"I do not like broccoli. And I haven't liked it since I was a little kidand my mother made me eat it. And I'm President of the UnitedStates and I'm not going to eat any more broccoli."- George Bush, U.S. President, 1990 Read Full Story

How to Grow Tomatoes!My name is Terry Blackburn and I have published over 100 Articles on Gardening, Lawn Care, Growing Vegetables, Organic Cultivation etc.. You can find them for FREE at http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terry_BlackburnMany people have asked me for advice on growing tomatoes (a favourite topic I must add) and I have put together this Blog to help them answer all their questions.Hopefully you will find all the information you require. It is the answer to any gardener's pr... Read Full Story

Gardening with vinegar has many uses and benefits and best of all, it is safe to use, doesn't harm the environment, is freely available and it is cheap! It really is, therefore your organic and eco-friendly pesticide, insecticide, and herbicide.Here you will learn about these benefits and pick up a few tips along the way. It can also be used full-strength or diluted depending on the job at hand. It can also be used quite readily in the kitchen, bathroom and other areas of the house, but t... Read Full Story

Hi again folks.......well did you miss me? the story is that when I set this Blog up i was officially retired.Sadly, with the recent financial chaos, i had to go back to work to earn a crust and pay the mortgage! Result .... one 66 year old working 11 hour shifts in a Call Centre to supplement a pathetic State Pension. Give me strength. we are over taxed, overlooked, over bureaucratised, spied on, treble taxed, and our opinions trodden underfoot.And don't tell me this is a Democracy -- y... Read Full Story

If you want to reduce your work load next Spring, I recommend you start any new garden beds now. As you empty annual beds this Autumn, there are two main ways to enrich the soil.1. Spread compost or plant cover crops. Before you spread compost, dig or lightly till in any plants that aren't diseased to return nutrients to the soil. Spread compost, even if it's not well decomposed yet. It will protect the soil over the winter and break down by spring planting time.2. Plant... Read Full Story

Lawn Care During the Autumn Period So here we are in September and there are things to do for our Lawn to prepare for the coming Winter.1. Rake Up Autumn Leaves.Don't leave Autumn leaves on the lawn as they can lead to bare patches. Rake off into a bag. Removing leaves is best done when the Lawn is dry, so get this done in early Autumn, before the weather turns wet. Don’t leave this job too late. The leaves can then be used for composting, along with any grass cuttings. 2. Scarifyi... Read Full Story

Well, the nights are drawing in here in England and there is a slight chill in the air. September is here and Autumn is upon us once more. I thought this "To Do" listmight help in jogging a few memories of things to do around the garden at this time of year. Early Autumn . Bring in tender plants under cover before the first frosts. Plant or move evergreens and conifers, while the soil is still warm. Plant spring bedding, such as wallflowers and polyanthus. Plant spring bulbs Mid Au... Read Full Story

I am often asked questions about care of Ornamental Grass in the garden. I came across this excellent Article by the University of Illinois at http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/grasses/understanding.htmlwhich sheds light on the whole subject and which I recommend to all gardeners. "With the popularity of ornamental grasses and their use in the landscape, it is a good idea to understand how these plants grow. This understanding will lead to better use of these plants and often avoid disappoi... Read Full Story

Your heart is a pump. When it contracts, or beats, it sends a surge of blood through the vessels, increasing blood pressure. This is called systolic pressure. When your heart relaxes between beats, your blood pressure decreases. This is called diastolic pressure.Monitoring your blood pressure at home is easy to do. It’s done with a sphygmomanometer. There are two main types: aneroid and automatic.Make sure you have back support and a comfortable place to sit at a table or desk. Place your fee... Read Full Story

Do cat repellents work? How do I stop cats from using my garden as a toilet? How can I keep cats out of my garden? These are among the most frequently asked questions by gardeners everywhere.The first line of defence should be to ensure that your garden boundaries are secure. Any gaps in your fence should be blocked to deny low level access. Cats however can jump rather well and rather high, so fix a taut wire or string some six inches above the top of your fence to deter this approach.Once i... Read Full Story