Summer Garden Cleaning for Fall Planting #Gardening

It has been a very productive summer growing season. I have tried some new vegetables like Okra and a new cucumber variety. A few vegetables did not make it, but I will try again next year, like the Black Beauty Eggplant, which did not like the heat so much, it was too hot a little too soon for the plant. I had a fantastic season of sunflowers and will be planting more for the Fall, just in time for Halloween and a little bit into November, with our late November first frost date. My zinnias lasted the entire season and dropped SO many seeds that they are growing again, along with some transplants I picked up at the garden center, not knowing they were coming. I am starting my Fall vegetables indoors and will share more with you as the weeks go by. 

I hope you are doing well and feeling well and enjoying your garden or getting some fresh air out in nature.

In the video below, I am Summer cleaning the garden to prepare for fall planting. This year, I will be ready to plant my Brassicas on time.

Nice Gifts for Gardeners, available now on Amazon:

The Old Farmer's Almanac Vegetable Gardener’s Handbook (Old Farmer's Almanac (Paperback))

Garden Kneeler and Seat, Foldable Garden Stool Heavy Duty

Worm Factory 360 Black US-Made Composting System for Recycling Food Waste at Home

Solar Lights Outdoor Garden Decor, Large Hanging Lantern Waterproof Watering Can

Replacing Front Porch Wooden Railing #Diyprojects

I hope all has been well. I have been super busy this summer and I'm still completing DIY projects as they come along into the fall season. In this video, I am replacing the front porch railing. The wooden banister could no longer be repaired with wood filler. I decided to use redwood because it is rot-resistant and hopefully will hold up to the hot sun and rain that's coming this Fall. It was a pretty straightforward project, but getting those screws lined up to screw in the ballisters was the toughest part of this DIY project, but I did it and you can too if this is a project on your to-do list. Be patient with yourself and grab a helper if you need to. Your project will be completed before you know it! 

Laying Vigoro Mulch in the Garden #GardeningTips

It's finally time to lay Vigoro Mulch in the garden to complete the landscaping in the central area of my garden. I decided to use Vigoro because it was available at my local hardware store and they were also having their Spring sale so I had to take advantage of a good deal. I purchased approximately 65 bags. Now that I am enjoying gardening I look for deals. I wanted to use a local business, but I couldn't find a company working on my specific project and timeframe. Since I laid the landscape fabric first, the Vigoro mulch was a breeze to put down. I decided to purchase their brown mulch, but it comes in other colors, red and black also. I wanted to remain as natural as possible. I'm not going to be watering my mulch so I wasn't worried about it discoloring so I'm expecting it to maintain its color for some time. Overall, I am happy with the Vigoro mulch and will be purchasing again next year to refill some areas that may need a touch-up. At the end of this video, I show a panoramic view of the end result. It feels good to now have a nice space to continue to grow more fruits and vegetables. 

Home Landscaping Resources

California Home Landscaping, 3rd Edition (Creative Homeowner) Over 400 Color Photos & Illustrations

Flower Gardening for Beginners: The Essential 3-Step System on How to Plant Flowers, Grow from Seeds, Design Your Landscape, and Maintain a Beautiful Flower Yard

Encyclopedia of Landscape Design: Planning, Building, and Planting Your Perfect Outdoor Space

Ultimate Guide: Walks, Patios & Walls (Creative Homeowner) Design Ideas with Step-by-Step DIY Instructions and More Than 500 Photos for Brick, Mortar, Concrete, Flagstone, & Tile (Landscaping) 

Northeast Home Landscaping, 3rd Edition: Including Southeast Canada (Creative Homeowner) 54 Landscape Designs, 200+ Plants & Flowers Best Suited to CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT, NB, NS, ON, PE, & QC

Southeast Home Landscaping, 3rd Edition (Creative Homeowner) 54 Landscape Designs with Over 200 Plants & Flowers Best Suited to AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, & TN

Laying Landscape Fabric in the Garden

Before getting into the garden, I have to feed my pet babies, two dogs, two cats, two guinea pigs, two goldfish, and a bunch of cichlids. Once they are satisfied, I can enjoy my day in the garden. In this case, it took me two days to completely cover my garden area with landscape fabric, but I'm SO glad I did it. I love it! I purchased the landscape fabric from Amazon and it arrived fast. I was surprised since it was so heavy and bulky, but it is a nice woven fabric. I wanted to try this type of fabric this time to see how well it holds up to the weeds. The wind was blowing pretty hard on this day and I was doing this project by myself so rocks definitely came in handy. So far I like the landscape fabric I purchased and would recommend it to others. I know other YouTubers who garden in-ground use it too, but it's working out nicely for me.  The video below shows my process for completing this task, laying landscape fabric in the garden.

