Weed and Feed

Have you ever done something and been amazed by your result? It may sound simplistic but reading the instructions are crucial before applying any fertilizer. I have a good friend who spent hours creating organic soil for his vegetables. He gathered coffeegrinds and ashes and mixed them with some fine humus. The vegetable seeds were carefully selected and an array of wonderful seedlings established. In one of those moments we all like to forget, he decided

to add some commercial fertilizer. He did not plan on adding "Weed and Feed" a fertilizer for lawns that includes a weed killer. Ooops! Let us just quietly pray that the vegetables will overcome this setback because my friend is feeling pretty low today about this unintentional blooper. A gentle reminder to all of us:

" read the instructions and fine print before adding fertilizer to the garden! "

Spiders: the Wonder Workers

Cleaning twenty-three windows on our two-story home in the Santa Cruz Mountains got me thinking about the winter storms and spiders. Spiders created wonderous webs to catch all manner of insects in the corners of each window. Inside and out there were silky threads woven in many delicate patterns. Please remember that our spiders kill many damaging insects and be careful before wiping out their homes. Slow down, observe their magic, and lightly escort them to an outdoor space that needs a defender. They work!

Back to Bees

Last month I mentioned that the bee population is diminishing. Today I read an article by Juliana Burbassa and learned over 30% of commercially managed hives have been lost this year. Gardeners, our bees are so important for pollination that we can not afford to lose anymore. Plant a bee loving plant this May and help keep our bees buzzing around the yard. Ceonothus ( Mountain Lilac) is covering the hillsides now and is a native, drought-resistant plant to add to your garden. There are many varieties to choose from such as "Julia Phelps" that can attract bees and offer a hazy mist of flowers for your gazing pleasure.

May Day

May Day was always a time for flowers. We would gather flowers, ribbons, and candy and make May Baskets to give to friends and family. There was an old tradition to leave a May Basket on someone's doorstep, run away, and if caught exchange a kiss. Nowadays many people have forgotten about the May Baskets. If you would like to make one for your sweetie, check out the following website: http://www.seedsofknowledge.com/ Happy May Day!