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Happy Holidays from all of us at Natorp's!

Well, this is it!  The final official newsletter for the 2006 season.  And this year - 41 weeks worth - now that's a lot of newsletters!  This is a bitter sweet time of the year - nice to take a break and relax the fingers for a couple months and let the head clear a bit (maybe the voices will go away this time), yet sad to say the 2006 season is ending.  But, we'll be in touch off and on over the winter break, and of course, you can always email us at anytime with your gardening questions and comments.  As always, we want to thank those who have contributed to our newsletter - Buggy Joe Boggs and his gang of OSU Extension Educators for all of their fine research and information provided during the season - Mrs. N for supplying her 'Container Recipes' which are always a hit - Rita (Riat) Nader Heikenfeld for taking the time from her extremely busy schedule to share with us her wonderful recipes that we have all enjoyed so much.  Everyone loves Rita, and it's Rita's recipes that has helped make this newsletter fun and interesting to read - And to everyone who sends us email gardening questions, for without those questions, we wouldn't have the category "Questionmark & the Mysterians"!  We also want to thank Natorp's horticultural expert Patty Craig who assists in helping us answer each and every one of your emailed gardening questions.  And finally, thank you to all of our 11,000 emailed subscribers, because without you, we wouldn't have anyone to send our gardening information to!  So, we thank you all!    And now, on with our final official 2006 newsletter ...

[Today, poinsettias are not only the most popular Christmas plant, they're also the number one potted flowering plant grown in the U.S.]   [Can you name the 3 reindeer whose names begin with a 'D'?  -Dasher, Dancer and Doner]

*Whether it's the weather - Well, let's face the facts.  Recent warmer weather saved many of us from finishing up those season ending chores in freezing temperatures, including putting up the Christmas lights!  And I did experience the smell of freshly mowed grass this week for those getting in that last mowing!  But, this warm weather also delays putting roses to bed, winter mulching, and putting those containers in the garage for over wintering.  

[If it’s zero degrees outside today, and tomorrow it’s supposed to be twice as cold, how cold is it going to be?]  [In the song "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer", what did Grandma leave to go get?  -Her medication.]

*What's bugging you? -  I did go and ask ole Buggy Joe to see if he had any last words for 2006.  He said this time of the year he's always getting asked about the cold weather and how if affects bugs.  "I’ve already gotten a few questions asking if the cold weather will kill insect pests.  In my usual highly informative approach, my answer has been, "yes, and no."  The "yes" is for insect pests that are living near the edge of their low temperature threshold.  It's exactly like the USDA Plant Hardiness Zones.  Unfortunately, entomologists haven't created an "insect hardiness zones" map, but we do know some insects such as bagworms can be affected by low winter temperatures.  That's why we see fewer numbers the further north we travel in Ohio.  However, since bagworm eggs can easily survive the low temperatures we've experienced thus far, the weather hasn't yet helped us out for next season.  The same is probably true for the other "edge" insect pests.
   The "no" is for insects that actually benefit from low temperatures because they are genetically programmed to survive them.  Japanese beetle grubs are a good example.  They feed heavily in the fall and accumulate fat for the winter - I can relate!  Since they are cold-blooded, their metabolism is linked to temperature.  The colder it gets in the winter, the less fat they burn.  On the other hand, the warmer it gets, the more fat they burn.  Since they don't feed during the winter, warm temperatures can cause a serious problem for them ... they can eventually run out of fat reserves and starve to death.  This is why we see fewer numbers of Japanese beetles the further south we drive.”     As usual, Joe is never at a loss for final quotes!  So a special thanks to you, Joe Boggs, wherever you are, pupating for the winter.

[For every real Christmas tree harvested, 2-3 seedlings are planted in its place.  Average sized Real Christmas trees take 6-10 years to grow before harvest, providing oxygen, habitats for wildlife, removing dust and pollution from the air, and are absolutely wonderful to see growing in the tree farms!]  [What reindeer is never mentioned in "The Night Before Christmas"?   -It's Rudolph.]

