March: Clocks, Cougars, Potting Soil and Bats

Spring has Sprung!

Last week, the geese were back, honking and the next day the black starlings, sure signs that winter is about to flee. The days have been cool with bright sunshine, followed by nighttime temperatures in the teens, a sign the time has arrived to practice the ancient art of maple syrup making. Buckets were hung in many woodlands this past weekend.
If your in the northwest Pennsylvania region on March 20th and 21st, be sure to check out the Taste and Tour open house at dozens of maple sugar shacks throughout the region. It is fascinating - and lot of history; watch some amazing old-time skills and enjoy good tasting natural products. It is free and the price of products usually very inexpensive compared even to large discount chains. For more info on the Taste and Tour Open House, click here.

A few other dates to keep in mind:
1.Johnny Appleseed Day is March 11
2.March 14 -Daylight Savings Time begins! Established originally during World War I and then again re-established during World War ll to conserve energy and it has been observed ever since. Longer hours of daylight at the end of the day are sort of nice but not too sure how much “energy” is actually saved.
3.March 20th First Day of Spring.
4.March 29th – Full Worm Moon also called the Full Sap Moon.


Potting Soil and Seedlings


With sunny days and warmer than zero wind chill factors, a lot of people are thinking veggie gardens and starting their own plants. The biggest expense is potting soil, hands down. However, there have been generations of gardeners who never had the expensive convenience and who grew some pretty darn nice gardens.
There is no secret to making your own potting soil with most of the material readily available. Spring is a good time to start for next year if you don't already have a compost pile. Good mature compost is essential as is well rotten sawdust or leaves and a handful or two of sand.
It does help to pasteurize your homemade potting soil to kill bad bacteria which can harm tender seedlings. This can be done easily by placing the homemade potting soil in a black plastic bag in the sun or under glass (as in a cold frame or primitive solar panel). The soil mixture should be heated, according to many garden writers, to about 160 degrees for a half hour or so.
This piece on “How to Make Your Own Potting Soil”, is a good start but there are others as well. The advantages of making your own potting soil are numerous. It is by far more eco-friendly than using commercial mixes and some mixes do contain harmful chemicals. If the compost and the soil used in the mixture are also from the veggie garden, the plants right from the get go are adjusted to the soil and nutrients available. For those who have container gardens or houseplants, the homemade mix saves considerable amounts of money and ensures some pretty healthy plants.
Potting soil was made for hundreds of years before the packaged mixes. It takes a little time, perhaps some experimentation, but the end result will be more success and makes for a great family project.

The Bats

Colony Collapse Disorder, or CCD, is a mysterious and serious problem with honey bee colonies throughout North America. Currently, another mysterious disease is impacting the bats particularly in eastern sections of North America. The disease, an unknown white fungus, has killed thousands of bats during hibernation.
Bats are really very beneficial and eat literally thousands of bugs during the night. Without the large colonies of bats, a buggy year can be expected; many of the insects are not only common pests and disease carriers, they can damage our forests and woodlands if left unchecked.
Halloween and vampire stuff aside, the bats are needed in the environment. The Pittsburgh Post Gazette had a good run down on the problem this past Sunday.

Cougars

Maybe it is the end of the winter blues but there have been some rumors about cougar sightings in this neighborhood in the last several weeks. Naturally, according to the rumors, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is stocking the animals to control the coyote population, which they also introduced to control the deer herds.
Good Grief! There was once a rumor the Game Commission stocked rattle snakes to control the turkey population!
The latest sightings have ZERO evidence to back up the claims despite the heavy snow cover and despite the fact that even a 1 pound squirrel leaves tracks in the snow.
Now, there are likely some animals out there that few people have seen or heard, and yes, there might even be a cougar or two – somewhere. But 99.9 percent of these stories don't hold water.
Certainly, there are coyotes. They were howling last night for the first time in quite a few months. If the truth be known, it is doubtful they do as much damage as some say.
There is a lot of complete nonsense every now. Thanks BW for the nice photo of the house cat getting ready for a free meal.