Are you working on a garden this year? If so, how has it been going?

Products I Used in This Video

Weed Barrier 6.5 x 300 FT Garden Landscape Fabric 

Ashman Landscape Staples, 200 Count Heavy Duty & Anti Rust 

Visting Ojai, CA for My Birthday Trip

In this video below, I am visiting Ojai, CA for my birthday trip. I was SO busy during the week on my actual birthday, June 9th, that I had to celebrate during the weekend and explore then too. I like to do something new and different when my birthday comes around. I enjoy learning new things and discovering new places, so I decided to visit Ojai, CA. My good friend enjoyed her visit so I thought that I would make it my travel destination for this year. First, I took a hike in Rose Valley Falls, which led to a beautiful waterfall, hidden in the woods. It was the most memorable part of my trip. Then we ate at a vegan restaurant, checked out some of the shops, and the day was fast approaching evening so we had to get on the road to head back home. I had a pleasant birthday and am very thankful to see another year.

Have you been to Ojai, CA? What did you think? Share in the comments below.

Thanks for watching! Stay safe and well.

Planting First Vegetable Transplants in the Garden

In this video below, I am planting my first vegetable transplants of the year. I have been growing lots of vegetables indoors, but I felt that it was time to get some out in the raised beds to see if it was an ideal time to start growing. I am growing some vegetables that I didn't have much luck with last year during my first-year gardening experience. So, you'll see if I had better results and I also include a recent update on how the vegetables are doing, now in June. Hopefully, you are starting to grow your own vegetables. If so, share some of your favorite vegetables and how they are doing in the comments below. The only insect that I'm really looking out for right now is the earwig. That bug is out and on a mission...lol, but I am ready for him and mention a Bonide product that I have been using to keep him away from my leafy greens.

The product I'm using for the earwigs in addition to Diatomaceous Earth - Bonide Bug & Slug Killer Bait, 1.5 lbs, Granules

Red Russian Kale and Sugar Baby Watermelon seeds among others were purchased from @CaliKim29 Garden & Home DIY Seed Store at: https://calikimgardenandhome.com/seeds

 

Planting Sunflowers in the Garden

In the video below, I am planting sunflower seeds in the garden. I purchased my seeds from Eden Brothers and another vendor, mentioned in the video. Overall, the sunflowers germinated nicely in my garden. However, earwigs decided to nibble on many of my baby sunflowers in the ground so I had to grow more indoors and fill in the areas where the earwigs had their feasts. I left some Bonide pellets for organic gardening down which seems to be working. Many sunflowers bounced back from the nibbling and are growing taller and taller every day. It really seems to be perseverance and consistency that keeps the garden growing. It's starting to pay off now. This video shows you how I planted the sunflower seeds and a quick update on their status after planting. I'm hoping to show their huge blooms on a future garden tour. It should be a sight to see.

Planting Hosta Roots in Containers Before Transplanting

I planted my Hosta roots in containers before transplanting them in my designated garden area. I decided to do this so that they could have a good start in a controlled environment, free of too much insect pressure. I added Plantone and earthworm casting to my soil and moistened the soil thoroughly and then I planted them. I did soak the hosta roots overnight to wake them up, but they have been on their way. I do provide an update on my hosta plants in this video as well. They are really easy to grow and start from bare roots.

Are you growing hostas this year? Share any tips you have in the comments below.

How-To Video

The product I used in the video

Espoma Organic Plant-tone 5-3-3 Natural & Organic All Purpose Plant Food

How to Use Vigoro No-Dig Landscape Edging Kit #intheGarden

I am progressing even more in my garden, as I get it ready for more fruits and vegetables. I decided to use the Vigoro No-Dig Landscape Edging Kit in the garden to prepare the area for placing landscape fabric and then mulch. I also needed to define the spaces within my garden for planting sunflower seeds and my zinnias. The product comes with everything you need and if you need to purchase more stakes that's possible too. I used what was provided in the box. The instructions recommended using a rubber mallet, however, I just used a hammer and it worked nicely. The job was a quick one so this video is pretty quick as well. I will keep you posted on the next steps in this project as I continue to prepare the space for this year's growing season. I found this Vigoro product in my local hardware store, but you can find it on Amazon as well.

