Home and Garden Corner

After a very long hiatus I am back. Fall is here and it is time to get those fall projects (old and new) underway. If you need something new I suggest gourd decorating.  Gourd decorating has become a real passion of mine and since I love it so much I decided to teach basic gourd decorating workshops at my library this fall. During the research part of the preparation, I found some great books which have some incredible photographs. Others contain really good, basic information. Since crafting and decorating is part of ‘Home’ this posting is devoted to gourd decorating books. Take a look at these.

Gourd crafts for the first time by Marilynn Host.  Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 2002. ISBN: 0-8069-4423-4.

From growing and harvesting gourds to repairing gourds to cleaning gourds, Marilynn Host leaves nothing out.  She includes photos and lists of items needed for cleaning, cutting and decorating.  Then she begins the step-by-step techniques. Each section starts with “How do I…? (color the outside, embellish, make a luminary, etc.). Generally, each section is two pages which include photos, step-by-step instructions and supplies needed to complete the project.  This is a good book for the beginner.

Quick and Easy Gourd Crafts by Mickey Baskett. Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 2003. ISBN: 1-4027-2784-4.

    “Embellishing gourds with paint and by wood-burning is fun and easy with these projects, from fanciful ornamental objects to festive holiday decorations to terrific containers. Because gourds are so versatile and practical, yet whimsically shaped, they are perfect for creative crafting. Learn a variety of techniques to produce both whimsical and sophisticated designs—some outlined in black and other exquisitely colored—by six talented artists”.  This is the books in a nutshell.  Complete instructions with a list of supplies along with patterns that can be photocopied are included for each project.  Sterling.

Complete Book of Gourd Carving by Jim Widess & Ginger Summit.  Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 2004.  ISBN:  978-1-4027-4872-1.

  “…The Complete Book of Gourd Carving introduces every tool and technique you’ll ever need and walks you through a series of projects that further illuminate the craft. An impressive gallery of diverse work will inspire carvers.” Techniques included are fretwork, inlay, relief carving, engraving, linear carving and others. This is for the more advanced gourd worker and will require more sophisticated tools than the basic tools. Sterling.

Decorating Gourds: Carving, Burning, Painting and More by Sue Waters. Shiffer Publishing Ltd., 2001. ISBN: 0-7643-1312-6.

Probably the most basic book of the five titles, Waters presents nine techniques with photographic step-by-step instructions.  This book is about the technique, not individual projects. There are not supplies lists although she does provide suggestions for embellishment and some patterns in the back. Only 48 pages in length, Waters book is nevertheless packed with good, solid information.

Gourd Pyrography by Jim Widess. Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 2002. ISBN: 978-1-4027-4502-7.

Widess has taken wood-burning to a new level with the intricate designs pictured in this 144 page book.   He includes ten pages of pyrography pen and solid core pyrography tools charts.

“A host of talented artists show you how to carve in great detail, as well as how to fill dark color into a design, making this exciting craft more accessible and simple than ever. From how to choose and prepare a gourd to helpful hints for burning the motifs, you’ll be able to create both practical and decorative objects, including bowls and jewelry.”Sterling.

To sum up, all the titles listed are excellent in their own ways. Most have metric conversion charts and indexes. If you have never tried gourd decorating give it a try. You might be surprised by what you can do. I know I was. C. Hardy

It’s still winter here in southwestern Wyoming. But, no matter. Hope springs eternal and, with that in mind, gardening is in the air. Yuk! enough with the cliches! Finding the right perennial for our climate is always a challenge. We are somewhere between zones 4 and 5. And yet, our yards have micro-climates that sometimes allow us to grow plants that wouldn’t ordinarily grow in either zone. The two books listed below talk about perennials that look good together and can survive in a range of zones. Sweetwater County Library has added these books to its collection.

