 The presidential turkey pardon can be traced back to 1863, when Abraham Lincoln granted clemency to a live turkey intended for his family’s Christmas dinner.
On November 5, 2025, the Beaver Moon will light up the night sky as a supermoon. This means the moon will be closer to earth than usual, shining bigger and brighter than any other full moon this year. When we rake leaves away, we’re removing the winter insulation for insects, larvae, and eggs. Caterpillars, beetles and other insects overwinter under these leaves, in the soil, and in hollow stems where they lived during the summer. These creatures are critical for returning birds in the spring so don’t rake them away. Instead, try moving leaves into flower beds, around trees, or beneath shrubs. According to the National Turkey Federation, around 88% of Americans enjoy turkey as part of their holiday feast each year. That adds up to over 46 million turkeys. The green bean casserole recipe was developed by a woman named Dorcas Reilly, who worked in Campbell’s home economics department. Originally called Green Bean Bake, the recipe became a sensation when the company began printing it on the labels of its Cream of Mushroom soup cans. Prepare your garden for cold weather by:
Tatsoi is a nutritious Asian green vegetable with a mild, slightly mustard-like flavor and a slightly sweet and crunchy taste. Apple math: ½ bushel of apples = 24 pounds (approximately 60 apples); one peck of apples = ¼ of a bushel or 12 pounds (approximately 30 apples); 1 pound= approximately 3 cups cored, sliced apples Mow lawn to maintain a 2-21/2-inch height. Unique Indiana animal laws:
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 Fall is a good time for planting mums, kale and pansies. SKI Landscape will be installing 1,475 mums, 111 kale plants, and 630 pansies throughout 24 properties within the Indianapolis community.
How to grow a 3,000-year-old tree. What's a Brumby? From simple railroad stop to presidential landmark and many more important fun facts in this latest issue of the SKI Landscape Newsletter!
conta.cc/41olbRZ  In Roman mythology, September was believed to be governed by Vulcan, the deity associated with fire, blacksmiths, and volcanoes. The Romans associated this deity with strength and ferocity, and they believed that the month of September was particularly prone to volcanic activity and fires.
Labor Day, an annual celebration of workers and their achievements, originated during one of American labor history’s most dismal chapters. In the wake of this massive unrest and to repair ties with American workers, Congress passed an act making Labor Day a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories. On June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed it into law. More than a century later, the true founder of Labor Day has yet to be identified. Mature green tomatoes can be ripened indoors. Individually wrap fruit in newspaper, or leave them on the vine, pulling the entire plant out of the garden. Store in cool (55 to 60 degrees F) location. For houseplants that have been outside for the summer, wash foliage with warm water and soap to remove dust and kill insects. Then take the plants indoors. When apple picking grab it delicately with your whole hand and twist the apple upward to put it off the branch. Place the apple gently into your container instead of just dropping it to prevent bruising. A group of hippos is known as a “herd”, “pod”, “dale” or “bloat”. Add this to your list of how Indiana got the nickname of Hoosiers: “Hoosier” is attributed to Gov. Joseph Wright who derived Hoosier from an Indian word for corn, "hoosa." Indiana “flatboat men” taking corn or maize to New Orleans came to be known as "hoosa men" or Hoosiers. A kitchen faucet would need to be turned on all the way for at least 45 years to equal the amount of blood pumped by the heart in an average lifetime. As we come into the cold and flu season, here are four high-performing foods that need to be added to favorite dishes. Clementines are rich in folate, potassium vitamin A and many disease fighting antioxidants. Cardamom have many antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Lentils contain 18 grams of protein per cup. Hazelnuts are a great source for omega-6 fatty acids , vitamin E and calcium. About 700 grapes go into one bottle of wine. By: Karen Mitchell, [email protected]
Fall is quickly approaching, bringing cooler temperatures, refreshing rains, and fewer pests. It’s a perfect time to tackle garden tasks, from pruning perennials to planting vegetables. Pruning Fall is a good time to prune out dead, damaged, or diseased plant material . You can also tidy up perennials that have finished blooming and make light shaping cuts on shrubs. Consider saving some stems when cutting back the spent blooms of herbaceous perennials. When left standing, these stems provide habitat for pollinators and food for wildlife while also adding winter interest to a garden that may otherwise remain empty for the cold months ahead . The highbush cranberry (Viburnum opulus) provides year-round interest with ornate flowers, bright berries, and vibrant fall foliage. These spring-blooming shrubs are best pruned after flowering, but damaged or diseased branches can be pruned out at any time. When left standing, the spent blooms of purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) provide habitat and food for wildlife while adding winter interest. Do not prune spring-blooming shrubs such as lilacs, forsythia, or spicebush in the fall, otherwise you’ll cut off next year’s flower buds. The bigleaf and oakleaf hydrangea also