The Green Thumb Times

Vol. 1, Issue 1              December 27, 2001
http://rexseedco.com

Helping to find the green thumb in all of us.

Table of Contents

1. Editor's Comments
2. Poisonous Plants
3. Humor for Today
4. Real X-mas Tree Recycling
5. Food Tip: Avoiding the Greasy French Fry
   

1) Editor's Comments:

Thank you for subscribing to The Green Thumb Times. We're here to see if we can't help you with your growing needs, both indoors and out. Each issue we'll also delve into other areas of interest to our subscribers including decorating, landscaping, and food tips and recipes.

We will publish an issue every other week and keep the content short.

If you do have questions, suggestions or ideas, do not hesitate to drop us a note.

Rex Gregor
GreenThumb@rexseedco.com

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2) Poisonous Plants

The world is full of poisonous plants. Some plants may contain alkaloids strong enough to kill the livestock which eat them. But it isn't necessary to eat the plant to suffer ill effects.

People have died from handling the foliage of a poisonous plant, then failing to wash their hands before they ate. If you are a camper or any member of your family loves the woods or wilderness, they would do well to become acquainted with the species that are prevalent in the area you are visiting. Some of the most common ones are Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Poison Sumac.

Of the thousands of species of Mushrooms known throughout the world, the great majority are tough, woody, bitter and tasteless. There are a few species, however, that will produce serious illness or death when eaten. There is no simple rule for distinguishing edible mushrooms from poisonous ones. I love mushrooms but I have a rule that says the only safe procedure is to buy them commercially grown.

We thank the Poisonous Plant Encyclopedia for the use of their information. Many of the entries in their encyclopedia have pictures for easy identification. I invite you to visit our WebPage: http://www.rexseedco.com/ or visit the Cornell University Poisonous Plants Informational Database: http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/alphalist.html and learn more about Poisonous Plants.

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3) Humor for Today:

A new business was opening and one of the owner's friends wanted to send flowers for the occasion. They arrived at the new business site and the owner read the card. It said, "Rest in Peace." The owner was angry and called the florist to complain. He let the florist know in no uncertain terms how angry he was about the obvious mistake.

The florist wisely diffused the man's anger when she calmly said, "Sir, I'm really sorry for the mistake, but just imagine this... somewhere there is a funeral taking place today, and they have flowers with a note saying, "Congratulations on your new location!"

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4) Real X-mas Tree Recycling

So what the heck do you do with that real Christmas tree after the holidays? Why not put it to good use and recycle it.

After Christmas take the tree outside and cut off the branches. You can then lay them over your already sleeping perennials. Place the branches upside down over the plants and they will offer further protection from snow and frost, etc.

It also ads a nice looking touch during the winter months.

If the snow is not too deep in your area, you can lift them up from time to time during the winter to check on your sleeping treasures.

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5) Food Tip: Avoiding the Greasy French Fry

When you fry potatoes (or any other food that is deep-fried), the most important step is getting the oil to the right temperature. If you use a thermometer, 375 degrees is the right temperature. An even better test is the eye-ear test. Drop a potato slice into the hot oil. If it immediately sizzles and rises to the top, bubbling away, it is frying at the right temperature.

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Rex Gregor, Editor
greenthumb@rexseedco.com

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Rex’s Seedco has searched the world for quality growers of garden seeds.  Many of these farmers bring together ancient wisdom and modern science so people everywhere may have good health and enjoyment in life.  We are dedicated to providing the best wherever they are found.