Good Blogs to Read

On Your Way to the Top

Urban Veggie Garden

New York's Southern Tier

Simply Snickers

Vincent di Fondi

Enjoy While It Lasts; it is almost over

As February continues it's slide into history, cabin fever is rampant. While the months have seemed to zip by, it has been a relentless winter, storm followed by storm and continued cold weather. And the wood pile getting low.
But looking at some photo's from last year, brought hope. The first peeps in 2009 began to sing on March 15th about the same time the first robins were sighted. Last year the weather seemed to warm somewhat earlier than usual; the peeps are generally out and singing sometime during the last week of March.

Weather folklore claims that once the peeps sing, there will be three more cold snaps with at least some snow. I've never kept real accurate records to test that one out but it seems about right. There is a similar folklore about daffodils. Once they open, there will be three more cold snaps with snow and then winter is gone. What weather folklores do you follow announcing the arrival of spring?

March 15th is actually hardly three weeks away. The wild leeks covered the woodlands less than three weeks after the peeps started singing. The picture of the leeks was dated April 3rd, 2009.
The appearance of the wild leeks was soon covered by what was recorded as the second peep snow on April 7th.
What it all means is that winter is on the downside and spring is near.

Late Winter to do List:


There are likely only a few weeks left when it will be good to trim berry bushes, such as blueberries and fruit trees. Pruning helps to improve the quantity and quality of the fruits and berries and helps to improve the bush or tree. Blueberries in particular do better after a pruning.
One of the symptoms of cabin fever are paging through seed catalogs. This helps with the late winter chore of making sure the garden plan and seeds are in order.
Depending on local conditions, seeds can be started indoors. Peppers are a good choice to start early, they seem to take a long time to germinate and grow. Tomatoes, on the other hand, grow like weeds and can get to leggy if started too early, even if given a lot of light.

First Crops

Snow peas are a good choice for the first spring planting. The are tasty, healthy and can take a beating from cold weather. The one thing to be careful of when planting snow peas is the wet soil conditions. Like most veggies, snow peas don't like sitting around in water. Try to mound or drain the moisture away from the snow peas; powdery mildew and root rot can be problems in soggy soil areas.
Snow peas are a legume; they produce their own fertilizer and add important nutrients back into the ground. Depending on location and weather, now peas can be harvested in mid-May and the ground used for another crop, either a vegetable or a cover crop.
Snow peas are generally climbers and need a fence or trellis; a hanging basket might be a possibility. Some have attractive flowers which provide food for many early insects and birds.
Snow peas are healthy and an excellent source of vitamins A and C and a generally given high ranking as a food good for the heart. They are commonly found in health food stores and can be quite expensive even in supermarkets.
Snow peas are sweet and flavorful and can be used in a number of culinary experiments. They go well steamed and added to early spring potatoes with some leeks thrown in to the batch.
Snow peas are a good choice for an early spring crop; they can take a frost, even some snow, are rapid growers and produce plenty of edible pods. It's a nice gift or a good way to make some extra cash.

Winter: Enjoy What is Left


The ice fishing has been really good for the last several weeks and the snowshoeing has been excellent as well as the conditions for many other winter activities. It is not going to last so enjoy the fun, even a good snowball fight, while there is still time.

