December News 2004 

What's happening in our garden for December: It has been very wet and dreary this past month in our part of the world. I have been so busy that personally I haven’t minded it as much as I normally would. The popular Canadian magazine ‘Style at Home” approached me a few months ago and wanted to feature us in their December Christmas issue of their magazine. They liked the look of my website and products, the uniqueness of our business and asked if I would like to be featured. I was very honoured as countryrosesoap.com was one of 12 websites featured which included large companies such as LL Bean, Chapters, Ikea, etc. They also featured us on the local CityTV show in Toronto. I haven’t seen the tape yet but am supposed to be receiving a copy. If you are interested in seeing our article and product image a copy is also listed on their website at this link: http://www.styleathome.com/StyleAtHome/client/en/today/DetailNews.asp?idNews=3559&pg=1&genhtml=1  

Our grandson had his 1st birthday party yesterday. It’s hard to believe that he is a year old already and on the verge of walking. This week both parents go back to work and I start babysitting so that he doesn’t have to go to Day Care. I’m actually looking forward to it although I know that my life will be totally changed. He is over here a lot anyway which is just wonderful for us grandparents. 

Almost all of our leaves have fallen now so that our gardens are finally pretty well cleaned up for winter. I am still harvesting mustard greens, leeks, beets, spinach, cilantro, kale, and some of the more hardy lettuces. This year I had to dig up our many hostas as they were becoming too large. I split them and moved them around the gardens and gave many away. They really do thrive in our climate. Christmas is just around the corner now so please keep in mind that the postal system takes a little longer the closer we get to the holidays. Orders are still being processed within 1 or 2 days. 

December "To Do" List: -divide & replant perennials & herbs. -sow hardy annuals & biennials for next season – poppies, bachelor button cornflowers. -plant or move trees & shrubs. Plant bare-root roses as they become available. Spread lime around roses & lime-loving shrubs such as lilacs. -move tender plants you wish to over winter to a frost-free location. Clean up plant debris as it provides over wintering spots for pests. -keep weeding, removing slow-growing cool-weather annual weeds that take over the beds in winter. -inspect & repair garden tools & equipment. -mulch beds with compost. -remove leaves from lawns, ponds & clumping perennials to avoid rot. -plant garlic, onions & shallots. Prepare vegetable plots for early spring planting as crops are harvested. Dig in compost or manure and remove all weeds. Add dolomite lime to beds except those where potatoes will be planted. -add evergreen shrubs, vines or groundcovers where the garden looks drab. Include golden, bronze, burgundy & variegated foliage plants and plants with textured bark, berries, and structural architecture. Consider winter flowering plants such as Camellia sasanqua, Jasminum nudiflorum. Add early flowering hellebores as they become available in the nurseries. 

Greenhouse Gardening for December: (for a cool greenhouse kept at 40 - 45F (5 - 7C) -not much to do in the greenhouse now during these short days. -start amaryllis bulbs for bloom in 6 to 8 weeks. -force spring-flowering bulbs for winter boom in 12 to 15 weeks. -reduce water throughout December. -do not fertilize until light levels increase in February. -set up greenhouse heater to come on when frost is threatening. Try to keep at a minimum of 38F. -do not spray or splash water around as this encourages mold and mildew. -sweep up debris regularly and check for insects. -ventilate on warmer days. 

Herbal Hints: Make a Christmas Wreath:: Supplies: -moss, soaked and wrung out -1 metal wreath frame -1 roll green plastic wrap or strips of plastic cut from a green garbage bag -pruners, scissor, wire clippers -1 ball green garden twine -1 yard ribbon -2 pieces floral wire -floral tape -wooden picks with wire for attaching cones or ornaments -protective spray Evergreen Materials – Fir, Blue Spruce, Pine, Juniper, Cedar, Boxwood, Oregon grape, Holly, Skimmia, Huckleberry, Ivy, Salal, Sword fern tips, Euonymus Decorations – Dried seed pods, cones, small toys, glass or plastic balls, fruit or Christmas ornaments, berry clusters, real or artificial, ribbon bows. 

How To: -Tie a strip of green plastic to the wire frame and wrap the frame so that the wire is completely covered. Attach one end of the ball of twine to the frame. -Take evergreen boughs and cut into many 6” pieces. Bundle 4 to 6 pieces in your bunch, placing the more decorative and uncut tips near the front where they will be the most visible. Keep your bundles compact and uniform. -Wrap the stems of these bundles in a small clump of moistened moss. Hold the bundle against the frame with one hand and take the twine in the other. Pull the twine across the bundle, about two-thirds of the way from the top, and around the wire frame. Wrap the bundle a second time pulling the twine tightly. -Attach the second bunch of greens the same way, placing the bundle in the same direction as the first one. The second should overlap the first so only about a third of the underlying bunch is visible. Angle the bundles slightly so they alternately point towards the centre of the outside of the wreath to cover the edges of the frame. -Add holly, berries, coloured leaves or unusual material to every third or fourth bundle to create your own pattern of materials. -Repeat these steps as many times as needed to work your way around the wreath. -Press the last bundle under the first so that it is not obvious where the bundles start or end. -Attach a hanging loop by taking a piece of floral wire and wrap it with floral tape. Twist a one inch circle in the centre of the wire to form a hanging loop. From the back of the wreath push the wire ends into the wreath so that it is well secured. Weave the wire ends in opposite directions along the back of the wreath. -Decorate the wreath by adding a bow and other ornaments. -You can wire on all sorts of adornments. 

Handmade Soap News: Part 17 – Soap Making Soap making as a trade grew in proportion with the growth of the colonies. These trades’ people were call soap boilers. Since tallow was the main ingredient for both soap and candles, many of these trades’ people were producers of both. These trades’ people were called chandlers. 

Natural Cleaning Products: Old Fashioned Apple Cider All Purpose Cleaner: -1 cup Apple Cider -3 cups water -10 to 20 drops of your favourite essential oil -2 Tbsp Liquid Castile Soap Mix all ingredients together in a spray bottle. Shake well before use. Spray and wipe clean. Please note that the Apple Cider Vinegar can stain fabric, etc. 

Organic Gardening Tips:  

Simple organic gardening ideas: -Use compost for mulch and fertilizer. -Use only plant matter for mulching.....no plastics. Leaves and straw work great. -Use manures for fertilizer in place of chemical fertilizer. -Learning and applying proper techniques to grow healthy plants and avoid plant disease. -Acquiring natural insect enemies, such as Ladybugs for aphids and preying mantis, to control insect problems. -Using natural insecticides and deterrents such as garlic or soap sprays to deter insects. -No insecticides or pesticides. -Use a little extra muscle power to control weeds versus getting out the weed killer. -A willingness to give up a little portion of your crop to the bugs in order to produce and consume healthier food for you and your family. -Conserve and recycle. By using natural materials like manure, composted weeds and kitchen scraps we are using organic materials and reducing what goes into the waste stream. 

Health and Wellness Anise is one of the most ancient of herbs. It is said to improve appetite, aid digestion, sweeten the breath and relieve flatulence. Anise tea and Anisette liqueur, mixed with hot water, have long been used to alleviate coughs and bronchial congestion. 

Anise Liqueur: -1 Tbsp anise seed -1 tsp fennel seed -1/2 tsp coriander seed -1 1/2cups vodka -1/2 cups sugar syrup Crush all seeds in a mortar and pestle. Add them to the vodka and let the mixture steep for 2 weeks before straining and adding the sugar syrup. Further ageing will improve this pleasant digestive liqueur. 

Thanks for visiting! Susan

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