02/lessons-learned-the-hard-way.aspx.)  Another thing to keep in mind regarding doggie doors is that if you are at work and a downpour occurs, you can count on muddy tracks in your house when you arrive home (better than urine puddles, though!)



    On to the positives - The very obvious positive to installing doggie doors is your animals can take care of bathroom business outdoors at any time the need arises.  No more crossing your fingers that your poor puppy dog can hold it for 12 hours as you work overtime or get caught in traffic!  You may have noticed I said I have doggie doors - as in more than one.  At one time I lived in a household with three cats and three dogs.  Yes, I was in violation of my suburban pet limit. I can admit this now because I am down to one of each.  Well in a multiple pet household, dogs do not respect the difference between their food and that of the cats' - plus some doggies tend to take a liking to the cat box (yes, I know, this is gross but true.)  Thus, I had to develop a system where I could easily feed both species and provide bathroom privacy for the cats.  The solution came by installing two doggie doors.  The larger one is installed in my back door which goes from my home directly into the backyard and is for the convenience of the dogs.  (Note:  Some indoor cats may see this door as a means to escape.  Fortunately, mine did not.  Yes, they would ocassionally sun themselves on the patio, but they always returned indoors when their nap was done.)  The other doggie door in my home is tiny - and actually is a "cat door."  It is installed in the door that leads from the garage into my house.  The cat's food and litter box reside in the garage in an area safe from car traffic.  (Believe me, cats will skidaddle back into your house when a car starts up anyway.)  Now, a caveat - this system will only work if your dog is too large to squeeze through the tiny cat door.  My dogs were large, but if you've read my blog posts of the past, you are aware my current dog, Buzz, is a contortionist and at times succeeds at (or gets stuck) going through the cat door.  See
    http://natureisnurture.net/2011/03/02/the-nose-knows.aspx.  Still, the system works 99% of the time and a couple of very big bonuses - no cat food or litter box odors in the house! 




    For those of you with dogs and cats that prefer to drink running water, there are various drinking fountain water bowls available.  Most are electric, so you need to place them near an outlet where your pet cannot trip over the cord. These devices include a filter system to ensure your pet's water stays clear and fresh. Other benefits of a constant flow of water is that it is oxygenated and stays cool for your pet. Although most have a reservoir for water, you must refill the device regularly.   The one I purchased is placed up against the wall in the garage for my cat, as my dog is A-OK with regular water bowls.  My cat, Biscuit, on the other hand, was literally driving me crazy as every time I turned on a faucet in the house, for example, to brush my teeth or cook, she'd jump in front of me and attempt to lap the water!  Since I made this small purchase, we are both much happier - and so are my dinner guests, by the way!

    Hmmmm . . . has your dog or cat found an area in your home that they enjoy marking?  Do you prefer your cats stay off counters?  Would you like your pets to keep off the furniture?

    Well, whether you have a doggie door or a litter box, sometimes pets just hone in on a corner of the house or a piece of furniture to mark.  I once had one of those cheap vinyl bean bag chairs.  It was THE PLACE for my cat to urinate.  I finally just had to toss it.  Here's a tip - in my experience, for some strange reason, cats are particularly attracted to vinyl - this includes the vinyl backing of some throw rugs, unfortunately.  Just be sure and check twice in those areas and wash them (in cold water) often if you can.  In addition to marking, sometimes our pets hone in on a piece of furniture or a spot on the counter where they simply like to lie.  Not always the best of spots, especially if you are entertaining.  Well, there are a few products that can help keep pets away from undesired areas.  

    The first suggestion for these issues are expandable pet gates.  For those of you that have toddlers, you probably recognize these devices as "baby gates." They are merely temporary expandable barricades that you securely place between doorways or hallways to keep your pet confined to a designated area of your home.  You can find these gates in just about any type of material and size and they even have one that has a mini-cat door at the bottom so Kitty can pass through when Doggie needs to remain temporarily confined!


       

    However, sometimes it isn't convenient to confine your animal to a back room, especially if your doggie door is located in another part of the house.  For animals that need more aggressive deterrents to keep them off furniture and counters, you may wish to consider Ssscat Cat repellant and/or the Scat Mat.  

    Ssscat Cat repellant is simply an air-filled aerosol spray can with a battery-operated motion detector device attached.  Some versions allow a setting where the motion detector will emit a shrill audible warning prior to the spray of air.  You simply place the can (about the size of a shaving cream can) in the area of the house you wish to keep the cat or dog away from.  Of course, your cat will totally freak out the first couple of times the can spits air (this is the point) but it will not hurt him or her.  Your dog may be more puzzled than scared, quite frankly, but he or she will not spend enough time in the area to mark it!  Mission accomplished!  I have also found that when the air is depleted of the Ssscat Cat, the audible alarm continues to deter your pet until the battery goes dead.  And a bonus is, after your first purchase, you can simply order refills of canned air at a very reasonable price.  This harmless behavior modification technique usually works fairly quickly.

    As a side note, I have a greenhouse in my backyard and last spring some unknown critter was entering through a crack in the structure and eating my seedlings.  I had no idea what type of creature was doing this, but it could certainly climb as it was able to devour plants on the top shelves as well as on the bottom.  At any rate, I didn't wish to hurt the poor thing but I did want it to stop eating my produce.  I finally placed a couple of the Ssscat Cat aerosol cans inside the greenhouse and ta-da - no more critter! 

    OK, right up front, I wish to tell you this next product will indeed emit a small, benign shock to your pet - similar to that which is produced by static electricity.  Faced with a dog that, on a daily basis, decided to tinkle on my pool table's legs several years ago, I had to resort to something a little more serious.   The Scat Mat is a battery-operated or electric, clear plastic mat that you spread out over the area you'd like to deter your pet from, such as on top of your couch, a specific area of your carpet, on top of kitchen counters, etc.  When your pet steps or jumps on the Scat Mat, it will provide them just enough of a shock to make them uncomfortable and they will retreat.  This product works very well with stubborn pets, covers relatively large areas, and can be adjusted in strength for cats or dogs. 


           

    Lastly - an extremely simple, but very kind gesture you can do for your pet that also benefits you is to comb their hair with a brush that has massaging bristles.  Not only will this largely alleviate shedding issues in your home, it will bond and establish trust between you and your pet.  Some of these brushes are formed to fit like a glove, allowing you to mimic the petting motion.  Believe me, there is nothing sweeter than hearing your cat purr or your dog grunting with the pleasure of having their hair combed and body massaged.  Try this and I promise you, they'll be your friends for life! 

    Well, the above pet items have certainly made my life easier over the years and I must say, they have also greatly benefited my adorable pets as well.  If you have an interest in learning more about these items, click over to the blog's sidebar where you'll find links to a few of them. 

    Until next time,
    Cindy 

     

     

             

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