It’s Miller Time! Tootsie Style!

  Dusty MillerTime that is!

Don't get me wrong..I do enjoy a good beer once in a blue moon...but today... is not one of those days.

Today we are throwing all self control out the window and planting some Dusty Miller seed.    For those who may not be familiar with this plant, allow me to introduce you!



I really enjoy the silver qualities of Dusty Miller…also known as Silver Dust…when planted in amongst other plants with colorful blooms, it seems to reflect them. 
Colors Just pop against the light colored fuzzy plants! They are a versatile and fun to use plant in pots, in beds amongst plantings or even as a border…(such as the one I have planted below)





Grab your planting tools…and lets get busy!



You will need your trusty packages of seed….you can see what Dusty Miller seed looks like in the top right corner of the package…I like to make sure you all know what color and size they actually are!



Next you will need to go to your stash of pre-filled seed cells in a lined tray with Daisy support tray below.
I like to use the Sunshine professional soil mixes...check them out if you haven't already!

Follow the directions on the package…

Once you have placed your seed on the top of the soil, and your tray is all planted up…you will want to place it on the shelf and fill the lined tray with water.

Make sure you set that tray near the window…remember Dusty Miller NEEDS light to germinate!



Watering from below will help make sure that you don’t lose your seeds…and will saturate the entire cell of soil.

And then….we wait. 

 

….and WAIT….and WAIT some more!

I have terrible luck with Dusty Miller most years…I often have to re-seed before I get results.  I hope this year is not one of those years.   I have a great idea planned for my Dusty Miller Plants this year!

That’s it…that’s all!   How easy is that?   I don’t think there is any excuse for anyone not to try to sow from seed…do you?

Until Next Time... Happy Gardening!

*)*)*) If you don't see the light at the end of the tunnel...remember not all tunnels are straight!!!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.
www.tootsietime.com

Recipe For Blooms

Geranium Blooms!!!



Oh ya…kids…it’s time…yep..time to GET YOUR PLANT ON!!!
LETS GET SOME DIRT IN OUR HAIR!   WOO HOO!  
Yes…I am a little excited…but hey…it’s planting time…what do you expect?   IT’S PLANTING TIME!  :) 
Okay…ahem…I am going to pull myself together here…and stop celebrating for a few minutes…so I can help you guys get YOUR plant on!   It’s a simple recipe really…



You will need a few little supplies…I use the items above quite regularly.   Included in this photo are:
~Plastic garden markers (made out of an inexpensive mini blind that I cut up)
~Chamomile Tea bag
~Stainless Steel Widger (helps to move soil and seeds)
~Seed spoons
~tweezers
~scissors
~permanent marker



~Geranium Seeds!!!



~soil and pots!!!  
Lets get busy!
!!!!!!!!   WAIT   !!!!!!!!
Now, before we continue here, I think it is important to discuss my choice of planting medium.  I have had a lot of questions regarding what I use to plant in, and I think it is about time, I answer this question once and for all…don’t you?  


I like to use Sunshine professional growing mixes!   There are many different mixes…and there is always one that is just perfect for your planting needs!   I have used Pro Mix 3 and Pro Mix 4 for YEARS now and I have never been disappointed in this product.

 To visit the website for more information and to see what else this company has to offer, click on the highlighted words or the photos above…and you will be taken straight to their site!
Okay…I feel much better now…so lets get back to business….



Geraniums are vulnerable to damping off …and I like to take some precautions to try to prevent this disease from becoming a problem in my greenhouse.   At one time I used a chemical product, but have learned a more environmentally friendly way to manage this issue.  I use chamomile tea!     I haven’t had any trouble with Damping off since…so it must be effective!
I use a plastic greenhouse tray, add a plastic liner (as some of them are getting old and have a few little leaks)   I fill the tray with water and put a tea bag in there to steep…



(I also steep a full garbage can of chamomile tea in the greenhouse for watering purposes for a few weeks) 



Next we need to make a little dimple in the soil to put out seed into…I use the tip of my marker to do this…it’s the perfect size.



Remember…not too deep…just be gentle!  Now that we have our little dimple made…it’s time for SEEDS!



Using the seed spoon or tweezers, place one tiny seed into the dimple you just made in the pot!



There it is!



Lightly cover that tiny seed with some of the growing medium and you are almost ready to grow!



If you are like me, you like to know what color everything is going to be.   I label each pot with the color of the geranium that is planted in it.  I use the cut up mini blinds and my permanent marker to tag each pot with the bloom color!



