Outdoors
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A gardener’s glossary
By B. Rosie Lerner Like many other hobbyists, gardening enthusiasts have their own jargon. Some of these terms can be confusing, especially to the gardening newcomer. Here’s a brief list of terms that all gardeners should be familiar with. Annual -— Plant that completes its life cycle from seed germination to seed production in one… Continue reading.
Goodbye to woodcock and grouse
By Jack Spaulding The expansion and reestablishment of many wildlife species in Indiana have been remarkable. Programs of reintroduction and resettlement have brought back eagles, peregrine falcons and osprey to our skies; otters to our rivers and streams; and wild turkey and white-tail deer throughout the entire state. But among the list of successes there… Continue reading.
Pointers for poinsettias
By B. Rosie Lerner The poinsettia, the most popular holiday plant, is best known as the plant with bright red flowers on a green background. But the showiest part of the poinsettia is the group of colorful specialized leaves called floral bracts that surround the small, yellowish-green structures that are the true flowers. Red is… Continue reading.
Women joining the hunt
by Jack Spaulding What do Eva Shockey, Melissa Bachman, Katniss Everdeen, and 1.5 million other women in the United States have in common? They’re hunters. Shockey and Bachman are hosts of TV hunting shows, and Everdeen is the main character in the “Hunger Games” book and movie franchise. They represent a wave of female hunters,… Continue reading.
More than gift wrapping
by B. Rosie Lerner Horrors unfold before me about this time each year. But they are not on a big screen from some Hollywood holiday blockbuster; they are watching well-meaning shoppers steer their carts full of holiday gift plants through gusty winds and miserably cold temperatures and place these frigid plant victims into icy automobiles…. Continue reading.
Dutch oven masters
by Jack Spaulding A couple of weeks ago, my wife and I were invited to a gourmet outing in Jennings County where we witnessed some of the finest cast iron culinary concoctions we have seen! Our friends Bill and Paula Beville asked if Chris and I could get away on a Friday night for dinner. Having… Continue reading.
Watering now will lessen winter injury
By B. Rosie Lerner Dry summers are not that unusual in the Midwest. But this year, the dry spell followed an unusually wet spring and early summer in many areas. Of particular concern this year is that the dry spell is lasting well into autumn, putting plants in poor condition to get through the winter… Continue reading.
Hoosier scorpion
by Jack Spaulding Recently, I got a call from Jason Knueven of the Batesville area. Jason is a grandson to Roman Nobbe, and like his grandfather, takes a great deal of interest in the outdoors. He had my undivided attention with the first words out of his mouth when he said, “I’ve got a scorpion… Continue reading.
Digging ginseng
‘Digging it” was a popular saying way back in the day. For an old hippie, it means being in tune with or appreciating something. But, for old time woodland foragers, “digging it” means hunting for ginseng. Ginseng is an ancient mystical plant, highly valued by herbalists for its wide variety of applications, cures and treatment… Continue reading.
One bad apple can spoil
The Osmonds’ big 1970 hit “One Bad Apple” might give good advice on love, but the brother band didn’t know anything about storing apples. One bad apple can spoil the whole bunch. If you have excess apples this fall and want to store them, pick only good-quality fruit that is free of bruises, cuts or… Continue reading.
Gardening for pollinators
Pollinators are all the “buzz” these days as focus on the health of pollinators, so critical to food and ecosystems, continues. It may surprise you to learn that the honeybee is native to Europe and was introduced to the United States. But there are also numerous other pollinator species including native bees, butterflies and moths,… Continue reading.
Turtle midwife
My wife got an early start on her yard work and was hard at weeding when I left for work. Walking out to her flower garden, I wished her a good day, got in the truck and left for work. When I returned that afternoon, she greeted me with, “Where is the outdoorsman you are… Continue reading.