Good Blogs to Read

Vincent di Fondi

On Your Way to the Top

New York's Southern Tier

Urban Veggie

Simply Snickers

more »
HubPages

French Creek Pete to Make Prediction

French Creek Pete

The esteemed weather seer, French Creek Pete will appear and make a prediction about winter on February 30th at an undisclosed location. There will be no suspense since we already know winter will be leaving one of these days.
So Pete's 100% accurate. Sure Punxsutawney Phil is better known, but he saw his shadow as did three other popular groundhogs. But three different groundhogs did not see their shadow meaning winter is over.
Pay attention to Pete, he is always right, winter will end sometime.
With winter's ultimate demise in the somewhat foreseeable future, vegetable gardens, yard work and yard improvements are more common thoughts, wishes and hopes.
A vegetable garden can provide a lot of good, healthy food. Done properly, a vegetable garden can also save a lot of money.
A vegetable garden properly planned can also make some money even after the bounty has been shared with neighbors, friends or donated to food banks. Perennial vegetables offer a great opportunity to make some extra cash.
Asparagus is one good example. Once planted and established, an asparagus bed can last for decades and keeps on producing with just a little maintenance work every year. Asparagus is an easy crop but it normally has a three year year waiting period until asparagus can be fully harvested.
Good quality asparagus sells for top dollar even when it is on sale at supermarkets. It is a good vegetable to consider as a source of income; it takes little space, continues to produce for decades and is a popular veggie. Horseradish is another good choice for a little extra income as is rhubarb. For more ideas on a little extra income, click here.
And while we are waiting for French Creek Pete and a likely six more weeks or so of cold weather, it is a good time to plan what to plant this year. This link provides an interesting tool for home vegetable growers.
I've been fiddling with it for a week or so and it has some possibilities and some limitations. But the link is worth a look. Also be sure to view Dan's Blog below, Urban Veggie. He has a review of Soggy Creek Seed Seed Company.

Tomatoes and Companion Plantings


With spring approaching, hopefully, visions of fresh garden tomatoes are moving out of the day-dream stage. Next month is a good time to start seedlings, depending on regional climates. Hopefully, the late blight stays away this year and the growing conditions will be better than last year.
Consider planting the heirlooms this year; they are proven winners and certainly for many are the most flavorful. The seeds from heirlooms can be saved for next year, something not possible with the seeds from many hybrids.
There are companion plants which can be planted with tomatoes which many gardeners believe helps them to grow, taste better, and help to protect the tomatoes from a variety of pests. Borage is one.
Borage, also known as the bee plant, is believed by many to improve the flavor of tomatoes. One thing is certain though, it does attract bees, a lot of bees and it is an unusual and attractive plant with blue to purple flowers.
Some other possible good plants to have near the tomatoes would be:asparagus, basil, beans, calendula, cosmos, nasturtiums, peas and sage.
Tomatoes don't get along too well with cabbages, corn, eggplants, peppers, and potatoes.

Presidents' Day


February 15th is Presidents' Day this year; some might call I Crooks' and Liars' Day but whatever. But it is a national holiday set aside for huge sales in department stores and, well, a day set aside to remember our leaders.
Seriously though, it should be a day with some reflection on those who have helped to make the nation what we enjoy today. Here is a story about George Washington's early days before he became a revolutionary and the leader of the revolt. There is more about this person than just wooden teeth which didn't fit right all the time.
Since a lot of people will be stuck inside this weekend due to snowstorms and blizzards, it might be opportune time to refresh or catch up on some colorful early American history. Or think about planting an Oak Tree, the designated national tree, for more information, here is the link.
If the snow and weather are really horrible this weekend, here's the story of Old Mossback and the LeBoeuf Creeper. These events are within sight of where Washington once visited. Besides, French Creek Pete, spring and a vegetable garden, it's time to dream of fishing.

Good Blogs to Read

On Your Way to the Top
Kathleen is learning tolerance.

New York's Southern Tier

Vincent di Fondi

Urban Veggie
Dan reviews Soggy Creek Seed. Company this week. Fascinating post.

Simply Snickers

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Discover the Groundhog: Wojak

