Q:Spade and a Hoe.

HARD WORK

Q:We are moving to a town house, it's so nice, so happy, the only thing is there is no space for a garden BUT we have this huge patio that I could have 2 big planters filled with flowers!Can you please give me some tips as well as flower suggestions for the planters? I'm in NW Pennsylvania so no tropical flowers unfortunately. I love Impatients and marigolds, tho!

Petunias are reliable container plants. Impatiens will do fine in a container and so will Marigolds, Begonias, Coleus, Million Bells, Sweet Potato Vine. Most any annuals that you find in a garden center will perform nicely in a container. Just be sure to match the plant with your surroundings, just as you would in a garden. That is, if it's a sunny area use sun loving plants and use shade lovers in low light. And, if you get bit by the plant-loving bug like me, you will wind yourself having more than just two planters. I tell myself every year: no more container plantings! Yeah, right. You can plant bulbs in those containers now and have blooms in the spring: Daffodils, Grape Hyacinth, Tulips, Crocus. I get carried away with my planting ;) Sorry so long: look around at containers that are professionally planted, both at garden garden centers and in public places like municipal buildings or on Main Street. This mightl give you inspiration for the plants you want.

Q:My husband bought me the 14th limited edition Better Homes and Gardens book... and I've had alot of recipes not taste great. I have to alter them alot and then they're okay (FYI- I cook great, it's not me, its the recipes). Also I've found alot of errors with the index and page numbers. I was just wondering if Betty Crocker makes a better cookbook and if there's a better variety. I know the BHG is huge, but it really doesn't seem like there's a lot of desserts or cookies, and I LOVE cooking.Let me know what you think, and if you can recommend a specific book that would be great too!

Some of the recipes are more difficult on the food network site, but each recipe has a difficulty rating so you can bypass those you know you don't want to tackle. When I make something, I want it to be flavorful and people going back for seconds.

Q:We just moved in and there is a preexisting garden in the back yard that hasn't been touched in years. I'm going to rip the hole thing out and start fresh. I know nothing about gardening but its been something I've wanted to do for a while. After I get everything out how should I go about replacing the area? (with top soil? fertilizer? Any tips, advice or good websites would be greatly appreciated

You should know what is there. If it is a perennial weed, digging out out may not be enough. Ideally is should be Round-upped.....new word. Sprayed with Roundup, allowed to sit a few weeks before being removed. Once the land is clear, ideally the soil should be tested for nutrient content. It's a bit late in the season for that, there is often a month long backup. At least add compost to introduce back in necessary microorganisms. Compost has some nutrients, but not much. Fertilizers come in all makes and models. Initially stick with vegetable fertilizer. In time you'll learn how to save a bit of money. Generally a light fertilizer application at planting and then maybe every 6 weeks there after. Light is the key word, you can mess up a garden quickly with improper--too much-fertilizer. I suspect your state Cooperative Extension Serivice has good info on home gardening on their web pages. Each state has something: here are some examples of portals: msue.anr.msu.edu/ ohioline.osu.edu/ ohioline.osu.edu/

Q:i would like to have an herb garden but don't know what time a year is best for them in Colorado....and how to start them.

The best time to start any garden is in the spring or early summer, after the last frost. What you can do now is start planning. Figure out what you want to grow in the garden (type and number of plants), and how much space you will need for what you want. You should keep your annuals (like basil) in a separate bed from the perennials, so you won't disturb the roots of your perennials when you pull out the dead annuals. The folks at your local garden center should be able to help you pick out which herbs would do best in your area. In the spring, you can either start seed in small pots and then plant them out (which is more work but you get a lot of plants out of one seed packet) or you can buy started plants in small pots at the garden center. This is faster but more expensive, and you may not be able to find all the plants you want available as starts. Good luck!

Q:not the one in Australia either, just the regular Better Homes and Gardens Magazine.

Go okorder and search it and it should give you the address

Q:a old person and a young kid. Both are kind, healthy, and has done nothing wrong. You can only save one. Who would you save and why?*First suggested category was Home Garden gt; Garden Landscape

the young kid i guess :/. I mean...he is younger...he has his whole life to live. while the old person...will die soon :/.

Q:Have you ever started reading the directions from the Book Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook? Because the results did not make sense? What Happened?

I really don't know but I don't like it anyway...i much prefer Betty Crockers' and Favorite Recipes press....

Q:Local nurseries are in business to sell stuff. Every garden question I have always come with some product they have to sell. I call it my $20 answer. The people at answers have been great. Thank you. Unfortunatly what does well for you in New York or Denver isn't much help to me where I live down here by the Mexican boarder in California. I am in need of answers that will help in my back yard. Answers without a price tag. Any suggestions? Thanks to all you wonderful gardeners where ever you live!

Ask a MASTER GARDENER for FREE expert advise for all your local garden questions advise. You will not find a Master Gardener at any store (re: Home Depot. Target, etc) or nursery as Master Gardeners are not allowed to use their title for any commercial or for profit business. Anyone claiming to be a Master Gardener working for ant business should be turned in to County government. They would be dismissed and loose their state certification. But chances are anyone claiming to be a Master Gardener in a commercial business is surving you a line of bull. MASTER GARDENERS are usually found at County offices of the County Farm Advisor's office or your local State Univ. Cooperative Extension office. MASTER GARDENERS are highly trained VOLUNTEERS. Wonderful folks who donate their time and energy to help others with their home gardening needs. Many wait for years on a long list of volunteers before offered a chance at training to become a MASTER GARDENER. Active MASTER GARDENERS must put in a minimum amout of hours and ongoing continuing education each year inorder to be recertified each year. Noone will know more about your own, local garden problems, growing conditions plants then your own local MASTER GARDENERS. MASTER GARDENER sights are located in all 50 states most of Canada. Almost every major County in the United States will have a MASTER GARDENER program. If the Master Gardener on duty can't answer your question he or she is linked to all the ag experts your County or State has to offer. MASTER GARDENERS like to brag, no question ever goes unanswered! And their answers are always THE BEST ANSWER. Find them on the web, or your local phone book under County Government or your State Univ. coop extension service.

Q:We are having a Secret Santa in our office and the name that I picked is for a woman who I don't know much about. All I know is that she has a nice garden near her home. Last year, I picked her name and I bought her a plant. She loved it! I don't want to get her the same gift this year. It's too difficult to transport from home during the morning rush hour. Any suggestions? The maximum is $20. Thanks!

I am an avid gardener and can give you some ideas. You could give her packets of seeds or perhaps a bag of bulbs or maybe a gift certificate to Brecks or Spring Hill bulb company. She may like a new gardening tool or a pair of gardening gloves. Maybe a nice flower pot or a little set of pots that can fit on a window sill. A book on gardening (one for her area) is a great idea as well. A gift certificate to a local nursery is a fine gift that will be well received, too.