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Hellebores -- lenten rose. I love to see flowers blooming in snow. My hellerbores and hardy cyclamen are popping out when all memory of summer is lost, just before the camellias start to bud. Orchids if they count. My home has been abloom for several months; I have 6 orchids blooming right now...

Thanks for the tips! My soil tends to be acidic so maybe I need to reduce this -- will green sand do this? I usually add limestone. I planted very sparingly so I don't need much thinning so far but will keep watch. Else, I am looking forward to pickling some, but my favorite use is roasting...

I love beets but have had horrible luck with them. One great year -- but not sure how to replicate the success! I soak my seeds before planitng; keep the ground consistently wet through germination; double dug the bed, added extra compost.... Last year, all was well but my pole beans...

I could never grow melons -- seemed that they always got frosted out after I got one or two. Last year I tried a new strategy. I took the top of a car carrier and made it into a big raised bed. I filled it with straw and compost, and planted 4 varieties inthe big bed -- in late March. But -- I...

When I started a new bed, I planted strawberry plants as a groundcover between the asparagus roots. It has worked well, as the strawberries don't interfere with the A. but keep weeds down. This year, I topped all with straw and the asparagus and strawberries are popping up through it. To keep...

I always start extra plants and give the leftovers to my co-workers. The first year, they wanted to know what an heirloom tomato was, but now they anxiously wait for the plants. I also share plants with a neighbor, we sort of coordinate what we seed so we can swap. But I also share a ton of...

My favorite cucumber is Poona Kheera, an Indian one that produces like crazy all summer and has a beautiful sweet flavor. But you have to have rosemary!!!! Buy a small plant and you will soon have an unending supply of luscious rosemary! I can send you some poona kheera seeds....

Comfrey is a great antiseptic. Crush leaves by rolling in your hands -- gloves protect from pricklies if you are sensitive -- then stuff a mason jar with the leaves. Add rubbing alcohol to cover, close jar, and stick it away in the dark for a few months. It workds well for fungus as well --...

Thank you for the Dr. Martins!!!! I am anxious to plant but don't trust the weather yet. I am planning a bean tunnel made of rigid fencing this year, as my pole beans last year (while not setting seed due to the heat....) climbed several feet above my 10' bamboo support system.