Rodale has expanded and updated Perennial Combinations: Stunning Combinations That Make Your Garden Look Fantastic Right From the Start by C.Colston Burrell, 1999 and 2008. Chapters have headings such as ‘Combinations by Color’, Combinations for All Seasons’, and Combinations on the Wild Side’. Within the chapters information is broken down into seasons, soil types, garden types and so on. Each grouping has a color photo with a photo key. Additional information includes growing zones and much more. Burrell has included garden plans with plant lists and diagrams.

The second book is The Perennial Gardener’s Design Primer: the Essential Guide to Creating Simply Sensational Gardens by Stephanie Cohen and Nancy J. Ondra, Story Publishing, 2005. It is very similar in content as Perennial Combinations but more expansive in detail and explanations. It is especially good with helping you to get started by discussing design considerations (budget, your style, maintenance, etc.). The appendices include a USDA Hardiness Zone Map, extensive planning chart that show each plants light requirements, soil (moisture needs), bloom season and foliage color, some recommended reading and a good index.

I wish I had had these books when I started planning my yard four years ago. They would have taken so much of the guess work out the equation. But, there’s still time and I plan to purchase at least one of them to have on hand at home.

A third gardening book I would like to share with you is A Child’s Garden : 60 Ideas to Make Any Garden Come Alive for Children by Molly Dannenmaier, Timber Press, 1998. While this is an older title it is timeless. It is mostly what I would call a picture book. The pages are full of color photos that show everything from hiding places, whimsical figures, game areas, play areas, high places, plants guaranteed to delight children, and resting places. Most of these gardens were designed with children in mind to teach them as well as for their enjoyment. It is a fun book to just page through. You may even be tempted to design a child’s garden yourself.

Making & Installing Handmade Tiles. Angelica Pozo. Lark Books, 2004. ISBN: 9781579905255.
This is a recent purchase for my library that I am absolutely in love with. It is an exciting book both in its content and concept. It makes me want to go right out to buy a kiln, slab roller and all the accessories, tools, clay and glazes to go along with them. Angelica Pozo does a wonderful job of presenting tile making from beginning to end. She includes colorful photos of everything that is needed to create your own tiles, insets about specific aspects (i.e. ceramic absorption test, tile styles) of tile making, charts for cone temperatures, clay types, kiln colors and firing stages and others. Her colorful photos of tiles in all stages of development even show them in the setting they were created for. Also included is a list of gallery artists and a glossary.

Treehouses & Playhouses You can Build. David and Jeanie Stiles. Gibbs Smith, Publishers, 2006. ISBN: 9781586857806

Wow! These don’t look like any treehouse I ever built. The treehouses in this book are more like mini-cabins. Well, maybe that is a slight exaggeration, but see for yourself. The Stiles have shown us that a treehouse can be a work of art and be functional, too. They are well designed and colorful. This is a do-it-yourself handbook with all that that entails. There are step-by-step instructions for building the treehouse/playhouse, rope ladders, bridges, decking and more. They include designs, measurements, lists of supplies, wood, tools, and hardware needed. Also included are ways to stabilize and secure the house to the tree(s). If you want to make your child (or grandchild) happy get a copy of this book. Happy building.

 Sweetwater County Library has added 3 titles from the Black & Decker Complete Guide series. The Complete Guide to Landscape Construction: 60 Step-by-step Projects for Completing a Perfect Landscape is exactly that. With color photos guiding you every step of the way, you can’t miss. The publishers suggest two good reasons for doing it yourself; saving money and personal satisfaction. There are charts that show you everything from choosing the right grass seed to selecting the right tools to figuring quantities needed. You will learn how to build fences, lay paving stones, install a water system and wire your landscape with outdoor circuits. Yes, you can do it! Remember. This book is a ‘guide’ designed to get you where you want to go.

The second book, Flooring 101: 25 Projects You Really Can do Yourself By Matthew Paymar, and the third, The Complete Guide to Dream Kitchens continue to provide the excellent information that Black & Decker is noted for. You will find everything you need to know to do your own floors and design and complete your dream kitchen. Again, color photos guide you through each phase of your project. Tools, supplies, charts and lists are scattered throughout. All books have comprehensive indexes.

