How To Preserve Fall Leaves

Click on photos to enlarge.Typical South Amana residence with expansive lawn and gardenBrick granary converted to residence, studio, and galleryThanks to Robin Street-Morris for permission to use her beautiful work thatcaptures perfectly the mood of my...

I won't mind a bit if they can't bloom again, they have earned their rest! I make a mental note to dust them with fungicide. High in nutrients, this is hay to be doled out over the winter months as a treat and energy booster to my draft horses.

In other words, be prepared to see fall foliage outside of the traditional October autumn period.Yes, New England has arguably the best fall foliage displays, but the displays are not limited to New England.

The leaves don't mind sticking around, but the trees kick them off! Yep, this isn't just about falling, it's more about shoving, evicting. I mean, how did it come about that the more evolutionarily successful plants were those that discarded their leaves...

In a song my C.W. McCall he reflects on the changing of the seasons: "Summer to fall, young to old, then to now. As gardeners, we know that fulfillment comes from our connection to the earth and what we can create from it.

The paired, oval leaves are fragrant too, and in fall turn a sunny yellow. Sweetshrub is tough , dependable in any soil and has virtually no pests. Let's lower our gaze from skyward to eye level and enjoy one of these fall-yellow shrubs in the home landscape.Autumn...

If you're not in a big hurry, and take care not to put weedy or diseased plant material or soil in the pile, don't be overly concerned about "heat."If you suspect the pile is inactive due to dryness,If the pile has heated, be ready to add more water;...

What does this mean? During late spring and through the summer, the sun is almost directly overhead as it traverses the sky. Put on your parka and get out early to catch theWhen the outdoor part of your photo shoot is over, take some time to examine your...

The following terms are defined with these characteristics in mind. Taxonomists, or those who work on the classification and identification of plants, depend upon these distinctions to identify plants precisely.

The seam will help to stabilize the hurricane. Silica Gel Method Patricia Lehnhardt Supplies leaves airtight container, such as a plastic storage bin or old cookie tin 1 to 2 pounds silica gel crystals mat-finish polyurethane spray Preparation Place a...

The kids will love it.Safety in home canning is imperative. Simply fill the sink with cool water and drop the tomatoes in as you remove them from the boiling water. Replace all damaged jars.Place jars and lids in gently boiling water.

Let it steep for a few minutes and then take a big whiff. On its own like this, it's hard to believe anyone ever thought to put bay leaves in their cooking. Why laurel leaves? Cool slightly.In a blender, process soup in batches until smooth.

Young leaves emerged in olive green and coppery orange, morphing to pink and brinze as they grew. What more can you ask? She was intrigued by some unfamiliar plants with bold red foliage- Acalypha 'Bronze Pink.' Knowing I often need a new plant to explore,...

In this era of growing emphasis on energy efficiency, many of us who live in temperate zones or colder are seeking ways to better seal our homes to achieve higher efficiency in heating and cooling.

But it's important that people who may be especially prone to foodborne illness understand that unpasteurized cider has been linked to lillness. "Hard cider" means the fermented version, but fermented "ciders" are now booming in popularity as an alternative...

It's simple enough. Be sure to blot water carefully from the leaves with the end of a paper towel or a microfiber cloth, especially if water collects on the crown of the plant. Messy leaves, like tousled curls on a toddler, have their own charm.One exception...

Evidence favoring this hypothesis, at least in my own observation, is that if you have a quantity of variegated plants in your garden or collection, the likelihood of seeing a new variegated form of one of your all-green plants springing up is higher.

I cook most of these foods during the winter, except for the pickled sweet peppers which I make in the fall. Our kids were happy to have lots of chocolates and candies to eat, but we weren't as happy about the other leftover products, one of which the...

Some of them may think they have a happy childhood, sitting for hours on end in front of a computer and playing "Farmville" or a virtual soccer game, or any other of the thousands and thousands of games which the computer geeks invented.

Some might require some adult supervision, but being creative together with your children is an excellent use of your time on May Day. Or make organic honey caramels —seriously, these things melt in your mouth! Whatever you choose to put in your May...

When Brett and I moved to the country two decades ago, we envisioned having a sunny little orchard where we would harvest bushels of apples, pears and other delicious tree treasure each year.

For more help with home canning seek the advice of your local cooperative extension office or turn to accredited sources like the National Center for Home Food Preservation online.

Assemble the parts with wood glue and 3d finish nails driven through the slats and into each support. Leave 24 to 28 inches between each pair (ours are 24 inches). Apply glue to the bottom of the frame, lay the plywood on top of it, and fasten through...

Vegetables ferment more quickly in hot temperatures than in cool ones, intensifying flavor and altering texture. Regardless of the reason, the good news is that fermentation is making its way back to the kitchen.

It's easier if we clean and prep small amounts of veggies every evening so we're ready to make a fast salad for lunch or much on pea pods in the afternoon. Lisa will make a double batch at night and we'll have that for lunch and snacks over the next couple...

Step 2: Make syrup. We've used anything from clean, sturdy, 30-gallon plastic trash cans to 5-gallon plastic totes to cover and store sap in our basement and garage as it stacks up in the early days of sugaring.

I knew I needed to dismantle the fear if I was ever going to fill our pantry with home-canned goodness. Where Can I Get A New Manual For My Pressure Canner? Most people recognize four seasons per year, but I grew up with seven: calving season, haying...