I’ve been an avid MiracleGro user for many years now, I use it on all my flowers, vegetables and plants all year long. But,for some time nowI’ve  had a problem using it as directed  If you read the directions before using their product, they tell you to use the small measuring spoon to measure the proper amount of product when mixing into a container. The problem I’ve had with this is that before I’m done wateringmy  flowersI’m out of product and I have to walk around the house measure somemore MiracleGro, mix it with water and repeat this process again and again until all my plants are watered This process might be done  5 or 6 times a week, Stopping and starting,!Measuring and filling until I’m done. Yes I could use a hose-end sprayer, but a hose-end sprayer has it’s own problems, you still have to drag the hose around the house everytime you want to fertilize your flowers, “What a Pain”.  Well I’ve solved the problem on both ends. Thanks to our lawncare professionals.  One day while watching them spraying my lawn with fertilizer I notice a large plastic container strapped onto his truck. I started thinking  if I had a container like this pre- filled with MiracleGro I could then fill up my watering can and water my flowers more effiiciently! What an idea! No starting and stopping Needless to say I now had to find a large plastic container. but where?  I checked out the internet and found a company that sold large vertical plastic containers. Ace Roto Mold, a Division of Den Hartog Ind. Inc.  So I ordered a 50 gallon vertical plastic container and in about one week I had a perfect container to mix my Miracle Gro in. After building a stand to place the container on I had to install a spout on the front, mix my Miracle Gro in the container  and fill my watering can up. No more back and forth etc. Try it you might find this tip  helpful!

At first, cutting the lawn was my only outlet from the daily frustrations of my stroke. But, I had plenty of time while walking around  pushing the mower to reflect on my life and situation and plan for what would be my next project to do around the yard.  As I walked ever so strongly around the yard I would make mental notes of chores I needed to do to meet my high expectations. The walking was not only good for my legs and body, it gave me the time to talk to God on a daily basis asking for his healing touch.  Praying to God, I would thank him daily for my loving family who stood by me during this time of healing. After this time of mental note taking, I would then go into the house and actually make a list of all the chores I needed to do the next day. Cut down this branch, Dig out this plant and pick up these sweet gum balls  our messy “sweet gum tree” left during the last rain storm. Making a list not only  helped with my rehabilitation it providing me with the focus I needed each and every day, I wouldn’t get off track and I could see small accomplishments with each task I crossed out.  My ability to pick up sticks or cutting branches was limited at first because of my left hand, but each time I did this I had to mentally force my hand to open and close around the object, picking it up and dropping it into a basket.  This activity was done day after day, week after week, month after month, until finally my hand and arm started to work normally. It wasn’t easy at first only frustrating, but I was determined! My yard was to be taken care of by me and Me Only!  Finally the lawn was clear of all unwanted debris and I did it all by myself.  Now, all I had to do was come up with another project I needed to do so let’s go to my list.  Oh yea, my Vegetable Garden.

As I previously stated, after my stroke in 05 my body was a mess. My left leg wouldn’t work, my left shoulder and hand just hung there all curled-up like a claw! So my gardening would just have to wait until I had more movement in both. I had two options that laid ahead of me. One I could stay in bed and sleep all day and two I could feel sorry for myself. Neither options were for me.  First of all I’ve never been a quitter never! In school, sports or business, I’ve always pushed myself through the tuff times and succeeded. Now I could use my stroke and disability as an excuse or I could use it as a reason To get back into the game. “Gardening!” I chose the second!  So, my first step was to start with something I knew I could do cutting the grass.  I knew my left hand and shoulder would allow me to grab the lawnmower handle and all I had to do was push and walk behind it very slowly. It wouldn’t be easy at first, but little by little my walking became stronger and stronger, my pace became quicker and quicker, day after day, week after week, when finally the yard was done. Hurray! I did it! What a surprise. This gave me some satisfaction. It made me think what else could I do?  How about going to the next level “Planting and pruning the flowers and shrubs etc. Could I do this? I just didn’t know.

The morning of January 25, 2005 became a mile-stone in my life when after being on the floor petting our Dog, “Maggie” I was unable to right myself, get up and go to the bathroom. Struggling to get up my wife immediately knew something was seriously wrong as she watched me twisting and turning in vain! After a 911 call to the EMT’s, I found myself an hour later lying in a hospital bed being diagnosed with a right middle cerebral stroke at the ripe old age of 52. The stroke was not that serious, but “ I was still alive”, unfortunately it seriously effected the left side of my body. M y arm, my hand and my leg, all left with limited movement! My left hand began it curl up onto itself, leaving limited mobility to open and close, unable to pick things up like a toothbrush, fork or even a comb, My left arm after a few weeks in the hospital developed into what was later diagnosed to be a “frozen shoulder” Very painfull! My left leg although still able to move a little was still very weak and wobbly. I could walk with no aids,of any kind, but its strength was still very feeble As I lay there in bed at night,looking at the celling my mind would wander , what will I do now? What can I do now? Will I be able to go back to work? Can I still play some basketball? Lift weights? And of cource, Who’s going to take care of my Yard and lawn in the Spring and Summer? My Passion for many years has always been Gardening. Cutting the lawn, Trimming the trees, planting and watering the flowers. I enjoyed everything about it. The “landscaping projects” the planning and designing of things I loved it so much. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll just rip it out and start all over again, until it does.Now I’m at the cross-roads in my life, lying in bed feeling sorry for my self thinking who’s going to do all this yard work? How will I cope with this illness and of course can I still be active? Active in the yard, active with my family Active in Life! Needless to say when Spring came it all worked out for the good, My loving wife Libby”God Bless her Soul” made a laundry list of all the things I wanted to do around the house and gathered up some of my closest friends and relatives and they did my yard work for me the first spring weekend, while I barked out the orders. Do this! Do that! No, the other trash-can! Of course it just wasn’t the same.Watching others do what I wanted to do and Loved to do, but any way it was a start!
More to come later!

Gardening is one hobby that is both relaxing and exciting at the same time. In today’s times when everything is processed, growing veggies right at your own backyard can entail a lot of benefits, not to mention the feeling of fulfillment when it is time to harvest and eat your freshly picked produce. However if you are just a beginner when it comes to gardening, you’ll probably wonder how to start a vegetable garden. What type of seeds to grow? Well, it doesn’t have to be complicated, all it takes is careful planning and basic information about the veggies you want to grow. Here are some pointers you can consider about starting up a vegetable garden.

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The first thing you need to do is to figure out what vegetables you want to grow. Ideally, give priority to those vegetables that you like eating; it will be futile to plant crops that you don’t like, unless otherwise you are aiming to sell it afterwards. Make a list of the vegetables you want to grow according to family or category. This way you will have an easier time figuring out the planting rotations. Sweet corn, beans and peas, tomatoes and young spinach are among those that are most valued for their incredible flavor when eaten fresh from the garden that you might want to give priority to grow.

You must also take into consideration your garden site. A place where your plants can get the most sunlight for at least six hours is the best one to choose. Planning your garden carefully will enable you to keep away from having problems in the future. It is very important to make it a point that it is the needs of your plants that should be given priority and not the appearance.

Another factor to consider on how to start a vegetable garden is the soil type. You can improve the soil quality by adding organic matter, lime and nutrients. Select a site for your garden that is well drained and rich in organic matter.

Water is another important requirement for plants and it is especially important at transplanting time or when a plant is on the process of making fruit, so make sure that you place your garden near a water source.

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