Author: Michele Templeton

Now that your fall garden chores are completed, it’s time to give your trusty garden tools some attention before storing them. By properly cleaning and making the necessary repairs now, your tools will be less apt to corrode. When spring rolls around, they will be ready to be used. Wooden Handles:To clean the handles, wipe them with a dry cloth. Use little, if any, water. Fine sand paper can be used to smooth the surface. Remove the sanding dust, rub linseed oil into the handle and let it soak in. Continue this process until it doesn’t absorb any more oil. Wait about half an hour and dry any oil that remains on the surface. This will help prevent drying out and splintering. Another option is after cleaning and sanding the handle, coat it with neon colored oil-based paint. It’s a lot easier to find that misplaced trowel when the handle…

With the holidays rapidly approaching, it is a great time to give the gift of a blooming plant that can be used to decorate the home. Here are some tips to keep your plant healthy, happy and ready to bloom. Christmas cactus and Amaryllis are plants native to Central and South America while Poinsettia comes from Mexico. Since these are all tropical plants, they share a lot of basic “do’s and don’ts.” Do keep plants in windows with bright, indirect lighting. Do provide room temperatures between 65-70°. If you’re comfortable, so is the plant. Cool temperatures will help it keep the blossoms longer. Do water when the top 1” of soil feels dry to the touch, but don’t let your plant sit in standing water. Do fertilize with a balanced, all-purpose liquid fertilizer only after your plant has finished blooming. Don’t place your plant near cold drafts or excessive heat….