*Question mark and the Mysterians - Here are a few gardening questions from this weeks emailed news bag:

"What's the deal?  Moles have all of a sudden started digging up my yard!  There are mole hills everywhere.  When do they hibernate?"   -They don't - they're active year-round.  And this time of the year those male moles are digging new subsurface highways to cover the females in their territory.  I've added our tip sheet on moles to the weekly success tip for your garden, so keep reading!.  If you don't want to deal with them, just give The Mole Man (Tom Schmidt) a call.  It's like calling in Clint Eastwood to clean out the bad guys who took over the town!  Unless you're lucky enough to have his daughter come out - certainly the best looking mole trapper you'll ever find!  (Thank goodness she doesn't look like Tom.)

"When is the best time to prune my fruit trees?"   -Prune them while they're dormant.  And usually late winter is the best time to do that.

"Can you refresh my memory on when to prune flowering shrubs?"   -Although there are exceptions to the rule, and assuming you want to save the flowers, prune spring flowering shrubs after they finish flowering, and prune summer flowering shrubs in the spring.  If flowers are not an issue, and rejuvenation of the shrub is most important, then prune them in the spring.

[Epiphany - January 6^th is the traditional end of the Christmas holiday and is the date on which the tree and decorations are taken down.  To do so earlier was thought to bring bad luck for the rest of the year.]  [Counting Rudolph, how many reindeer are there pulling Santa's sleigh?  -Nine]

This week's Success Tip for your garden - “Moles Make Lousy Pets” -Tom Schmidt “The Moleman”    Moles are one of the most common and probably most frustrating lawn and garden pest problems.  With that in mind, take the time to visit the web site of our local mole expert, Mr. Tom Schmidt [www.themoleman.com] before deciding what your game plan will be for the current mole(s) in your yard.  You may decide to live with them, try your hand at eliminating them, or have “The Moleman” take care of them for you!  Quick tips about moles:  -Moles are small mammals that spend most of their lives in underground tunnels and burrows.  They are about the size of chipmunks ( 6-8 inches long) and weigh 3-6 ounces.  Moles are covered by a soft gray pelage that is hinged to allow it to move in any direction.  They have enlarged, paddle-like forefeet and prominent toenails which enable it to “swim” through soil.  Moles lack external ears, and their eyes are so small, they’re not very visible to us!  (Moles are not blind.)  Moles have one litter each year, ranging from 2 to 6 babies. -Moles do not hibernate.  They cannot store food nor fat, so they’re always active.  Moles are insectivores, not rodents, and feed on insects such as grubs, millipedes, cicada nymphs, and it’s primary food source, ants and earthworms. A 5-ounce mole will consume 45-50 pounds of worms and insects each year.  Do not treat your lawn for grubs or other insects in an attempt to control a mole’s food source.  Only treat your lawn for these insects if they are a threat to the lawn’s health. (And you certainly do not want to kill the earthworms in your soil!)  Moles do not eat plants, bulbs, tubers, plant roots, etc., but their activity may indirectly damage plants or their root systems.  Shrews and voles often use mole tunnels as runways and travel lanes.  -Mole runs at surface level are generally “search and eat” tunnels.  Mole “highways” are below ground level and not visible.  Moles can dig surface tunnels at 18 feet per hour, and can travel through existing tunnels at 80 feet per minute.  (Moles also have the ability to swim.)  Moles contain twice as much blood and twice as much hemoglobin as other mammals their size, enabling them to breathe easier in environments with low oxygen.  A mole’s home range can be measured in acres, and overlap one another for mating and dispersal purposes.                 Mole Controls:  Forget the poison peanuts, the gopher gassers, the Juicy Fruit Gum, and all the other home remedies.  The only sure cure way to get rid of the current mole invasion in your yard is to either trap the moles (using one or several of the many types of mole traps – scissor, harpoon, choker), or physically remove them by digging them out of their runs.  Spring and fall are the best times to trap, although it can be done anytime.  But these means of control are the ONLY sure cures for the current moles in your yard.        Mole Repellents:  If you do not want to trap or remove the moles, repellents are available for you to try.  Results from use of these products will vary, and remember that the results are not reducing mole populations, but merely moving them to another location, leaving them to dig and reproduce elsewhere.  Products include Mole Max, and the infamous ‘Sonic Chaser’.  (Results will vary – trapping and physical removal are the only sure cures.)          Mole Poisons:  There is an injectible / ingestible poison available, Moletox Baited Gel, which is injected into the active runs.  It is safe to use if you have cats or dogs.  Again, results may vary greatly.  Trapping or physical removal are the only sure cures for the existing moles in your yard.     Again, we invite you to visit www.themoleman.com for all the mole information you could ever imagine.  We feel once you understand the mole a little better, you can decide what to do in your yard - live with them, trap them, dig them out, try a repellent or poison injection, or simply call “The Moleman”.

