GenAcres Homestead

   Why is my Hosta Growing So Slowly? Ever wondered why your hostas are growing so slowly, or not growing at all, or are actually shrinking from year to year?   Even though hostas are naturally very hardy plants, which is one of the reasons they remain so  popular for perennials gardens, their ability to put on healthy growth each year depends on several things.

   Fall Care for Hosta Plants With fresh air and fewer insects and plant diseases to worry about, Fall is a pretty great time in the garden. But for hostas, those beautiful leaves are beginning to die back making the plant look a bit ragged, but the plant is just conserving energy and getting ready for their winter sleep where they will await warm Spring temperatures.

      Cutting Back Hosta Blooms Although hostas are basically grown for those beautiful leaves, there are some hosta varieties that have quite beautiful flowers. Removing these are not necessary for the health of the plant, so whether you choose to cut the flower spikes off or allow them to grow and flower is a matter of personal choice.

Dill is a warm-season annual herb that has feathery leaves on fronds that add a pleasant anise-like flavor to kinds of seafood, soups, salads, and sauces.  Its subtle taste complements fish and shellfish. In addition to providing aromatic seeds and foliage, Dill will brighten your garden with its yellow-green flowers in the spring and fall. Types of Dill Bouquet is the most popular Dill grown for its fragrance of leaves and seeds.  Used for both pickling and cooking. Taller Varieties include Mammoth and Long Island and may need to be staked. Fernleaf Dill Weed (aka the Fish Dill) is popular for its use in fish. Starting Dill from Seed Seed Longevity:                                     3 years. Seed Dowing Depth:                              ¼”. Best Soil Temp for Germination:            60-70 degrees. Days to Germination:                             7-10 days. Spring Sowing:                                       Direct sow after last frost. Sow Indoors

Signs of Spoilage in Home Canned Food When preserved correctly, homemade canned foods won't go bad, ever. But realistically speaking, the food can last for at least two to five years easily without compromising on the taste or nutritional value.

How to Fix Hosta Center Die-Out Also Known as Fairy Ring Hosta center die-out is sometimes referred to as "clump die-back" and “fairy ring.” The latter is a nickname given to this problem that is said to result from fairies dancing in the middle of the plant. It's a common problem with hostas since they are a very long-lived perennial, but this problem can be easily remedied. 

Fruit Preparation for Making Jellies The water bath is the simplest method for canning and is suitable for most high acid harvests, including fruit and pickled vegetables. Free Printable Pressure Canning Steps in PDF The following instructions are for water bath canning the follow fruits, then how to process them in five easy steps! How to Prepare Each Fruit    Apple Wash, stem and cut into chunks. (Do not core.) Combine apples and three cups of water in a stainless steel or enameled Dutch oven. Cover and simmer for ten minutes. Crush and simmer five more minutes.    Berries Wash. Crush one layer at a time with a potato masher in a stainless steel or enameled Dutch oven. Cover and bring to a simmer. Simmer five minutes. Free PrintOut of  Cherries Dark Sweet Cherries Remove stems. Pit and chop. Cover and bring to a simmer in a stainless steel or enameled Dutch oven with six tablespoons of water and two tablespoons of lemon juice. Simmer ten minutes. Tart Red Cherries Remove s