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Table of Contents
1) Editor's Comments:Before we get into this week's issue, we do want to let everyone know that we have made the decision to only send out a text version of Green Thumb Times. As much as we'd like to be sending a newsletter with nice graphics and is a bit more pleasing to the eye, we've come to the realization that we need to it that way in today's Internet world. Blame it on the spammers. With that said, however, we do still on having an HTML version on-line. We'll always include the link under the heading box at the top. Here in the United States we have Arbor Day during the month of April. We couldn't think of a more appropriate time to include an article on the topic and to also feature some other things about trees. As always, if you do have questions, suggestions or ideas, do not hesitate to drop us a note. Tom Krueger Rex Gregor 2) Arbor Day
On that first Arbor Day, the citizens of Nebraska planted more then one million trees throughout the communities and farms of Nebraska. The Arbor Day idea was promoted by J. Sterling Morton, editor of the Nebraska City News. He later helped spread the idea to the neighboring states, and eventually to all the United States and many other nations. Arbor Day is held for one day every April, as close to April 22nd as possible. Each state will adjust the actual date according to weather conditions of that state. So how did this happen? In the 1840s, the mid-western state of Nebraska was actually a territory and not a state. J. Sterling Morton and his wife had moved to Nebraska from Detroit, Michigan. The treeless state caused this newspaper editor to advocate for the need for trees, and he started to write about the vast barren plain. Mr. Morton became the Secretary of the Nebraska Territory. At a meeting of the State Board of Agriculture in January 1872, Morton proposed that the citizens of the new state of Nebraska set aside April 10th as a day to plant trees. The idea caught on, and as we said, more than one million trees were planted on that first Arbor Day. Later the State of Nebraska changed the date to April 22nd to honor the birthday of J. Sterling Morton. Now every state in the Union celebrates Arbor Day. * The Value of Trees to a Community "The net cooling effect of a young, healthy tree is equivalent to ten room-size air conditioner - operating 20 hours a day" - U.S. Department of Agriculture "Landscaping especially with trees, can increase property values as much as 20 percent" - Management information Services/ICMA "One acre of forest absorbs six tons of carbon dioxide and puts out four tons of oxygen, This is enough to meet the annual needs of 18 people" - U.S. Dept. of Agricultural. "There is an estimated 200 million spaces along our city streets where trees could be planted. This translates to a potential to absorb 33 million more tons of CO2 every year and saving of four billion dollars in energy costs" -National Wildlife Federation. "It is estimated that properly placed trees around public, private and home buildings could reduce air conditioning needs by 30 percent and could save up to 50% in energy used for heating purpose." - USDA Forest Service "The planting of trees means improved water quality, resulting in less runoff and erosion. This allows for more recharging of the ground water supply. Wooded areas help prevent the transport of sediment and chemicals into streams." - USDA Forest Service. "Healthy, mature trees add an average of 10% to a home property's value" - USDA Forest Service. Why not distinguish your home from the rest of your neighborhood by planting some unique tree seeds this Arbor Day Please Click Here or visit: http://www.rexeedco.com/trees.htm *** 15% savings until May 1, 2003 *** Plants for Attracting Bees and Butterflies
Sale ends May 1, 2003 - 15% off all items at: http://www.rexseedco.com/bee.htm 3) Humor for Today:While proudly showing off his new apartment to friends, a college student led the way into the den. "What is the big brass gong and hammer for?" one of his friends asked. "That is the talking clock," the man replied. "How's it work?" "Watch," the man said and proceeded to give the gong an ear shattering pound with the hammer. Suddenly, someone screamed from the other side of the wall, "Knock it off, you idiot! It's two o'clock in the morning!" 4) Grill Tip:
5) Japanese Maple TreeThe Japanese Maple tree is very much in demand today. It has red purplish foliage in early spring, and then develops a brilliant fall color. It makes an excellent tub plant on your patio. If you want to harvest seeds from a Japanese Maple, they are ready in the late fall when the seeds turn brown. You will find them attached to a "wing" - a method nature uses to spread the seeds to different areas. When gathering the seeds, it is best to break the wings off before you store them. The seeds have a very hard outer coating. Under natural conditions, the seeds will lay on the ground and the "wings" will rot away from the seed pod. Nature wants the seeds to lie on the ground throughout the winter before they germinate. In nature, the seeds must freeze before they will germinate - then in the spring, moisture will soften the hard shell and the germ in the seed will break out of the shell working its way down into the soil. You can improve the odds of better germination by helping the seed's life cycle through its schedule. You can remove the "wings" from the seed pod placing them in a paper bag, and simply store them in a cool dry place until you are ready to use them. We suggest you select