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Enchanting Fireflies Light Up the Night

5/31/2015

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Interesting Facts About Fireflies

Lightning Bugs in Mason Jar
Fireflies in Mason Jar by Benjamin Lehman via Flickr
I've always found fireflies captivating. As a kid, I was sure they were magical, and deep down, I guess I still feel that way. There is something mystical about these tiny creatures as they flit out of the woods into grassy areas at night. 


As a child, catching lightning bugs was the highlight of the summer. Maybe it was the privilege of staying up until after dark, or the fact that the adults sat around talking in subdued voices that set the stage, but it was a magical time. If we were lucky, and we often were, our mother would let us take jar with several lightning bugs to bed with us for the night. We would happily drift off to sleep to the rhythmic blinking that created a soft glow in the night. Of course, when one escaped through the holes punched in the lid, as they always did, we got the uncommon delight of watching as the fireflies flitted about the room. I imagined then, as I do today, that they were actually fairies that the grownups were too old and blind to see.



  • While some fireflies produce larvae that glows, called a glow worm, the fireflies in Maine do not. Technically, Maine fireflies are called a Big Dipper Fireflies (Photinis pyralis).
  • Fireflies use their blinking lights to attract a mate, but they also communicate other messages, like claiming a territory.
  • The adult firefly is short-lived and dies shortly after mating. It does not eat.
  • The firefly larvae eat worms, snails and slugs - making them very garden friendly.
  • In Maine, fireflies are called Lightning Bugs.
  • Female lightning bugs generally stay in one place, such as nestled in shrubs or in the grass, while the male flies from place to place in an attempt to attract a female.

If you've never caught lightning bugs in a jar, now is the time. I saw the first lightning bugs of the season last night.
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Earthwise 12-inch Rechargeable Trimmer Review

5/31/2015

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Earthwise rechargeable  12-inch trimmer
The Earthwise Rechargeable 12-inch Trimmer is lightweight and easy to handle.
My husband bought me the Earthwise 12-inch Rechargeable Trimmer last summer because the larger gas-powered trimmers were a little more than I could handle. Not only were they too long (I'm only 5'4") they were too heavy too. That meant putting a lot of pressure on my shoulders and arms. Because I have arthritis and have a tendency to develop bursitis and tendonitis, I thought weed whacking was a thing of the past for me. This weed trimmer proved me wrong.


Although it's not perfect, there are a lot of things I love about this trimmer - we'll get to the drawbacks later.

Things I love:
  • Lightweight: This trimmer only weighs a bit over 8 pounds and feels light and comfortable in the hands. 
  • Adjustable: The shaft adjusts from 34.5 to 43.5 inches, which means you can adjust it for your height. The shortest length works great for shorties like me, but there is plenty of room to adjust for those who are taller. The angle of the handle also adjusts to accommodate for arm length and preference. But that's not all. The head adjusts to make it easy to trim at awkward angles, too. I never use this feature, but it's nice to know I have the option.
  • Power: I was a little concerned that this trimmer wouldn't be able to handle tall grass or tough weeds, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it does. I have used it in heavy grass that was up to 12 inches tall without a problem. It did, however, suck up the battery power and drain the battery quickly.
  • Quiet with No Odor: Compared to gas powered trimmers, the Earthwise Rechargeable Trimmer is very quiet. I've never been bothered by the noise when using it. It is also odor free, which is definitely a plus.

Drawbacks
  • Battery Life: The only real complaint I have about this trimmer is the 18-volt rechargeable battery only lasts about 20 minutes. I have read that with repeated charging the battery will last longer, but I haven't seen that yet. In fact, we got a second battery so we could always have another one ready to go.
  • Releasing the Battery: While this isn't a problem for everyone, if you have arthritis in your hands, like I do, you may find it difficult to squeeze the release buttons to remove the battery from the trimmer for charging. You also need to repeat the "squeeze" to replace the battery.

This trimmer is great for anyone who has difficulty maneuvering a large gas powered trimmer. It's easy on the joints, back and arms. It is great for cleaning up around raised beds or around a walkway. While it isn't meant for heavy duty trimming, it can handle tough weeds when needed. If you have a larger yard or large areas to trim regularly, I'd recommend getting a second battery. While many of it's features are ideal for those with arthritis, if you have arthritic hands, you may need assistance changing the battery.



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DIY Garden Craft : Pine Cone Zinnias

5/25/2015

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Pine cone zinnias
Pine cone zinnias look like the real thing and never need watering!
I don't know about you, but I was actually fooled by these adorable pine cone zinnias when I first saw them. These whimsical flowers are the brainchild of Vanessa Valencia from A Fanciful Twist. According to her post, she came up with this idea when she was bored and looking for something new to create.

