Tag Archives: Ashland Garden Club

Re-potting a Christmas Cactus

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After your Christmas cactus has bloomed, re-pot it into a pot slightly larger than its current container. Christmas cactus roots can easily rot if the soil is too wet, so the pot must have a drain hole and be planted in a lightweight, well-drained potting mix.   You can use potting mixes for cactus & succulents, which are readily available at garden centers, or you can make your own.

Commercially made potting soils can be used for Christmas cactus soil, if they are amended. Choose a balanced pH soil mix without added fertilizers. The soil’s pH should be neutral, between 6.0 and 7.0, not too acid nor too alkaline.

Below are four suggested Christmas cactus soil recipes:

  • 1/2 potting soil, 1/4 horticultural perlite, 1/4 orchid bark.
  • 1/3 Coconut Coir, 1/3 horticultural perlite, 1/3 fine fir bark.
  • 1/3 soil-less potting soil, 1/3 horticultural perlite, 1/3 pine bark nuggets.
  • 2/3 potting balanced PH soil with perlite, 1/3 sand

Submitted by; Carlotta Lucas

Resolutions for Gardeners

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Good read!

Article by Kier Holmes for Sunset Magazine

10 New Year’s Resolutions for the Gardener

I really like #10 – Increase Gratitude: “…spend more time mingling with and appreciating the flora and fauna…”

https://www.sunset.com/home-garden/garden-basics/growing-gardens#non-toxic-garden-resolution

Hummingbirds Winter Care

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Keep hummingbird feeders clean to prevent mold and fungus, which can be fatal to hummingbirds. Refill feeders frequently so there is always an adequate supply of nectar for overwintering hummingbirds.   Do not prune shrubs or trees near feeding areas in fall so hummingbirds have plenty of sheltered places to perch and rest between feedings. Bring feeders indoors to warm/ defrost and rotate out with other feeders.

Below are some methods to keep the nectar from freezing:

Hummingbird_feeding_in_winter

Photo by: Dan David Cook

  • Use a dome to protect from snow, sleet and ice.
  • Position the feeder to protect from cold winds and exposure.
  • Attach hand warmers to the feeder.
  • Heat tape such as used for preventing pipes from freezing.
  • Place a clamp-on/ clip-on shop/ work light adjacent to the feeder—about 12-24″ away would be as plumbers do when defrosting frozen pipes. Test the distance before you walk away. Try a 125 Watt infra-red light bulb, but not the red-glass type. Get an I.R. bulb with clear envelope, it casts a more natural light. Connect it all to a timer.
  • Place holiday lights around, above or below the feeder.
  • Insulate with any fabric.
  • Some say to alter the water:nectar ratio, but don’t do this! Keep ratio the same for hummingbird’s health and nutritional needs
  • Do not obstruct access to feeding ports. Use common sense and your best judgment.
Information from: hummingbirdmarket.com. http://www.hummingbirdmarket.com/hummingbird_articles/feeding_hummingbirds_in_the_cold.html
And, Seattle Audubon –  http://www.seattleaudubon.org/sas/Learn/SeasonalFacts/Hummingbirds.aspx

 

Dairy-Free Pumpkin Pie

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Dairy-Free Pumpkin Pie
Preheat oven 425° F
Ingredients:

2/3 cup organic white sugar, or raw brown sugar
3 tablespoons tapioca flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 – 15 oz can pumpkin puree
1/2 cup almond milk
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 – 9” pie crust

FOR FILLING:

MIX sugar, tapioca flour, cinnamon, ginger and cloves in large bowl.  Stir in pumpkin, 1/2 cup almond milk, water and vanilla extract until combined.

POUR into unbaked pie crust.

BAKE in preheated 425° F oven for 15 minutes.

Reduce temperature to 350° F; Bake an additional 35 to 45 minutes until center is set. Cool on wire rack for 1 hour. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

Quick Cinnamon Bread (egg-free)

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Quick Cinnamon Bread (egg-free)
Makes: 1 oiled loaf pan
Preheat oven 350 F

Ingredients:
½ cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 Flax Egg = 1 Tablespoon ground flax seed soaked in 2 Tbl water
1 cup buttermilk,
2 cups flour [ white or whole wheat]
1 teaspoon baking soda

Note: You can make a quick homemade buttermilk by adding 1Tablespoon vinegar, or lemon juice to one cup of milk, then letting it sit a bit to curdle.

Cinnamon mixture:
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:
Make “flax” egg:  Add 1Tablespoon ground flax  to 2 Tablespoons water, let it sit for 5 minutes.

Make Cinnamon Mixture: In a small dish combine 2 teaspoons Cinnamon with 1/3 cup sugar.

In a mixing bowl: Combine 2 cups flour with 1 teaspoon baking soda.
In a separate bowl, cream together ½ cup butter, 1 cup sugar, and flax egg mixture.
Slowly add flour mixture to creamed mixture, alternating with buttermilk.  Stir only until blended, do not over mix.

Method:
Place half the batter into your oiled loaf pan.
Sprinkle 3/4 of the cinnamon/sugar mixture on this first layer of batter.
Add the remaining batter to the loaf pan, and then top with remaining cinnamon sugar.
Swirl cinnamon throughout the dough by inserting a table knife into the batter, then twisting and turning the knife throughout the batter.

Bake 350F for 45-50 min,

Test bread with a clean toothpick.
When the toothpick it comes out of the batter clean, it’s done.
Cool before removing from pan.

ENJOY!