a target date to plant the seeds in the ground - make certain that date is after all danger of frost has passed. Then, count backwards 100 days from that date, and this will be when you want to begin preparing the seeds for planting. On or about the 100th day before, give the seeds a hot bath by placing them in a container of hot tap water. Let the seeds soak in the water over night. Most of the seeds will settle to the bottom of the container. The next day, remove the seeds from the water and put them in a plastic bag along with a mixture of sand and peat soil. The soil should be moist but not soaking wet. Go ahead and place your plastic bag of seeds in your refrigerator (in the fruit compartment) for about 100 days, which of course will be your target day for planting. When the target day arrives, plant your seeds in a 6" plastic container of regular potting soil. Do not become discouraged if the seeds do not germinate right away -- remember the seed pods are very hard and it may take a while for the seed pods to break through the hard shell. Group the 6" planting containers in a protected spot in your garden and dig the containers into the ground - this will keep them from blowing away. Don't be afraid to plant plenty - a few extra containers won't hurt in case some don't survive the process. Keep the containers well watered. It is best to find a spot that has partial shade. Let your baby trees grow for two full seasons before you think about transplanting them in their permanent location. That means, the third growing season is time for their final home. This is an excellent project for home gardeners, children, seniors and for gardeners who love to get their fingers dirty. If you don't know anyone with one of these beauties, we do have the seeds available. Japanese Maple (#D7865) $2.90 for 10 Seeds. http://rexseedco.com/trees.htm Cold Climate Gardeners are passing
up an excellent resource if they don't take a look into the Minnesota
State Horicultural Society. Visit them today. We recommend them
highly. 6) Quote for Today:"Think positively and masterfully, with confidence and
faith, and life becomes more secure, more fraught with action, richer
in achievement
and experience." 7) Delight Your Senses with a Kitchen Garden:I know what you're thinking--kitchen gardens are old-fashioned. Perhaps. They have been a part of the American landscape for centuries-- even Thomas Jefferson had a kitchen garden. In many ways, they are a big part of gardening in 2003. People are getting back to their "roots" and many do this by vegetable gardening. Kitchen gardens are just that--vegetables, herbs and/or fruits that are planted near the back door. It's not unusual for me to make a quick dash out the kitchen door to pinch a bunch of parsley for sauce that's simmering on the stove. (Talk about convenient!) Select your plants with available space in mind. There are dwarf varieties of many vegetables for you to choose from. A word of caution, even dwarf plants "grow," so be certain not to crowd new plants. They, too, need "elbow room." Kitchen gardens will do best when you:
Here are some benefits to container gardening:
Remember to water--container gardens tend to dry out faster and Mother Nature doesn't always come through in the nick of time. ------ 8) Cooling Options:
So, how can we keep down those cooling bills? The major factor is keeping the heat out of the house. Sealing air leaks and insulating are always cost effective. Porches, overhangs and awnings on the south and west facing windows will help keep the hot sun out. But why not consider the use of trees? They not only provide shade to keep out the heating rays of the sun, but they also help to block the cold winter winds which will also help to keep the energy bills down in the winter. We know these aren't things that will cool you down, but they will certainly help to cool down those energy bills. 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, or are a valued customer of Rex's Seedco. 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 Tom Krueger, Editor and Publisher Rex Gregor, Contributing 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
they are found.
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[ Past Issues Index ] [ Rex's Seedco Home ] [ Our Seed Catalog ] [ About Us ]
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The first Arbor Day was celebrated in the State of Nebraska in 1872.
It was in response to a state proclamation urging settlers and homesteaders
to plant trees in the prairie state -- those trees would provide shade,
shelter, fruit, fuel, and beauty for the residents in its largely treeless
plains.
We believe so strongly that every gardener should do their part to
encourage bees and butterflies to visit their garden that we are offering
15% off until May 1 for all the items in our Bee and Butterfly Garden
Selection.
Do you use a charcoal grill? Did you know you want to wait until all
of the flame have died down before beginning to cook? Interestingly
enough, the coals actually provide more heat than an open flame. Also,
your food will cook more evenly and cause less flair-ups. You'll also
end up with better tasting food because the flare-ups aren't sending
nasty tasting stuff into the food. For best results, wait until most
of the charcoal has turned at least three-fourths white.
With spring here and the hot days of summer not far behind, we start
to think about cooling options. With the high cost of energy these
days, it is a good idea to think of ways to stay cool or ways to keep
our houses more cool without using more energy.