Vanessa has graciously provided step-by-step directions on her site so that people like you and me can create our own pine cone zinnias. I'm not sure what colors of craft paint I have lying around, but I'm heading out to gather up a few cones leftover from last year so I can make a few of my own.  I'm thinking this is a great way to add color to the bedroom - or any room for that matter - without having to deal with fresh flowers that need attention and care.

Think pretty baskets or bowls overflowing with these faux zinnias for brightening the home, as table centerpieces or for giving away as gifts.

Check out Vanessa's DIY directions on A Fanciful Twist and let us know how yours turn out.


                                                         Until Next Time . . . HAPPY GARDENING!


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Transplanting Forget-me-nots

5/24/2015

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forget me nots
Forget-me-nots always bring memories of my mother.
I spent some time this morning transplanting some forget-me-nots that appear to have sprung from nowhere last year. The tiny little plants peeked through my garden fence and were mown down several times last year. Each time, I promised that I would be back later and dig them up, but as you may have guessed that didn't happen - until now.

I couldn't help but wonder whose hand had planted them there and how many years they had survived unnoticed. I suspect that the seeds or a stray plant came along when I moved here 7 years ago, as I had tons of forget-me-nots at my old home. Somehow (probably because they had not yet come up when I moved) I forgot to dig any up to bring with me. I have thought of them often.

Today, they brought memories of my mother as I tenderly planted them beside the phlox I got from her old garden last summer. There is something magical about gazing at blooms and inhaling the scent from her flowers so many years after she has passed.

Forget-me-nots are forgiving flowers and will survive under nearly any circumstances. You can dig them up any time of the year to replant them and they will continue to grow for years. If you choose to transplant forget-me-nots to your yard or garden there are a few things you should know.
  • Forget-me-nots are invasive. If you don't want these dainty little flowers naturalizing in your yard, plant them in a pot and pick off the seed pods before the seeds disperse.
  • Forget-me-nots prefer moist soil, but will survive in poor dry soil. 
  • Forget-me-nots grown in poor soil will produce small plants and few flowers.
  • Forget-me-nots prefer full or partial shade. You will often find forget-me-nots under the canopy of trees or under porches or decks.

While some gardeners avoid forget-me-nots because of their tendency to spread to other areas, I'm not one of them. I love the look of these delicate flowers swaying in the summer breeze.
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Hummingbirds Arrive Right on Schedule

5/8/2015

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Ruby Throated Hummingbird
Those of us here in Maine have been speculating on just how late everything will be this year after our long, snowy winter. I'll be honest with you. I expected the hummingbirds to return much later this year, but they actually arrived a day earlier at my house than they did last year.


I don't know how to explain that. According to the 'experts' the Ruby Throated Hummingbird begins its journey north sometime in February and typically arrives in the southern tip of Florida by early March. They then reportedly follow the progression of blooming native wildflowers up the eastern coast until they find their way back home to Maine. With the late spring, I assumed the flowers would bloom later and the hummingbirds would show up a week or two later than usual - but that doesn't appear to be the case.


I noticed yesterday that the poplar (what we natives call 'Popple') trees leafed out. They are about a week late. I know this because my daughter was born on April 30. When I went into the hospital on the 30th, the trees were bare. When I came out on May 1st, they were covered in green-gold leaves. I have watched them every year and have discovered they leaf out within a day or two of her birthday every year. If my memory serves me, this is the latest they have leafed out in over 20 years.


So, now I'm wondering if the hummingbirds really do follow the progression of blooms up the coast or if they return according to the day length. At any rate, I am glad to see the glint of scarlet as they venture to my feeders.
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Fiddleheads! Spring's Tender Morsels Have Arrived

5/7/2015

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fiddleheads
There something indescribably delicious about the very first "mess" of fiddleheads in the spring. In case you aren't from these parts of the world, mess has nothing to do with being messy or dirty. It simply means the first 'meal' of fiddleheads. You may also hear it referred to as the first "feed" of fiddleheads. Rumor has it that those on the coast of Maine may even refer to it as "charge" of fiddleheads, but I'm not entirely sure about that. A charge may only refer to seafood - you know, like a "charge of clams." 


No matter what you call it, that first taste of delicately-steamed fiddleheads drizzled with butter is a long-awaited treat. You may have guessed that I found my first fiddleheads today. I found these while on a walk with the dog and dashed home to get a bag to pick them in. 


Yes, I am aware they are tiny - but I don't care. Experience has taught me that these little fiddleheads are brimming with flavor. There is plenty of time yet to scout out the biggest and best fiddleheads of the season, but for now, these miniature fiddleheads are going to be mighty tasty for dinner!
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Red Pontiac vs Red Norland Potatoes: Which variety is best?