• 60 ft. No-Dig Landscape Edging Kit

• EasyFlex Heavy Duty No-Dig Edging Kit - 100 ft., Black

Planting Strawberries in Containers for Spring #Gardening

I planted three varieties of strawberries for this year in March. I wanted to try again and plant some strawberries in a large container versus my raised beds. Last year, they really didn't do that well in that area. I have added chicken manure, fertilizer, and moist-control potting mix so we'll see together how they do this year. I do provide an update on their growth so far as of May 1, 2022, in the video below. I purchased some Ozark bare roots, Sequoia, and Seascape strawberry transplants as well, all from my local garden center. I'm still crossing my fingers for the bare roots to wake up, but if not this year, maybe next year. They were pretty dry so I soaked them overnight to hopefully give them a refresh. So far, I have been lucky with the Sequoia and Seascape transplants. They are making strawberries. I even had the opportunity to try one from each plant. They were sweet, which is a plus for strawberries. I'm hoping for an even larger crop of both varieties as the weather warms up, even more, this growing season. It's wonderful to grow your own fruits and vegetable. The learning process has been great for me and the relaxation I feel while working in the garden is amazing.

Questions for you:

Are you growing strawberries this year? If so, what varieties are you growing? 

Do you have a favorite type?

Garden stake tags mentioned in the video are available on Amazon

• 100 Pcs 4 Inch Plastic Nursery Garden Stake Tags  

• 100 Pcs T-Type Plant Labels with a Gel Pen, Waterproof  

• Espoma PT4 4-Pound Plant-Tone Organic 5-3-3 Plant Food - 2 Pack

• DR EARTH Natural Wonder Fruit Tree 5-5-2 Fertilizer 4LB Bag

Building a Cattle Panel Fence For The #Garden

I successfully built a Cattle Panel Fence for my 47ft x 24ft garden area. I purchased my cattle panels, T-Posts, post pounder, and other tools from Tractor Supply. I did purchase some gate adapters for T-Posts on Amazon (see image below). In the video below, I used some stakes and mason line to establish my fence area, surrounding the garden. It was my first time using the pole-pounder so I had to get some tips from another YouTuber here. Initially, I attached the cattle panels to the T-Posts with zip-ties and then went back on the second day to permanently attach them with the fence clips, provided complimentary with my T-Post order. The gate was installed quickly with the gate adapters I learned about on Amazon. There are many different types of adapters, but I like that the ones I chose had a screw component as well that latches to the T-Post for added support of the gate over time. On the second day, I added the T-Post clip and the project was finished. About a week later I did come back with 2ft rebars to support the center of the 16ft cattle panels a little more, from swaying with the wind. Overall, I am happy with this DIY project and the decision to use cattle panels instead of the roll of fencing. I didn't have the capability to stretch the roll of fencing in place so these worked great because they were already pretty sturdy. If you're thinking about establishing your own garden space, you can do it too! Take your time, plan it out, gather your supplies and a helper and start your DIY project. 

Share your experience in the comments below. I look forward to reading about it.

T-Post Hinge Pins - Gate Hanger on Metal T Post with 5/8 Pin

Replenishing Soil in my Raised Beds for Spring and Summer #Gardening

It's time to start putting some vegetables in the garden, but the soil from the last growing season needs more nutrients added to it. I decided to try some chicken manure, mixed with the raised bed soil I usually purchase from my local garden center. I also added some worm castings to each bed. I will be adding more when I actually plant my vegetables, along with some slow-release fertilizer. I'm happy that the weather is warming up in my part of southern California. The weather forecast has been unpredictable already this year, a couple of days are warm, and then it takes a dive back down to the lower 60s. It was the perfect day to put on a hat and get this garden task completed. It's a quick and simple process once you have selected the products that you like. This will be my second year gardening so I have definitely learned a thing or two from my experiences last year. I hope to have even more growing success this year, fingers crossed...lol. In the video below I show how I replenished my raised beds for this growing season.

Question for You! Are you getting started with your Spring and Summer gardening tasks? If so, share your tips below with everyone. Thank you!

