The calendar does not control you! You control the calendar.

In the new age of pencil-less procedures, GG goes against the grain and recommends keeping a lead-based writing form handy to track weather patterns on your nearest calendar. In other parts of the country, weather patterns are less extreme than in the desert southwest. Using a simple means of notation takes only a minute when important changes occur and frees the mind for things other than remembering.
Tips for winter maintenance:
1. Watering - It can be difficult to remember watering when temperatures get cold. Many watering systems are turned off, and the plants rely on nature and your nurture to get them through with grace. Over-watering can be an issue as well because it can prevent root development or rot them altogether. So in case of wacky and wild precipitation, or to provide a little life insurance for your plants, write it down! After acquiring the pencil, only one step required: Mark rain/snow dates down to maintain a healthy watering schedule.
2. Weeding - In January, we often start to see weeds sprouting up. The time to prevent them is BEFORE the plants appear. This can be easily accomplished with the pre-emergent corn gluten, now back in stock at GG. Corn gluten is natural and application is simple, best done with a seed spreader, but can be done by hand.
3. Feeding - When warmer temperatures return, your first fertilizing will already be done! The corn gluten is high in nitrogen and will provide extra nutrients in early spring without one thought.
Find out more about Corn Gluten as a weed'n'feed on the GG blog: www.gardenersguild.blogspot.com
In 2008, look for the new urban gardeners almanac to create your own chronicle!

Holiday hours at the GG supply shop:
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday (Dec 16-18th) 12noon -5pm
Wednesday the 19th through Saturday the 22nd 11am-7pm
Sunday, Monday (Dec 23rd and 24th) 12noon - 5pm
CLOSED Tuesday, Wednesday (Dec 25th AND 26th). Thanks!

Good things afoot for the New Year... Watch next week's email for details about 2008.