http://www.getextradirt.com RSS feeds for Extra Dirt Newsletter 60 http://www.getextradirt.com/archive/articletype/articleview/articleid/1953/a-web-based-journal-for-gardeners#Comments 0 http://www.getextradirt.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=222&ModuleID=912&ArticleID=1953 http://www.getextradirt.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=1953&PortalID=2&TabID=222 http://www.getextradirt.com/archive/articletype/articleview/articleid/1953/a-web-based-journal-for-gardeners A lot of gardeners think about keeping a journal to track the plants they buy, note how things grow (or don't), and plan for future seasons. A garden journal is also a fun way to look back at previous seasons and remember your successes and challenges. But who really follows through? Not many of us. That's why longtime gardener Barb Hegman created PlantJotter. It's like a journal, but it's completely Web-based, so photos, notes, and even a handy maintenance calendar are all at your fingertips. There's also a database of more than 2,200 plants, and eventually PlantJotter will include a way for gardeners to connect with each other and share information. Stay organized in the garden—it's easier than you think.   now for a one-month free trial of PlantJotter. dharper Thu, 30 Dec 2010 20:26:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:1953 http://www.getextradirt.com/archive/articletype/articleview/articleid/1952/bird-feeding-on-a-budget#Comments 0 http://www.getextradirt.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=222&ModuleID=912&ArticleID=1952 http://www.getextradirt.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=1952&PortalID=2&TabID=222 http://www.getextradirt.com/archive/articletype/articleview/articleid/1952/bird-feeding-on-a-budget Birding and gardening go hand-in-hand. If you have a beautiful garden filled with shrubs and perennials, chances are you also have a lot of birds that appreciate your hard work. Taking care of these feathered friends can be expensive, but it doesn't have to break the bank. David Mizejewski, National Wildlife Federation's naturalist and backyard wildlife expert, offers these tips for feeding birds on a budget: Plant natural feeders. Birds use feeders to supplement foods they find in nature. Plants offer seeds, berries, nuts, sap, and nectar as well as shelter and nesting places. Once planted, they'll provide free bird food for years. Say no to insecticides. Most species of birds in North America feed their babies insects. Adult birds rely on insects as a source of protein, too, so let them control the insects for you.   for more tips on feeding birds on a budget. dharper Tue, 28 Dec 2010 20:24:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:1952 http://www.getextradirt.com/archive/articletype/articleview/articleid/1951/say-goodbye-to-blisters#Comments 0 http://www.getextradirt.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=222&ModuleID=912&ArticleID=1951 http://www.getextradirt.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=1951&PortalID=2&TabID=222 http://www.getextradirt.com/archive/articletype/articleview/articleid/1951/say-goodbye-to-blisters We used to think of gardening gloves as silly accessories. That was when we were about 9 years old, and we had never hoisted a shovel or built a stone path. Now—many years and many blisters later—we know better. At Wells Lamont, they are trying their darndest to come between us and undue pain. They get that great garden gloves not only are not silly, they're essential. In addition to their traditional line of gardening gloves—some with seamless leather palms, some dipped in nitrile for a waterproof finish, some cut with a slim fit for small hands—Wells Lamont now offers a glove with Blister Armor LiquiCell technology. The thin liquid membrane in the palm and thumb areas helps prevent blisters. Keep your best tools—your hands—happy in the garden.   to find gloves in your size. dharper Mon, 27 Dec 2010 20:21:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:1951 http://www.getextradirt.com/archive/articletype/articleview/articleid/1950/amaryllis-keep-the-blooms-bright-after-the-holidays#Comments 0 http://www.getextradirt.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=222&ModuleID=912&ArticleID=1950 http://www.getextradirt.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=1950&PortalID=2&TabID=222 http://www.getextradirt.com/archive/articletype/articleview/articleid/1950/amaryllis-keep-the-blooms-bright-after-the-holidays An amaryllis is a gift that unwraps itself. As the dark days of winter go by, its flower stalk gets taller and taller, until one day it unfurls its brilliant red, white, or pink petals to bring color and drama to your home. Here's how to keep this holiday favorite happy and healthy: Pot amaryllis bulbs in soilless potting mix, leaving the top third of the bulb above the soil. After it blooms, remove faded flowers. Cut off the flower stalk when it starts to wither. It's common to see one amaryllis bulb per pot, but consider planting multiple bulbs in a large container for a spectacular display. If tall flower stalks flop over, loosely tie them to thin metal or bamboo stakes.   to learn how to get your amaryllis to rebloom next year. dharper Tue, 21 Dec 2010 20:17:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:1950 http://www.getextradirt.com/archive/articletype/articleview/articleid/1948/easy-weekend-project-make-an-evergreen-ball#Comments 0 http://www.getextradirt.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=222&ModuleID=912&ArticleID=1948 http://www.getextradirt.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=1948&PortalID=2&TabID=222 http://www.getextradirt.com/archive/articletype/articleview/articleid/1948/easy-weekend-project-make-an-evergreen-ball As you're decorating the inside of your home this holiday season, don't forget to spruce up the outside, too. Brighten up your home's exterior and incorporate a bit of the garden with this festive evergreen ball. 1. Cut wire. Use a wire cutter to cut chicken wire to a 12-inch by 24-inch rectangle. Fold in the tips of the 12-inch wires toward the middle. Starting at one of the short ends, loosely roll the wire up and hook the short edges together. Hook each end together to form a ball. 2. Hang ball to build. Feed the 4-foot piece of ribbon and the heavy cord through the area where you hooked the wires together. Tie the ribbon and cord around something sturdy so the ball hangs freely. Arrange the ribbon to hide the cord.   for the rest of the steps to your homemade evergreen ball. dharper Mon, 20 Dec 2010 19:41:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:1948