Hand-me Down Garden Tips

Malcolm Gladwell stated in his book, ‘The Tipping Point’, “There is a simple way to package information that, under the right circumstances, can make it irresistible. All you have to do is find it.”

So let’s get to it – a few one-word topics on this #ThrowbackThursday. It's a list of garden hand-me down tips. Check them off before March 20th, 2014. Yes, spring is just 21 days away and counting –click here for the current countdown clock. That is, if you don't believe me. But back to the one-word topics, it's #Throwback Thursday so let’s talk old and recycled stuff.

Heirloom – Most in the garden world know what 'Heirloom' means so consider making your planting palette more than the latest and greatest cultivars. Choose something from a past era, something listed as ‘Heirloom’. Test an heirloom Apple tree, a Rose, or start small with tomatoes. There are many to choose from and some to avoid. Use your favorite search engine button – insert heirloom varieties and take your pick. Make this a fun learning experiment to try out this year. If you already plant heirlooms, share your favorites and include the why. 

Compost – Now we’re talking throwbacks and tidbits of recyclables. Rather than toss fruit and vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, egg shells, leaf and grass clippings in the trash, all those would-be throwaways become part of a grand compost mix. Hopefully you’ve been collecting and turning your own throughout the course of this winter. Every time there was a tiny glimmer of thaw, determined me would put on the Muck boots and give the soil soufflé a stir. It’s a small winter task that keeps us connected to the garden. It’s also a must-do when cooking the compost. Plus, there’s nothing better than this organic mix you make yourself. And remember, no chemicals on the lawns if you intend to use grass clippings in the compost bin.

Seeds – Still haven’t gone through last year’s collection? Remember to weed out any packets with past due expiration or else…Well, if you want good yield any of the old seeds kicking around won’t warrant a full crop. It’s been talked about before but this is the time for pre-spring seed cleaning. Plus, getting new mixed in with the retired might create a bit of garden chaos.

Let's call it a wrap on this #ThrowbackThursday of repackaged information. Hopefully, it's been given to you in the right circumstances. Twenty-one days to go with this rather harsh, cold winter. Well, it shouldn't take much to make this coming spring irresistible. All you need is a bit of inspiration and some hand-me down garden tips on this #ThrowbackThursday.

Image by Ann Bilowz - Last Year's Inventory of Brandywine Tomatoes (An Heirloom cultivar)

Inspector Ben on the clock - Border collies need jobs; one of the many. 

If you like this blog, check in for your daily share's worth of garden inspiration, landscape architecture and design tips; always original, not cookie cutter and copied. Just like our design work, we strive for unique! We invite you to contact Bilowz Associates, Inc., or to browse our portfolios. Like our Facebook follow on Twitter or subscribe to the blog to receive posts daily via email or a feed. You can follow with visuals on Pinterest and find us on LinkedIn and Houzz, too.  And you can also find us back on our Google+ Business Page. (Landscape architects/Landscape Design/serving Massachusetts and New England.)