As coffee lovers, it’s always a shame to throw away used coffee grounds. But did you know that there are actually many ways to use your used coffee grounds in the garden? Here are some ideas on how you can make the most of those leftover grounds:
 
1. Use them as an organic fertilizer for houseplants - Coffee is rich, albeit in low amounts,  in nitrogen and other minerals which makes it great for helping plants grow strong and healthy.  Just sprinkle a few spoonful’s onto the soil every month or so, then water as usual. Your plants will thank you! 
 
2. Create a compost pile – Adding your used coffee grounds directly into your compost pile helps create nutrient-rich soil which can be added back into gardens or flower beds later on down the line when needed!  It also helps with aeration, reducing odors from decomposing matter and attracting beneficial insects like earthworms too!
 
3 Make worm food – Worms love eating up old caffeine-infused leftovers from our morning cup of Joe (they must have good taste!).  Get those worms hyped up on caffeine by simply adding some freshly brewed (or cold) ground beans directly into their bin once per week or so — they’ll be sure to appreciate this tasty treat while simultaneously creating richer castings (worm poo) for future plantings at home too!. 
 
So don't let those precious nutrients go unused any longer — put those spent grinds to work today by using them around your garden instead of throwing them out next time you brew up another pot o' Joe!
 
Have a gardening question?  Call NICK.  1-800-405-NICK (6425).  Leave a message and we’ll call you back during the week.

Fund facts:  20 Slang Terms for Coffee.
    1 Joe
    2. Dirt
    3. Mud
    4. Java
    5. Brew
    6. Cuppa
    7. Go Juice
    8. Jitter Juice
    9. Bean Juice
    10. Brain Juice
    11. High Octane
    12 .Wakey Juice
    13. Morning Jolt
    14. Liquid Energy
    15. Caffeine Infusion
    16. Cupped Lighting
    17 . Leaded and Unleaded
    18. Rocket Fuel (Strong Coffee)
    19. Worm Dirt (REALLY Strong Coffee)
    20. C8H10N4O2 (Caffeine Molecule)

Want to talk coffee with Nick?  Then call NICK.  Really, call 1-800-405-NICK!

With winter in full swing, it’s important to remember that birds are counting on us for sustenance during this cold (and sometimes warm – So. Cal) season. Many people stop feeding their feathered friends as soon as the temperatures drop, but this is a mistake. Don’t be tempted to give up on your avian friends just because the weather has changed – they still need your help!
 
Birds can struggle during colder months due to lack of food sources, so providing them with bird feed is essential for their survival. The type of bird feed you use matters: opt for high-calorie mixes such as sunflower seeds and suet pellets over seed blends or peanuts alone - these will provide more energy per bite which helps keep birds warm and healthy throughout the winter months. For a treat purchase (or grow) live insects like grubs and worms. 
 
Consider adding a heated bird bath, not hot water, just enough so that water remains available even when temperatures dip below freezing; you may also want to build or buy an insulated shelter like a wooden box roost where small songbirds can rest safely at night while staying out of harm's way from predators.   Pterodactyl would enjoy indoor shelter so leave your garage door open and park outside.
 
Don't forget about our feathered friends once winter arrives - they depend on us now more than ever! With some simple preparation (and maybe even some DIY projects), we can ensure our local wildlife stays safe through all four seasons by providing them with food sources and sanctuaries against harsh conditions outside . So don't wait any longer – start stocking up your backyard today!
 
Have a gardening question?  Call NICK. 1-800-405-NICK (6425).  Leave your  name and number and we’ll get back to you during the week.  Call now!

Gardening can be a messy business, and it’s inevitable that your shoes will get muddy from time to time. But don’t worry – there are plenty of ways to keep your shoes clean while you garden! The first thing you should do is invest in some sturdy gardening boots or clogs. These types of footwear provide extra protection for your feet and will help keep the mud off of them.  Oh, and never, ever, never work in the garden barefoot not matter how many callouses or the thickness of foot fungus you have.  
 
If by chance (or misfortune) mud does find its way onto your shoes while gardening, there are methods for cleaning them back up again without damaging their material or coloration. A simple solution such as baking soda mixed with warm water can work wonders on removing dirt stains; alternatively rubbing alcohol is great for tougher spots like grass stains! 
 
So next time those pesky mud patches appear on our beloved garden kicks - no need fretting over whether we'll ever wear them again - simply bust out one these trusty solutions instead and watch those grime-filled worries fade away like dust in the wind.
 
Want to talk gardening?  Call NICK.  Really, call 1-800-405-NICK(6425).  Leave your name and number and we’ll call you back to answer your gardening question with a real live person!

Kale has been around for centuries, but it wasn’t until recently that this leafy green vegetable became a national craze. It seems like every health-conscious eater is talking about the benefits of kale and how to incorporate it into their diets. But what is the history behind this superfood?
 
The origin of kale dates back over 2,000 years ago when Greeks and Romans first cultivated it as a food crop. From there, its popularity spread throughout Europe before making its way across the pond to North America in colonial times. Since then, many varieties have been developed including curly kale (the most common type), ornamental or dinosaur kale (which has bumpy leaves) and Russian Red Kale (which has dark purple leaves).   
 
