Archive for April, 2007

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2007
04.12

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Your Parachute
I don’t forward much, but when my friend Elsa sends something, its worth a read,

Charles Plumb was a US Navy jet pilot in Vietnam … After 75 combat missions, his plane was destroyed by a surface-to-air missile. Plumb ejected and parachuted into enemy hands. He was captured and spent six years in a communist Vietnamese prison. He survived the ordeal and now lectures on lessons learned from that experience!

One day, when Plumb and his wife were sitting in a restaurant, a man at another table came up and said, “You’re Plumb! You flew jet fighters in Vietnam from the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. You were shot down!”

“How in the world did you know that?” asked Plumb.

“I packed your parachute,” the man replied. Plumb gasped in surprise and gratitude. The man pumped his hand and said, “I guess it worked!” Plumb assured him, “It sure did. If that chute hadn’t worked, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Plumb couldn’t sleep that night, thinking about that man. Plumb says, “I kept wondering what he had looked like in a Navy uniform: a white hat; a bib in the back; and bell-bottom trousers. I wonder how many times I might have seen him and not even said ‘Good morning, how are you?’ or anything because, you see, I was a fighter pilot and he was just a sailor.” Plumb thought of the many hours the sailor had spent at a long wooden table in the bowels of the ship, carefully weaving the shrouds and folding the silks of each chute, holding in his hands each time the fate of someone he didn’t know.

Now, Plumb asks his audience, “Who’s packing your parachute?” Everyone has someone who provides what they need to make it through the day. He also points out that he needed many kinds of parachutes when his plane was shot down over enemy territory — he needed his physical parachute, his mental parachute, his emotional parachute, and his spiritual parachute. He called on all these supports before reaching safety.

Sometimes in the daily challenges that life gives us, we miss what is really important. We may fail to say hello, please, or thank you, even congratulate someone on something wonderful that has happened to them, give a compliment, or just do something nice for no reason. As you go through this week, this month, this year, recognize people who pack your parachutes.

I am sending you this as my way of thanking you for your part in packing my parachute…

Sometimes, we wonder why friends keep forwarding jokes to us without writing a word. Maybe this could explain it: When you are very busy, but still want to keep in touch, guess what you do — you forward jokes. And to let you know that you are still remembered, you are still important, you are still loved, you are still cared for, guess what you get? A forwarded joke.

So my friend, next time when you get a joke, don’t think that you’ve been sent just another forwarded joke, but that you’ve been thought of today and your friend on the other end of your computer wanted to send you a smile, just helping you pack your parachute…....Have a great day and stay in touch….. I want to thank everyone who has ever packed my parachute! Without each and everyone of you I wouldn’t be the person I am today! Thank You!


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2007
04.12

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NOT MY WORDS
This bit of cold weather advice from University Extension:
Bruce Beck, Agronomy Specialist
University of Missouri Extension
Phone (573) 686-8064

It’s hard to predict (the exact damage to crape myrtles at this time), but I suspect that marginally hardy plants like crepe myrtle and butterfly bush have taken a hard hit over the past week. I think they may show significant dieback and weak growth on shoots that have survived. Some may not produce any shoots until mid-May or even June.


Many landscape trees and shrubs are showing collapse of the new growth that had appeared during the warm spell in late March. Some species, like birch and serviceberry are already showing new shoots that will replace those that have been killed. This new growth appears to have tolerated temperatures in the low 20’s or high teens nicely, indicating that it was able to develop cold tolerance quickly.

Other species, including green ash, may not produce new shoots until May,from secondary or latent buds. I predict that not many trees and shrubs will be killed outright, but many will show damage from this event (which will come to be called the “Easter Freeze of ’07”) for years to come. We should know more after a few days with above freezing temperature.

Keep in mind that we had the third warmest March in recorded history,followed by record smashing lows in the first week of April. This event is unprecedented.

I would encourage homeowners to wait for a month or so before removing any plants that appear to be dead. Nicking the bark of stems to check for live green bark is always a good idea before removing a plant.