Highly Recommended for Worm castings and Worm Tea 

VermisTerra products can be purchased on Amazon if you are limited on supplies in your local area.

VermisTerra Organic Earthworm Castings 10 LBS 

VermisTerra Vitality - Earthworm Tea 16oz 

VermisTerra Vitality - Earthworm Tea, Gallon 

Video: Planting a Washington Navel Orange in the Ground #GardeningTips

I enjoy eating a nice, cold, orange. It's especially good to pick one off the tree and eat it. I want to be able to do that from my garden so I decided to add a Washington Navel Orange Tree. It's supposed to be easy to grow and great for juicing and salads. Hopefully, if all goes well, I will have oranges this year in the wintertime. The tree was purchased from Tractor Supply and I purchased my earthworm castings and fertilizer from Home Depot. The tree was easy to remove from its growing container, which was nice when I had to transfer it to the ground. I mixed earthworm castings in with the native soil to add nutrients and also some Citrus fertilizer. The hole was dug twice the size of the pot and it was instructed to leave some of the roots showing above ground. I watered the Washington Navel deeply and added straw mulch, but eventually, I pulled back the mulch and added landscape fabric because the weeds were starting to pop up due to the rain we were getting. So far, the orange tree is settling in well. I have white flowers as discussed from the tag in the video and I'm hopeful for oranges in the winter. I will keep you posted!

Citrus Fertilizers to start your tree off right, available on Amazon

Jobe's 4 Lb Organic Fruit & Citrus Granular Fertilizer 3-5-5

Dr. Earth Organic 9 Fruit Tree Fertilizer In Poly Bag, 4-Pound

Espoma 4 Lbs Citrus-Tone 5-2-6 Plant Food

Jobe’s Organics Fruit & Citrus Tree Fertilizer Spikes, 3-5-5 Time Release Fertilizer for All Container or Indoor Fruit Trees, 6 Spikes per Package (3)

Kwik Seal Adhesive Caulk #Review - Recaulk a Kitchen Sink

I recently used Kwik Seal adhesive caulk to reseal the kitchen sink. I happened to notice that the cabinet under the sink was wet and then dripping water. I did a test and poured water around the seal of the sink to find the trouble spots and sure enough, there were multiple trouble areas. I learned about this waterproof caulk from watching other home-repair YouTubers and decided to try it for myself. First, I had to remove the old caulk and dry the area. Then I applied this new product, but so far so good. It is doing the job. No more leaks. It's always something to do around the house, but it's also an opportunity to learn something new. I do enjoy that part and I get to share my new knowledge with you! I would recommend this product if you can find it in your local hardware store or on Amazon. I did have to wait 24 hours to let it dry around the sink and I wouldn't use it in areas that get constant exposure to water. It does mention that on the tubing. It was pretty popular at my local hardware store because I found just one more on the shelf. Overall, it was a quick and easy fix over the weekend. I hope this video can help you if you're looking for some tips for this task.

Disembarkation Day Aboard Carnival Cruise #CruiseVacation

Hello! I hope all is well. In the video below, it's disembarkation day for my 3-day Carnival Cruise. It's always bittersweet to say farewell to a cruise vacation. However, there can always be a next time, which makes the anticipation for the next one so worth it. Carnival's disembarking process ran smoothly for me. I ate breakfast and also had the opportunity to watch the sunrise too! In the video, I share that moment, but if you don't want to watch that part of the video, you can skip to the disembarking moments. I look forward to my next cruise, hopefully, venturing to an international destination. Happy travels if you're booked on an upcoming cruise. Have fun and enjoy sailing the beautiful, friendly, seas.

