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5:06:00 AM EDT
Feeling Happy
ENTRY # FOURTEEN HUNDRED & TWENTY.
Picture by Dad...
Time is so precious-do not waste it-
Good Morning.
I don't think that I have to ask you this morning if you are smiling, as I look out there in my minds eye I can see a lot of them, and I am glad. The reason you know is the fact that it is friday morning. We are all looking forward to that good, nice and restful week end. Smile.
The electric power was off early this morning when I first got out of my bed. It is a bad feeling, what would we ever do without it. Sometimes I forget that in my young days we did not have it in our home. And I remember the happy day when my Dad was able to get it for us. I would like to appreciate all the things that are provided for us that we seldom think about.
The tea and coffee may be just a little late this morning but don't you worry, it will be ready in time for you to come by and have a cup with me. I can not tell you how much these little visits in the morning's mean too me. Seeing and talking to you helps me get off to a good start each day. Don't let me down this morning. Dad.
By Cindy Naas
Even city gardeners with no gardens can grow wonderful fresh vegetables and flowers.
The trick is to collect an attractive assortment of pots and other containers. However, preparing your soil for use in pots is even more important to the success of your urban garden when using containers.
For the container gardener, getting the right mix of soil and amendments can be worth more than the elusive pot of gold- but luckily,also easier to find.
Plain Old Dirt?
The first impulse of someone new to container gardening is to spend a lot on an assortment of decorative pots and then go home, dig up some dirt and fill them.
Trust me, it doesn’t work, at least not well. There are several challenges to successful container gardening and all are directly related to soil type. First, containers dry out really rapidly. Soil amendments are needed to improve the water retention of the soil. Next, nutrients can become rapidly depleted in container soil, so the soil has to be rich and also as easily replenished as possible. Finally, and this is probably the biggest problem, container soil tends to become compacted and hard quite easily, and this will kill your plants.
Mix it up!
Containers are still a wonderful option for urban gardeners despite all of the problems. Learn to mix your own potting soil for container gardens and you can turn your balcony or stairs into the garden you’ve always dreamed of.
There are commercially available soilless potting soil mixes for containers. The soilless mixes are light enough that they don’t compact easily. While those are good for houseplants and even for growing pots full of colourful annual flowers, your veggies need something a little more nutritious.
Adding composted manure will add nutrients to the soil. Adding in a small amount of a good quality triple mix - usually black earth, compost and peat moss - will also give it an extra bit of nutrients in addition to boosting the water retention qualities of your soil. Here is the soil recipe I use in my own containers:
Soil mixture for container gardens
- 3 parts soilless potting soil
- 1 part composted cow manure
- 2 parts triple mix
Using this combination of soilless potting mixture and organic amendments will get your containers of veggies off to a great start - your tomatoes will thank you!
Next: more tips for successful container gardening
Friday: Mostly cloudy. High near 70F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Friday night: A few clouds. Low 53F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Sunny skies with gusty winds developing later in the day. High 79F. W winds at 5 to 10 mph, increasing to 15 to 25 mph.
Saturday (24 hours): Windy with sunshine. Highs in the upper 70s and lows in the low 60s.
low 90s and lows in the mid60s.
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Oh, Dad, that little eaglet is sure getting tall and strong and trying out the wing action -- looks like Mama is happy about that!
The pictures of Tennessee are gorgeous, as well -- it definitely makes me want to visit some day.
That red rose is so lovely -- soon to be joined by some red, ripe TOMATOES if I'm not mistaken ;)
Sounds like your weather for the next few days at least, will be perfect growing weather for them, too.
Wishing you, Ms. Mary, and the beautiful Princess a very good weekend -- and big PURRS to the fluffy girl! ^^ -
Hello Dad love the picture of your Rose ~ dosn't seem possible the weekend is here again already ~ time just seems to fly past ~ I always enjoy popping in to see you and to share a "Cuppa" with you ~ and to enjoy the links you put on for us to watch ~ which I really enjoy ~ Hope You Mary and Precious have a wonderful weekend ~ will see you in the morning for my Cuppa ~ Ally x
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Good morning Dad!
Just the time to say hello!! I've told Teo that it's on your home page and it's very happy!!!
Today in Italy the whather is bad..it's raining and it's also quite cold also if we are in May..but I'm happy the same because of the weekend!!!
Bye!!!
Sara -
Good morning Dad...
Rose is beautiful and happy the power came back on for all of you. Hope the weekend will be a blessed one...hugs and love,
Joyce
5/16/08 11:29 PM