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Table of Contents
1) Editor's Comments:We thought our first article would be appropriate this weekend since Monday is Memorial Day. This week we've also added a very short quote section. We have a vast collection of quotes and thought it might be good to share some with our readers. Whether in this issue or future issues, you might find one that will inspire you. As always, if you do have questions, suggestions or ideas, do not hesitate to drop us a note. Rex Gregor Tom Krueger 2) In Flanders Field:By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae MD (1872-1918)Canadian Army
At the ends of the paths leading to three of the corners of the cemetery are circular retreats with benches and urns. Here rest the 368 American military dead who gave their lives in liberating Belgium in World War I. The headstone markers are aligned in four symmetrical patterns around a white stone chapel which stands in the center of the cemetery. The altar inside the chapel is of black and white grand antique marble draped with flags veined to harmonize with the altar's marble. On the side wall are inscribed the names of 43 of the Missing in Action who gave their lives in the service of their Country. Their remains were never recovered or identified. More than a hundred years ago the California State Floral Society named the California Poppy (Eschrcholzia californica) its State Flower. Today, in the Antelope Valley of California, there is a beautiful Poppy Reserve. It honors the California Poppy. These spectacular floral displays are maintained for the enjoyment, inspiration, and education of the people for all time to come. This 1,475 acre State Reserve is located about 15 miles west of Lancaster, California and it is California's consistent poppy- bearing area. It also contains other wild flowers such as owl's clover, lupine, goldfield, cream cups, coreopsis, etc. Every spring this reserve is a beautiful mosaic of color and fragrance. Since nature is unpredictable in intensity and duration the poppies and wild flower blooms may vary, but you can expect a full summer of beautiful color and fragrance.
I especially suggest that you plant some American Legion Poppy seeds (this is the real live variety that is known as PAPAVER). This is the famous all red poppy used as the symbol of the American Legions Veteran's Day Poppy.
Work up your garden space and rake until fairly smooth. Spread your seeds on top of the ground. Poppies are very easy to grow but they do not like to be transplanted, so it is best that you plant your seeds in place. Plant your seeds fairly early in the spring after the ground warms to about 50 to 60 degrees F. They prefer a sunny spot with well drained soil. To keep your poppies blooming, deadhead them before the blooms die. Poppies will seed themselves if you let them -- seeds are known to last from 3 to 20 years. 3) Humor for Today:Cowboy Joe was telling his fellow cowboys back on the ranch about his first visit to a big-city church. "When I got there, they had me park my old truck in the corral," Joe began. "You mean the parking lot," interrupted Charlie, a worldly fellow. "I walked up the trail to the door," Joe continued. "The sidewalk to the door," Charlie corrected him. "Inside the door, I was met by this dude," Joe went on. "That would be the usher," Charlie explained. "Well, the usher led me down the chute," Joe said. "You mean the aisle," Charlie said. "Then, he led me to a stall and told me to sit there," Joe continued. "Pew," Charlie retorted. "Yeah," recalled Joe. "That's what that pretty lady said when I sat down beside her." 4) Cool Images:We just found a web site with some pretty cool images. If you have a few minutes to kill, take a look and you'll be amazed and entertained. When you first arrive you see a flight simulator - just move your mouse over the image to change directions. You'll also find some virtual fireworks, see the birth of a galazy, play with fractals, and more. Crazy Images 5) Cabbage Worms:We believe that every gardener should plant several sage plants (an herb) in their garden. Its use as a food seasoning and its medical value have been known for centuries.
The eggs of the cabbage butterfly winter over and when the weather warms in spring, the eggs hatch giving a new crop of white butterflys and hundreds of cabbage worms. With a sage plant nearby, the cabbage butterflys do not like the smell and they'll look elsewhere to lay their eggs. Your cabbage plants will be happier and you'll be gratified with a better cabbage. 6) Quotes for Today:"Happiness is not a destination. It is a method of life."
7) Easy Propagation of an African Violet:
First, you want to have a healthy leaf from the middle of the plant that does not have insects, blotches, or dead areas. You don't want to use newer leaves becase they are not mature -- and larger leaves just don't have the zip of middle ones. Use a sharp scissors and cut at least one inch of the leaf stem along with the leaf. Using a sharp razor or utility knife cut the leaf stem of your new cutting at a 45 degree angle.
Simple as that. In no time you'll have a brand new plant to enjoy or to share with a friend. 8) Painting Wallpaper:
Well, as I understand it, almost anything can be painte, even wallpaper. The main consideration in any painting job is to have a good clean and dry surface. Also, don't forget that the surface should be in good condition. With wallpaper you need to be sure that the paper is afixed well -- you'd hate to have your new paint job come rolling off the wall a couple weeks later. If you have any loose edges or seams, be sure to make them secure. You'll want to prime the wall. I'd suggest talking with the paint expert at the home center to be sure you get a primer that will work well for going over wallpaper. One word of warning -- some time in the future you know that the wallpaper will need to be removed. It may not be for a while, but think about how difficult this task might be for any future removal once painted. Who knows, you may decide the time to remove it is now, or you'll just paint now and leave the removal for the next homeowner. 9) Subscribe/UnsubscribeThis newsletter, the Green Thumb Times, is sent out only to those who have requested a FREE subscription by signing up at http://rexseedco.com or specifically asked to be added PRIVACY: Your email address is held in the strictest of privacy. It is never traded or sold to anyone else. To subscribe to The Green Thumb Times To unsubscribe Rex Gregor, Editor Tom Krueger, Publisher Please feel free to forward The Green Thumb Times to a friend. 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
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"In
Flanders Fields" is one of the most memorable poems ever written.
It remains a lasting legacy of the terrible battle in the Yerres, Belgium
in the spring of 1915. Although Dr. John McCrea (battalion surgeon)
had served in other battlefields with the Canadian Army, he found it
impossible to get used to the suffering, the screams and the blood in
his dressing station at his battlefield location. He was never able
to forget it and he wrote the poem, "In Flanders Field."
We
recommend you place a sage plant about every 4 feet from each cabbage
plant in your garden. It will improve the taste of the cabbage and more
important, it will repel cabbage worms and moths.
Okay,
you have wonderful African Violets you would like to share with a friend,
or you'd simply like to increase your own collection. Did you know that
propagating African Violets is easy? All you need is a leaf from an
existing plant. Here are some simple steps to follow.
There
are potting mixtures especially made for African Violets, but you can
use a regular mixture, if you like. Take a small pot and fill it with
moistened potting mixture. Use a pencil to poke a hole in the soil about
1-1/4" down. Simply insert the leaf stem in the hole and firm the
soil around it.
This
is the time of year when many people start to consider doing those indoor
painting jobs they didn't want to do because of fumes while cooped up
during the winter months. One question I've heard asked is whether you
can paint over wallpaper.