News From the Homestead

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by Ann on March 23, 2012

Greetings on this bright spring day. It has been a long time since I last posted in February. The previous two months have been dominated by medical matters. Between my mother’s health issues with severe anemia , my growing health problems with Sjogren’s Syndrome, and dealing with a new medical  insurance company I have been unable to maintain my usual writing activities. So until things are sorted out later this year I am suspending my blog.

In the meantime you can stay in touch through my Facebook and Twitter posts under “herbncowgirl”, my column in Herb Quarterly and my short column for Arbor Gate. Until then, may you and your garden prosper.

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News From the Homestead: Is It Spring Yet?

February 1, 2012
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Right about the first of February, avid gardeners get a little weary of winter and start looking for signs of spring. There may be snow on the ground and temperatures flirting with freezing but in our hearts we know there must be signs that the dark season is losing its grip. The signs vary from [...]

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New Zone Hardiness Map From USDA

January 31, 2012
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Just about every major book or catalog for gardeners in the US includes a copy of the Zone Hardiness Map published by the USDA. This map is designed to tell you what the average winter low temperatures are in your area so – at least in theory – you will know what will grow in [...]

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Just Because: Some Humor to Lighten Your Day

January 30, 2012

How the Internet Began – the Real Version! In ancient Israel, it came to pass that a trader by the name of Abraham Com did take unto himself a young wife by the name of Dot. And Dot Com was a comely woman, broad of shoulder and long of leg. Indeed, she was often called [...]

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New Herb Book From Better Homes & Gardens

January 27, 2012
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  As a member of various garden writers groups, I occasionally get a review copy of a new book. Recently I received from Better Homes & Gardens their new book Herb Gardening. When I agreed to review the book, even though I know the reputation of BH&G, I must confess I didn’t have hopes for anything [...]

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News From the Homestead: Talks and Trips

January 26, 2012
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Greetings on this mild Texas morning. I’ve been wanting to write you-all but work on my Saturday talk in Illinois took up most of my time. I spoke in Champaign on “Seasoning the Melting Pot,” an overview of the history of culinary herbs and spices in the US. It’s filled with interesting material and I [...]

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I Have a Rosemary Bush – Now What?

January 13, 2012
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In recent years it’s been popular to borrow rosemary from the herb garden and shape it into a miniature Christmas tree. This is really no surprise because the essential oils in rosemary produce a scent similar to pine trees. Rosemary’s natural evergreen shape and dark green needle-like leaves complete the picture. Beautiful though they are, [...]

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