Cabin fever stalks the land, at least among the non-gardening fraternity. Those that delight in the pursuit of their hobby of horticultural fear no such affliction. For it is time for all good gardeners to visit the local gardening depot there to load up on summer bulbs such as dahlia, begonia, canna and other exotics. Returning home with the floral treasures, set aside for an hour or so while six-inch-diameter clay pots are fetched from storage. Scrub off and soak in boiling water for 15 minutes or so to destroy any lingering fungal infestations then set aside. Next make up labels, either purchased or cut from empty white plastic bleach bottles.
Using a commercial medium such as ‘ProMix,’ plant up the bulbs. Water well and then set aside; they will not require light until sprouts commence to emerge in a few weeks’ time.Having exhausted oneself with these propagation exercises, it is time to leave the spouse to tend to the mounting mounds of snow. You must now undertake the exhaustive examination of catalogues and plan the next season’s garden . . .Diversion No. 1
A new book, How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack by Chuck Sambuchino ($16.99 in Canada) claims to be the only comprehensive guide to warding off an imminent home invasion and how to defend yourself when the lawn warriors strike.
In case you missed the news from the International Herb Association (IHA), that organization has declared horseradish as the ‘Herb of the Year.’ Every year since 1995, members of the IHA have decided on which herb to honour and in 2011 it is the turn of Armoracia rusticana. Hardy through much of our country, it flourishes in any sunny spot with good soil. While some eat the young greens, it is the thick main root that is harvested in fall. The smaller, pencil-thick side roots are replanted to continue supplies during subsequent seasons. Most frequently seen as an accompaniment to roast beef and steaks, it is also an ideal companion to seafoods. And if that is not enough, horseradish is considered by some to be an aphrodisiac. Diversion No. 2
Christopher Doughty of the University of Oxford and Adam Wolf of Princeton University think we just might be able to detect trees on alien worlds, reported New Scientist. They say the shadows cast by trees would change the amount of light a planet reflects as it orbits its star. When the planet is behind its star as seen from earth – as the moon is during its full phase – the trees would cast little shadow. Future telescopes should be able to search for these changes [Source: Astrobiology].
Searching the world for rare and endangered food plants,
Richters have launched SeedZoo™ online. Experienced gardeners will recognize the name Richters as already outstanding source of seeds, plants and other horticultural necessities whether by mail order or from their nursery near Goodwood, Ontario, northeast of Toronto. SeedZoo™ is a project to preserve traditional and indigenous food plants from around the world. Richters have teamed up with botanical explorers and ethnobotanists to search for rare and endangered food plants that home gardeners can grow and enjoy, and help to preserve. Examples are the Limbang Sarawak Watermelon and Kemarogan Melon, both from Borneo; Alicia’s Warted Squash from Chili; and the Bull’s Horn of Carmagnola Pepper from Italy. More are being added all the time, so it will pay to check this website every few weeks.Diversion No. 3
There’s a reason why female squirrels are so promiscuous, according to research from the University of Guelph, Ontario. And it’s environmental opportunity, not genetic, say the scientists. The randy rodents copulate with whoever shows up, according to researcher Eryn McFarlane whose paper appeared in Biology Letters. The most males picked by a single female squirrel in one day according to observers was fourteen [Source: CBC News]
Roses are red, violets are blue, the former the traditional for gift for Valentines, the latter, long with primroses, the flower of February, according to the local friendly florist. The second day of the month is given over to that rotund rodent the groundhog. North American journalists flock to otherwise obscure communities to report whether Marmota monax observes his shadow. Hint: don’t put away parka, mitts and winter boots just yet. The following day in Japan looks even more interesting: Bean Throwing Festival or Setsubun. This marks the day that precedes the commencement of the Spring Festival, haru matsu. Roast soya beans are tossed out the door, banishing evil spirits with cries of “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi1!” or roughly, “Demon out! Luck in!” Strangely this attracts few journos, North American or otherwise. Perhaps they are all too busy preparing for the second week of February, designated in the United States of America at least as National Flirting Week.Diversion No. 4
Does your garden include engines, rolling stock, turntable pits and switchstands? When you visit a garden centre, do you ignore the towering magnolias and mophead hydrangeas in favour of plants with tiny leaves and miniature flowers? If so, says C. W. Cameron of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, you are one of a growing group of gardening hobbyists who have their own magazine – Garden Railways – and their own society, the Garden Railway Association with regional and national conventions.
Cannily joining with Valentines Day, the entire month of February has been decreed as Chocolate Lovers Month, Sweet Potato Month, even National Grapefruit Month south o’ the border by various commercial interests. All are surely outranked by the U.S. National Potato Promotion Board, of Denver, Colorado, which has proclaimed February to be National Potato Lover’s Month. None welcome the news more so than spud-loving Pamela Svoboda ([url=http://www.gone-to-pott.com"]http://www.gone-to-pott.com"[/url]) with her paean in praise of tater, “Potatoes, Potatoes Are My Favourite Thing”
Potatoes, Potatoes are my favourite things,Baked, fried or mashed up with cream.Potatoes, Potatoes are simply divine –It’s smooth in the mouth and it adds to the thighs.Potatoes, Potatoes are white, beige or cream –The colors don’t matter so long as not green. Potatoes, Potatoes add butter to taste –A little bit of salt and elastic in the waist. Potatoes, Potatoes, I eat them each day –Baked, fried or any old way.
