Fun Facts From The Almanac

I don't know about you but every year I look forward to getting the new Farmer's Almanac and reading it cover to cover.  I enjoy this almost as much as I enjoy perusing my herbal journals and magazines when they come.  It is like having an old friend come to visit and I carve out some quality time just to spend reading.  The Almanac is always full of great information about gardening and planting and tide tables and astronomy guides but it is also chock-full of interesting facts and awesome tips from readers that can really help you in your garden and home, not to mention the great ideas for frugal living you can find.  I thought I'd just share a few of the great stuff I found in this year's Farmers Almanac, though there are so many it was hard to choose just a few!  I recommend you pick up your own copy so you can have the full scope of this awesome information!

Some of my favorite tips for 2012:

1. Corn Circles: Blues guitarist Elvin Bishop, famous for the melody "Fooled Around And Fell In Love," has
   this unique tip for growing corn - In his 10x10 plot Elvin lays down a water drip line in a spiral of ever  
   increasing circles spaced 1 foot apart.  The circular planting formation allows for more even pollination,
   resulting in a better yield of corn.

2.  Instant Compost:  Put fruit, vegetable peels, rinsed egg shells, coffee grinds and other compostable items in
   a blender.  Add water and process.  Spread wherever you need compost.  Works great for container
   gardens!

3.  Eggshell Starts:  Place small amount of dirt in bottom of rinsed eggshell.  Plant seed and allow to sprout.
    Once sprouted, simply plant the whole thing, eggshell and all!  I LOVE this idea!!!

4.  Use leftover deli chicken containers as mini greenhouses!  When I think of all the deli containers I have
    recycled...I wish I had read this tip years ago!

5.  Perfume Paint:  Mix one tsp. of Vanilla, or other flavored extract into one gallon of paint.  What a great
    idea!  I have to paint my bathroom soon and I will definitely be trying this, though I will likely replace the
    vanilla extract for a tsp. of Lavender essential oil!

Those are just a few of the great ideas to be found in the 2012 Farmer's Almanac.  I can't wait to try these
ideas around my own home and garden!

What great home and garden tips do you have to share?  I'd love to hear them!