While the poinsettia remains the most popular of the holiday plants, a healthy Christmas cactus in full bloom is a great gift idea for that special gardener. They are easy to care for and can be grown indoors throughout the year. The flowers range in color from yellow, salmon, pink, fuchsia and white or combinations of those colors. Common name~ Christmas Cactus Scientific name~ Schlumbergera bridesii Origin~ A group of epiphytic cacti...

Growing on the High Plains SKIP MANCINI PRODUCER AND HOST OF HIGH PLAINS HISTORY AND GROWING ON THE HIGH PLAINS Rosemary is an herb of many uses and a long and varied history. The ancient Greeks declared that it improved memory, and students would often wear wreaths of it in their hair while studying for exams. In the middle ages it was thought to possess powers of protection against evil spirits. Medicinally, it has been used for centuries to...

GARDEN & HOME TIPS & TRICKS Keep Those Pumpkins Pretty! We’re put together some tips for your jack-o-lantern carving for this Halloween. 1. Choose the right pumpkin. I like them taller than they are wide because that is the shape of a face. I also like them big and ugly because that makes them look interesting. 2. Decapitation or Back Surgery?: You don’t have to take off the top, you can also take of the bottom or...

Garden & Home This fall, think spring. Article courtesy of DigDropDone.com 20 September 2016 Planting spring bulbs in the fall. Cold weather calls for layers. And so does a bountiful container. Layering Bulbs –   Add a layer of soil to your pot. –  The first layer of bulbs to plant will be those that flower last and grow tallest – such as tulips. –  Once these are in place, add roughly 1 ¼ inches (3cm) of soil....

GARDEN & HOME Keep Those Pumpkins Pretty! Decorating for the season is my favorite thing about fall. Whether you grow your own or purchase pumpkins, gourds and squash at market, these five preservation steps make autumn ornamentals last longer. Step 1. Harvest Well-developed fruit and dead vines are good indicators Cucurbitaceae are ready for harvest. The exterior rind should look dull and dry. Hasty harvest, scratches and other surface...