5/6/2015

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Red Norland Potatoes
Red Norland Potatoes
Red Pontiac Potatoes
Red Pontiac Potatoes
Red Norland and Red Pontiac are two of the most common potatoes grown for new potatoes in Maine gardens. Although they are similar in both appearance and flavor, there are some differences between the two. 


Red Pontiac


  • Red Pontiac Potatoes have firmer flesh. This means they always hold their shape when boiling. Norland potatoes tend to crack or split and often become mealy when cooked. For the perfect new potato hash, or for adding to potato salads, Red Pontiac is a must.
  • Red Pontiac Potatoes tend be remain smaller and retain the new potato flavor longer. If you enjoy eating new potatoes, try Red Pontiac and you will enjoy their delicate flavor for weeks.
  • Red Pontiac Potatoes have deeper eyes making them more difficult to peel, but that's not an issue when you are eating new potatoes.
  • Red Pontiac potatoes take 80 days or more to reach maturity.



Red Norland
  • Early maturing and produce new potatoes earlier than Red Pontiac. Red Norland produce new potatoes a week or two earlier than Red Pontiac.
  • Shallow eyes make them easy to peel.
  • May be a good option for mashed potatoes, but are not as good for making new potato hash or for use in potato salads due to the soft flesh.
  • Produce large potatoes and grow out of the new potato stage quickly.

I personally love Red Pontiac Potatoes because I enjoy eating new potatoes. Red Norland is my second choice if Red Pontiac isn't available. If you chose to grow Red Norland Potatoes, use care when boiling them as they turn to mush quickly if they are overcooked.
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  • Home
  • Garden Thyme Blog
  • Themes
    • Butterfly Gardens
    • Moon Gardens
    • Sensory Gardens
    • All About Fairies
  • Flowers
    • Annual Flowers >
      • Alyssum
      • Cosmos
      • Geraniums
      • Marigolds
      • Morning Glories
      • Nasturtiums
      • Petunias >
        • Reviving Petunias
      • Snapdragons
      • Sunflowers
      • Sweet Peas
      • Zinnias
    • Perennial Flowers >
      • Golden Glow (Rudbeckia laciniata ‘Hortensia’)
      • Lupines
      • Purple Coneflower (Echinacea Purpurea)
    • Maine Wildflowers
  • Veggies
    • Warm Season Vegetables >
      • Beans >
        • Growing Beans
        • Growing Pole Beans
        • How to Make a Teepee Trellis
      • About Corn >
        • Growing Corn
        • What is Baby Corn, anyway?
        • Can you grow corn in containers?
      • Cucumbers >
        • Grow a cucumber in a bottle
        • Growing Pickling Cucumbers
        • Growing cucamelons (Mexican Gherkin)
        • Why do cucumbers blossom but fail to set fruit?
        • Trellising Cucumbers
        • Making Cucumber Relish
        • Powdery Mildew on Cucumbers
      • Melons
      • Peppers >
        • Growing Peppers
      • Squash >
        • Growing Zucchini
        • Spaghetti Squash
      • Tomatoes >
        • How to Harden Off Tomato Plants
        • How (and when) to Prune Tomatoes
        • Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salt) for Tomatoes
        • Blossom End Rot in Tomatoes
        • Growing Cherry Tomatoes in Hanging Baskets
        • 4 Best Tomatoes for Short Seasons - Early Tomatoes
        • 5 Early Maturing Tomatoes for Short Season Gardening
        • How to Ripen Green Tomatoes
        • How to Make Sun-Dried Tomatoes at Home
        • Grow Your Own Amazing Pomato Plant - Tomatoes on the Top and Potatoes on the Bottom
    • Cool Season Vegetables >
      • Cole Crops
      • Greens >
        • How to Grow Spinach
        • How to Grow Malabar Spinach
        • How to Grow Swiss Chard
        • Harvesting and Cooking Beet Greens
        • How to Grow Microgreens
      • Onions & Garlic >
        • How to Grow Garlic
        • How to Grow Onions
      • Peas >
        • Growing Garden (shelling) Peas
        • Growing Sugar Snap Peas
      • Potatoes >
        • How to Grow Potatoes in Containers
        • How to Grow Potatoes in Hay Bales
      • Root Crops >
        • Growing Beets
        • How to Grow Carrots
  • Herbs
    • Growing Basil
    • Growing Chives
    • Growing Lavender
    • Herbal Tea Garden
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    • Colonial Herb Garden - Classroom Project
    • Herbed Butter
    • Making Herbed Oils
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    • Soil >
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      • How to Use Mulch
      • Control Blister Beetles
  • Birds
    • Hummingbirds >
      • DIY Hummingbird Feeders from Recycled Bottles
      • Annuals for Hummingbird Gardens
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    • About Birdseed
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