All tagged and sown…ready for some water!



Once I have sown and labeled each pot, I like to let them absorb some of the tea steeped water from the bottom.  The chamomile tea will help to prevent damping off disease, and soaking in from the bottom will prevent our little seeds from being moved from their new little homes.   Once the soil is evenly moistened…I move them back into their growing trays and wait. 
…and wait.
…and wait.
…and wait.   I can’t even explain why I love to grow from seed so much…anyone who knows me knows I am NOT a patient Tootsie…and it seems there is a LOT of waiting involved in this hobby doesn’t there?  well…it’s worth it.
You will need to repeat the entire process again and again and again until all your Geranium seeds are sown…




I planted 200 Geraniums of various colors today…How many do you plant?  Do you have a favorite color?

Well that’s it for me today…

Until Next Time…Happy Gardening!

*)*)*) Trials of life can either make us or break us - it's our attitude that makes the difference.

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.
www.tootsietime.com
 

There’s Gonna’ Be Some Bare Spots!!! :(

I was outside perusing my gardens the other day , and to my utter dismay noticed that I have an issue growing!

Powdery Mildew has made it’s ugly appearance in my flower beds! Now…I at first was convinced that the white residue on the leaves of my plants was nothing more than a run off of dust or paint from the siding of my house. The house is white….and we have had some work done on it recently and I thought maybe, just maybe it was the residue of the white building product that the contractors had used, that was settling on my leaves. Sadly…I was mistaken.

I took some time to spray down the entire side of the house to rid it of any remaining “dust” and sprayed the leaves of the plants…removed many of the affected leaves and waited. I now know it was not a construction dust issue…but instead a mildew issue!

As the name implies, powdery mildew appears as powdery splotches of white or gray, on the leaves and stems of plants. It is most noticeable on the tops of the leaves, but powdery mildew can also affect the lower leaf surface, stems, flowers and buds.

Although this affliction is unattractive, it is rarely fatal to your plants… However it does stress the plant and unless measures to treat it are taken, it will weaken the plant.

Powdery mildew fungi are host specific, which is a good thing. This means that the powdery mildew growing on my Dahlias will not spread to my Hydrangeas…etc. However all powdery mildews enjoy the same conditions, and no plant is safe!

Powdery mildew fungi seem to be everywhere. The spores winter and start to grow from plant debris and then are carried by the wind, insects and splashing waters. The powdery mildew will thrive in Damp areas, crowded plantings and areas with poor air circulation.

If you notice this problem on your plants, you will need to take a few simple measures to attempt to control the problem.

Remove and destroy all infected plant parts

Improve air circulation by thinning and pruning

Don’t fertilized until the problem is corrected.

Don’t water plants from above

Apply a fungicide. You can pick up a fungicide at most garden centres… or…you can make your own remedy from home using Baking Soda.

Baking soda is an inexpensive and easy way to control powdery milder on plants. This remedy is most effective as a preventative measure, as it offers minimal benefits after your plants are infected…but in my case, I think it is worth a try. Weekly spraying of vulnerable plants can greatly reduce the appearance of this nuisance in your garden.

This is the baking soda recipe that I found online: simply mix together:

• 1 tablespoon of baking soda
• ½ teaspoon of liquid soap
• 1 gallon of water

Mix only the amount of this remedy that you will want to use as it is not recommended to be stored. It is also possible that this mixture will burn the leaves of your plants, so it may be best to test on a small area first.

I am off to try to test this…and to remove a large part of my beautiful Dahlias from my gardens…in order to protect the rest from infection. There I going to be some bare spots!!! All I can say is that at least it is just about the end of my growing season, and we are expecting frost any time now, so I am not heartbroken and stuck with huge empty spots in my garden for the entire year.

I hope to see you again soon for the weekly Fertilizer Friday Flaunt!

*)*)*) You may not always end up where you thought you were going but you will always end up where you were meant to be

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.
www.tootsietime.com

Until Next Time…Happy Gardening.

Good Ideas!

How many of these did YOU know about?

A sealed envelope - Put in the freezer for a few hours, then slide a
knife under the flap. The envelope can then be resealed.
(hmmmmmm...) Sure, but then I forget where I put the envelope....

============================================
Use Empty toilet paper roll to store appliance cords. It keeps them
neat and you can write on the roll what appliance it belongs to.

