Northern Michigan Garden Maintenance, Renovation & Design
6829 Herkner Road Traverse City, MI 49685
10 Nov 2014

Clean The Rust

Tools-RustySometimes, often our garden tools get left outside. I know they should be cleaned and put away, but I just get so caught up in what I’m doing that I lose track of time. And since the work of a garden is never really done, I can always think of just one more quick thing to do before I go inside.  So, after some trial and error, I have come up with a super easy way to clean even the rustiest, most neglected of implements.

Now that the winter is upon us, what a better time to clean and sharpen those tools so they are all ready for spring… *sigh*!

Supplies:

  • Large Bucket
  • Vinegar
  • Water
  • Rubber Gloves
  • Rags
  • Steel Wool (optional)
  • Wire Brush (optional)
  • Linseed Oilor Mineral Oil
  • Penetrating Oil such as Liquid Wrench

How To:

  1. In the bucket, combine plain old white vinegar and water in approximately a 1:1 ratio.
  2. Place tools in the bucket, opening them up if applicable so that the cleaning solution makes contact with as much of the tools’ surfaces as possible. Let soak for 15 to 30 minutes.
  3. Remove one tool at a time and wipe firmly with the rag, re-wetting it with some of the cleaning solution if necessary. Rinse. For tools that don’t have much dirt and rust on them, this is all you will need to do to clean them – skip ahead to step 6. If quite a bit of rust still remains though, continue on to the next step.
  4. Put back into the bucket for a second 15 minute soak.
  5. Remove tools and scrub at remaining rust with steel wool and/or a wire brush. The wire brush is also useful for getting in around hinges and other tight areas.
  6. Rinse. Thoroughly wipe dry with a clean rag.
  7. Wipe down all metal parts of tools with linseed or mineral oil.
  8. Finish off by adding a dab of penetrating oil to hinges and moving parts.
  9. And voila ~ your tools are all clean and shiny (mostly anyway) and ready to use!
21 May 2014

Grandma Casey’s Rhubarb Crumble

IMG_5080

Grandma Casey’s Rhubarb Crumble

3 cups sliced rhubarb
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
2T. Flour
Pour into greased 8×8 pan or pie plate

1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup flour
Cut butter into dry ingredients and spread over rhubarb mixture. Bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

General Rhubarb Care:

IMG_5081

  •  Prune off flowering stalk to continue to harvest
  • Compost, compost, compost – rhubarb is a heavy feeder so give him lots of love and he will give you lots of stalks
  • Rhubarb leaves are poisonous, but make great compost

Enjoy!

09 May 2014

Daffodils

IMG_4410

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed–and gazed–but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
-William Wordsworth

09 May 2014

Happy Mother’s Day to the Gardeners!

Mother’s Day is this weekend, have you gotten her something special? Planning a special outing? If you are still struggling with what to do, here are a few suggestions from The Mossy Tree Crew!

tulip
1. Take her to the Tulip Festival
IMG_4959
2. Buy her Jacobs Premium Potting Mix for her containers
10171636_663820726988772_7078069870497221256_n
3. Schedule The Mossy Tree to come do Spring Clean Up
Mothers-Day-for-Gardening-Mom-1
4. Buy her one of these top Mother’s Day presents for the gardener
10256624_661405770563601_5289455483727515322_o
5. Plan a day to work in the gardens with her