[Traditionally, it's the youngest family member that gets to open the first Christmas present.]  [After red and green, what are the two most popular Christmas colors?  -Silver and Gold]

*From the Garden to the Kitchen / Hey Rita, what's cooking? - Well, Yardboy, another year of recipe sharing and making many more friends through this newsletter. Thanks for letting me be a part of one of the most fun things I do. Merry Christmas to you and yours, Yardboy, and raise your glass to another successful year! 

Master Recipe for Quiche - Use your favorite pie pastry. This is a master recipe, meaning that you can take it anywhere you want – try adding 8 ozs. sautéed, crumbled bacon, 8 ozs. sautéed sausage, some chopped ham, two different kinds of cheeses, etc.  I like to add sautéed leeks to the base mixture, but, really, Yardboy, that’s up to the cook!  Also, the milk can be skim or half & half, even whipping cream!  This is wonderful on Christmas morning – mix up the ingredients the evening before, pour it into your pie shell and enjoy. Oh, you might need to add a few minutes of baking time if the mixture is chilled from the frig. You'll need:  2 leeks, white part only, chopped and sautéed in a bit of butter or olive oil, 4 eggs, 8 ozs. shredded cheese, 2 cups whole milk, Salt and pepper to taste.  Let the leeks cool a little while beating the eggs.  Stir in the cheese, milk and leeks and season to taste. Pour into pie shell and bake in 350 preheated oven for  35-40 minutes or until puffed all around.  Serves 6-8

Sweet & Spicy Bacon - We love this, Yardboy, and it’s really addictive. Just follow the method below for best results.  You'll need:  2 tablespoons packed brown sugar, 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1 pound thick cut bacon.     Preheat oven to 350. Stir together sugar and peppers.  Put bacon in a single layer on large cookie sheet and rub just a tiny bit of the spiced sugar over it. Bake about 20 minutes. Turn slices over and sprinkle with rest of sugar mixture. Bake until done and crisp, about 15 minutes more and place on paper towels to drain.

Magic Reindeer Mix - Really, the reindeers love this! The glitter is the “magic” ingredient!  And so do Santa’s elves, if you leave the glitter out!  You'll need:  4 cups corn cereal squares, 2 cups dry roasted peanuts, 1 cup orange and cranberry dried fruit bits or raisins or dried cranberries, 1 cup tropical mixed dried fruit, 2 cups yogurt covered raisins, Glitter.   Combine all ingredients.  Place in decorated bags or jars and put out with Santa’s cookies for the reindeer!   Tip: To make Santa’s tracks:  Dust the bottoms of a pair of boots with powder or flour. Make tracks with the boots on the floor.  Watch the little ones’ eyes’ almost pop when they see “Santa’s tracks”!  

-Rita Nader Heikenfeld, CCP / Macy’s Regional Culinary Professional / Herbalist / Author / Local TV and Radio Cooking Expert / Adjunct Professor U.C. Clermont College / Community Press Papers / Maker of strange potions and part time Witchdoctor.  Contact Rita at: [life@communitypress.com attn: Rita or www.abouteating.com]

[I started a new exercise program.  I do 20 sit ups every morning.  That may not sound like a lot, but hey, you can only hit that snooze button just so many times!]

*Yardboy's plant to ponder - Indoor plants - That's right!  Foliage plants growing indoors!  And having foliage plants indoors is back!  They’re one of the hottest trends in indoor gardening and rightfully so!  They look great, having indoor plants helps us to feel better emotionally, and they do something no other interior furnishings can do - they provide us with fresh air!  Research from the folks at NASA has shown that having 2 medium sized foliage plants every 100 square feet or so, is enough to remove indoor air pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, and many others.  And the real interesting thing about this plant list of air fresheners from NASA.  Most of the top air purifiers are also some of the easiest plants to grow indoors!    The NASA Tests  NASA'S TOP 50 Air-Freshening Plants - These were found to be the best plants for removing toxic chemicals from the air. The Overall Rating in the table below, is a grading based on the plant's total performance - purifying the air , ease of maintenance, resistance to pests and transpiration rate (How much water is released into the air - humidity is good for us too). The toxin removal rating is a measure of the plants ability to remove impurities from the air. The figures below were collected by measuring the removal of formaldehyde (measured in micrograms per hour), a common pollutant in homes, given off by paints, glues and fabrics. 

