Mosquito Control in 2005?

      Deadhead spent blooms and when all blooms are spent cut the stalk at the base and continue growing in a sunny window. Fertilize weekly with houseplant fertilizer. After the danger of frost is past in the spring set pot in garden and water and fertilize with other plants. In the fall place pot inside in a dark cool place and stop watering for 6-8 weeks. Remove from closet and cut off all the dead foliage. Place plant in sunny, warm location and water once. After new growth starts, water when soil is dry to touch.

Repot in fresh potting medium every 3-4 years. Amaryllis likes to be pot bound.

      When blooms have faded in late winter prune by twisting or snipping off segments to keep plant shapely and encourage bud set for the following year. Rejuvenate plant every few years by removing the root ball and scoring it with a knife making 3-4 "V" cuts. Repot in fresh medium. Propagation is by cuttings. Dip the segments in rooting hormone; allow to callous over for 2-3 days and plant in damp, fast draining potting mix. Water when soil is dry to the touch, and apply balanced fertilizer one-half strength when plants have resumed active growth and again in June. Give zero nitrogen fertilizer in September to help plant set blooms. Enjoy year after year and share cuttings.

FORCED BULBS:

      After blooming, forced bulbs, such as, hyacinths, daffodils, tulips, and crocus can be planted the garden in the spring and fertilized and watered like other plants. Then they can be brought in for 6-10 weeks of cold storage and then re-forced. However it is better to use fresh new bulbs each year for the best results and they are inexpensive.

      Poinsettias can bloom with proper care until spring, but usually by Valentines Day we are tired of them. They are one of the most difficult of plants to get to bloom again and you are better off to invest in new healthy plants the following year.

Frostbite results from exposure to low temperatures, wind and moisture over a period of time. It can occur anywhere outside during cold temperatures. As a parent you need to be aware of the causes and symptoms of frostbite in children as well as other adults and know what to do when you suspect frostbite. For older children and teenagers, it is also important educate them. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY if you suspect Frostbite.

There are two degrees of frostbite:

• Superficial frostbite that looks like gray or yellowish patches on the skin, especially, fingers, toes, face, ears but can occur on any exposed skin. The first symptoms are usually numbness or itching and prickly pain. The skin remains soft but becomes red and flaky after it thaws.
• Deep or Severe Frostbite looks like waxy and pale skin and feels cold, hard and solid to the touch. The areas turn blue or purple when thawing and large blisters may appear when the area warms up.

What to do if you suspect frostbite:

• As soon as you suspect frostbite, get out of the cold and to a warm place.
• Seek medical attention immediately.
• Warm affected area with warm body part.
• Remove any tight clothing to increase circulation.
• If affected area is partially thawed, place in warm (not hot) water (102 to 106 degrees Fahrenheit). If the water is too cool, thawing will take too long. It takes about 20 to 40 minutes for tissues to soften.
• Have the victim drink warm fluids to help increase circulation and warm the body - no caffeine or alcohol.
• NEVER rub or massage the affected area and never put snow or ice on the frostbite. The area can be protected with a sterile bandage and aloe vera cream can be applied.

JUDY’S JOTTINGS…..

      Did you know that birds walk on their toes with their heels in the air? Did you know birds migrating across the Gulf of Mexico fly 500 miles without resting? Did you know if we used energy at the rate of a Hummingbird, we would have to eat 340 pounds of potatoes every day?….Kind of defies the expression "eats like a bird!"

      My mother, who still loves to cook at the age of 84, made something surprisingly tasty and SO EASY last time we visited her in Iowa…mix together a pkg. (dry) yellow cake mix and a 20-oz can of crushed pineapple (with juice) and put in cupcake wrappers and bake as usual about 20 minutes at 350…I think you will like these….chopped pecans on top adds a little pizazz. Did you know piecrust will be flakier if you let it rest for about 30 minutes before rolling it out?

      I am a seed-saver….how about you? Especially annual flowers…did you know cleome and some poppies grow better if you just scatter them and not cover the seeds up, because they need light to germinate A lot of wildflowers are that way too. Some seeds (morning glory and sweet pea) grow better if you nick them with a knife or soak in water for up to 24 hours before planting.

Hope your Holidays were healthy, happy and filled with love and family…Family and friends make all the Holidays so special…..I also pray for World Peace and less conflict…and good health for all of us.

      When this Lake Association Newsletter first started, we had a matriarch lady, named Coe Strain, writing articles on nature subjects around Baldwin Lake. Although it’s been several years, these stories were quite interesting because they are one of the many reasons why a lot of us live here.

      I feel fortunate to live where we do on the lake because we do see a lot of wildlife. On the north end is where the main swamp area comes in and behind us is about 150 acres of woods. With the quantity of woods and swamp behind us, rare sightings of Pilated Woodpeckers and Red-tail hawks are common. We have also observed a grown Bald Eagle on the ice, scavenging some fish left on top. Deer are everywhere of course... we even had tracks last winter on our patio, up the steps beside the house.

      This time of the year, as winter approaches, you can almost see it coming , through the migratory birds. The loons are coming through now as the wood ducks will do in the spring. The geese though, never seem to leave.

      I have seen at this end of the lake many muskrats and even mink along the shore in the 30 years we have been here, but last week I was quite surprised to see a full grown beaver swimming past our house towards the marshy area. I have seen these animals many times in Canada, but never on Baldwin Lake.

      This time of the year, as Coe did, I feed the birds. We go through several hundred pounds of feed and thistle seed, along with numerous suet blocks for the woodpeckers. Also, with all this the squirrel wars begin...but that’s another story.

      The fall is leaving us swiftly and the ice will be on our beloved lake before we know it. This too opens another page in Mother Nature’s book.

      If anyone has any interesting or rare wild life sightings, I would like to hear about it. Give me a call. (phone number on back page)

Mike Crofoot