Groundhog Day – Make a “Wojak” Discovery

January seemed to come and go in a blink and it's time for the traditional groundhog fanfare. It is sort of a quaint superstition and a good reason for a mid-winter celebration.
Groundhogs are mammals, often called woodchucks, because of their ability to climb trees. Actually, these mammals are members of the squirrel family. Groundhogs, for most of the year in many regions, are pretty much shot on sight. They can also be used to help in making some great discoveries.
In ancient cultures, they were known as “Wojak” by the Lenni Lenapi Nation which lived in the area of Punxsutawney. The Lenni Lenapi, or the original people, believed all humans originated from animals; and Wojak was one of the grandfathers of all humans. The groundhog also helps to remind humans about the early peoples, like the Lenni Lenapi.
The customs of Europe arrived with the settlers including the myths about the weather abilities of the hedgehog, an animal somewhat similar to Wojak, along with religious purification beliefs celebrated on February 2nd, called Candlemas Day.
Groundhog Day is a signpost that spring and better weather for much of the north hemisphere is on it's way. As the snows melt, the brown earth returns and the maple syrup flows and Wojak is one of the first to be seen in the bare fields and meadows. Okay, there is yard work and spring clean-up work but it is a time to look for sheds, or deer antlers which can be easily found before leaf-out, check for the first wild leeks and discover some arrowheads.
Wojak is a good digger and moves a lot of dirt for his burrows. Often, his digs reveal hidden artifacts like arrowheads or ancient tools, or even just magical rocks. Wojak's dirt piles can help make for some fun discoveries. Groundhog Day is a fun superstition day about weather lore, but real groundhogs are the “original grandfather of humans”and Wojak will tells us, if we look.

Scrap Prices – Discover Rising Prices


Prices for scrap metal usually rise during the winter months. In this region, the price for aluminum is in the mid fifty cents/pound price range. Many civic and religious organizations have fund drives collecting the scrap metal products and the proceeds help the local activities. Canadohta Lake Area Business Association in this region, for example, collects the cans all winter and the proceeds help fund the annual July 4th fireworks display.

Discover the Oak


The Oak Tree is the national tree of the United States. Learn why this tree was selected as a national emblem and why the oak tree was selected, here.
There are many different species of oaks which grow throughout North America. They are an important tree for our wildlife, including valuable insects. The trees are a symbol of strength, loyalty and family. They are beautiful trees and they are fairly easy to grow from an acorn (if Wojak, a member of the squirrel family didn't discover them all first). More information, here.
For many in eastern North America, there is some related good news. The population of the destructive gypsy moth appears to be very low this year. Discover how to identify some of the problem insects this year, most are invasive insects. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has some good information, as do many other states and Canada in the Northern Hemisphere.

Asparagus and Wojak

Asparagus is an easy, early spring vegetable to have in the backyard. It is a money saver because it will produce for decades. It is also one of the healthiest vegetables.
While the roots can be purchased in the early spring and planted, consider starting from seeds for home production. Seeds are cheaper and are easy to start. Asparagus roots are generally mostly male plants which do not have to spend time on reproductive activities.
Plants started from seeds are a good mix of female and male plants; meaning little asparagus plants in a few years. For commercial growers, the roots are a better option because of profit margins; for the homeowner, seeds are a good option and the harvest will be more than enough. Groundhog Day is a good time to plan out an asparagus bed for the future. Just be sure to pick out a spot that won't be disturbed for decades.
Discover asparagus this year, it is an easy backyard crop. Pictured is what is called purple asparagus, an heirloom variety. It is sweeter and has a nut-like flavor. It is very hardy and an attractive plant.

Blogs Worth the Time:

On Your Way to the Top

Simply Snickers

New York's Southern Tier

Urban Veggie

Vincent di Fondi

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HubPages

Help Haiti: and the B's of January Thinking

Help Haiti

The reports from Haiti are gruesome. Try to help as much as you can. But be careful who you send cash too, there are a lot of crooks who will want to make a quick dollar. There are many good religious organizations which can be trusted, many of them on the local level.

Here are two national organizations which can be trusted: there are certainly, many, many others.

Doctors Without Borders at www.doctorswithoutborders.org

American Red Cross at www.redcross.org or call 800-733-2767

If any readers have a worthwhile project related to the Haiti Relief effort, please leave a comment with verification so it can be check as being legitimate. Many people do have family and friends in Haiti who were already on the island previous to the earthquake doing missionary or social work. If this blog can help in anyway, just send a comment with proper verification. Thanks.