A little bit of this and a little bit of that - Shopping at Natorp's Garden Stores?  Here are our hours for the remainder of 2006 and the Winter 2007:     Mon - Sat 9:30 - 6          Sun 11-5    Christmas Eve 9:30 - 1    Closed Dec 25 and 26  

2007 Winter Hours (Beginning Dec. 31, 2006):   Stores will be closed Dec. 31, Jan 1 and 2, then will begin winter hours of Tuesday thru Saturday 9:30 - 6, closed Sunday and Monday.

Be prepared for the 2007 Landscaping Season.  Contact Natorp’s Landscape [Design Install Maintain] this winter, and avoid the spring rush!  New landscapes, landscape revisions or updates, residential or commercial, screen plantings, new entry plantings, create a new outdoor living area, specialty gardens, hardscapes, landscape maintenance and more, Natorp’s has you covered.  Call (513) 398-4769 for more information, to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced landscape designers, or to see about a 2007 landscape maintenance spring cleanup, seasonal or year round landscape maintenance.

COME SEE THE NATORP / CLEAR CHANNEL GARDEN! - The 2007 Fifth Third Bank Home & Garden Show presented by Toyota, one of the Midwest’s longest running home and garden shows, is set for March 3-11, 2007 at the Cincinnati Convention Center.    More than 60 percent of the Show is devoted to Show Gardens presented by Frontgate, the Garden Market in association with the Jr. League of Cincinnati, and garden and outdoor living exhibits along with fine furniture and an interior design show. It features more than 425 exhibits from top designers, landscapers and retailers in the region, including 20 beautiful show gardens.    The Fifth Third Bank Cincinnati Home & Garden Show presented by Toyota, produced by Hart Productions, is open Saturday, March 3 from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, March 4, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Closed Monday, March 5 and Tuesday, March 6; Wednesday through Friday, March 7, 8 and 9, open noon until 9 p.m.; Saturday, March 10, 10:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Sunday, March 11, 10:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. (box office closes one hour from posted closing).   Adult tickets are $11, $3 for youth 13 and under, and can be purchased at the Show entrance.

[One time I went to a museum where all the work on display had been done by children.  They had all their paintings up on refrigerators.]

Classes, Seminars, and upcoming Special Events - Please join OSU Extension Butler County and Butler County Master Gardeners as we host the 2007 Home Horticulture Series.  We have a great line up of speakers and topics this year, all aimed at no nonsense gardening for the average homeowner.  These valuable, low cost workshops are being taught by experts in their fields and will be a valuable asset to anyone wanting to improve and enhance their residential lawns and gardens.  All classes will be held on Wednesday evenings, 7:00 PM, at the Janet Clemmons Center in Hamilton Ohio.   The series cost is $20.00.  Individual classes may be attended at a cost of $5.00 each.   Jan. 24 - Landscape Design Basics, Kimberly Hill, Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture Studies, Miami Univ.  Jan. 31 - Ten Ways to Kill Your Trees, Wendi Van Buren, Regional Urban Forester, ODNR.    Feb. 7 - Home and Yard Invaders, Jim Jasinski, OSU Extension District Specialist, Entomology.   Feb. 14 - Container Gardening, Patrick Greeson, Greenhouse Production Supervisor, Natorp Garden Center.    Feb. 21 - Practical Lawn Care, Greg Meyer, OSU Extension Educator, Warren County.    
Registration for this series is open so sign up now.  You may register by mail by using the attached brochure, downloading the brochure at www.butler.osu.edu, or you may register in person at the Butler County Extension Office, 1810 Princeton Road, Hamilton, OH 45011.  Cash or check only.  Make checks payable to OSU Extension Butler County.  For more information see the attached brochure or phone (513) 887-3722.  Thanks and hope to see you at the 2007 Home Horticulture Series. 

