Farmers Almanac

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Farmers Almanac
The 2012 Farmers Almanac
Farmers' Almanac

5 Secrets to Spice Up Your Gardens

by Sandi Duncan | Monday, April 7th, 2008 | From: Home and Garden

5 Secrets to Spice Up Your Gardens

Whether your “garden” is in your backyard, in a container, raised bed, or in windowboxes, here are 5 super ways to spice them up.

  • Grow your own radishes. Radishes can pack a little heat and punch. Grown your own and add them to your salads.
  • Think herbs! Our favorites include parsley, basil, cilantro, and rosemary. All of these herbs are easy to grow and add flavor to many dishes.
  • Peppers anyone? If you’re really looking for spice, try growing some hot peppers. Jalepenos, anaheims, and many others range from mild to really hot. Experiment but becareful of what you plant!
  • Add vibrant flowers to your vegetable “garden.” Add a touch of color (sunflowers, asters, cosmos) to liven up your garden. Remember, strong smelling flowers such as marigold and zinnias are good for keeping animal pests out of your gardens.
  • Try new crops or new varieties of old favorites. Many garden staples now come in a variety of colors: purple cauliflower, white eggplant, chocolate colored sweet peppers, yellow tomatoes, do a little research and have some fun. Have you ever grown corn or kohlrabi? What about spinach? Popcorn? Try at least one new crop this year.

    • If you notice a hole in the upper left-hand corner of your Farmers' Almanac, don't return it to the store! That hole isn't a defect; it's a part of history. Starting with the first edition of the Farmers' Almanac in 1818, readers used to nail holes into the corners to hang it up in their homes, barns, and outhouses (to provide both reading material and toilet paper). In 1910, the Almanac's publishers began pre-drilling holes in the corners to make it even easier for readers to keep all of that invaluable information (and paper) handy.

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