Answers to Prayers

"Often, the answer to our prayer does not come while we’re on our knees but while we’re on our feet serving the Lord and serving those around us. Selfless acts of service and consecration refine our spirits, remove the scales from our spiritual eyes, and open the windows of heaven. By becoming the answer to someone’s prayer, we often find the answer to our own."

--Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Waiting on the Road to Damascus", April 2011 General Conferencde



Mark 11:24–25 Did You Think to Pray?, Hymn #140

Self Reliance Tip # 16 By the Light of a Lamp!

I know you're all SOOoooOooo excited to hear todays tip!! So lets get started !


Yesterday was my family's "electricity free" day. Going 24 hours without electricity teaches quite a few lessons. Here are some things we learned.

• Kerosene lamps give more light and are easier to carry than candles (although a bit smelly).
• It gets dang hot without an electricity driven fan or a/c unit etc. What did you do to stay cool? I put some peppermint essential oil in a spray bottle and sprayed the kids when they got hot. The best way was playing on the slip and slide.
• Much of the children's entertainment uses electricity...my kids need to learn a few "unplugged" hobbies.
• Reading a story by Kerosene lamp can be very fun and mystical...and a bit smelly :)
• A five gallon bucket and a (new, unused for other "eww-gwoss" jobs) plunger work pretty good for a washer. Batches are a lot smaller, but perfect for little hands to wash their own laundry! They will be doing this a bit more during the summer...heck all year!
• Learning alternative ways of cooking now will help keep food waste to a minimum later.
• I am so thankful for a refrigerator!!
• In my adolescent to teen years, we only had electricity in the evening with a generator...(yes, I know this explains a lot :) ). Electricity is very convenient. You can live without it if you have to.

And another thing...
Sister Becky C. sent this in. It might give you a few ideas for your clothing storage needs.


I have some thoughts about clothing storage ... particularly for those who don't have a lot of space. Personally, I have gone throught a lot of stages of savings ... I've done the ALL and the NOTHING stages and I LOVE TOTES! My most favorite clothing to save is DENIM. The thought behind my hoarding of denim of the years is that with a needle and thread, I can turn denim into anything. I've turned old jeans into purses and quilts. If you've got a strong rod ... they make great room darkening curtains. I used them to stuff pillows. I've made stuffed animals out of them. AND I've used them to wrap those water pipes you talked about when I didn't have the funds or the stores were out of insulation!!! You can also make rugs, more pants, vests, shirts or jackets out of them. Anyway .... 1 comment about the storage totes ... I find that a bar of soap works well to keep mice, moths and other creepy crawlies out of my storage totes (especially Irish Spring - though I wouldn't use it on my skin LOL).

weekly adds

WEEK OF JUNE 22=28

THRIFTEE

SPLIT CHICKEN BREAST $.99#

CANTALOUPE $.34#

C&H SUGAR 4# $1.99

CRISCO OIL 48 OZ. $2.99 EA.

FOOD CLUB DICED GREEN CHILES 4OZ. $.50 EA.

RED DELICIOUS APPLES $.79#

LARGE TOMATOES $.79#

GREEN CABBAGE $.34#

CUCUMBERS 4 FOR $1.00

YELLOW ONIONS $.34#

GREEN ONIONS 3 FOR $1.00

SWEET CORN 3 FOR $1.00

JALAPENOS 3# FOR $1.00

RED SEEDLESS GRAPES $.99#

STRAWBERRIES $.99#

SHURFINE DICED TOMATOES WITH GREEN CHILES 10 OZ. $.59 EA.

CLEMENTE JACQUES WHOLE JALAPENOS 28 OZ. $.99 EA.

SHURFINE ENGLISH MUFFINS 6 CT. $.99 EA.

SHUR SAVING TALBE SALT 26 OZ. $.34 EA.

SHURFINE DRINKING WATER 24 CT. ½ LITER $2.99 EA.

73% GROUND BEEF

COUNTRY STYLE RIBS $1.79#

PORK STEAK $1.79#

CHICKEN LEG QUARTERS $.99#----FAMILY PACK

CATFISH NUGGETS $1.99#

SAFEWAY

ASSORTED PORK LOIN CHOPS $.179#

SAFEWAY CHICKEN LEG QUARTERS/THIGHS/DRUMSTICKS $.99#

CANTALOUPE-LOCAL GROWN- $.77 EA.

SWEET YELLOW PEACHES $.88#

AVOCADOS $.99 EA.

SAFEWAY BBQ SAUCE 18 OZ. $.99EA.

15 OZ. CANNED SAFEWAY FRUIT $.99 EA.

SAFEWAY MUSTARD 20 OZ. $.99 EA.

WHITE/YELLOW CORN $.50 EA.

LARGE GREEN BELL PEPPERS/MANGOS $1.00 EA.

YOPLAIT YOGURT 4-6 OZ. $.60 EA.

BASHAS'

SANDERSON FARMS BONELESS SKINLESS CHICKEN BREASTS $1.67 FIRST 4

GROUND ROUND $1.87# FIRST 2 VALUE PACKS

BONELESS CENTER CUT PORK CHOPS $1.87# FIRST 2 VALUE PACKS

CALIFONIS YELLOW PEACHES $.87#

FRESH BLUEBERRIES 11 OZ. $1.87 EA.

BASHAS' SANDWICH BREAD 24 OZ. $1.00 EA.

YELLOW/GREEN/RED BELL PEPPERS $.50 EA.

BASHAS' DRINKING WATER 24 PACK ½ LITER $2.99 EA.

POWERADE DRINKS 32 OZ. $.79 EA.

HUNT'S PASTA SAUCE 26 OZ. $.99 EA.

FOOD CLUB KETCHUP 20-24 OZ. $.99 EA.

BUSH'S BEANS 15-16 OZ. $.69 EA.

FOOD CLUB DICED GREEN CHILES 4 OZ. $.69 EA.

DANNON YOGURT 6 OZ. $.50 EA.

RED/GREEN LEAF/ROMAINE LETTUCE $.97 EA.

BANANAS $.47#

CALIFORNIA SWEET CORN $.57 EA.

EGGPLANT $.97 EA.











WATER IS STILL AN ESSENTIAL PART TO PUT BACK.



KEEP A GOOD LOOKOUT FOR THE FARMERS MARKET. GOOD LOCAL PRODUCE AND A GOOD WAY TO PUT UP ITEMS FOR THE WINTER, ROUGH TIMES AND/OR YOU JUST WANT TO EAT MUCH BETTER. THE ORCHARD IS TAKING A REST THIS SUMMER.


HARRIETT PRICE

Pancakes and Stripes!

It's time for our annual 4th of July Pancake Breakfast and Flag-raising!
Monday, July 4th at 7 a.m. at the Solomonville Ward Building. Bring your family and friends for delicious food and a patriotic start to your holiday celebrations!!

Self Reliance Tip # 15-Preparedness at All Times

And the tip is....
Personal Experience Teaches The Greatest Lessons!!


I am certain that all of us know someone who has been affected by the fires in our state. I'm not certain to say that I'd rather have a hurricane or an earth quake instead. Well, with all this heat, I think I'd prefer a freak snowstorm and we could make snow cones for a memorable summer activity :).

Seriously though, our family in Sierra Vista has had some serious fire scares over these last weeks. I spoke with my mother-in-law this morning and I thought I'd share some real life experience. She is also the RS president in their ward which presented a greater challenge. What were they glad that they had prepared in advance? What did they want to have ready in case they needed to evacuate in the near or distant future?


Here are some things she learned:

• Communication is vital! What would be your plan B if cell phones didn't work?
• Priorities can change in an instant...
• More batteries !
• Make sure the 72 hour kit has a radio!
• Make sure you check the radio frequently! If it doesn't work when you need it, it has no value.
• What a relief when others are prepared and ready to help others!
• When families don't take evacuation and threat of fire seriously, and you pack like you're going to Grandma's house, what happens when all that is left is the foundation when you return?
• Have a plan to stay with someone out of town if possible, you do not want to be evacuated twice.
• Hotels fill up quick with a huge influx of people...
• LISTEN TO THE HOLY GHOST!
• If you need to leave your home, don't forget your medications or animals, because you may not be allowed back home for a while.
• If there is no electricity, how can water be pumped from the well?
• Media/ community communication isn't so hot...you can get the same information for days...
• Visiting Teachers and Home Teachers are a heaven send! Return and report is AWESOME!
• Watching the gospel in action is a huge blessing and a miracle!

On her way out the door when they were evacuated, her priorities changed a little bit. She said, "Suddenly what was important changed." They took their 72 hour kits, genealogy, the computer hard drive, both of their fathers WWII flags encased in wooden triangles, and some cross stitched things she had made for her sons when they got their Eagle. That was about it.


So, who's ready to go without electricity for 24 hours???


Here is a basic list of 72 hour kit items. Remember to pack items that you normally eat...gum is not food :).

http://lds.about.com/od/preparednessfoodstorage/a/72hour_kit.htm

Sitter

hi!
i have recently had to go back to work at mcdonalds sadly, and one more day then i was :(. i am wondering if there is anyone who who consider trading hair services for one day of babysitting a week. either monday or thurs from 830 to 440. if anyone is interested please call me at 480 734 5610. for anyone who doesn't know my children are 4 and 1. bella and sammy. thank you


Leslie Bohot

Eggs!

Calling all farmers and half farmers....

We are looking farm fresh eggs to be donated to the Relief Society for our July 4th breakfast on ... July 4th.


If you will be willing to donate a dozen, we would really appreciate it! We will cluck with delight...ok maybe not.


Love,


The Crazy One

puppy!!

Sylvia Allred is looking for a chiuaua puppy. If anyone has any information on where a little (yipee :) ) bundle of joy can be found, please respond to this email.


Thx!

Ads For the week of June 15th - 21st

WEEK OF JUNE 15-21

THRIFTEE

PILGRIM'S PRIDE WHOLE FRYING CHICKEN $/79#

WATERMELON $/17#

IGA COOKOUT BUNS 8 CT. $.88 EA.

ROSARITA REFIRED BEANS 16 OZ. CAN $.88 EA.

SHURFINE YOGURT 6 OZ. $.40 EA.

POWERADE SPORTS DRINKS 32 OZ. $.69 EA.

SHUR SAVING TOMATO SAUCE $.25 EA. 8 OZ. CAN

CLOROX LIQUID BLEACH 96 OZ. $1.50 EA.

GALA APPLES $.89#

LARGE TOMATOES $.89#

CUCUMBERS $.25 EA.

BROWN ONIONS $.25#

JALAPENOS $.69#

CILANTRO BUNCH $.39 EA.

RADISH BUNCH $.39 EA

CANTALOUPES $.39#

SHURFINE FROZEN VEGETABLES $.99#

HEINZ KETCHUP 40 OZ./FRENCH'S MUSTARD 20 OZ. SQUEEZE $1.59 EA.

KAFT BBQ SAUCE 18 OZ. $.88 EA.

SHUR SAVING SALAD DRESSING $.99 EA. 16 OZ.

AUSTEX CHILI DOG SAUCE 10 OZ. CAN $.79 EA.

GRIFFIN'S MUSTARD 20 OZ. SQUEEZE $.99 EA.

SHURFINE SWEET RELISH 10 OZ. $.99 EA.

SHURFINE FRUIT COCKTAIL IN JUICE 15 OZ. $.79 EA.

SHURFINE CAKE MIX $.88 EA.

SIRLOIN PORK CHOPS $1.99#

73% GROUND BEEF $1.99#

PORK BUTT ROAST $1.9#

FROZEN CHICKEN BREAST FILLET 2.5# $.99 EA.

PORK STEAK $1.89#

COUNTRY STYLE SPARERIBS $1.89#



SAFEWAY

BONELESS PORK SIRLOIN COUNTRY STYLE RIBS $1.99#

BEEF BACK RIBS $1.29#

EATING RIGHT BONELESS SKINLEES CHICKEN BREASTS $1.99#

RED SEEDLESS WATERMELON $1.68 EA. LIMIT 2

ON THE VINE TOMATO $.99#

DAIRY GLEN GAL. MILK $1.59 EA. LIMIT 1

WHITE/YELLOW CORN $.50 EA.

VIDALIA SWEET ONIONS $.99#

DEL MONTE CANNED VEGETABLES $.79 EA.

ANTHONY'S PASTA $.99#



BASHAS'
SANDERSON FARMS CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS/THIGHS/LWG QUARTERS $.87# FIRST 2 VALUE PACKS

RED SEEDLESS GRAPES $.69# FIRST 5#

APRICOTS $.95# FIRST 4 #

WHOLE SEEDLESS WATERMELON $1.95 EA. FIRST 2

WHOLE CANTALOUPE $.95 EA. FIRST 4

BASHAS' LARGE EGGS-DOZ. $.88 EA. FIRST 2

HUNT'S KETCHUP 24 OZ. $1.00 EA.

FOOD CLUB RIPE PITTED OLIVES 6 OZ. $1.00 EA.

FOOD CLUB YOGURT 6 OZ. $.40 EA.

BASHAS' COTTAGE CHEESE/SOUR CREAM 24 OZ. $1.99 EA.

CUCUMBERS $.50 EA.

SWEET CORN $.50 EA.

BANANAS $.55#

ROMA TOMATOES $.98#

Self Reliance Tip # 14- Clothing Storage

I hope you are still pluggin' away and keepin' cool!!!

This week's tip will be short, sweet and to the point...kind of like a star shaped sucker!!! Wowee!!

Clothing storage: What to do?

If you're like my awesome mother-in-law, you've kept clothes from when your kids were growing up. They have this huge basement that would make a hermit drool. Not everyone has a basement. Where do you put it?


Do you really need it? How important is clothing storage? SUPER IMPORTANT!! There were a few days this winter when the heater just wasn't keeping up. Water pipes were bustin' a gut like a cruel joke and it was just darn cold! Where do you go when your heater isn't working or keeping up? ... clothing!!!


What I've done is very simple. I have taken the clothes I've saved from all of my kids and saved five pairs of outfits and put them in totes (Amanda L. is the tote queen!! She has TONS of ideas on totes!). I took the rest to the thrift store, because I don't have a basement...yet.


Here are a few winter clothing ideas...
http://www.preparedness1.com/winter-clothes.html

And another thing...


My Auntie Connie lost many things in a fire that consumed many homes in her area. She was heart broken. There was a church meeting held to encourage those who had lost so much. She came to realize that most of it was just STUFF. My grandfather's military uniform, and other heirlooms etc were part of the rubble.


However, what are your plans if you need to evacuate quickly for your family pictures, geneology and other things that are more than just STUFF.


If it can be scanned, do it. If you happen to loose the original, that's ok. At least you have a copy. It is all about planning ahead......

-Church Issues Statement-

Immigration: Church Issues New Statement
10 JUNE 2011 — SALT LAKE CITY
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today issued the following official statement on immigration:


Around the world, debate on the immigration question has become intense. That is especially so in the United States. Most Americans agree that the federal government of the United States should secure its borders and sharply reduce or eliminate the flow of undocumented immigrants. Unchecked and unregulated, such a flow may destabilize society and ultimately become unsustainable.

As a matter of policy, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints discourages its members from entering any country without legal documentation, and from deliberately overstaying legal travel visas.

What to do with the estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants now residing in various states within the United States is the biggest challenge in the immigration debate. The bedrock moral issue for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is how we treat each other as children of God.

The history of mass expulsion or mistreatment of individuals or families is cause for concern especially where race, culture, or religion are involved. This should give pause to any policy that contemplates targeting any one group, particularly if that group comes mostly from one heritage.

As those on all sides of the immigration debate in the United States have noted, this issue is one that must ultimately be resolved by the federal government.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is concerned that any state legislation that only contains enforcement provisions is likely to fall short of the high moral standard of treating each other as children of God.

The Church supports an approach where undocumented immigrants are allowed to square themselves with the law and continue to work without this necessarily leading to citizenship.

In furtherance of needed immigration reform in the United States, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints supports a balanced and civil approach to a challenging problem, fully consistent with its tradition of compassion, its reverence for family, and its commitment to law.

Follow In His Ways

"Our Savior taught us about and lived a benevolent life. Jesus loved all and He served all. Centering our lives on Jesus Christ will help us acquire this attribute of benevolence. For us to develop these same Christlike attributes, we must learn about the Savior and “follow in His ways."

--Mary N. Cook, "Remember This: Kindness Begins with Me", April 2011 General Conference

Luke 6:31

Kindness Begins with Me, Hymn #145

Tapping away!

Alice Ellsworth is in dire need of borrowing some tap shoes/ clogging shoes size 6 1/2 to 7 1/2.


She's "Gotta dance...", :)


If you have some she could borrow, reply to this email or give her a call using your handy dandy Relief Society phone book :).


Thanks!

Yard Sale

I wanted to see if you could spread the word that I am having a yard sale this Saturday (only) 7:00-noon. We have lots of clothes: Girls sizes 0-11 and boys size 10-16, very good condition. Plus some home decor items, please come!! Jennifer Cochran 3625 E Solomon Rd

Temple session Time Changes

Good Morning Ladies,


We just received word that the Temple session times are changing. They will be effective on July 5th.


Today the session our sisters set aside to attend will still be at 11 a.m. today.


Barbara Rains sent this information:


Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Session are as follows:
8:00 A.M., 9:45 A.M. 11:30 A.M. 3:30 P.M. 5:15 P.M. and 7:00 P.M. This allows you to do 2 session back to back
Wednesday and Saturday are the same

Naydell Ball

Hello ladies,
This email is to inform you that our sweet Sister Naydell Ball passed away Wednesday morning. There will be a family viewing at 9a.m. this Saturday. Her funeral is tentatively scheduled for this Saturday at 10am. We will be needing help with the funeral meal so if you are willing and able please call Sister Mary Alyce Claridge at 428-0210.

We will also need extra help with the fiesta so that friends of Naydell and the Forsgren family can attend the funeral

Stake Fiesta!!!

Good morning Senioritas!

The Stake Fiesta is this Saturday June 11th from 11-2 pm. Every ward in the stake is playing a part in the festivities, including ours. Solomon Ward will have a booth set up in the Stake Center and will be featuring taquitos (another ward was already doing nachos), salsa and chips, and pinatas. We are also in charge of a pin the tail on the donkey game for the kids.

Please let us know if you are willing to come and man the booth or the game for an hour or so.

Also, this Wed in the Stake Center @ 11 they will be making the flowers and decorating the pinatas and would like as much help as possible.

This is a wonderful opportunity to invite family and friends to learn a little bit more about us in a friendly, pressure free environment. Not to mention all the amazing food! I'm hungry already!

Self Reliance Tip # 13 Other Necessities

Reminder: If you worked on your water storage last month and met your goal, send me an email! I have a treat for you!


This month's goal: Go 24 hours without electricity (YOU CAN DO EET!!)


For starters, I have a video. AWESOME reminders!
http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=nSQcJcnO_CY

This month I would like to focus on "Non-Food Related Self Reliance".


What are some things that you use that could be turned into something "washable"? The first things that came to mind were "pads" for when "Aunt Flo comes to visit" each month and diapers.


You may be thinking, "Ok, both of those are just nasty" - but consider. If you have a year supply of these items, and you need a year and nine months...(I'm just giving an example) then wouldn't it be a great idea to think ahead and have a plan B?

I have been experimenting with the pads. Everyone may not be super excited about all the details, but I will tell you what I've done and what has worked for me. I have done a few different things over the years to get this one figured out. I found a free pattern online...complete with snaps and the whole shebang. I didn't like them. They were too hard to clean. What HAS worked is the cheap towels at Walmart that are a man-made fiber. They are white with blue stripes. They don't dry dishes very well, but they wick away moisture and have worked well for this purpose. I have attached a video on how I fold them to use them.

Things I have learned:
When they're changed, rinse them right away until the water runs clear, wring it and set it on the side of the laundry basket until you're ready to wash them with your whites. Bleach or tea tree oil will help disinfect.
If you rinse them right away, you don't have a bucket that you have to "boil" like your grandmother/ great grandmother may have had to.
Hanging them in the sun will also disinfect them.


As far as diapers, I asked my friend Jen to help me because she's had more experience than me, so here is what she said:

www.mothering.com for cloth diaper videos

www.diaperjungle.com for awesome resources like what detergents are good and which aren't...plus new hybrid diapers I wish I had gotten!

www.zoolikins.com is the closest location and where I got my diapers after researching. They are in old town Scottsdale. They offer classes for cloth diapering and other goods!

These are just a few I use regularly, but there are thousands more out there!

If you no longer use either of these items, you're not off the hook quite yet. Do you have daughters or grand-daughters?


And another thing...
From Heavenly Father's Medicine cabinet....


Once upon a time...we had a tummy bug at our house. First it was Hayden, he would come in my room at 3 a.m. and say "Mom, I don't feel so good....." and what we had eaten for dinner was now on my floor. So, after each child did this for about oh...three weeks I fell to my knees and asked for guidance. My answer was lemon juice. Who would have thought?


To this day, when my kids have upset tummies, they will ask me to make them lemon water.


Lemons are also strong enough to kill warts. Once my sister had one on the pad of her foot just below her big toe. My very wise grandmother "Oma" we called her, directed us to take the peel off of a lemon and tape it to the wart area. After two weeks, it just came out. It left a little hole, but filled in in a few months.


Lemon juice is also good for sore throats. If you think it may be strep, don't use it for that. Add some honey and lemon to warm water and it will soothe ...ahhh.


HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Gardening Tips for June

June Gardening Article
by Neil DeWitt

I hope things have been going well in your garden. The “first phase” of your summer garden should have all been completed by the end of May. What I call the “second phase” of the summer garden is the time for taking it a little easier to rest up from all the work you did in “phase one” and to get rested for all the work to come in “phase three” when you are so busy harvesting and trying to figure out what to do with all the excess crops that everyone is tired of eating everyday! June is when you can really begin reaping the rewards of a bountiful harvest. Many of your crops will be ripening and some will even be nearing the end of their lifecycle, such as sweet corn. So now is the time for a second planting of sweet corn and the end of the month is the time to get some tomato and pepper seeds started for transplanting for a late fall crop at the end of July.

While there is a bit of a lull this month, I thought it would be a good time to give you some tips about composting and mulching. Also, I have some tips about how to tell when crops are ready for harvesting. And finally, since we talked about fertilizing last month, I would say that typically we don’t add any fertilizer to the garden in June because our hot temperatures are truly upon us. Plants don’t tolerate fertilizers well in hot weather.

We will start first with some tips about recognizing when to pick your crops.
· Pick cantaloupe when the skin is well netted and the fruit slips from the vine with little pressure.
· Corn is ready when the tassels turn brown, “milk” comes out of the kernels if they are gently pricked with a fingernail.
· Most peppers are sweeter after they turn color, but pick them when they are full-size and the skin is firm and shiny.
· New potatoes should be pulled after the plant fully flowers. However, for full-size potatoes wait until the plant tops begin to brown and die.
· Watermelons are ready when the fruit has quit becoming larger and they feel heavy for their size. The tendrils closest to the fruit begin to turn brown and the watermelon will often have yellow spots on the underside.
· Harvest broccoli and cauliflower while the buds are tight and before they show color.
· Cucumbers and all types of summer squash are best when they are small. Try to pick while the flower is still attached or when the fruit is less than 4 or 5 inches in length.
· Harvest bunching onions anytime, just being sure to leave at least one onion in each clump to continue to multiply. Pull bulb-forming onions in the early summer, once the tops turn brown. Pick off the flowers as they develop, or bend the tops over to discourage the plant from starting the seed forming process.
· Pick radishes when they are small, when the top of the root is first visible. They are sweeter and not as hot when small.
Two other helpful tips:) Place clean straw under vining fruits like tomato, squash, cucumbers, and melons to keep fruit off the ground, or place a small board or brick under young fruit to keep it off the ground while it ripens. ) Place pieces of flat boards on the ground near vining plants and the squash bugs will accumulate underneath them at night. Early in the mornings you can then squash those squash bugs, thus controlling them from crop destruction without the use of chemicals!

Composting is one of the most important things gardeners can do. A good compost pile recycles vegetable scraps and other wastes from the garden and yard. Using compost is a way of “harvesting” free fertilizer for our garden, saving money and reducing the need for other soil supplements. Composting is a way of being “green” which has recently been getting so much attention. It also reduces the amount of garbage our community has to deal with. Not only does compost contain essential nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, it often contains trace elements you don’t ordinarily find in commercial fertilizers.

Make your compost pile by alternating layers of dry brown leaves, grass clippings, hay, straw, or even newspaper with green plant material or vegetable /plant waste, each layer being about two inches thick. After each layer, sprinkle a little horse or cow manure, or dry dog food in the pile to serve as an activator. Alfalfa meal is probably the best activator of all, but is not that easy to find. Commercial activators are also available and very effective. Moisten the pile thoroughly and keep it moist, but not soaked. Turn the pile weekly to keep the center loose and to allow air to circulate through the pile. A good compost pile is one-third each of material, air, and moisture. The pile will get hot (preferably 140 to 150 degrees within a couple of days) and will reheat similarly within a couple of days of turning. Course compost can be ready to be used in the garden within 15 to 20 days, becoming finer from the decomposition process the longer it is left in the pile to continue breaking down. Remember, it is important to never use any type of meat waste/scraps in your compost pile.

Your compost can be used in a variety of ways, such as mixing it in with your seed starting mixture, using it as a starter fertilizer for your transplants, and it can be used as a side-dressing or top-dressing for plants throughout the growing season.

Finally, in our hot summer weather, mulching is a must. Mulch is a thick blanket of material laid on the ground around your plants that blocks the hot sun’s rays, prevents weeds from growing, holds moisture in the soil, and keeps soil temperatures constant and cool. Grass clippings, bark chips, peat moss, pine needles, leaves, sawdust, straw, newspaper, black plastic, etc.; all can be used as effective mulch. Personally, my favorite “mulch” is a living mulch of vegetables planted so close together that they do everything mulch is supposed to do as their leaves form a canopy over the garden soil! The choice is yours, and as they say: “Just do it!”