CATNIP by Smokey Amber How to Grow it: Get a packet of catnip seeds and sow a few in the early spring in your outdoor garden. They need/like lots of sun. Catnip is a member of the mint family and is a perennial herb which will grow back each year if the winter is not too severe. Seeds will not germinate for a couple of weeks, or longer. You will think they are dead. Be patient. Thin the plants to one plant every 15 inches-these suckers get BIG ! Let plants grow until they just start to show signs of flowering. Then cut all the stems off to about 6-8 inches above the ground. My first cutting of this year is just about ready (my plants wintered over from last year). My plants are currently about 3 feet tall. First year plants you should be able to get two cuttings, wintered over plants should yield three cuttings. Always harvest when the leaves are dry, to avoid problems in drying them. After cutting, the catnip plants will grow new stems. Most commercial catnip you buy contains the whole stalk ground up-- stems and leaves. The good stuff is in the leaves. To dry, my first step is to snip off or strip off by hand the leaves only, and discard the stems. Spread the leaves on a tray (or in my case several trays !). They do not have to be single layer. My trays are usually 3-4 inches deep in leaves. Set the trays somewhere where they will get good air circulation. On top of the refrigerator is good (as long as your cat can't get up there). Once or twice a day, "stir" the leaves with your hands. After a couple of weeks (or more, depending on room temperature and moisture conditions). The leaves should start to get brittle and crumble. They should get to the point that you can take a handful and roll them between your palms, making flakes. Or you can mince them in a food processor. After they are flaked, store in a jar or ziplock bag. Facts about it: The nickname is Catmint. The Latin name is Nepeta Cataria. It can grow to 2-3 feet. It grows in moist well drained soil. It can only grow in full sun to part shade. The color of the flower is white. Grow as a border. Attracts these beneficial insects...bees, imported cabbage worms, parasitic wasps. Repels these Harmful Insects... Green peach aphids, flea beetles, squash bugs, cucumber beetles. Information from: How to Grow Catnip Josh's Catnip Page Companion Herbs and Insects Attracted

MY FAVORITE FLOWER by Smokey Amber My favorite flower is the Tulip. Unfortunately, it cannot be grown inside as it needs the cold of winter to make it grow again in the spring.

TUBEROUS BEGONIA by Midnight Hogue Tuberous Begonias begonia tuberhybrida come in many different colors from white or cream to reds, pinks, oranges, and even multicolor. As the name implies, they are a tuber like the caladium. Begonia tubes should be planted just below the surface of the soil in spring when night temperatures remain at or above 50 degrees. They thrive in light shade or filtered sun. Tuberous begonias are not difficult to grow, but you cannot neglect them. They prefer moist air, but not too warm (night temperatures of 60 degrees) such as along the Pacific and North Atlantic coasts or the Great Lakes areas. Begonias need plenty of indirect sun and moist (not soggy) soil. They can be transplanted outdoors when they sprout at least two leaves. You can begin apply a light liquid fertilizer after about two weeks and should maintain this monthly. When the leaves and flowers start to fall off in the fall, (and the first frost) you should dig up the tubes for winter storage. They should be kept in a cool dark place.

CALADIUMS by Midnight Hogue Caladiums, commonly known as Angel's Wings, are tuberous perrenials. They should be planted in late spring and need temperatures of 70 - 90 degrees. They love shade and need moist (not soggy) soil. They should be planted 2-3" under the soil. You should lightly apply a fertilizer about every 5-6 weeks. They can also be grown indoors as potted plants. Only place one or two tubes to a pot unless using a very large pot as they need plenty of room to grow. When the leaves start to die, cut back on the water and remove the tubes to dry and store for next year. Be sure to keep them in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area. If the tubes are not kept warm, they will rot. In some Southern areas (such as Florida), they are used as annuals. Caladiums are bi-colored and come in a variety of colors. The varieties we have in our yard are pink and green, red and green, and green and white. They come in many other shades also. The size of the heart-shaped leaves may vary from 6 inches to 2 feet in length. Caladiums, while lovely, are also poisinous. All parts of the caladium are poisonous. Ingestion can cause severe irritation to the mouth and throat and may also be an irritant to the gastrointestinal tract. A great reference site on Caladiums is: Caladium World

SUNFLOWERS INDOORS? by Midnight Hogue As my favorite flower is the Sunflower, I believe it would be quite difficult to grow it as in indoor plant (unless mew have a REALLY big house! MOL). There is a variety that only grows to be about 18" tall, but that is still quite large for an indoor plant.

PLANT CARE by Smokey Amber The care mew need to give to mewr garden/plant is watering it, making sure it has enough sunlight and giving it the plant food. Mew should do this efurry day or until the soil around it isn't moist anymore.