A reader asks: "When is the right time to mulch, or is is ok at any time in the season?"
My first thought is that any time is better than NOT mulching, but there are some optimum times and techniques for mulching properly. If you get overwhelmed, think of mulch as a blanket. You want to use the blanket to keep the soil at the right temperature with little fluxuation in moisture and heat. Pull it back when the soil is cold from winter, so the spring sun can warm it up, heap it on when the hottest part of the season approaches. This will keep the plant's roots happy. Use it to slow evaporation and deter weed growth.
That is the short answer. For the longer one, and to share what you mulch with, I wrote a more in depth answer that I hope will help.
One of my favorite chefs on Twitter, @HerbGuy , is looking for dandelion blossoms to use in his restaurant! Who doesn't have the ever lovely dandelion on their lawn? Check out what he needs here: Buying Dandelions . He is a super cool guy, and very inventive chef. It doesn't stop at dandelions, however. @Herbguy is looking for other delicious wild things as well. If you don't already, follow him on Twitter and see if you might have what he needs.
In case you are wondering, I have a plethora of dandelions, but by the time I get to the end of my list of uses, I never have extra.
Photo Flickr user HowardDickins
We are all awaiting the big day of candy Easter Sunday with great anticipation this year. All 4 of my boys are finally old enough to realize that candy is on it's way(the baby doesn't have a clue)! While I do not deny them candy, I dont buy it, becasue I think it cultivates a craving for it. We keep candy eating to the holidays, where it is is just a fun thing, that makes the day extra fun. Unfortunately, two of my children have allergies. This means that most of the candy is not going to be in their baskets. Because of this, I have always downplayed the basket as the highlight, by adding other traditions to the day. One of the distractions is dyeing eggs. I figure that they are boys, they can be distracted with mess making. It works for us!
Dyeing your Easter eggs with herbs, is a fun way to explore natural colors. Try wetting some distinctly shaped leaves and pressing them onto the egg and holding in place with an old nylon stocking, wrapping in twine or over dyeing, to creating your own designs.
Some non herbal, but still natural dyes from food are onion skins and red cabbage. Onion skins make a beautiful brown and red cabbage is a shockingly bright blue.
We raise all brown egg layers on our farm. The colors are all more subtle on the brown shells, but still beautiful! Try your hand at natural egg dyeing. It is always a big hit around here.
Photo Flickr user Moonlightbulb2
There has been a safety recall on Archer Farms ground turmeric, due to high lead content! This particular brand is sold at Target, so check your cupboards. Don't you use turmeric? Here is some more information on this interesting herbal:
