Circa 1996
A deep longing for spring hits you while walking down the Indianapolis HomeShow aisles.  At the sight of bright blooming tulips, daffodils, and crocuses winter can be forgotten for a minute. But flowers are not too happy peaking out before the spring thaw and landscapers have to encourage them to bloom early.  With a few helpful tips you can force bulbs to produce a springtime display in your own home.

Circa 1998
1) Prepare the soil. Remove plant debris - both crops and weeds from the garden and discard or compost. Fall tilling, except in erosion-prone areas, will improve soil structure and usually leads to faster soil-warming and drying in the spring, allowing crops to be started earlier.

2)  Feed the lawn. Fertilize your turf now so the grass will look better over the winter months and will grow thicker tops and deeper roots in the spring.

3)  Clean tools. Fill a bucket with coarse sand that's lightly moistened with motor oil and dip the metal ends of tools into it until they come clean, then wipe them with a dry cloth.

4)  Make a map. Before all plants have died make a simple sketch showing where the plants are. This will help next year in rotating crops in a vegetable garden and for deciding where new plants will be planted.

5) Drain your hoses. Make sure that all outdoor pipes and spigots have been drained.

6)  Store tubers. Dig up summer flowering bulbs, dry them thoroughly, and store them in a dark, cool, dry place.

7)  Mulch. Mulch acts as a insulation, protecting plants' root systems. It also conserves soil moisture. Mulch should be applied no more than 3-4 inches deep. Pile mulch 3-6 inches away from tree trunks.

Circa 2000
In 1533 thirteen-year-old Catherine de Medici traveled to France to marry the future king, Henry II. She brought with her the arts and refinements of Italian culture including many horticultural projects such as Jardins des Tuileries in Paris.  Under her reign the Italian Renaissance style was taken to new heights.

Circa 1999
The history of the garden is rich and varied, spanning cultures and countries throughout the world. A previous article discussed gardening beginning with the written descriptions of Egyptian plantings in 2000 B.C. through 607 A.D. and the creation of lavish Chinese gardens. The development of the garden continues with the fall of the Roman Empire. After the roman Empire collapsed, Roman gardens throughout the empire fell into ruin. Complex pipes and pools supporting the fountains, aqueducts, and Roman baths were destroyed.  

He has been called " the father of our national parks." As an environmentalist pioneer, her was the first to speak out against adverse logging and farming practices. John Muir devoted his life to the study of the natural world and it was an incident in Indianapolis that led him to his destiny.  

John Muir was born in Dunbar, Scotland in 1838. He was surrounded by the North Sea, the Lammer-Muir Hills, and the Firth of Forth ( the point where the Forth River meets the ocean).  His first 11 years were spent observing the natural struggle between the sea and the mountains. 

In 1849 Muir came to America with his father. They settled in Wisconsin and the rest of the family joined them within the year. It was on the Muir Wisconsin farm that John developed an appreciation for nature.  He became an avid reader and was considered to be a self-taught expert in botany and geology. As the Civil War began in 1862, Muir entered the University of Wisconsin. Two years later he moved to Canada where he spent time exploring and working in a sawmill. 

Circa 2001
Little creatures are invading your pristine garden. Some of the critters are helping maintain your favorite flowers and vegetables while some are there only to wreak havoc. 
Would  you know the difference?

Aphids
Tiny red, green or black aphids cluster on leaves and stems and suck their juices. They also carry virus and fungus diseases. 

Slugs
Slugs look like snails without shells. They'll attack the plants in your garden at night.