produce blooms on old wood . These are best pruned immediately after flowering. Always use sharp, clean tools and cut just above a bud or branch junction at a slight angle. For pruning best practices along with a comprehensive list of recommended pruning times for common woody perennials, refer to Pruning Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. The ‘Ruby Slippers’ oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) should be pruned after flowering to remove spent blooms, maintain shape, or reduce the overall size. However, spent blooms may be left for continued interest. Planting Fall is prime time to plant hardy perennials, trees, and shrubs. The soil remains warm long after the air temperature drops, giving roots time to establish before the ground freezes. Aim to finish planting by mid-to-late October in most parts of Indiana. Consider natives such as purple coneflower, serviceberry, or buttonbush for low-maintenance beauty. Visit the Indiana Native Plant Society’s Native Plant Finder to explore other native options for your landscape. Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) has a long bloom period starting in June and extending into September or October. The vibrant blooms also provide food for a wide range of pollinators. It’s also the season for planting bulbs for spring blooms and vegetables for a fall harvest. Tulips, daffodils, and crocus should be planted before the soil freezes to provide a burst of early spring color. You can also sow quick-growing cool-season vegetables like leaf lettuce, spinach, and radishes for a fall harvest. Check out The Fall Vegetable Garden for a planting guide on cool-season vegetables. The cooler conditions in fall are ideal for cool-season crops like spinach, which prefer temperatures between 50°F and 60°F. Prep for Winter Protection & Spring Success Trees, shrubs, and perennials should continue to be irrigated deeply up until the ground freezes. Add a layer of mulch after the soil cools to insulate roots from harsh temperature swings. Be sure to keep mulch a few inches away from tree trunks or shrub stems to prevent rot or rodent damage. Winterize Your Trees offers more tips on protecting your perennials from the often frigid and dry conditions of an Indiana winter. Adding a layer of mulch around trees and shrubs insulate the roots from harsh temperatures and help to retain moisture. However, avoid piling mulch against the trunk. Volcano mulching, as seen here, causes problems such as rot and provides shelter for rodents as they chew on the trunk. Referenced resources Pruning Ornamental Trees and Shrubs – Purdue Extension HO-4-W https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/HO/HO-4-W.pdf Indiana Native Plant Society’s – Native Plant Finder https://finder.indiananativeplants.org/ The Fall Vegetable Garden – Purdue Extension HO-66-W https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/HO/HO-66-W.pdf Winterize Your Trees – Purdue Extension FNR-484-W https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/fnr/fnr-484-w.pdf It is the policy of the Purdue University that all persons have equal opportunity and access to its educational programs, services, activities, and facilities without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, disability or status as a veteran. Purdue is an Affirmative Action Institution. This material may be available in alternative formats. 1-888-EXT-INFO Disclaimer: Reference to products in this publication is not intended to be an endorsement to the exclusion of others which may have similar uses. Any person using products listed in this publication assumes full responsibility for their use in accordance with current directions of the manufacturer. Purdue Landscape Report © Purdue University - purduelandscapereport.org 
 The American Flag: red stripes signify valor, sacrifice and blood
white stripes represent virtue and unity blue stripes stand for liberty and freedom “We take the stars from heaven.” (George Washington) July was originally the month of Quintilis in the Roman calendar. It was the fifth month of the year until January and February were added in 450 BC. Around 150 million hot dogs are consumed on Fourth of July. Water plants deeply and regularly, especially during hot, dry spells. Water in the early evening to minimize evaporation and prevent rot. Avoid any further pruning of spring-flowering shrubs. These bushes should be setting their buds for next season by this time, so you will want to let them be, so they will have bountiful blooms come springtime! The wired cage that holds a cork on a bottle of champagne is called an agraffe. Divide daylilies and irises this month. If you want pumpkins for baking, autumn decorating, or carving, now’s the time to get your seeds in the ground. Look for compact varieties if you’re short on space, though those vines still require about 6 to 8 square feet to grow. Place a few pumpkin seeds in each hole, and keep watered, especially when flowers and fruits are forming. Switzerland has four official languages: German, French, Italian and Romansh, reflecting its diverse cultural heritage. “Old Faithful” in Yellowstone National Park is the world’s most famous geyser. It erupts once every sixty-five minutes and lasts for about six seconds. The height of the eruptions is from 120 to 150 feet. "Moon trees" in Indiana. Which should you use--gravel or stone--in your landscape? SKI Tip advice and lots more interesting fun facts!!! https://conta.cc/4kjFgAk
 The first day of summer is the summer solstice. This happens in June every year. Solstice means “stilled,” “standing,” or “stopped” sun.
