LOOKING FOR A LITTLE COOPERATION
Whether you're a backyard gardener or a commercial
gardener, one of the best resources at your
disposal is your local university cooperative
extension services. And if you aren't sure where
to turn to locate this great resource, there's a
Web site that can point you to it:
http://farmboys.com/resources/ext_serv/ext_serv.htm
If that's too much typing (or copying and pasting)
to suit you, just go to:
http://farmboys.com
and click on the Extension Services link in the
bar on the left side of the screen. Either way,
you'll hop to a state-by-state list of university
extension services. Click on your state, and
you'll see links to your own local resources.
DON'T GET HOSED
It might be tempting to grab the least expensive
hose you can find when shopping for garden
accessories--but a cheapie may cost you in
the long run, if summer heat weakens it or
winter cold cracks it.
Experts recommend that you invest a bit more and
purchase hoses that are made of durable vinyl
rubber, which stands up to both temperature
extremes. In addition, you should look for a brass
fitting, which won't rust, and a plastic neck to
help protect it from the effects of constant
bending at the faucet end.
GETTING GROUND-IN GARDEN
DIRT OFF YOUR HANDS
If you garden without wearing gloves, odds are
you regularly have to invest some time and effort
scrubbing garden dirt off your hands. Sometimes
this is a matter of soap and water, and maybe a
nailbrush. But other times, the dirt can be pretty
tenacious.
Two possible solutions:
1. Try rubbing a little lemon juice on the tough
spots. Or
2. dissolve a couple of denture-cleansing tablets
in a sinkful of warm water and soak your hands
in it for a few minutes. Not only will that help
fizz away the dirt, it actually feels pretty
darn nice.
