The growing season is defined as the time after the latest frost in the spring and the earliest frost in the fall . The number of days for crop growth varies according to the local geography, with less being available where the elevation is higher. In the northern states, many gardeners plant seeds indoors before the last frost to give the plants an added edge in growing and producing food. This is not practical for farmers who plant much more then a single row or two of vegetables. Seed packets often have the growing days listed on them as well as a guideline for when to plant. It is a good idea to take advantage of the websites that give specific details about your area of the country.

Many plants have a certain time they become ripe for harvest and with fruit trees and vines, they require care during the off season. This can include pruning and the addition of compost to the soil to replenish nutrients that were used by the plants during the growing season. One of the most important things to keep in mind when growing plants is to have the best plants for the type of climate you live in. This will help your garden to be more bountiful and produce more if you pay attention the climate and growing conditions recommended for your area.

Composting itself needs several items to work correctly; air, water and the proper proportions of green and brown plant material as well as a place where it can absorb the heat energy from the sun to decompose into nutrient rich dirt that plants love. The size of the compost heap should be three cubit feet or three feet high, three feet wide and three feet in length. The first step in creating a composting place for your garden plants is to consider if you want it to be in a compost bin or barrel. If you have room for it to be in the open, that works better and a properly maintained compost heap will not smell a bad as one that is not maintained correctly.

Regardless of the type of container you decide to use, the layers still remain the same for good composting: dry brown material such as straw or larger stalks of plants that have died, (avoid weeds); a layer of green material such as grass clippings; a layer of dirt. The material should be the dampness of a sponge, not saturated. The heat of the sun and moisture combine with the microorganisms in the soil to decompose the plant material into friable dirt for your garden.

If you have a composting bin, then make certain to turn the pile to allow for air circulation, this helps keep odors under control. Do not add any scraps from meat, only plant materials should be added. Newspaper is alright and so is tea or coffee grounds. Avoid any weeds that you pull up and be careful about pesticides as they could be harmful for the compost. Recycling the plant scraps and grass clippings into a healthy soil for flowers and vegetables and you will be helping the environment as well.

When my mother passed away unexpectedly in August of this year, being unable to have been there before it happened and unable to get there immediately, I was able at least to honor her. One of her favorite things to do was to walk among the oaks and pines of Pennsylvania.

Petroleum Center, East Titusville, Drake Well, were her favorite places, where even toward the end she gathered up pine cones to make into decorations for the holidays, or just to give away. Pine cone wreaths, wreaths of ground pine, pine cone ornaments which were lovingly decorated were her perfect way to spend a day with kids and grandchildren

To plant a tree in her honor seemed the idea way to say we loved and missed her. Fortunately there was a way to do that.

We planted our own tree in her honor and had several others planted by Tree Givers.

Many types of spring bulbs can be forced indoors so that they will bloom in winter. There are even special bulbs whose main aim it is to bring color and fragrance into the living room during the winter season, such as the Amaryllis and “paperwhite” narcissus. Everyone should try these at least once – the smell is gorgeous!

However be aware that some bulbs, like hyacinths, tulips, narcissi and crocuses first need a cold period to be able to come to bloom. Plant up these bulbs and leave them for 12 to 15 weeks in a place where the
temperature is between 5 and 10°C (41-50°F). Be sure to provide sufficient (but not too much) water during this period.

Low-growing flower bulbs are very well suited for planting in flower boxes and can really lift your mood during bleak winter days. You can plant them more closely together or even in “layers”. The early-flowering bulbs near the top, the later-flowering ones at the bottom. Since the soil in boxes tends to dry
out quickly, particularly with central heating on, regular watering is essential.

Often indoor paper-white narcissi (or daffodils if you prefer) are prepared for forcing before you even buy them, (check with your supplier to make sure). Plant them in a beautiful bowl or pot (a glass bowl with gravel will add to the display) and add water to start them off. Relatively quickly the bulbs will start showing the green shoots of leaves and flower stalks, with pure white roots anchoring the bulbs down into the soil or gravel.

These bulbs prefer cool conditions, a lower temperature will keep the stems stocky. You can quickly spoil paper-whites with warmth during the early stages and their stems will become drawn and lanky. The stems can be further weakened by too much shade and without some support, can topple under the weight of the glorious flower heads as they open.

After they are finished flowering (and the weather outside is warm enough), the bulbs, with their leaves still on can planted in the garden. Pick an out of the way place so they can finish their growing season, then re-plant them where you want them to enjoy them year after year.

Once planted in the ground, you can leave them in the ground to naturalize. Then by adding a few new flower bulbs every year, you can create a magnificent display.

To use the bulbs somewhere else in the garden the following season, dig them up only after the leaves have died down completely. Remove the dirt from the bulbs and store them in a dry well-ventilated, dark-ish place until the following autumn, then re-plant.