Taste of Mexico Carnival Cruise Excursion in Ensenada, Mexico #CruiseVacation

On Day 3 of my Baja Mexico cruise aboard Carnival Radiance, we arrived in Ensenada, Mexico. This was the day that all guests could spend some time off the ship and explore. I decided to get off the cruise ship a little earlier before the Taste of Mexico Margarita Madness excursion, to walk the promenade along the port area. I saw many beautiful natives enjoying their stroll with their children. I even helped some take pictures in front of the decorated Ensenada signs. It was a beautiful, sunny, day so I took photos and videos of the ship anchored at the port also. After walking almost to the end of the promenade I made it back in time for my 1:00pm meeting time for the Taste of Mexico Margarita Madness excursion. They were ready to go on time and we boarded a shuttle bus, driving through the busy, Sunday, streets. We were told that Sundays are often filled with more traffic, but I didn't mind taking in the views and landmarks as our guide explained things. We ended up in a more rural area of Ensenada, with endless vineyards and ranches. I enjoyed this part of Ensenada and this is also where we experienced the Taste of Mexico cooking class. We made three different quick dishes with fresh ingredients and products locally made in Mexico. I could really taste the difference in the tostada, tortillas, and beans, which I ate instead of the meat options provided. Everyone was very professional and welcoming. There were endless margaritas, which were blended and some people asked for theirs on ice instead. The cooking instructor was very clear and passionate about each item we prepared. The property was clean and the sun shined bright through the trees with a pleasant wind so being outside for this excursion was a real treat.

Lastly, we went to a Tequila tasting, where we learned about the process of making Tequila, very informative as well. Overall, I had a great time. In the video, I give you a glimpse into my experience and my review of the excursion as well.

A Taste of Mexico: The Complete Mexican Cookbook With More Than 500 Authentic Mexican Recipes Paperback

Fun Day at Sea on Carnival Radiance 2022 #CruiseVacation

It's a fun day at sea aboard the Carnival Radiance cruise ship! The video is below for you to see. I enjoyed walking around the ship, watching everyone have a good time. It really was a time for me to relax and take in the beautiful sun. It was a blessing to be able to cruise with so many people in a safe manner and have a good time. To begin the day, I used room service and had breakfast in my room. That came according to the schedule I requested, lunch for me was at the Lido salad bar, but I did get photos of all of the popular places by Guy Fieri and Shaq's Big Chicken for you to see. They were both very popular among the guests all cruise long. I participated in a group salsa dancing activity, with no contact due to the times, but it was a routine that made me break a sweat so I enjoy it immensely. Then, I went to an event to remember and recognize active duty military and also veterans. As a U.S. Army veteran, I always enjoy meeting other military professionals and their families. I am very appreciative that Carnival set some time aside for this event. There were plenty of events going on all day that would make you laugh. For dinner, I had the Indian option again, so nothing to share there. The nightly entertainment with a comedy show and then a stage performance, ended my night. Many people were in the casino late into the night though. I was definitely ready for bed to prepare for my excursion day in Ensenada, Mexico. That video is on the way!

Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives: The Funky Finds in Flavortown: America's Classic Joints and Killer Comfort Food

Embarkation Day Recap on Carnival Cruise 2022 | 3-Day Baja Mexico Vacation #CruiseVacation

It's finally embarkation day aboard Carnival Radiance. I have my passport, driver's license, boarding pass, negative Covid-19 test, and weekend bag. I boarded the ship in Long Beach, California, and parked my car right at the port. I do recommend watching your phone navigation closely so you don't miss the exit, which leads right to the port. It was a bit tricky. I missed it and had to go over a long bridge and go all the way around to try again...lol. I still got to the port on time. I gave myself enough time to get to the port and to allow for traffic. Once you park your car and go to the ground level of cruise parking, the entrance to the Carnival ship is straight ahead. There was a guide present, checking for my boarding pass and negative test. Then I went to another table to get checked in by another Carnival guide. Everyone was pleasant, professional, and had smiles on their faces. Then I walked up this ramp a ways to another photo check-in station for security purposes and then a final check-in at the counter, with a security photo also. Then, I sat for about 5 minutes and it was time to board the ship. Carnival lets you choose your boarding time so I chose between 11:00 and 11:30 since I normally eat lunch during that time. The rooms would not be ready until 1:30pm so it's normally a good time to grab lunch. I am taking a 3-day Baja Mexico Cruise, with one day at sea and then a stop in Ensenada, Mexico, and then back to Long Beach. This is a recap video of my first day getting settled into my interior stateroom, the sail away party, dinner (since I'm vegan I had the Indian cuisine each night), Bingo play, and the evening stage performance. Oh! There is a great opportunity to see dolphins during the sail away party too! I was at the right place at the right time to catch that moment.

Cruising is a great way to have an all-inclusive vacation experience (room, food, entertainment, and shore excursions) no matter how long you want it to be. It's a safe way to travel solo, with friends, or with someone you love. Carnival Radiance is a renovated ship so it was recently put back out to sea. If you have never cruised before, a weekend getaway is a great way to figure out if it's a vacation experience for you. There are many cruise lines to choose from and I recommend giving them all a go! Then, you can narrow down your favorites for future cruises. Enjoy! Day 2: Day at Sea, of my 3-Day Baja Mexico cruise, is on the way!

Weekend Bags on Amazon
Weekender Bags for Women Oversized Travel Bag

Jadyn Luna Women's Weekender Bag and Travel Duffel, Large 37 Liter Capacity (Cheetah Spot)

Weekender Bag Carry on Overnight Duffel for Women (Black White Stripes)

Travel Duffel Bag, Sports Tote Gym Bag, Shoulder Weekender Overnight Bag for Women

Realer Canvas Weekender Bag, Women's Overnight Bag

Leather Travel Bag with Shoe Pouch, Weekender Overnight Bag Waterproof, Men or Women

Jadyn 22" Women's Large Duffel/Weekender Bag with Shoe Pocket, Travel Bag

Wrangler Wesley Rolling Duffel Bag

F.FETIVIN Weekender Bag Carry On Bag Travel Duffle Bag Medium Overnight Bag for Women and Girls

Oversized Travel Duffel Bag Waterproof Canvas Genuine Leather Weekend bag Weekender

Sucipi Canvas Duffle Bag for Travel Overnight Carry on Bag with Shoe Compartment

Wildkin Kids Overnighter Duffel Bags

PUMA Kids' Evercat Transformation Duffel

How To Do Inspire Diagnostics At Home Health Test for #Cruise Travel

I recently took a 3-day cruise aboard Carnival Radiance from Long Beach, CA, to relax and recharge before I start my new career journey. My last cruise vacation was before the Covid-19 outbreak. First, I had to get tested for Covid-19 before my embarkation date in order to board the ship. On Carnival's website, here, they provide Vaccinated Voyages information and great details on how they are providing assistance to all guests. As of this blog post, you can get tested on your departure date at the port or at home within 24-48 hours before your embarkation date. The rules are constantly changing, with the cruise lines following CDC guidance, so make sure to look over their website for new options for vaccinated and unvaccinated guests. After reviewing their website, I decided to take the

Inspire Diagnostics At-Home Health Test, which can be purchased online, then I scheduled my testing date and time. This test is approved by the CDC for emergency use and is approved by Carnival because it is a proctored test. Zoom was used to connect with an authorized individual from the Inspire team. The process can be completed in 20 mins or less. This option is available to fully vaccinated guests. Now, Carnival is providing Covid-19 testing at port for a minimal fee to vaccinated guests, sailing for shorter cruise dates, and testing to all other customers at another price point. In the video below, I will walk you through the entire process of purchasing your at-home test for your cruise and taking the Covid-19 test LIVE with an Inspire Diagnostics representative.

I have included timecodes below to help you sort through the video information if you would like to see a particular section of the video.

Timecodes for this video can be clicked from the description of this video if you watch from my YouTube channel. However, if watching from my blog, scan through the video to these times below to get to where you want to see a specific portion of the video.

0:00 Intro

0:35 Purchasing and Scheduling the Inspire Diagnostics Test

5:09 A Look Inside the Inspire Diagnostics Box

5:36 Taking the Proctored Inspire Diagnostics Covid Test via Zoom Call

9:02 My Review of the Proctored Test Experience

9:41 Results of my Inspire Diagnostics Covid Test

10:11 How to Retrieve Your Inspire Diagnostic Test Results for Printing or Downloading

11:50 Conclusion/Outro

Some Cruise Essentials

• Bonine for Motion Sickness with Meclizine Hydrochloride, Chewable Tablets, 32 Count

• Poo-Pourri Before-You-Go Toilet Spray Bottle, Original Citrus Scent, 2 Fl. Oz

• 50pcs KN95 Face Mask Black 5 Layer

• Cruise Lanyard for Ship Cards | 2 Pack Cruise Lanyards with ID Holder, Key Card Retractable Badge & Waterproof Ship Card Holders

• Royal Caribbean Essentials Kit - Cruise Power Strip, Lanyards & Royal Caribbean Luggage Tags

• Cruise Power Strip No Surge Protector with USB Outlets - Ship Approved (Non Surge Protection)