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For icy door steps in freezing temperatures: Get warm water and put
Dawn dish washing liquid in it. Pour it all over the steps. They won't
refreeze. (Wish I had known this for the last 40 years!) Washing dishes outside - great idea! I know it doesn't work with sunlight dish soap...hope Dawn works better!!!

===================================
To remove old wax from a glass candle holder, put it in the freezer for
a few hours. Then take the candle holder out and turn it upside down. The
wax will fall out. Okay, now we have 2 things in the freezer that we forgot were there....

===================================
Crayon marks on walls? This worked wonderfully! A damp rag, dipped
in baking soda. Comes off with little effort (elbow grease that is!). Or..use a magic eraser??

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Permanent marker on appliances/counter tops (like store receipt BLUE!) rubbing alcohol on paper towel.

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Whenever I purchase a box of S.O.S Pads , I immediately take a pair of
scissors and cut each pad into halves. After years of having to throw
away rusted and unused and smelly pads, I finally decided that this would
be much more economical. Now a box of S.O.S pads last me indefinitely!
In fact, I have noticed that the scissors get 'sharpened'' this way!

==================================
Blood stains on clothes? Not to worry! Just pour a little hydrogen peroxide on a cloth and proceed to wipe off every drop of blood. Works
every time! (Now, where to put the body?) LOL

==================================
Use vertical strokes when washing windows outside and horizontal
for inside windows. This way you can tell which side has the streaks.
Straight vinegar will get outside windows really clean. Don't wash windows
on a sunny day. They will dry too quickly and will probably streak.

==================================
Spray a bit of perfume on the light bulb in any room to create a lovely
light scent in each room when the light is turned on.

==================================
Place fabric softener sheets in dresser drawers and your clothes will
smell freshly washed for weeks to come. You can also do this with towels
and linen.

==================================
Candles will last a lot longer if placed in the freezer for at least 3
hours prior to burning. Well now that's 3 things in the freezer...

==================================
To clean artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag an d add the
flowers. Shake vigorously as the salt will absorb all the dust and dirt
and leave your artificial flowers looking like new! Works like a charm!

==================================
To easily remove burnt on food from your skillet , simply add a drop or
two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to
a boil on stove top.

==================================
Spray your TUPPERWARE with nonstick cooking spray before pouring
in tomato based sauces and there won't be any stains.

==================================
Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will
keep for weeks. At least it's not in the freeezer!

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When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the
corn's natural sweetness

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Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half, and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away. Maybe that is what the lime in some of the alcoholic beverages is for????

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Don't throw out all that leftover wine: Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces ... Left over wine? What's that??

Wouldn't you know it... might have to get another freezer...!!!!

==================================
To get rid of itch from mosquito bites, try applying soap on the area and you will experience instant relief. or just scratch it and save the trip inside.

==================================
Ants, ants, ants everywhere .. Well, they are said to never cross a chalk line. So, get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march. See for yourself.

==================================
Use air-freshener to clean mirrors. It does a good job and better still, leaves a lovely smell to the shine.
seriously???
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When you get a splinter, reach for the scotch tape before resorting to tweezers or a needle. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, and
then pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily.

==================================
Now look what you can do with Alka Seltzer.........
Clean a toilet.
Drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush and flush.
The citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous China .

==================================
Clean a vase.
To remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water and drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets.

==================================
Polish jewelry.
Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewelry for two minutes.

=================================
Clean a thermos bottle.
Fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka Seltzer tablets, and let soak for an hour (or longer, if necessary).

=================================
Unclog a drain.
Clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka Seltzer tablets down the drain followed by a cup of Heinz White Vinegar. Wait a few minutes, and then run the hot water.

Cucumbers

I think this is a new list, and I thought maybe this could be of some use!

WHAT A LITTLE GEM THE CUCUMBER IS.

check out these neat cucumber tips:

1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a Cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, Spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and Slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

5 Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!

6.. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and Headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B Vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers Have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber
over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire Cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemicals will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel?
Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm your fingers or fingernails while you clean.

13. Using a Pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the
Cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the Walls!!

who would ever have thought that such a great treat for salads, sandwiches etc. could do so much!!! I think my big issue would be….getting the will power not to snack while I was getting a the cucumber to do it’s job!!! ha-ha

Until next time…happy gardening!!!

*)*)*) to my special three…I treat people how I would like to be treated. If that doesn't work I treat them how they treat me... bare that in mind if you don't like how I am with you!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

links to these and more great blog parties can be found here!