Hi everybody. Today we are going to talk a little about creating your own compost pile. Composting is both fun to do and it is great for the environment. When you compost your organic material, you are making a great contribution to our earth. The organic items that you add to your pile would of ended up taking up space in one of our local landfills. In addition, the processed compost will significantly help to keep your plants and lawn looking great!

            Before we decide to set up a compost project, you should know the five basic variables that must be controlled in order to achieve good results. The first process is the balance of brown and green organic ingredients. The “Green” category includes grass clippings, food scraps and manure. The “Brown” category includes dry leaves, wood chips and small branches. This mix must be balanced in order to get good results.

            The second category is Particle Size. Chipping and shredding organic materials will help to get a better mix and allow for better air flow as opposed to large objects that are big and bulky. At the same token, if the particles are too small, there will be very little airflow in the pile.

            The third is moisture content. Your compost pile will need an adequate amount of moisture in order to thrive. Water is one of the most important ingredients to a productive compost pile.

            The fourth category is Oxygen. If the pile is placed on a series of pipes or other larger object, the compost pile will exhibit a better and faster rate of decomposition. On the other hand, way too much oxygen will actually slow down the process.

            The fifth and final category is temperature. Microorganisms require an optimum temperature in order to survive. It is not uncommon for the core temperature of a compost pile to reach 140 degrees! These higher temperatures will be achieved if the first four factors are all in line.

            Now that we know the basics, you must select a good location for your compost pile. Select a dry, shady area that is located near a convenient water source. Once you select your location, start adding your fuel. Add green and brown materials, as previously mentioned, and be sure to chop or shred larger objects. It is important to moisten the materials as they are added to be sure that the entire pile is moist. Now, you can add more grass clippings and be sure to mix them up in the pile. You can also add fruit and vegetable scraps and bury them 10 inches below the compost. Be sure to keep the pile moist. You can optionally cover the pile with a tarp to help retain the moisture.

            When you notice the material at the bottom of the pile looks dark in color, it is ready to use. This can take anywhere from a few months to a couple of years. The easiest way to turn the pile is with a pitchfork. You can also use a shovel to help keep the pile aerated and turned.

            As you can see, with a little hard work, you can get great rewards and have great looking plants. Your neighbors will want to know your secret! Using your own compost can help your plants look way better then using commercial chemical fertilizers. Stay green everybody and we will see you next week!

Hi, everybody!

With the holidays rapidly approaching, soon one of the most popular plants on earth will be available for sale.

The plant I am referring to is the colorful poinsettia plant. These beautiful plants are most commonly known for their red color but they also can come in many other colors such as white, pink or multi-colored.

Since most retailers offer mass displays of these gems, you will have an almost unlimited choice to bring home. As beautiful as these plants are, they are also very fragile and you must handle them gently or the delicate branches will break and fall off.

During my lifetime, I have unpacked and displayed no less then 100,000 of these beauties and I still do not tire of their delicate appearance.

Poinsettias have an interesting history that dates back to the 14th century. In fact, during the period from the 14th to the 16th century, the Aztec Indians called poinsettias cuetlaxochitle and they used the sap to control fevers and the leaves, or bracts, to produce a red dye.

The actual botanical name for the poinsettia was coined by the German botanist Wilenow. He called it euphorbia pulcherria. He first discovered the plant growing through a crack in his greenhouse and was so amazed at the color, so gave it that name which means very beautiful.

For many years, and in fact still today, many people believe that poinsettias are poisonous. The truth is they are not. It is true, however, that some people are allergic to the white sap of the plant and skin irritation can develop. If you are one of those people with sensitive skin, handle the plants with care.

For a retailer during the holiday season, having a fresh batch of poinsettias is like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. These wonderful plants create an eye-catching display that will certainly draw a crowd.

So, with all these choices, how do I pick that perfect plant?