Planting Garlic From Cloves in Pots #Gardening

At the end of December, I planted garlic from cloves in pots. I purchased my garlic from the organic section of the grocery store. Since I saw that a number of other gardeners were having success growing garlic from cloves, I wanted to try this method. As a second-year gardener here in 2022, I am attempting to grow more and more vegetables and add new varieties as well. I planted the organic cloves of garlic on New Year's Eve in some amended soil with worm castings. I had to hurry because it takes about six months or more for the garlic to mature and have enough chill hours (4-8 weeks) from the weather. I spaced all of the cloves to be about four inches apart and an inch or so deep in my pot. Some also went into my raised bed. I followed the recommendation to add one to two inches of mulch (I used straw), which will keep the moisture in after watering them in thoroughly. After a couple of weeks in January, the garlic started to show signs of life. I was seriously shocked because at first, I thought weed seeds blew in the pot because we get so much wind during the colder months here in my part of Southern California. However, luckily, the foilage was from the garlic cloves. In the video, I will take you through the process of planting garlic from cloves in pots and then show you my update from the end of January, so it's been a full month of growth. I will keep you posted on my garlic harvest in June or the beginning of July. Stay tuned...

Some helpful books on gardening for beginners are listed below. These are some of the most popular resources and gardeners I am aware of today.

Organic Gardening for Everyone: Homegrown Vegetables Made Easy - No Experience Required!  

The Modern Homestead Garden: Growing Self-sufficiency in Any Size Backyard 

Field Guide to Urban Gardening: How to Grow Plants, No Matter Where You Live 

Henry 209xr Extreme Rubberized Wet Patch | Roof Leak Repair #ProductReview

The A/C repair guy came out to check the unit on the roof because I noticed some moisture on the ceiling in the living room, not much, but I wanted to get ahead of any possible problem coming from the roof to the attic. He came out and said that everything looked good with the A/C unit itself, but I should patch any cracks from when the unit was installed because water can enter through the cracks when it rains. The wind is brutal and most likely contributed to the shifting of the A/C unit. The house has a brand new roof so that wasn't the problem so I was happy about that. The A/C guy said that this was an easy fix and recommended Henry's roof repair products so I thought I would do some research and give it a try to fill in any cracks. The A/C guy could've done the work but he recommended that I do it since it is an inexpensive repair. In this video, I show you the product I chose, how to apply it, and my overall opinion of this product. 

Update: A couple days after filming this video review, there was a heavy rainstorm and this product really held up. I didn't see or feel any moisture coming from the attic and everything is sealed in nicely. It's easy to apply and durable enough to be applied on a wet surface or in the pouring rain. 

Recommended Products on Amazon:

• Henry 209 Wet Patch 

• Henry Co Roof Repair Fabric

• Bates- Putty Knife, Variety Size Pack, Set of 6

• 3 Pack MaxiFlex Endurance 34-844 Seamless Knit Nylon Work Glove with Nitrile Coated Grip on Palm & Fingers

Disclaimer: Some links in this blog post may be affiliate links in which I may receive a commission. There is no charge to you. Thank you for supporting this blog and helping to continue creating free content.

Video Blog: Visiting The Art of the Brick Exhibit at the California Science Center #Vlog

I attended The Art of the Brick exhibit in December 2021, during the holiday season, at the California Science Center. It was an educational and creative-driven exhibit for all ages. Nathan Sawaya went from a career as a lawyer to a full-time American artist. He realized that he would rather play with LEGO bricks all day. His love for LEGO bricks and creating things led to a career that he absolutely enjoys. He uses his hands as his tool to create various artworks and structures that you may find familiar and others that are original works. Come along with me as I visit "The Art of the Brick" exhibit at the California Science Center in the video blog below.

I hope his exhibit will inspire you to follow your dreams, do what you enjoy, create beautiful things, and most of all live your best life. It's never too late to try something new, take a different path, and reinvent yourself. This video blog shows some of my favorite works of art and structures during Nathan Sawaya's exhibit. Enjoy and Happy New Year!

Questions

Were you a fan of LEGO bricks when you were a kid? How do you use creativity in your life today?

LEGO Classic Large Creative Brick Box 10698 Build Your Own Creative Toys, Kids Building Kit (790 Pieces)

LEGO Creator Mighty Dinosaurs 31058 Build It Yourself Dinosaur Set, Create a Pterodactyl, Triceratops and T Rex Toy (174 Pieces)

LEGO Disney Frozen Elsa's Magical Ice Palace 43172 Toy Castle Building Kit with Mini Dolls (701 Pieces)