One of the really nice features of gardening magazines is their tips section, did you know? columns, etc. I learn a lot from them. Garden Gate Magazine was kind enough to let me add this to my blog.

Did you know?

Get dirty, be happy
Gardeners know how important soil is to plants, but studies are now finding out that it’s good for people, too. Researchers at Bristol University and University college London discovered that the soil bacteria Mycobacterium vaccae helps elevate your mood. Originally used to treat cancer patients’ pain, scientists found the bacterium also increased feelings of well-being. Studies with mice found that M. vaccae affects the brain in a similar way to anti-depressants. So get out in the garden and get dirty – it’s good for you.

Where have all the honeybees gone?
Honeybees pollinate more than 130 agricultural food crops, as well as your back yard tomatoes and peppers. Unfortunately, these busy pollinators have been disappearing at an alarming rate since the fall of 2006, and no one knows exactly why. Dubbed “Colony Collapse Disorder,” this mysterious phenomenon has affected bees in the United States, Canada, Europe and South America. Recently scientists identified a virus originally found in Israel in the affected bees. But it’s too soon to be sure that’s the cause. Other suspects include a new disease, pest or pesticide. It could even be stress weakening the bees’ immune systems. How can you help? Use pesticides as little as possible and grow nectar-rich plants, such as hollyhock (Alcea spp.), catmint (Nepeta spp.), phlox (Phlox spp.) and sedum (Sedum spp.), to keep your bees well fed.

Copyright, Garden Gate magazine, www.GardenGateMagazine.com.

I’ve known for years that nurturing our insect community is a good thing, but unless the bugs in question are butterflies or ladybugs I tend not pursue ways to improve my surroundings. However, this book has me looking at the insect community with new eyes. Man has destroyed many natural habitats and food sources that insects need for survival. Their survival is intricately connected to the survival of other insect, bird and animal species and, in some instances, plant life itself. In short, we need many of these insects and should try to create environments that will ensure their survival. I’ll get off my bandwagon, now, and let you read for yourself.

Bringing Nature Home: How native plants sustain wildlife in our gardens. Douglas W. Tallamy. Timber Press, 2007.

Tallamy includes chapters about the vital role of the suburban garden, biodiversity, creating balanced communities and why insects can’t eat alien plants. There are many beautiful color photographs showing insects in their larval and adult stages as well as the plants they need to survive. Some plants and insects that are necessary for a healthy, biodiversified environment, some can be dangerous. Tallamy explains what to watch for. Appendix 1 lists native plants and wildlife value by region. Appendix 2 charts the butterflies and moths and their host plants. The appendices are followed by an extensive reference list and index. If you are interested in restoring native plants to your area and improving the natural environment this book can help you make the right choices.

HAZELNUT RESEARCH

As the world looks for ways to feed a growing population and also to conserve energy, the research surrounding hazelnuts is beginning to gain momentum.

At Arbor Day Farm, the research work goes on developing disease-resistant, hardy hazelnut bushes. With help from scientists at Badgersett Research Farm in Minnesota, the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, and Rutgers University, dozens of most promising varieties of hazelnuts have narrowed down to the ten best producers. These will be used as the Foundation continues to promote the concept of woody agriculture as an improved method of land stewardship and a way to help fight global warming.

Woody plants are three times more effective at capturing solar energy than annual plants. This “photosynthetic efficiency” means woody plants used on a large scale could reverse increases in carbon dioxide…and its effect on global warning itself.

Arbor Day hazelnuts are hardy shrubs resulting from years of research and crossbreeding of Amerjcan, beaked and European hazels that flourish in a wide range of soils from hardiness zones 3-9.

Bushes will begin producing within 4-5 years and once established will yield up to 7-10 pounds of nuts every year.

For more details if you would like to participate in this testing project visit http://www.arborday.org/hazelnuts.

Excerpts on hazelnut research were taken from the January/February 2008 issue of Arbor Day and from www.arborday.org with permission from the Arbor Day Foundation.