Lightning can strike out of a sunny sky 10 miles or more from a storm. Many lightning casualties occur as a storm approach or within 30 minutes after it has passed. Apply mulch to control weeds and conserve soil moisture after soil has warmed. Producing a Tesla battery requires mining several key materials, including lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese. Extracting one ton of lithium alone can require up to 500,000 gallons of water. Moles have an extra thumb on each forelimb that helps them dig. Moles capture earthworms and store them for later—sometimes hundreds at a time. The star-nosed mole can catch and eat prey in 230 milliseconds, the fastest of any mammal. In case of a flood, put your valuable or cherished papers in the freezer to stop mildew growth and deterioration until you can attend to them. Selenophile—a person who loves the moon. Plant marigolds around edges of gardens to keep the insects away. Deeply water newly planted trees, shrubs, annuals and perennials every seven to 10 days when rain is lacking. Water lawns and vegetable gardens too. The June beetle sometimes known as the June bug, is a type of insect that lives in the United States only between May and June and eats a variety of plants and bushes.  May 1 is May Basket Day. This tradition was popular through the 19th and 20th centuries, especially with children or sweethearts. The custom was to knock on the door, yell “May basket!” and then run. If the recipient caught the giver, he or she was entitled to a kiss. In Hawaii it’s called “Lei Day,” and people make pretty leis for each other. In parts of Ireland, people would make a May bush; typically, this was a thorn bush or branch decorated with flowers and ribbons. People in Britain welcome spring by “Bringing in the May,” or gathering cuttings of flowering trees for their homes. The French have a tradition of giving each other Lily of the Valley since it is their special May Day flower.
Ten women have started the Indianapolis 500: Janet Guthrie (1977-79); Desire Wilson (1982-84); Lyn St. James (1992-97, 200-); Sarah Fisher (2000-04, 2007-10); Danica Patrick (2005-11); Milka Duno (2007-09); Ana Beatriz (2010-12); Simona de Silvestro (2010-12); Pippa Mann (2011,2013-16); Katherine Legge (2012). Early in the month you can still plant cool-weather crops such as lettuce, radishes, carrots, onions and potatoes. Prune early-spring-flowering trees and shrubs as blooms fade. What causes toasted skin syndrome? Exposing your skin directly to low-grade heat repeatedly for long periods of time can lead to “erythema ab igne”. The heat sources can include space heaters at close range, heating pads, hot water bottles, heated car seats and even laptops. A heat index is a measure of how hot it feels when humidity is factored in with the actual air temperature. This combination reduces your body’s ability to cool itself. The Middlemist Red Carmellia, or Camillia japonica “Middlemist’s Red”, is an exceptionally rare flower with vibrant pinkish-red petals. There are only two living specimens in the world, are in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The way it smells after it rains is called petrichor. Drought tolerant flowers in Indiana include: cosmos, salvias, annual vinca, narrow-leaved zinnias, portulaca (moss rose), wax begonias, and Melampodium. Avoid impatiens. You don't have muscles in your fingers that help you move them. They're controlled by the muscles in your palms and arms. |
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