Helpful numbers when shopping for potting soil: 1 US dry quart = 0.033420139 cubic foot. 5 gallon bucket = 14 dry quarts = 0.54 ft³ How to calculate amount of potting soil needed for containers (*not included in Tables below) Convert all dimensions from inches into feet. ( 3” ÷ 12” = .25 feet) Multiply the three dimensions together (length x width x height)... Read More
“Swept and dusted sitting-room & kitchen 350 times. Filled lamps 362 times. Swept and dusted chamber & stairs 40 times.” Entry in an 1864 housewife’s diary Yes, it is that time of year again to take part in the age-old tradition of SPRING CLEANING! Not only is it linked to religious and cultural traditions, our biological system seems hard wired for tidying up, really. We... Read More
Wind speed affects weather forecasting, aircraft and maritime operations, construction projects, growth and metabolism rate of many plant species, and countless other implications. Wind has both speed and direction. Anemometers measure wind speed and wind vanes (weather vanes) measure wind direction. Wind speed, or wind flow velocity, is a fundamental atmospheric quantity. Wind speed is caused by air moving from high pressure to low pressure,... Read More
Have you noticed how much longer the days are getting? Finally, the sun is up early and setting later at a very rapid rate now. It is hard to believe that in just 3 weeks we will reach the Spring Equinox – equal hours of day and night, with the days continuing to get longer from here on out until June. Sure, feels good. That... Read More
Minestrone with Farro and Chia Pesto Recipe Both chia and farro add not only texture but also health to this veggie-packed soup. From “Superfood Soups” By Julie Morris Photo by LA Food Photography Cook Time: 50 min Yield: 10 servings Instead of using pasta in this minestrone, I like to use farro (whole, not pearled farro here) — it adds a whopping 21 grams of... Read More
“Byrdes of on kynde and color flok and flye allwayes together.” SAY WHAT? Translated from Old English, “Birds of the same kind and color flock and fly always together.” Since the mid-16th century this flighty proverb has been used literally and figuratively. Literally, birds of a single species often form flocks. For our feathered friends, this behavior is a survival instinct used to ward... Read More
Living in Colorado has many benefits. We experience plentiful sunshine, four distinct seasons, varied outdoor landscapes from the Plains to the Rocky Mountains and down to the desert in the Four Corners region. The unique topography allows for interesting growing conditions which can provide fruits and vegetables nearly year round – with a little research, building, and planning. The farmers of our state have realized... Read More
The harried pace of the holiday season is behind us, for now. Time to take a deep breath and face 2018 head on! A new year, a new outlook, some unresolved resolutions on the horizon? The “To Do List” looms large and we are barely two weeks into January. What if this year we all resolve to keep it simple. Take a moment and commit... Read More
Gingerbread has been a part of culinary tradition dating back to the Roman Empire. Many cultures have similar versions known as “spice cake,” and “pepper cake.” This holiday treat can be made in two forms; soft or hard. The soft recipe is more ‘cake-like’ and good for slicing. The other form-hard and crispy, allows for shaping and decorating with sweets and icing. Historically, the... Read More
Let us go back to the beauties That are pocketed deep in our past, They joys we relinquished with childhood But which hauntingly linger and last! Let us return to the Christmas That remains with the children of time — The Christmas of wonderful wishes, Of stardust, and snowdrift, and chime! Let us go back to the vision Of evergreen peace in our rooms, Pretty... Read More
