Tuesday, March 27, 2012

TOMATO GROWING SECRETS

Epsom salt is a longtime, affordable way to help start your garden or improve your garden once it’s already going. You can use Epsom salt in the garden as a fertilizer, a pest deterrent, and also as a seed starter, to name a few. Epsom salt can also enhance the quality and condition of your lawn and shrubs by adding  its content magnesium !
 Another great tip is is egg shells. Wash the egg shells out, crush them, not to a powder but almost, sprinkle them on a baking sheet and bake them till they are a light brown. Then sprinkle them around your tomatoes/veggies. Both the bone meal and egg shells are a source of calcium which is good for fruiting.You could also dissolve Tums tablets for added alcium. 



  • Dig a hole that is two-and-a-half times deeper than the root ball of the tomato plant and twice as wide as the root ball. This will give the plant plenty of room to spread and encourage the roots to grow in an outward direction.
    Drop 1 cup epsom salt and 1 cup of granulated sugar along with a few eggshells into the hole, as they contain phosphorous that helps tomatoes grow and flower. Sugar granules break up and help offset the acidity of the fruit; they become absorbed into the tomato plant through its root system. Epsom salt provides beneficial nutrients for the plant. Magnesium and sulfur act together to fertilize a tomato plant.

  • Use the point of the shovel to blend together .

  • Place a tomato plant in the bottom of the hole so that the stem points upwards. 

    Pull the loose soil back into the hole with a hoe. Vegetable gardeners call this "back-filling" the hole. Wear your gardening gloves and tamp the dirt down around the tomato plant with the palms of your hands. 
    Use a watering can to water your freshly planted tomato plant. Gardeners call this "watering in" a tomato plant. Use at least one watering can of water per plant.


    Plant Marigolds With Your Tomato Plants To Keep Away All Garden Pests. 


                        HAPPY GROWING!!!


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    Sunday, March 25, 2012

    HEARTY HAM AND POTATO SOUP



    Ingredients

    • 3 1/2 cups peeled and diced red or Yukon potatoes
    • 1/3 cup diced celery
    • 1/3 cup finely chopped onion
    • 3/4 cup diced cooked ham
    • 1/2 cup canned corn or mushrooms(optional)
    • 1/2 cup shredded fresh Parmesan
    • 1 small pinch  fresh ground nutmeg
    • 3 1/4 cups water
    • 2 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
    • 1 teaspoon ground white or black pepper, or to taste
    • 5 tablespoons butter
    • 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
    • 2 cups milk
    • sour cream and shredded  cheddar cheese for serving

    Directions

    1. Combine the potatoes, celery, onion, ham and water in a stockpot. Bring to a boil, then cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the chicken bouillon,nutmeg, salt and pepper.
    2. In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour with a fork, and cook, stirring constantly until thick, about 1 minute. Slowly stir in milk and Parmesan cheese as not to allow lumps to form until all of the milk has been added. Continue stirring over medium-low heat until thick, 4 to 5 minutes.
    3. Stir the milk mixture into the stockpot, add corn or mushrooms and cook soup until heated through. Serve immediately with a dollop of sour cream and shredded cheddar  cheese on top of each serving.ENJOY!!






    Saturday, March 24, 2012

    HONEY LEMONADE


    There's something about a Mason jar that conjures up warm, nostalgic feelings, whether it's holding bright berry jam, crisp dill pickles or  some delicious fresh HONEY lemonade. 


    HONEY LEMONADE

    INGREDIENTS

    • 1/3 to 1/2 cup honey
    • 1 1/2 cups steaming hot water
    • 1 cup fresh lemon juice
    • Ice cubes for serving
    • PREPARATION

      1. In a large kettle, combine the honey and hot water and stir until the honey is dissolved. Stir in the lemon juice. Let cool for at least 10 minutes or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Pour into mason jars with a lemon wedge..
      2. Serves 2 to 4.
                                                   ENJOY!!

    Wednesday, March 21, 2012

    OUTDOOR CUSHION REDO

    I'm so happy I could jump for joy! I found beautiful fabric at Hobby Lobby. It was originally 23.99 a yard ,and marked down to 7.00 a yard ...YIPPEEEEE!!!!


    It's the great upholstery kind, nice and thick, and wide. I only had to fold it in half and run a seam up one side and top and bottom.They cut it in 2 perfect length pieces right at the store, so no cutting for me...YIPPPEEEE!!again!


    This is what my cushions looked like before..they are in good shape but badly faded.The chair itself is pretty sad too, so I'll just be spray bombing those right away.I found Krylon on clearance at Walmart for 2.00 a can !!




    Took me all of 5 minutes to whip these out, and stuff the old cushions in them...Look at them now...I just need to Scotchguard them, and were ready for some Lemonade!!!LOL


               THANKS FOR STOPPING BY!!
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