Health-wise, there are plenty of reasons why people should be eating more kale! This cruciferous vegetable contains high levels of vitamins A & C as well as minerals such as calcium & iron which can help boost your immune system. Plus with only 33 calories per cup cooked – you won’t feel guilty indulging in some delicious greens!  In this man’s opinion kale is a 4 on the yucky scale of 1-10.  However, he does like it salted up like chips.  That comes in at about an 8.3569.
 
If you want to grow your own at home – all you need are some seeds or sets from any local nursery or garden center store; just make sure they get enough sunlight so they don’t become bitter tasting due to lack of light exposure! So if you haven't already jumped on board with everyone else who's passionate about these amazing greens - now might be a good time join them by trying out different recipes featuring fresh Kale today!
 
Want to talk more about kale or anything gardening to a real live human?  Call Nick 24/7 toll free at 1-800-405-NICK(6425) and we’ll call you back to chat with him directly (usually during the week).

Planting a winter garden with herbs is an excellent way to get your green thumb in gear and add some flavor, color, and life into your home. Not only are herbs easy to grow, but they also have many medicinal benefits that can help ward off flu and colds during the colder months.


Herb gardens have been around since ancient times; it’s said that even Hippocrates had his own herb garden! Herbs were used medicinally for centuries by cultures all over the world due to their healing properties. Today we still use them as natural remedies for common ailments like indigestion or headaches – not just because they taste great in our favorite dishes!


So if you’re looking for a fun project this winter season why not try planting an indoor herb garden? It doesn’t take much space or time – all you need are some containers (or one large planter), potting soil, fertilizer like Dramm.com Organic Fertilizer and of course seeds/clippings from existing plants or sets from the nursery. You could choose traditional favorites like basil, rosemary or thyme; there are plenty of other options too like oregano, sage or mint depending on what kind of flavors you prefer in your cooking. Once planted make sure to keep up with regular watering schedules, keep the soil moist not wet,  so that everything stays healthy throughout its growth cycle - especially during these chilly temperatures outside! 


Not only will having fresh herbs at home be convenient when making meals but it will also give you peace-of-mind knowing exactly where those ingredients came from: right outta da backyard ; )>>> So don't wait any longer - grab yourself some supplies today & start growing something special this winter season!

Want to talk gardening with a real person?  Call Nick.  Really….1-800-405-NICK (6425).  Leave your name and number and we’ll call you back (usually during the week).

Santa Claus may be known for his jolly laugh and love of cookies, but did you know he also has a green thumb? Santa is an avid gardener who grows some of the most unique plants in the North Pole! From candy cane-shaped shrubs to peppermint trees, Santa's garden is truly one-of-a-kind. He even grows special varieties of carrots that are shaped like reindeer antlers!

But what really sets Santa's garden apart from other gardens is its magical properties. During winter months, snowflakes dance around each flower bed while colorful lights twinkle above them. On Christmas Eve night, it’s said that if you look closely enough into his garden you can see elves playing tag among the foliage and hear Mrs Claus singing carols from her kitchen window nearby.

For all these reasons (and more!), there’s no doubt that when it comes to gardening - nobody does it quite like Santa Claus!

#santa #santaclause #santaclaus #claus #stnick #noel #santagardening #santasgarden #candycane #candycanegarden #peppermint #mrsclaus

 Love is often expressed through beautiful things, like a bouquet of freshly picked roses. Roses have been used for centuries as symbols of passion and devotion, so it's no surprise that they're still seen as a sign of affection today. But what if you could use those same flowers to actually communicate?
 
Imagine being able to say "I love you" with just one look at your garden full of blooming reds and pinks! Or perhaps sending someone special an arrangement that says "you make me feel happy," or even conveying something  like "Friends forever." With the right combination, roses can be used to express any emotion - from joy and gratitude all the way down into sorrowful goodbyes.
 
So this season when picking out plants for your garden, why not try adding in some rose bushes too? Not only will it add beauty but also give you another way to express yourself without words - because sometimes actions really do speak louder than words!

​​Question: Hi, is it okay to use my backyard dirt to pot my house plants in? I’ve been to a couple of the stores recently and compost and garden soil is kind of hard to come by.

NICK: There's no doubt that there is a supply chain problem in the yard and garden industry. When it comes to soils, oh boy, people have to be very inventive and creative in what they're doing. Now it's not the end of the world if you use soil from your yard, but typically you're depleting that from your yard and it's usually a heavier kind of soil which may have different kind of insects and disease problems that you don't want to bring into the house. Whenever possible, try to get your hands on that real garden soil or potting soil (instead of using backyard dirt for house plants) because that would be best for your plants.

Learn more about soil by checking out this video!

​​Question:  My rabbit's foot ferns are turning a dark green and drying up before fully opening. Any ideas on what I’m doing wrong?

NICK: A Rabbit's Foot Fern does have its little idiosyncrasies, but they're pretty easy to take care of. This is a plant that would rather be in a shady situation like maybe morning sun, but nothing after that. The second thing we have to do is mist the plants. Now we don't want the soil to be saturated, just a little bit moist on top. Come through there every two or three days with a sprayer and just kind of mist the tops. This way they can absorb it in their leaves and maybe they'll open better for you. The last thing that we have to keep in mind is that the plants really like to be kind of on the root bound side which is something we don't hear about in the world of gardening.