First, look for plants that have been removed from their sleeves. Many retailers will display the plants with sleeves intact, and if plants sit on the shelf too long, this can cause the leaves to yellow and drop and eventually, the plant may die. Choose plants that have been removed from their sleeves.

If you do choose a plant that is sleeved, remove the plastic as soon as you get home.

Next, look for plants that have little or no pollen showing on the flower clusters. This is a good indicator of the maturity of the flower bracts. You should always choose plants that have a lush, green color to their foliage and have a good, healthy appearance. Avoid plants that look droopy or have yellowing leaves.

While choosing your plants, handle them carefully so as not to break the adjoining plants so everybody can have a chance at getting a prime- looking plant.

Once you have chosen your gem and you’re home, some standard TLC will ensure you get a long lifespan from your new houseguest.

If you are keeping your plant indoors and it is not near a good light source, occasionally put it in a sunny location so it can get the light it needs to maintain a healthy look. If the plant starts to drop leaves excessively, it is probably not getting enough bright light and you need to move it.

Always keep your plant away from cold drafts and low temperatures. Poinsettias will not do well if the temperatures drop below 45. Check your plants for soil moisture daily and be sure they have good drainage and do not sit in standing water. Keep the plant evenly moist but not soaking wet.

If you follow these simple tips, you should be able to enjoy your plants through the entire holiday season.

After the holidays are over, you can plant them outdoors in a protected location, such as under a tree, and you can enjoy them year after year.

That’s all for this week’s column and I hope you enjoyed it. I will see you next week with more great garden tips and solutions. See you then!

Joe Zelenak has 28 years experience in gardening and landscape. Send e-mails to hometowngarden@gmail.com or visit his Web site www.hometowngarden.com

Christmas CactusHoliday Magic

 
            Hi everybody! One of the greatest joys of the holiday season is the colorful Christmas cactus. These majestic plants come in a variety of colors including red, white, pink, magenta, yellow and orange. These plants are a popular commodity at most retail outlets during the holidays and usually will sell out fast. The individual flowers can add a burst of color to your décor for a week or more while a single plants blooming cycle can continue for a month or more.

            Christmas cacti or Schlumbergera russelliana are not true cacti so they will not tolerate totally dry conditions for long periods of time. These plants are native to Brazil and normally grow up in the trees and thrive on organic materials such as mold and rotting leaves. Since they enjoy the shade of the tropical forest, they will not tolerate direct sun or dry conditions. These plants can last for many years under the right conditions and with a little TLC. When the plants mature, the leaves tend to form a cascading burst of color that looks great in a hanging basket. You can also easily propagate the plants by taking cuttings and planting them directly in a high quality potting soil that is light in texture.
            Christmas cacti are fairly easy to grow in an indoor home atmosphere. They have a great ability top withstand cool temperatures and short periods of dry spells. As easy as it is for these plants to grow, it will take a little extra TLC to get the bountiful flowers that are their trademark. One important factor in the flowering process is to start allowing the soil to dry out between watering cycles as winter approaches. It is also very important to place the plants in an area that will have less then 12 hours of natural or artificial light for at least 6 weeks. Also, it is important to keep the temperature cool during this process. Once you have your flowers started, you can resume your normal watering schedule along with your normal room temperatures.
            As you can see, with a little TLC and some special care, you can have beautiful flowering Christmas cacti year after year without the cost of having to replace your plants every year.
            If you buy Poinsettias for the holidays, one of the most common pest problems you might encounter is a little pest known as a whitefly. If you shake the leaves of the plant and you see little white specs flying around the plant, your poinsettia is infested with whiteflies. Whiteflies are typically very hard to control but with this quick tip, you can avoid dangerous insecticides. You can use a handheld vacuum to get rid of these pests, simply disturb the leaves of the plant (carefully) with one hand while you vacuum the whiteflies away with a sweeping motion around the plant. This process can also be used for other houseplants that might acquire these pests.
            That’s all for this week and I hope you found the content informative and entertaining. I will see you next week with more great gardening tips and information.