In ancient times, Egyptians dyed eggs as a rite of spring. People in Persia gave each other gift eggs to celebrate spring. The custom of dying eggs was probably brought to Europe by the Crusaders and was expanded in Germany to involve rabbits and hidden surprises. Until commercial dyes developed in the 19th century, people colored eggs with whatever roots, berries, leaves and flowers were available. 

Some natural egg dyes include: 

• Blackberry shoots - light gray
• Blueberries, frozen - light, grayish blue
• Red Cabbage - blue
• Red Onion Skins - light blue to purplish 
• Beets - raspberry 
• Sassafras Roots, dried - orange
• Paprika - light reddish brown
• Coffee, instant - dark brown
• Turmeric - yellow

Circa 1995


Garden centers are bursting with colorful flowers, thriving shrubs and blooming trees.  These centers strategically place their best stock in prime viewing position for anxious spring gardeners to drool over and, eventually, purchase though they may not really need those specific plants. Before you make a landscape investment, check out the reputation of the garden center and consider your specific plant needs. 

Where to buy plant material
A good green house should be clean - free of insect-and-disease harboring weeds and debris. Look for a display garden that shows how mature plants will appear. Always try to buy from a grower rather than a plant merchandiser. 

A good nursery will have plenty of signs and tags on each plant that includes the genus, species, and cultivar names. Tags also should state color, height, blooming season, hardiness information, and the soil, light and moisture requirements. 

Employees should be able to answer your questions such as where was the plant grown? Ask about guarantees. Many garden centers will either replace dead plants or offer credit toward a new purchase. 

Selecting the right plant
Look for fat, stocky plants with healthy green leaves. Avoid plants with tall spindly stem and widely spaced leaves. Try to buy annuals before they bloom for a more spectacular show. 

All plants should be insect-free. Check the undersides of leaves for pests, and damage such as speckling from spider mites or bite-shaped holes on leaf margins form weevils and other pests. 

Discolored leaves indicate earlier watering problems, or plants with brown and dying centers. Plants should have well-developed root balls that hold their shape when slipped out of the pots. Short, white, "hairy" roots should just be visibly emerging from the soil. Disregard plants with dark or mushy roots or those that smell of ammonia.

By selecting a reputable garden center and the healthiest plants, a spring garden can be a very rewarding activity. 

Circa 1994

- Ann Wolski

• Acorns, pokeweed berries, yew berries and buckeyes are all toxic if ingested by curious children. Vomiting, abdominal pain and sometimes liver and kidney damage can occur. 
• Consider hardy annuals such as carnations, dianthus, dusty miller, pansies and snapdragons instead of mums to provide good bloom well into October
• Prepare trees, shrubs and perennials for winter by making sure they have enough water. Moisture helps plants withstand freeze damage. 
• Early fall is a good time to apply broadleaf weed killer. 
• Water indoor plants less and stop fertilizing as their growth slows during fall months 
• Migrating songbirds can climb heights of 5,000 to 20,000 ft. and travel at 15 to 30 mph, covering 90 to 150 miles per night. 
• Sugar Maples have the most dramatic fall color and are found throughout Indiana. 
• Save plants such as coleus, wax begonias, impatiens or fuschia for indoor growing over winter. Dig the plants and cut them back about half way. Root them in moist vermiculite, soil mix or perlite. 
• Fall aeration of the soil is the best way to loosen it and provide grass roots with more nutrients, air and moisture. 
• Evergreens hung on a door once was an invitation to woodland spirits to enter the home to bring health and prosperity to the household. 

Circa 1994
- Ann Wolski

They pop up when you least expect it. They can overrun your yard with a sea of yellow and though pretty to look at, they can destroy all other living things. The origin of the dandelion is not known but probably came for Central Asia. It's name is a mispronunciation of the French "dent de lion" or "lion's teeth."

Dandelions have been the source of many old legends and beliefs. It is said that if the seeds are blown away by the wind in early morning, there will be good weather. If the seeds leave the stalk without having been blown by the wind, it will rain. If you can blow away all the seeds in three puffs your mother does not want you home. However, if any seeds are left, hurry home fast! After blowing hard count the seeds that remain to find out how many children you will have.

The English used dandelion roots as a spring tonic and was said to purify the blood, benefit the liver and help with rheumatism. The Irish used the dandelion as a tonic and cure for heart disease. The juice when rubbed on warts, supposedly, caused then to disappear. 

Every part of a dandelion - leaves, stem, flowers and roots - are edible. Dandelion greens are an important source of vitamin A. Sauteed dandelion buds can be used in omelets; the petals in sandwiches; the stems and blossoms for making wine. By roasting the roots, dandelions become a coffee substitute and sometimes mixed with coffee. The roots contain a substance that is used as a laxative. The roots of a species of Russian dandelion produces latex from which rubber is made. 

Circa 1994
- Ann Wolski

• Pomologist - a person who cultivates fruit professionally.
• Bees are unable to fly in temperatures below 54 degrees. On cool evenings, its a long walk back to the hive. 
• Start seeds of broccoli, cabbage and brussels sprouts to transplant later for a fall harvest. 
• For long-lasting blooms on garden-cut flowers, place cut stems in warm water and store overnight in a cool location. 
• Trees with turf over their roots are more subject to drought stress than trees with mulch over their roots.  
• To attract attention to your home, plant flowers that match the new shade of paint on your front door or shutters.
• The first evidence of gardens is found on Egyptian tomb paintings around 2000 B.C.
• Water in early morning or evening to minimize evaporation. You can also water late at night when water pressure is usually higher. 
• Basil's original home is Africa.
• Grass clippings are a natural, nitrogen-rich, slow release fertilizer for your lawn.