2017

By: Susie Burns— I am passionate about water!!  Not drinking water…the kind of water that lives in your garden, falls and tumbles over rocks and ledges, sounds like nature’s symphony and gives a cool respite to birds, butterflies and dragonflies. I love the water that is home to pond fish that dart to and fro…the still water where water lilies love to bloom and grow. An ornamental pond or water garden will be the centerpiece of your garden. Now, you’re probably groaning and thinking of the enormous amount of time that will be required to take care of it. Truth…

By: Dottie Kreps, Delaware County Master Gardener Association— Nothing beats the taste of homegrown fruits and vegetables!  But what if you don’t have the space or suitable soil to have a garden in your backyard or you only have a patio or balcony. Container gardening might be your answer. Here are some container gardening basics to help get you off to a good start this spring. There are several things you need to consider when planning your container garden: the plants, the type and size of container, sun, water, soil and fertilizer. The Plants You can grow herbs, fruits, and vegetables…

By: Pete Dall, Sherriff-Goslin Roofing, Muncie— How do you know when you might need to have a professional look at your roof? First and foremost —is your roof doing it’s number one job, keeping your house dry?  If you have an older roof, it’s always smart to keep an eye on your ceilings inside the house. White drywall and plaster will visually signal you immediately when it gets wet. If you see leaking, you need to call a roofing professional right away. Another obvious sign anyone can see is missing shingles. In East Central Indiana, some days it feels like we are…

By: Mike Rhodes— I don’t know why I started making these things. I guess I thought I needed to plan to do something with my hands after I retire in 2189. So, I started making tiki-torches out of empty wine bottles in September of 2016. Good plan! I also thought this new hobby would be a money-making bonanza to put a few more shackles in my pocket. Got myself some sweet-looking business cards and everything. Even ordered wine bottle boxes from Uline to put them in. Very slick. Turns out, I’ve made about 30+ of these and have given each and every one away for FREE….

By: Lisa Herd— Healthy house, healthy life! When thinking of good health, and well-being, most wouldn’t consider their house being a key element. In fact, it’s central to keeping your whole family well. Aromatherapy has been documented as a use for healing since the first century. The French incorporate the use of essential oils in their modern medicinal practices, which originally dated back to WWI. Aromatherapy is used in settings from health spas to hospitals to alleviate a variety of conditions. It is known to relieve pain, improve mood, and promote a sense of relaxation. Several essential oils, including lavender, rose,…