What's New: The Left-over Plants?

Well, I spent time on Saturday finding spaces in front of my four sun-facing windows for the aloe vera plants. I had 6 of the Tall Snake plants left in front of my desk.

That lone customer I had last year came by yesterday and begged for another Snake plant and some aloe vera too.

I've decided to give away the rest and I think I know two friends who would be glad to receive them. But I think I will make a point of visiting them next week after my chiropractor appointment. Also, I can offer some at the clinic where I see my chiropractor. Those gals are so very friendly whenever I talk about my plants and garden.

Speaking of garden... because the sun sets about 6:30 pm now-a-days, I have taken to going outside for an hour before supper, instead of after supper, to clean up the garden and get it ready for winter.

I've already harvested everything that can be harvested - except for the dead marigold flowers for seeds. I saw a video last week that explained that one should save the marigold petals to make a saffron-like herbal remedy.

I need to check that out as I do still have many marigolds blooming! I believe there is a tea that can be made from them as well. Do you know for sure?

Once I can rake up the leaves and bag them I'll place them around the hollyhocks to make sure they make it through winter. Lastly, I need to empty the rain barrel so it doesn't break when the ice expands.

Then it will be time to do some deep-cleaning inside my house. Which may take all winter! :)

<*> TIPS & SOLUTIONS: <*>

TIPS - If You are a Seed-Saver

I learned to be a seed-saver from my Gr'ma; this means we can save the seeds from this year's crop to sow again next year; And/Or - to give away to someone else.

But what shall you use for a container for the seeds?

Well, I usually pick them into a basin or old ice cream pail and then sort them out. Sometimes, if there bugs in among the seeds, I leave them out in the porch until the bugs have crawled out and found their way back into the garden.

Then I sort and clean up the seeds, taking out debris and bits of this or that, which is obviously NOT a seed.

Then I put them into my empty supplement bottles. Those made in Canada generally have a label that is easy to pull off without any sticky residue staying on the bottle/container. Often the lid is so attached that you don't have to worry about losing it.

What's more, you can write the name of the seeds and the year you picked them with a marker on the smooth white surface of the bottle. If you decorate them a bit, they can even become nice wee gifts to give away.

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