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Bone Meal
I made a genius discovery this week, perhaps several. By genius, I mean that I pulled a dumb gardener stunt. Last year, I used Alaska brand liquid fertilizers and fish emulsion on the seedlings for phosphorus, but this year, as my favorite plant store is closed on Sundays, I found myself at Lowes where the only liquid fertilizer options were…
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Bird Prints
There are about three years of bird photographs on my hard drive, which I’ve been altering in photoshop by lifting the birds and turning either into graphic pen sketches or stamps. On the newest three (chickadee, nuthatch and mourning dove), I’ve included their calls, which any bird lover should recognize. “Yank-yank-yank” is the call of the Nuthatch we hear almost…
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Zone 7b – 8a February Planting
Spring is on the way, and I’m seeing signs of it outside in the garden and in stores, where seed stock is in. You can start the following indoors: kale, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, lettuce, sage, spinach, swiss chard, tomatoes, watermelon, thyme, mint, chives, oregano, artichokes, onions, celery, leeks, and peppers. The following can be planted in the…
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Making spoons from a mold (Pictorial)
How to make and use a spoon mold 1. Pick some spoon you like, roll out a slab, and press the spooninto the clay. If you are using a spoon with a slick surface, spray oncooking oil first. I didn’t coat my wood spoons, and they didn’t stick. 2. Trim the excess clay and clean up the edges. 3. The…
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Hand Building Projects
After two cycles of predominantly wheel-thrown pieces, I’ve returned to hand building. Since I can do it at the kitchen table, it is perfect for these days when the garage is too cold. Later this month, I’m helping throw a birthday party for a friend, and we are making spoon rests. To prepare, I’ve been practicing and looking for…