Some “B” Thoughts


January and the nice colorful seed catalogs always give rise to thoughts about thing to do in the spring and summer. As usual, the list can get pretty long and ambitious in the dead of winter in January.
Give heirlooms and native flowers a good thought. The heirloom veggies are tried and tested, usually more flavorful and the seed can be saved (a money saver).
Native flowers are already adapted to local climates and soil conditions and are a tremendous food source for native pollinators.
But there are exceptions.
One experiment here will be another patch of buckwheat in the early spring mixed with the herb borage. Buckwheat attracts a lot of bees and is a good soil conditioner. Borage, a hardy self seeding herb, also attracts bees by the thousands. Buckwheat has white flowers, while borage has deep blue-purple flowers. Someplace in this bed, I want to add the sunflower.
North America is not the country of origin for either buckwheat or borage, though, both are pretty much naturalized. Buckwheat appears to have originated in China and Borage in the Mediterranean.
The newcomer plant I want to try this year is the Bleeding Heart. I like the way it looks, it is native and looks similar to a fuchsia which cost too much darn money and don't do all that well without a lot of babysitting.
Buckwheat, Borage, Bleeding Hearts and Bees, not sure how the “B” thoughts happened but it did. And it does go to show that B = A sometimes.

January Outdoors


The winter snow and ice damages many trees like this apple tree which will need some attention before the weather warms.

Pruning is one of the yard work activities which can be done during January. Fruit trees, grape vines and bushes, such as blueberries can be pruned. It makes for a healthier tree or bush and the end result will be higher yields.

January Indoors

It helps to order early before supplies run out. Besides, some companies offer special discounts. Look around, many local organizations have seed swaps or sell seeds locally at reduced prices. Dan, at Urban Veggie Blog below is seed swapping.
Spending a lot of time indoors can be troublesome and Kathleen in her blog below, On Your to the Top, has an experience all should read.
Consider some herbs this year, they are healthy, attractive, flavorful and also draw many good pollinators to the veggie garden. Now is the time to plan.
Consider maybe, planting an Oak Tree, the designated national tree.

Birds:


The birds, need to eat. Keep the feeders filled. Another reason to grow buckwheat, sunflowers and even a patch of oats. Bird food is expensive and these crops can be money savers plus adding to winter enjoyment.
I try to keep the feeders under some protection like bushes and trees. However, an unfortunate blue jay became a meal for a hawk sitting high in an oak tree.

Good Blogs

Vincent di Fondi – Vincent doesn't know what he's missing while he is living in Costa Rica.

On Your Way to the Top – Kathleen has some good medical insights in this post.

Urban Veggie Garden - Seed Swapping

Simply Snickers – More fun stuff.

Travel Destination – Fun things to see and do if your travels bring you into that beautiful area.

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Weather Myths: Jack Wax and Dandelions

Global Warming and Snowstorm Myths

January is doing what January is suppose to do – snow, cold, wind, dead batteries, frozen water pipes, shoveling sidewalks, driveways and roofs. And it doesn't look like it's going to ease up anytime soon, if the forecasts are on target.
There's been a lot of comments about the cold and global warming. A comment heard frequently all week goes like: “What happened to global warming?” or a similar version of the question with some added political comments included.
The cold weather doesn't mean global warming is some sort of giant trick or a myth being played on the world community. Quite the opposite; the cold weather is an indicator that our weather is changing. The hard facts of science are real, our climates are changing; the myth is actually trying to debunk global warming, or pretending it doesn't exist.
Perhaps, a better phrase instead of global warming, would be “freaky weather changes”. Overall though, the changes are getting more and more dramatic if one looks at the long term instead of a particular cold frontal system.
A good article from the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Co. has an interesting perspective on what appears to be contradictions in the weather. Basically, according to the report, the record high temperatures are far out pacing the recorded low temperatures throughout the US. Facts are facts; myths remain myths.
Sure, we have occasional bouts with cold weather, but one has to look a little beyond the present, and delve into our ancient past. Besides, winters use to be a lot more ferocious than they seem to be now. That is no myth.

