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1) Editor's Comments:We have had quite a number of new subscribers over the past several weeks. I want to thank each of you for subscribing and hope you will find useful information throughout our issues. I also want to be sure our new readers know that all our past issues are on-line for you to read. You can find them at http://rexseedco.com/gtt or at http://goalsmint.com/gtt. As promised, this week you'll find Part II of my Rose article. If you missed Part I, be sure to visit the past issue page, or go to Roses (Part I). As always, if you do have questions, suggestions or ideas, do not hesitate to drop me a note. Rex Gregor 2) Gardening by the Moon:I remember as a small boy that my Great Grandfather, Grandfather and my Dad would spend an entire evening discussing the techniques of gardening and farming by the phases of the moon. My family were farmers. My Grandfather would always obtain a copy of the "FARMER'S ALMANAC" and during those long winter months, would study those pages until he memorized every word. He believed that planting by the favorable signs and phases of the moon would improve the vigor of his crops by utilizing the natural energy of the moon. My Grandfather was an outstanding farmer and gardener, and was looked up in the whole neighborhood as being the best of the best. He believed there were two types of influence that the moon had on his crops. The first was in which phase the moon was in and when he planted his crops. He believed the lunar gravity had an effect on the root and leaf growth on his plants. Just as the moon pulls the ocean tides, it also pulls the smaller bodies of water, causing moisture to rise closer to the surface during a waxing (increasing) moon or drawing the roots down in the waning moon. The second influence of the moon happens when the signs of the Zodiac moved through the heavens every couple days. The different signs are associated with the elements of the earth, air, fire, and water. Water signs he believed were the most fruitful and productive and thus best for planting his crops. Earth signs were more favorable to specific plants. The fire signs are best for cultivating and harvesting the crops. My Grandfather flavored his beliefs in the Zodiac signs with common sense. You cannot, he said, plant beans when there is snow on the ground even if the calendar or the Zodiac signs say you can. Armed with information on the local frost dates and the hardiness zone of his crops he made his decisions as to when and how he should plant his crops. Do not be afraid to plant before or after the usual times your Zodiac calendar states if the weather dictates otherwise, he said. Likewise, if I wanted to know which way the wind is blowing, he told me to go outside, lick my finger, and stick it in the air. Some things are just common sense. If you need to choose when to plant your crop during a correct lunar phase remember to give it the advantage of flavoring it with common sense. 3) Humor for TodayA man was telling his neighbor, "I just bought a new hearing aid. It cost me four thousand dollars, but it's state of the art." "Really," answered the neighbor. "What kind is it?" "Twelve thirty." 4) Roses (Part II): Winter ProtectionWinter protection for your roses is an important thing to remember as you care for them. Cold hardiness is directly related to where the rose originated from. Roses that developed in the cold environments of Europe have a good cold hardiness. Those roses that were developed in the warmer climates of Texas are less hardy. Most Hybrid Tea Roses, Floribundas and Grandifloras will need extra winter protection in northern climates. In general Tea Roses may have a problem in zones 6 and they will need special attention in zone 4. The secret of growing roses in zone 4 is a technique known as mounding. At the onset of fall - generally the first week of September here in Minnesota (zone 4) - nature will begin a process called 'hardening off'. The rose plant cells thicken as they prepare for dormancy. You can recognize the thickening when the canes turn a purple or brownish color. DO NOT FERTILIZE after the first week of September. If you apply fertilizer during the fall, the rose will continue to develop new growth instead of beginning the hardening process. Cutting spent flowers is known as 'deadheading.' I suggest you do not deadhead your rose flowers after the first week of September. When you deadhead, the rose plant gets a signal that says it has more work to do, and it will start to send more energy to the buds for development of new growth instead of beginning the hardening process. Deadheading is an excellent practice in the summer months but it sends the wrong signals in the fall. With fall deadheading, your rose bush will not store enough energy to make it through the winter, and your rose bush may not make it. All perennials, including roses, need to have moisture and energy during the winter months even if the ground is frozen; therefore, you must "deep down water" your plants before the ground freezes. The key to winter protection of your roses is a procedure known as 'mounding.' You do this to insulate your plants. (Fluctuating temperatures and drying winds are the real danger to your rose bushes.) Haul composted dirt to your rose bed. Do not take dirt from around your rose bed because there is the danger of removing some dirt from around the roots of your rose plant. The roots of a rose plant may search for energy and moisture by sending hair roots several feet away from the plant. If you disturb these hair roots, you run the chance of killing your plant. It needs that energy and moisture in the winter time. Cover the bud unions and lower portion of the existing rose canes with composted earth. I suggest you cover the base of the plant with 12 to 18 inches of dirt. Later, after the ground freezes, put a layer of mulch around and in your rose bed. Snow is an excellent cover for your roses but you cannot depend on it. Pine straw, compost, or dry tree leaves will do just fine. Do not use grass clippings as they will mold and may cause problems. When the ground thaws in the spring remove your mulch and take your garden hose and gently wash the dirt off the base of the plant. This will clean the tender buds and will help the plant to bloom earlier. Next week I will recommend the rose seeds I like to grow. 5) A Special FriendThey say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them. Send this phrase to the people you'll never forget and remember to send it also to the person that sent it to you. It's a short message to let them know that you'll never forget them. If you don't send it to anyone, it means you're in a hurry and that you've forgot your friends. Take the time...to live and love. Until eternity. God bless. 6) Diet Tip: Write It DownHere is a tip that might seem difficult to follow, but according to author Sally Squires, it works. If you want to keep the pounds off, then grab a pencil. Write down what you eat during the day. According to Sally Squires, in her article, "Lean Plate Club: Controlling Weight With the Write Habit," -- "Just jotting down what you eat each day is scientifically proven to be one of the most powerful predictors of not just losing weight but also keeping off pounds long-term." Click on the link below to read Sally Squires's article, 'Lean Plate Club: Controlling Weight With the Write Habit'! There are also other links to previous articles about the Lean Plate Club. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6714-2002Jan19.html 7) Portrait GalleryI am inviting you to visit Jenny's Portrait Gallery. Jenny is a professional portrait artist and a member of our family. There is something different about an "oil painting" that inspires the love and memories of your family. Jenny has given me permission to show some of her creations on our website. http://www.jennygregor.com/html/gallery.html If you click on the images there, they will enlarge for you. Enjoy. 8) Subscribe/UnsubscribeThis newsletter, the Green Thumb Times, is sent out only to those PRIVACY: Your email address is held in the strictest of privacy. To subscribe to The Green Thumb Times To unsubscribe Rex Gregor, Editor 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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