Kinkead Ridge Estate Winery will be open one more day in 2006:  Saturday, December 16, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.  Kinkead Ridge wine is a great holiday gift!  Come taste our American Wine Society award-winning wines, including the Double Gold 2004 Cabernet Franc, only 3 Double Gold Medals awarded to an international field of over 1000 wines!  The River Village Cellars 2005 White Wine is now in very limited supply.  The winery is located at 904 Hamburg Street, Ripley, Ohio. Overflow parking at the large white building across the street. 

The winery will re-open Memorial Day 2007 for the release of the 2006 white wines, and a semi-annual vineyard tour. The other vineyard tour will be Labor Day Weekend 2007, the weekend we release the 2005 red wines. Don't miss the 2005 Petit Verdot, only 70 cases produced!   -Our best wishes to you, your family and friends in this holiday season, and thank you for your support in 2006

Landscaping for the Homeowner—2007 Series beginning January 24 is just what you need. Presented by the Zoo’s Director of Horticulture Steve Foltz, this 10-class series is one of the most informative and complete landscape series for homeowners in the Tri-state area.  Offering insight on design, preparation and plant selection, the classes can be taken separately or as a complete series building upon one another. If you are considering new additions to your garden, these classes provide good insight on soil preparation, maintenance and plant selection that you will need to be ready to create a thriving and beautiful garden in the spring.   This series would also be a perfect gift for the garden enthusiast in your family.  All classes meet every Wednesday evening from 7-9 p.m. starting January 24 for 10 weeks. Cost for the complete series is $70 for Zoo members; $90 for non-members. Individual classes are $8 for Zoo members; $10 for non-members.   

January 24 -­ Design Your Own Landscape­ Part 1
January 31 -­ Design Your Own Landscape­ Part 2
February 7 -­ Trees in the Landscape
February 14 - Shrubs in the Landscape
February 21 - Annuals: Color in the Landscape
February 28 - Landscape Maint. and Lawn Care
March 7 -­ Perennial Design
March 14 -­ Perennial Plants  Part 1
March 21 -­ Perennial Plants Part 2
March 28 -­ Gardening for Wildlife
For additional information or to register for the Landscaping for the Homeowner—2006 Series, call 513-559-7767.

December 16.  Greens for the Family – Think Outside the House at the Civic Garden Center,  9am-Noon  Instructor:  Corina Bullock, Civic Garden Center Youth Education Coordinator.  We’re adding a family class to our traditional Greens Workshops this year!  You and your young people can make seasonal decorations for outside.  Kid-inspired swags, wreaths, or decorate bird feeders will spread cheer to all who pass by.  Cost: $30.00 per decorating bundle.  Registration appreciated, 513/ 221-0981, Ext. 18. 

December 20.  Okra’s Book Club - Our Civic Garden Center Book Club meets once a month in the Hoffman Library.  Please check our website (www.civicgardencenter.org) for the monthly book selection.  Free, but registration appreciated, 513/ 221-0981, Ext. 18.

[May all your troubles in the coming year be as short as your New Years Resolutions.] 

OBKB!  That's it for 2006!  It's been real.  Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and Happy New Year to everyone!  Now, do yourself a favor.  Go out and have the best Holiday Season of your life.  See you in 2007!  RW, the Yardboy.   -Now go get you lawn mower blade sharpened!

[Catch Natorp's own grown yardboy Ron Wilson during the week:  -55KRC The Talk Station 'In the Garden with Ron Wilson' every Saturday from 6-9am  - Satellite Radio / XM TalkRadio 165 every Saturday from 6-9am  -610 WTVN (Columbus) every Saturday from 10-12pm - NOW on every weekday from 2-3pm on the new 1360 The Source.com -Thursday and Saturday mornings on Local 12 News (WKRC) Homeworx Team   -Garden expert for 'HomewoRx' with Gary Sullivan on Local 12, Sunday at 11:30am.  Be sure to listen to 55KRC The Talk Station for the best in talk radio! (Home of programming director Tony 'Big Dog' Bender, and executive producer Joe 'the original Joe Pro, who without Joe, the show just wouldn't go' Strecker.)

["Eat only what is proper food, drink only that which does you good.  Spend only what you can afford, lend only what will be restored.  Then will you have no cause to say, "I was a fool on yesterday"  -The Big Dog's final point to ponder for 2006]