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2007
04.03

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April 27-29, 2007
Over 30 chainsaw artists from around the country will gather in Pacific, Missouri to Carve for a Miracle.

Not only will they compete for cash and prizes with their works of art, they will be raising money for Children’s Miracle Network. Each carver will produce a large piece and 3 smaller quick carves. These will be auctioned off at the end of the event with a portion of the proceeds going to Children’s Miracle Network. Check it out: http://www.carvingforamiracle.com/

Artists will complete one main piece and three 90 minute quick carve pieces over the 3 days. Saturday evening there will be an auction for the Friday and Saturday quick carves. On Sunday afternoon there will be an auction for Sunday’s quick carve and the main pieces. The carvers will receive 50% of the proceeds on their pieces. The balance of the proceeds, after expenses, will go to the Children’s Miracle Network. For more information on The Children’s Miracle Network, you can check out their website at www.cmn-stl.org.

Winners will be determined by auction total.

Location:

Carving For A Miracle will take place at Pacific Station Plaza in Historic Pacific, Missouri. Pacific is about 30 minutes west of St. Louis on I-44 (Exit #257). Pacific Station Plaza is on First Street at Pacific St, just 3 blocks south of Osage (Historic Route 66).

Chainsaw Artist, Laura Reichert is organizing this event.

http://www.reichertcarving.com/

Turning Log’s into Treasures

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2007
04.03

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Playing Plant Tag

Look for F1 designations on hybrid plants this spring. F1 hybrids are plants cross bred from the seed of two genetically distinct plants to breed in the dominant characteristics of the parent plants into one superior plant. F1 is the first generation. If you collect seed from F1 plants, you can grow F2 plants, but there is no guarantee that plant will have the same characteristics of the first generation. Growers do this to develop plants with stronger disease resistance or brighter color.

Other initials on the plant tag are shorthand to help you with plant selection. Look for VFNT tomato varieties which are resistant to Verticillium wilt (V), Fusarium wilt (F), or nematodes (N), and Tobacco Mosaic (T)

The key word here is resistant. Plant disease resistence is like you and the flu. Wash your hands, avoid people who are sniffling and sneezing, and get a flu shot. But still, sometimes, you end up with the disease. Plants can be bred to be disease resistant. They haven’t been bred to be disease free, yet.

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2007
04.03

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April 2007
Gardening Forever

Happy New Year, April Fools

The vernal equinox, was once the celebrated as New Years Day. In ancient cultures, the new year was celebrated for eight days, beginning on March 25 and ending April 1. But then, the efficiency experts began complaining that we were losing too much time.

So, in 1584, when the Gregorian calendar was introduced, King Charles IX of France ruled that New Year’s Day be moved to January 1st. The weather in January is usually so nasty, few people have the desire to frolic for eight days. Efficiency experts were thrilled.

Remember, no one had cell phones or instant messaging in 1564 and it took awhile for the word about the calendar change to get out. Folks who did not learn about the new date continued to celebrate New Year’s Day on April 1.

These traditionalists, or people without cell phones, were subject to ridicule and sent on “fools errands,” sent invitations to nonexistent parties and were the victims of practical jokes. The butts of these pranks became known as a “poisson d’avril” or “April fish” because a young naive fish is easily caught.

This April, we still have tree work to do from last spring’s tornado. Digging holes, planting trees, watering and fertilizing are a lot more work than Jules is used to. He really needs to get into shape for the gardening season, since we (he) will be planting several new replacement trees in the lawn. So, I enrolled Jules in a weight training program.

Although you are more likely to see him at Westlake Hardware store than the YMCA, Jules thought I would believe that they were selling garden supplies and tools at the community center weight room. Supposedly, Home Depot has an outlet there.

A woman instinctively knows when her husband is seeing someone else. I suspected he was out there running around when he come home with the distinct fragrance of potting soil on his clothes and dirt under his fingernails. But the real clue was a receipt in his jeans pocket from Family Tree Nursery. I found a crumpled receipt in the car ashtray from Earl May.