Jack Wax and the Groundhog


Groundhog Day is Tuesday, February 2nd, something of a sign of approaching spring. But the real indicators are when the sap begins to flow in the sugar maples trees and the fires are lit in sugar shacks all across the north.
Jack Wax is rustic maple sugar candy and one of the best candies ever made. It's pretty simple to do and can even be made at home. Basically, boiling the sap until it is close to being syrup, is poured on the clean snow or in a hole in the snow. It quickly hardens like a taffy. Nothing better on a chilly winter day and much better tasting than some other spring related celebrations.
Maple producers work hard and are generally family owned and operated. In northwestern PA, the big event of the year is a “Taste and Tour” weekend. It is an open house where everyone is invited to dozens of participating sugar shacks to learn about maple syrup, how it is made (pictured above) and to taste free samples of maple products.
If you get a chance to talk to a producer or two, the conversation will likely lead to the subject of the earlier and earlier runs of the sap. For the sap to run, the trees need warm days above freezing, and cold nights when the thermometer dips below freezing. It use to be the run happened in mid-March, nowadays it's more like mid-February. Someone say “global warming”?
The weekend for the event is March 20 and 21st, and there will be the first ever Maple Festival organized by the association at the Edinboro Fire Hall the same weekend. For more information, Northwest Pennsylvania Maple Association.
If you can't make it, or are looking for unique gifts, there are links in the Web site with listing of sugar shacks and products available.

Wild Horses


Thanks to Linda Nickerson for the information and the protest regarding the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) round-up of wild horses in Nevada. The government sponsored helicopter round-up began on December 28th and is expected to continue for the next two months during the harsh winter weather (no, I won't mention global warming).
Protests over the cruel winter round-up and the use of helicopters are beginning to spread across the nation and Linda has an article with some more information, click here.
If your concerned about our wild horses, or interested in the BLM adopt a horse program, Linda is a great resource. For her article Linda used the photograph above which is from the BLM. It's a nice photograph, wish the round-up was a little nicer.
One of Linda's blogs, “Simply Snickers”, is posted below in “Good Blogs”. Thanks, Linda for sharing. Maybe we can get you some, Jack Wax.

Dandelions:


We are all familiar with these early spring bloomers. Kathleen Richardson, who is also listed in “Good Blogs” below, contributed these photographs, after reading a Helium article “Defending Dandelions”.
Kathleen's son took these photo's while he was stationed in Alaska. Dandelions are a global plant and are good eating and considered an herb. A friend from Portugal says they call them dentes de leano (thinking means tooth of the lion). Read Kathleen's blog, “On Your Way to the Top” listed below about how she remembers them.
Dandelions don't make Jack Wax, but they can be used to make wines, jellies and tea.
Many times, the dandelion is considered a weed, another myth, and is sprayed with deadly chemicals. The flowers, however, are an important food source for our native bees, and the gentle honeybee and their populations are in serious decline. For more information read, Defending Dandelions.
A special thanks to Kathleen for contributing the photographs, bet a piece or two of Jack Wax won't tip any scales.

Good Blogs

Vincent di Fondi – Vincent is retired, enjoying the good life in Costa Rica and has just published his first novel. Lucky, Vincent, doesn't have to shovel.

On Your Way to the Top – Kathleen's homespun insights and adventures.

Veggie Garden – Dan is a backyard gardener in nearby Ontario. He is listing some insights about seed companies and getting his spring garden ordered.

Simply Snickers – This is a great blog with a lot of fun things, insights and projects by Linda

Travel Destination – Kathleen also writes a Helium Zone blog about New York's Southern Tier.

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HubPages

You may also be interested in some of these links at Associated Content. Thanks.

Happy New Year: Be a Tiger

Now I tell ya, there's always a New Year somewhere!




Happy New Year and may it be the Best Ever.

