In the first part of our tomato series, we discussed selecting the right variety of tomato for your garden and preferences. In this edition, we will talk about fertilization and one of the two biggest problems with growing tomatoes, weeds. Of course, being an Extension Agent, I must always recommend a soil test before planting your garden.

Bored? Looking for something to pass the time, AND get you away from screens? Something that falls inside the government guidelines for social distancing?

While so many outdoor activities have been cancelled or postponed, there is still one thing anyone with a car can spend time doing. And it is all in the great outdoors.

All Dogwood trails in Knoxville remain open and right now is the best time to make the drive.

Here are a few photos from Lakemoor DT and Holston Hills DT to get you moving.

A review of the evidence on the use of complementary and alternative (CAM) therapies to treat babies with colic has shown some that some treatments—including probiotics, fennel extract and spinal manipulation—do appear to help, but that overall the evidence on the use of these therapies is limited so should be treated with caution.

Researchers reviewed published ‘systematic reviews’ on the use of CAM therapies to treat babies with colic. Systematic reviews bring together all the studies on a topic, to understand the totality of the evidence available.

A bonus for getting out into the woods in early spring is enjoying those wildflowers that bloom while everything else is still asleep and dead looking. There is a short period when the ground warms a little and the forest floor is still receiving full sun that these early flowers, called ephemerals, manage to grow, bloom, produce seeds, and then die back in a short time frame. To pull this off they have a growth cycle backwards from other plants.

(This is the continuation of the story I began two weeks ago titled “A Child Shall Lead”.)

“What do you mean somethin’s wrong with Dellie?” crossly questioned Granny Evie Tatum.

“She started hurtin’ early this mornin’. She left Evelyn to look after the other kids while I tried to lead her here. But she got to hurtin’ so bad that she made me leave her propped up against a stump while I run here to get you and Uncle Iv.”

Before Sara or I could stop him, Little John darted out the front door. My heart went into my throat.

You see, I grew up out in the country on a farm. The dogs we had over the years were medium to large sized ones who stayed outside. Let me tell you, those dogs has road smarts. They knew to be leery of cars.

Little John was nothing like them. At all. He was a miniature dachshund who stayed in the house. When he went outside, he was either on a leash or he was carried. So, he had no road smarts whatsoever. And that was what scared me.

My husband found a job on the other side of the county. The long drive was too expensive and time consuming to continue. We found a piece of land near where he worked. With money in short supply, we built our new home on the buy-and-build-as-you-go plan. We first lived in a borrowed house trailer, then in the bare studded house, as we worked on various projects. With no credit history, we didn't even try to secure a mortgage.

When we bought our house in Athens, it came with an old crab apple tree in the far corner of the backyard. Shortly after we moved in, the tree came into full and fragrant bloom. It did that for many years thereafter. The pink blossoms were a delight when I looked out the kitchen window.

In 1961, a band called The Jarmels recorded a song called “A Little Bit of Soap.” The lyrics of the song report, accurately, that soap is useful stuff for removing things like lipstick, powder and perfume from one’s skin.

“A little bit of soap
Will wash away your lipstick on my face

Mmm, a little bit of soap
Will wash away your powder from my chin

Mmm, a little bit of soap
Will take away your perfume eventually”

Everybody knows about banana pudding. It is a favorite go to when you want to make a good impression. Have you ever thought about using strawberries instead? You don't need fresh strawberries. Frozen ones are in this recipe. Keep some vanilla wafers on hand. Everything else you probably have in your pantry.