I’m not certain who is the bigger April Fool, me for enrolling him in a class he didn’t want to take, or him for pretending to go. Did he think I wouldn’t notice the shiny new rake and spade hanging in the garage?

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2007
04.03

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March 2007
Gardening Forever

Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn. – Lewis Grizzard

The Big Cover UP

There is no such thing as a maintenance-free lawn or garden. However, a lower maintenance lawn and garden are easily achieved. Nothing upgrades a lawns appearance faster than attractive organic mulch spread on the bare soil under all trees and shrubs. Spread two to three inches of shredded bark or bark nuggets over all bare soil in garden beds, along fence lines, or under trees.

The most popular mulches are bark chips or chunks, wood chips, shredded cedar or cypress, cocoa bean shells, straw and pine needles. Buying the right amount of mulch will save time, money and multiple trips to the garden center. Use these guidelines to estimate the right number of bags needed for a project.

Prepackaged mulch comes in two and three cubic feet bags. Select a bag size; generally, larger bags are more economical, smaller bags are easier to handle. One large 3 cu ft bag will cover 18 square feet with two inched of mulch. A smaller 2 cu ft bag of will cover 12 square feet with two inches of mulch.

Estimate the number of bags needed using the following formula.
Bag Size 2-inch depth 3-inch depth
2 cu ft 12 sq ft 8 sq ft
3 cu ft 18 sq ft 12 sq ft
For example, a garden area 10’ long x 40’ wide would be 400 sq ft. 400 divided by 8 (for a 3-inch depth) would, buy fifty 2-cu-ft bags.
Or, a 400 sq ft garden area divided by 12 (for a 3-inch depth) would result in thirty-four 3-cu-ft bags. (OK, math wizards, its 33⅓, not 34).

Keep mulch 2-3 inches away from the base of trees and shrubs and avoid the ‘Mulch Volcano’ some landscapers favor — it’s the wrong way to use the product or treat a plant. Piling mulch onto the base of trees and shrubs is a common error. It can cause too much moisture retention promoting disease and insect infestation in the plants.

Occasionally freshen the look of mulch by moving it around. Raking the mulch moves composted material down into the soil and helps prevent airborne mold and fungus attacks.

After this years brutal winter, many trees will need to be removed or replaced. Tree trimmings from storm damaged trees are a good source of free mulch. For large areas that need mulch, remember that arborists usually pay to dispose of tree trimmings and will gladly give wood chips to you, if you want it all. Of course, truck size and content varies, but you may receive 10 cubic yards of wood chips free. Supplement with additional nitrogen.

Feed Daffodils Before They Bloom

The best time to apply fertilizer to spring-flowering bulbs is when foliage emerges in the spring, not when they are flowering. Roots are most active when the foliage emerges from the soil. Bulb roots actually begin to die at flowering, so fertilizing during bloom is a waste of fertilizer. An all-purpose fertilizer application when the plant begins to poke through the ground will provide nutrients for the bulbs to produce flowers next year. If your soil has plenty of phosphorus and potassium, and it probably does, fertilize with blood meal. This natural fertilizer promotes green leafy growth and is a fast acting source of nitrogen.

The best way to find out what the soil needs are is with a soil test. Chances are the lawn and the garden have different nutrient requirements. Do not use weed and feed combinations developed for the lawn, in your garden.

Deadhead the daffodils if you want, but leave the foliage until it dies back naturally. Energy from the foliage is transferred to the bulb, creating next year’s blooms. Leaving the foliage is the best investment you can make for next spring’s blooms.

When I went to pick up my friend for a round of golf, I found her in the garden poking golf t’s in the soil. Marge said “If I find bare spots or bulbs don’t come up this spring, I just mark the space with a T. In the fall, I’ll remember where to plant the new bulbs without disturbing the old ones.”

Plant brightly colored wooden golf t’s in your bulb beds to remind you where to fill in additional bulbs next fall. Don’t pull up the dying foliage and you’ll have time to squeeze in a round of golf between spring gardening chores.