Tag: inside and out

My Knock Out Roses Were Almost KO’d

Posted on June 12, 2018 by Mama

My Knock Out® roses have had quite the journey here at The Three-Acre Wood, but this spring as I watched and waited for signs of life from my three beauties by the curb I quickly realized that my girls were hurting. I’m not sure if it was last year’s Japanese Beetle infestation, the unusually long, cold winter or a combination of both, but I was afraid my rose bushes were gone for good.

After a long wait, I started to see signs of life as a few little green leaves appeared, mainly from the deepest parts of the plants. I did a bit of research on the best way to care for these ailing gals and decided to heavily prune them to about 18″ from the ground. Ugh, this was so disheartening (and thorny)!

I’m happy to say that all three of the Knock Out roses are gaining some momentum this spring, but they aren’t real attractive at this point. Several branches have green leaves growing, they are gaining a bit of height and a single small rose actually bloomed this morning!

I’m hoping that if I baby them through the summer, they will reward me with their usual splash of color come this fall or next spring.

Happy Spring! Do You Know Where Your Potatoes Are?

Posted on March 20, 2018March 25, 2018 by Mama

It’s finally Spring! Okay, so it doesn’t much feel like it from where I’m standing, but the calendar says Spring started today so it must be true.

There isn’t a lot of spring-like activity going on outside our home right now so I don’t have much to show for it, but my son and I did manage to take advantage of a single warm day last week to plant some potatoes. Yay, potatoes! Now the old tale says that one should plant potatoes before St. Patrick’s Day (and we came in just under the wire), but I’m sure there’s still time to sow some tasty tubers of your own.

If you’ve never planted potatoes, I urge you to give it a go. There is just something special about a lunch of new potatoes and fried okra harvested from your own garden on a hot summer day. It makes me feel like I have really accomplished something special, but secretly I know these are two of the easiest veggies to grow here in the Midwest. It’s still a good feeling and an even better meal!

You can plant seed potatoes directly in the ground or even in a very large pot. We seem to have better success in the pot, because it’s easier to keep the varmints from eating off the tops and the tubers are easier to find at harvest time.

Use “seed” potatoes to grow your own bounty by cutting them in half, making sure there are at least two eyes in each half, and planting them directly in the soil about 3-5 inches deep. Some folks suggest you let the cut pieces dry out over night before planting, but I’ve never done this and seem to have success. You can also buy seed potatoes of different varieties at your local store and follow the directions on the packaging.

As the potatoes grow, they will sprout a stem that grows above ground. Keep animals from eating this stem so that it can gather energy from the sun to help your tators grow. This foliage will eventually wither and die when your potatoes are ready to be harvested, but you can also dig up early tubers if you like to munch on the smaller variety. You can actually harvest potatoes at multiples time during the summer, but try not to disturb the soil too much if you plan to let a few continue to grow. Harvest times do vary depending on the type of potato you grow, but you can do a little research or read packaging to find out how soon you can expect your first feast.

Happy Spring and Happy Potato Planting!

photo credit: Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com Small Potatoes via photopin (license)

Still Working Toward 40 Bags Before Easter

Posted on March 18, 2018 by Mama

I knew there was more junk stuffed in that craft room (and the overflow storage room next to it)!! I’m still cleaning and purging at home and adding to my rising total in the 40 Bags in 40 Days challenge. By my latest count I believe I’m up to fourteen total boxes, bags and large items that have exited the house this Lenten season. Not even halfway to my goal, but every little bit, or lot, counts.

My husband just commented that I might not have enough stuff to get to 40. . . but then we both had a good laugh!

Maybe I will actually give you a tour of my newly cleaned crafting space soon, but that means I need to stop creating long enough to keep the space tidy. Hmmm. . .

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