2010 will be opened with a Blue Moon, something of a rather rare happening. The next Blue Moon will not happen again until August 31, 2012. And the next after that on July 31, 2015. Just for the heck of it, the next December Blue Moon will be on December 31st, 2028.
Many people will celebrate Chinese New Year on February 14th, which ushers in the Year of the Tiger. It could make for an interesting Valentine's Day. (and yes, I did double check, it is the Year of the Tiger, not the Rat).
Chinese New Year is a good time and is similar to our Christmas celebration; a time for family and friends, gift giving and plenty of good foods. Any friends who will be celebrating this New Year, feel welcome to comment(Sadeep, what can you say?).
I wrote an article about last minute Christmas Gift Shopping a week or so before the holiday. Then, after further thought, realized, the article is good for any and all gift shopping regardless of Blue Moons. So, I figured might as well plug it. Click here on gift ideas.
The Year of the Tiger on February 14th, a good day for florists and candy makers, is a time to start thinking about getting some plants started for the season. In a Zone 5, it is a tad early except for some pepper varieties which require a lot of time to reach maturity. But it is time to get potting soil, pots, and seeds together along with a garden plan.
The Year of the Tiger might be a good omen for backyard gardeners; be aggressive, adventurous and determined to get what you want.
On the subject of calendars. Not even the Mayan Elders believe the world will end in 2012. That's a nice money making story but hardly real.

Tomatoes can save money in the Year of Tiger



Tomatoes are easy to grow with few problems despite what happened last year with the late blight. With a few aggressive and determined gardening steps, tomatoes should be like zucchini, plentiful.
There are some common blights which can raise some problems; briefly, Septoria, Early and Verticillium. Basically, all three of these are marked by discoloration in the lower leaves. These are fungal diseases which can be controlled or eliminated.
The first step is to start out with home grown seedlings or seedlings purchased from a reputable grower. The fungal diseases mention can overwinter in the ground so it is best not to plant tomatoes where they grew last year; pick a new spot.
Give the plants the required space; don't overcrowd. Stake or cage the plants; sprawling on the ground tomato plants are an open invitation for trouble. Use mulch, preferably compost mulch and avoid overhead watering. The blight can splash up from the soil and on the plants.
Pay attention. At the first sign of trouble, get rid of the discolored leaves (burn them if possible or place in the garbage) and spray. Good sprays would be a mix of baking soda or manure tea. There are some good organic sprays available commercially.
A few simple, common sense gardening practices will result in huge yields of tasty tomatoes and perhaps, even enough to give away or sell for some extra cash.

Where will the road lead in 2010?

New Years Resolutions for January 1st or February 14th or Both

There are a lot of ideas but how about a storm kit for the home. It's inexpensive to put a storm kit together and it could be life saving. With global warming comes more violent weather, so it is best to get prepared.
Plant native wild flowers this year and help out the bees, both the honeybee and native populations. They are in trouble from a number of diseases and the populations are declining. Honeybees are amazing and real work horses of the insect world. That we even have honey is a true feat.
Vincent di Fondi's new book Blessed Abduction, would be another good choice for a resolution. Vincent is now retired and enjoying life in Costa Rica. Or the books by Sam Hossler which portray the history of northwestern Pennsylvania. Sam now lives in Florida but was a long time resident of the Canadohta Lake area where enjoyed the winter weather.
Read more blogs like those listed below and if an ad catches your eye, click and find out more. Bloggers work hard and generally get paid when folks get interested enough to click an ad. No ads, leave a comment, your insights and observations are always welcome by bloggers.

Good Blogs

Vincent di Fondi - Vincent was also featured in the December issue of International Living Magazine. His book is available at Amazon and Indie Books.

On Your Way to the Top - Kathleen has a good, homespun blog. The latest post is about the family trip from upstate New York to Ohio for a family visit.

New York's Southern Tier - Kathleen also does a travel destination blog for Helium Zones which features many events in the western and central New York region. If your traveling in that area over the holidays, check it out.

Veggie Garden Blog - Dan in Ontario has some terrific photos and great veggie garden insights. He is feeding the birds this season and thinking hard about next year's bounty. Thanks, Dan and I forgot to send a Merry Christmas, so have the Best new Year Ever wish!

Simply Snickers - Linda writes an exciting blog here, well worth the visit. She is an avid and prolific writer and knows an awful lot about horses, just ask her in a comment section after you have enjoyed her writing. She also wears funny hats at times! (had to get that int here, Linda)

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