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Sep 13, 2024 | 
slj.com | Kate Messner |Nancy Hawkins
. (History Smashers: Bk. 9). Aug. 2024. 224p. Tr $12.99. ISBN 9780593705285. COPY ISBN Gr 4-9–The Salem Witch Trials is the subject of the ninth installment of the acclaimed nonfiction “History Smasher” series. Messner uncovers the myths about this tumultuous period in American history. Some of these include the practice of “burning witches at stake” and how solely women were part of the Salem Witch trials.
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Jun 15, 2024 | 
hanfordsentinel.com | Nancy Hawkins
Visalia has almost 40 parks, but one of its perhaps lesser-known jewels is the Ralph Moore Memorial Rose Garden on the corner of Main and Hall Streets. Ralph Moore was born on January 14, 1907, in Visalia, California. His father was a commercial vegetable grower and Mr. Moore was first introduced to roses in his grandparent's garden in Visalia. He graduated from the local high school and enrolled in Visalia Junior College.
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Oct 21, 2023 | 
hanfordsentinel.com | Nancy Hawkins
February and March of 2023 provided us with a problem we hadn't had for five or more years--what to do with all the rain water. For cities and public areas, flooding and mud slides were a concern. County and city officials worked to clear waterways, update emergency procedures, respond to the many areas of flooding and plan for future such events. Still, a major concern is replenishing underground aquifers that supply our water.
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Oct 12, 2023 | 
thesungazette.com | Nancy Hawkins
Planning for a rain gardenA typical rain garden is between 4 and 8 inches deep. One more than 8 inches deep might allow water to stand too long, one less than 4 inches deep will not be able to handle the run off from larger storms. No matter what the depth of the rain garden, the goal is to keep it level. The size of the garden is determined by the drainage area (the areas that will drain into the rain garden, such as roof, lawn, driveway, patios, etc.).
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Sep 22, 2023 | 
slj.com | Nancy Churnin |Albert Whitman |Nancy Hawkins |Lee Paige
PreS-Gr 3–A delightfully written story based on how the Irish brought their Halloween traditions to America. Lila and her family leave Ireland in 1850 due to the potato famine, but Lila is worried about leaving behind her Halloween traditions. In Ireland, a sly spirit named Jack walked the streets on Halloween, playing pranks. So, the children carved turnips into jack-o’-lanterns and put them in their windows so he wouldn’t visit their house.
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Apr 15, 2023 | 
hanfordsentinel.com | Nancy Hawkins
Many people think of thistles as prickly weeds, and no gardener wants a weed in their vegetable garden. But the artichoke, scientifically known as Cynara scolymus, proves that not all thistles are a nuisance. Eaten by the ancient Greeks and Romans, this member of the thistle family has been cultivated as a gourmet food for centuries. Most of the plant is edible, but the portion usually eaten is the immature flower bud, formed before the artichoke blooms.
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Mar 16, 2023 | 
thesungazette.com | Nancy Hawkins
Water consistently. Artichokes love water. They need it to produce tender buds. As a thistle, the plant has deep roots. Water deeply 1 to 3 times a week, depending on the weather. Drip irrigation using drip emitters or in-line drip tubing works well to provide adequate water. Extremely hot summers can cause artichoke buds to open quickly into flowers. Mulching around each plant helps reduce soil temperatures and water evaporation. Apply fertilizer.
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Mar 12, 2023 | 
santamariatimes.com | Nancy Hawkins
Let's talk blueberries. I planted six one-gallon size plants about a year ago with big expectations. No blueberries yet. So, I decided to do some research to find out why. Blueberries belong to the family Ericaceae, which includes azaleas and rhododendrons. Most gardeners will recognize this plant family as one that does best in acidic soil (pH of 4.5-5.5). Traditionally, blueberries have been grown most successfully in the northern U.S. where a high number of chilling hours are available.
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Mar 4, 2023 | 
hanfordsentinel.com | Nancy Hawkins
Let's talk blueberries. I planted six one-gallon size plants about a year ago with big expectations. No blueberries yet. So, I decided to do some research to find out why. Blueberries belong to the family Ericaceae, which includes azaleas and rhododendrons. Most gardeners will recognize this plant family as one that does best in acidic soil (pH of 4.5-5.5). Traditionally, blueberries have been grown most successfully in the northern U.S. where a high number of chilling hours are available.
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Feb 24, 2023 | 
thesungazette.com | Nancy Hawkins
Let’s talk blueberries. I planted six one-gallon size plants about a year ago with big expectations. No blueberries yet. So, I decided to do some research to find out why. Blueberries belong to the family Ericaceae, which includes azaleas and rhododendrons. Most gardeners will recognize this plant family as one that does best in acidic soil (pH of 4.5-5.5). Traditionally, blueberries have been grown most successfully in the northern U.S. where a high number of chilling hours are available.
