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So.....Bring Nature Close to you! Join us each month.
Bring Nature Close is a web page dedicated to bringing nature closer to you in every way. This site tends toward the natural or organic side of looking at the earth. This 14 page site changes every month. I blog on about what is happening in my neck of the woods; gardens, weather, food, fruit and seasonal activities.
There is a Kids Page with introductions to animals, birds, reptiles, anphibians and insects, plus a project every month.
All Around the Barn for tools and handy ideas.
Plantology to explore a new plant every month.
Ask Izzy if you've got a problem with your garden, project or are interested in something and want more information. Ask Me! I might know.
About Us is my history with nature, gardening and the out of doors.
Links to other cool sites.
Books to order. These are my own personal books with information and learning I have gleened over the years. Check it out.
Products to order. Some cool garden and household stuff. Not the normal stuff.
Photos, current every month, some cool shots.
And in case you missed last month, Archived What's Happening?, Kids Page and Plantology.
Love and care go into this web site, I hope you like it!
There is a Kids Page with introductions to animals, birds, reptiles, anphibians and insects, plus a project every month.
All Around the Barn for tools and handy ideas.
Plantology to explore a new plant every month.
Ask Izzy if you've got a problem with your garden, project or are interested in something and want more information. Ask Me! I might know.
About Us is my history with nature, gardening and the out of doors.
Links to other cool sites.
Books to order. These are my own personal books with information and learning I have gleened over the years. Check it out.
Products to order. Some cool garden and household stuff. Not the normal stuff.
Photos, current every month, some cool shots.
And in case you missed last month, Archived What's Happening?, Kids Page and Plantology.
Love and care go into this web site, I hope you like it!
Page and Content copyright 2012
Febuary 2012
It is that time of year again. That is to say, the "Growers Itch". I always seem to have it most of the year. I get a break from my urges in October when plant yeild and preparing food is at its highest. I am occupied with other things until January, when seed catalogues being to come in the mail. I can just " look" for about a month and then the "Itch" begins. After years of jumping the gun, I can usually wait another month....... I can order some new seed and stock up on old standbys. But soon I will have to get my hands into soil and plant some seed!
Here are some tips for early seeding.
Do not plant much until 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date. My date is May 15th. That means if I want a good start on my garden I might start my seeds anywhere from March 15th through April 1st. By this time the weather has warmed up a bit so the green house is warmer and temperatures stay higher at night.
Do not plant warm weather crops like peppers and eggplant early unless you can keep the temperature up. These plants do not like cool damp situations.
If you do start early plants, think about how many plants your south window or greenhouse can hold. They will have to be transplanted into bigger and bigger pots so as not to be stunted. Then you'll have all your regular garden plants to start and some transplants from them.......
Start squash LATE! Both the places in the west that I have lived have wet spring weather. Squash really do not like wet damp ground. By accident one year we started our squash about the 15th of May in the green house. We had planted out most of the vegi transplants and the greenhouse was almost enpty. Those squash did great. In a month to 8 weeks we planted them outside. They grew like a rocket in the already warmed earth!!! So now we plant all squash late. They take off and start producing food quickly.
So pick one type of plant you would like to have an earlier crop of and plant that. For me it is usually tomatoes. Start the seeds in "6 packs" or "4 packs". These are light weight plastic cells. Each cell is about 1 1/4 inches square by 3 inches deep. There are 4 or 6 of them attached together. I like to use a whole "flat"of these 6 packs for support ease. Fill with good compost or potting soil. Water deeply, soaking the soil. Let drain and then plant your seed. I like to put these in plastic food grade bags to keep the moisture in and make the perfect moist environment for the seeds to sprout.
When the plants have sprouted take off the bag. If you leave the bag on too long everything will rot.....Give the little plants as much sun as possible. If they start to stretch too tall, place a foil reflector behind the pots. Support the foil with cereal cardboard. Wrap foil over a piece of cardboard at least 9 inches tall. Use the side of the cereal box for support by sliding it under the flat of 6 packs.
Here are some tips for early seeding.
Do not plant much until 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date. My date is May 15th. That means if I want a good start on my garden I might start my seeds anywhere from March 15th through April 1st. By this time the weather has warmed up a bit so the green house is warmer and temperatures stay higher at night.
Do not plant warm weather crops like peppers and eggplant early unless you can keep the temperature up. These plants do not like cool damp situations.
If you do start early plants, think about how many plants your south window or greenhouse can hold. They will have to be transplanted into bigger and bigger pots so as not to be stunted. Then you'll have all your regular garden plants to start and some transplants from them.......
Start squash LATE! Both the places in the west that I have lived have wet spring weather. Squash really do not like wet damp ground. By accident one year we started our squash about the 15th of May in the green house. We had planted out most of the vegi transplants and the greenhouse was almost enpty. Those squash did great. In a month to 8 weeks we planted them outside. They grew like a rocket in the already warmed earth!!! So now we plant all squash late. They take off and start producing food quickly.
So pick one type of plant you would like to have an earlier crop of and plant that. For me it is usually tomatoes. Start the seeds in "6 packs" or "4 packs". These are light weight plastic cells. Each cell is about 1 1/4 inches square by 3 inches deep. There are 4 or 6 of them attached together. I like to use a whole "flat"of these 6 packs for support ease. Fill with good compost or potting soil. Water deeply, soaking the soil. Let drain and then plant your seed. I like to put these in plastic food grade bags to keep the moisture in and make the perfect moist environment for the seeds to sprout.
When the plants have sprouted take off the bag. If you leave the bag on too long everything will rot.....Give the little plants as much sun as possible. If they start to stretch too tall, place a foil reflector behind the pots. Support the foil with cereal cardboard. Wrap foil over a piece of cardboard at least 9 inches tall. Use the side of the cereal box for support by sliding it under the flat of 6 packs.
The weather here is dry and dry! It has been the mildest winter I can remember. (I have only been here 17 years, so I can't vouch for anything longer than that). For instance it is 60 degrees while I am writing this!!!
There is snow in the high country but not much. I usually dread wet springs but I am hoping for one this year. I hope in rains buckets or begins to snow soon.
There is snow in the high country but not much. I usually dread wet springs but I am hoping for one this year. I hope in rains buckets or begins to snow soon.