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Nutrients are an important part of our lives. See how they help us feed ourselves and the world and keep the earth green through activities such as gardening.
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Dee McKennaAs a stay at home mom of three girls (ages 8, 3 and 1), I have a passion for... |
After a week of rain, progress on Benton’s Backyard outdoor classroom and learning garden can be seen. Sunburnt and covered in dirt, a few hard working dads framed up the sidewalks, shed floor, pergola floor and mow strips in preparation for concrete to be poured. Our students returned from spring break to witness all of the changes. (more…)
My daughter wanted to plant a banana tree in our backyard. She’s brilliant; think of the money I would save! (Her eagerness to plant everything she likes to eat makes me giggle!) I would love to send my three monkeys out to the backyard to pick their own bananas. Those of you living in zones 8-11, I envy you. You CAN plant and grow a banana tree in your backyard. I live in zone 6; we cannot plant tropics, like the banana tree, it’s too cold. (more…)
Can you imagine gardening in the 18th century? If not, I suggest you visit Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. Historians have done a fantastic job re-creating early American gardens. Garden historians have used the writings of John Randolph who pinned, A Treatise on Gardening in 1793, as a guide to rebuilding the Williamsburg gardens. Here is a snippet of Mr. Randolph’s advice to the 18th century gardeners, including many of our founding fathers: (more…)
Pictures of kids playing in leaves have been constant on my Facebook page the past few weeks. Children have big smiles as they are literally covered in nature. Of course, it makes me smile to see the fun they are having! I often post a virtual high five to the parents for bringing the kids out to experience the effects of fall. I am a bit jealous as I scroll through pictures. My children do not get to experience a large pile of leaves unless we visit a different neighborhood. The trees in our landscape are too small to create a big fall mess (a negative aspect of living in a new housing development). (more…)
The chrysanthemums are in full bloom and irresistible to a two-year-old. On more than one occasion, I have caught my toddler pulling the mum flowers off one-by-one. I can understand her interest in the mums. Right now they are bright and bold; the splash of color my landscape needs this fall. (more…)
Between potty training, laundry (which I have decided breeds and multiplies in the laundry basket), and answering the dreaded “I’m hungry” plea, I have little time to keep up with current events. Thankfully, I have direct access to the computer and subscribe to my favorite newspapers, magazines, and blogs. I don’t get to read all of them, but if I do find a moment of silence, I am a click away from being caught up. (more…)
Recently, I shared a video with you demonstrating how I took a soil sample from my garden. I brought my “bags of dirt” to our county extension office. For a fee of $10 per bag, the soil would be analyzed and the results would be mailed to me within ten days. (more…)
Get the most out of your garden! Dee McKenna, Nutrients For Life blogger, takes you to her backyard and demonstrates how to take a soil sample. (more…)
While searching for the perfect tree to plant in our front yard, I asked the garden center owner, “When is the right time to plant a tree?” He responded, with years of experience and wisdom, “Ten years ago.” He is exactly right! I love a home landscape with large, established deciduous trees. I might even be classified as a tree hugger; I bet I could even convince my three girls that it is fun to hug trees. Trees have such a presence, adding value and beauty to the home. However, this is delayed gratification; as you know, it takes years for trees to mature to full size. (more…)
Whew, nothing like 12 hours in a minivan to bring out the best in a family. We drove from Wichita to San Antonio for our much-needed summer vacation. The girls have been dreaming of petting dolphins and meeting a killer whale named Shamu. Sea World was our vacation destination and the most economical way of getting there was driving. I like driving, although less than 12 hours is more desirable. (more…)
This is the time of year I get interesting pleas for help from my friends.
“Dee, my cucumber plants look like they are dying. What do you think I did wrong?”
“Dee, there is something wrong with my pepper plant! I think I need to replant it. What do you think I should do?”
“Dee, when you have a minute – can you look at my garden?” (more…)
