2026, My year of Garden Narcissism

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6. Sharpen Once a Season (or at Least Once a Year)​

Dull tools are dangerous. They slip more, bruise stems, and make you work twice as hard for half the result. Most people wait until a blade is useless before they sharpen it. By then, it’s usually too late.

You don’t need a sharpening service or fancy gear. A basic file or whetstone is enough for pruners, loppers, and even shovel edges. Sharpen just a little, just enough to feel a clean edge.

Pick one day a year and call it Tool Day. Do it in the spring before planting or in the fall after cleanup. Either works. Put on some music, oil the hinges, tighten loose screws, and touch up the edges.

Your plants will get cleaner cuts. Your wrists will hurt less. And your tools will last longer.

 

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10 Gardening Rules You Can Totally Break (And Still Get Amazing Results)

Gardening has rules. Some of them are useful. Some of them are outdated. And some? Just plain made-up. If you’ve ever felt guilty for watering at the wrong hour or planting your lettuce a little

plantophiles.com

 

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10 Plants You Can Shockingly Grow in Your Garage

The garden's getting tired. The sun’s been harsh, the bugs have been rude, and half your plants look like they’ve seen things. Maybe you’re running out of space. Maybe you're just curious if that weird

plantophiles.com

Informative.

Certainly in @Alasgun 's bailiwick but I also thought of @AMKuska .

Steve

 

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[digitS']

Interesting and entertaining second video on Ginger ...

Harvesting was briefly touched on during the final 90 seconds but, of course, that's why I grow ginger every year. And no, we don't need another house plant during the Winter even if it saves a trip to the soopermarket to buy a couple of ginger roots. Keep in mind that they can be divided before potting. Our off-season is a little long to store the previous year's tubers, I think.

Interesting about freezing the root before grating. Looks like a good idea!

BTW. We buy galanga dried at the Asian market, now and then. I like the flavor! Turmeric is a little too  zippy for me and it probably required several batches of ginger cookies and pumpkin pies as a child before I became a fan of ginger. Still today, @Dahlia 's ginger tea thread somewhat takes my breath away ...

Steve