Seed Guide 2007 pgs 01/41 - McKenzie Seeds

For growing seedlings on a
window sill, place a mirror behind
the pots so the light is reflected
back on the seedlings.
Jackie Souliers, St. John's NF.
If you have no composter, bury
kitchen waste (peelings, coffee
grounds, tea bags, etc.) between
your rows in the garden. Dig it in
to improve your soil.
E. Rusnak, Prince George BC.
Do not be afraid to try new
vegetables and flowers. It
enhances the pleasure of home
gardening.
Aina Miltins, Calgary AB.
Collect clear plastic shower caps
and punch holes in them. Put
over seedlings. The caps work as a
small greenhouse.
K. Hall, Sherwood Park AB.
To give a bouquet of cut flowers
longer life try this homemade
preservative: two tablespoons of
freshly squeezed lemon juice, one
tablespoon of sugar, one and a
half teaspoons of bleach and one
quart of water. Mix the
ingredients and add half a cup to
the container of flowers.
D. Horvey, Cabri SK.
To speed up slow germinating
seeds such as carrots, leek and
parsnips, soak them in hot tea for
a few hours. Use one tea bag per
cup of boiling water and add a
drop of dishwashing detergent. I
soak most of my seeds in
lukewarm water overnight.
Helen Isaackson, Saskatoon SK.
G A R D E N I N G T I P S
Mix handfuls of regular flour with
your small seeds. As you sow the
seeds, the amount of flour on the
soil will show where seed
coverage is especially light or
heavy.
Florence Melnyk, Vegreville AB.
For northern climate composts, try
running your vegetable waste
through a blender first, before
adding it to the compost pile. You
will find a much faster decaying
time and a more useable soil the
next spring.
Chris Wild, Grande Prairie AB.
Save the plastic holders, from six
packs of pop, to make great
trellises for climbing plants by
attaching them together with
twist ties. The holders are very
strong and invisible for when the
plants grow up them. You will
help save the birds and fish from
getting caught in them when they
are left on the beach or in
campgrounds.
Anne Hebel, St. Laurent MB.
Plant seeds into dampened tea
bags. They will germinate well.
Doris Cholowski, Radway AB.
To enjoy your fresh cut flowers
longer, place them in a vase with
regular 7-UP or Sprite.
Cheryl Merkley, Sioux Lookout ON.
When transplanting your plants,
add a shake or two of cinnamon
to the soil. This is a natural
fungicide and will help protect
young or damaged roots.
Neville MacKay, Tantallon NS.
163