Washington County Weekend Post

4A • WASHINGTON COUNTY POST • SUNDAY, AUGUST 29, 2021 GMTODAY.COM G ne Gardening Stepping outdoors and picking a freshly grown veg- etable is a joy for many homeowners who like to gar- den. Growing vegetables at home offers many benefits. In addition to providing a worthwhile hobby that can increase your physical activ- ity, having control over your own produce can reduce exposure to a number of chemical pesticides and fer- tilizers. This translates into foods that are healthier for the body and the environ- ment. Gardens also can help the average person save money on often costly pro- duce, all the while reducing gardeners' carbon foot- prints. Waiting to reap the rewards of a harvest can try the patience of those accus- tomed to satisfying their needs on a moment's notice. This is especially true for young gardeners who have grown up in a society that increasingly provides imme- diate gratification. While tomatoes, peppers and watermelons require long growing seasons, many other fruits and vegetables grow much faster. This offers plenty of bounty in a short time for those who may have gotten a later start on their gardens or simply don't have the patience to wait on the more time-consuming grow- ers. • Arugula: Some people call arugula "rocket" be- cause of just how quickly it grows. The green has been growing in popularity as a salad starter or vegetable side dish. Simply cut the leaves when they are large enough and as needed for recipes. Other fast-growing greens include kale, chard mustard greens and water- cress. • Radishes: Radishes are typically ready for harvest about one month after plant- ing, making them among the fastest-growing vegetables around. • Snap beans: Beans can be steamed, added to salads or eaten raw with dips. They're often a summer sta- ple. Some of the fastest pro- ducers are ready to harvest in about 50 days. • Turnips: Both the roots and the leaves of turnips can be eaten, and this old-fash- ioned vegetable makes a great addition to soups and stews. Because the plants tend to be tolerant across many gardening zones, they're handy and easy-to- grow even as the weather cools. • Squash: Don't mistake the squash in the garden for cucumber. Both look similar but green squash, or zucchi- ni, can be much more versa- tile. Zucchini can be grilled, baked, sautéed, stuffed, fried, and even turned into noodles. • Green onions: To add fresh flavor to foods, green onions (scallions) grow much more quickly than it takes onion bulbs to mature. Speak with a garden cen- ter expert to learn more about which vegetables, fruits and herbs grow quick- ly and will thrive in your home garden. Fast-growing vegetables for the impatient gardener Mulch is available in var- ious forms. Like other land and garden products, mulch can go a long way toward helping plants thrive. Mulch comprises just about any material that is spread over the surface of soil. Its purpose is primarily to help soil retain moisture. In addition, mulch can staunch weed growth, keep soil cool, improve the aes- thetics of garden beds, and even improve soil nutrient composition. When the right mulch is chosen, it can reduce the amount of time homeowners spend watering and weeding their gardens and insulate plants from dra- matic changes in weather. Gardeners may not real- ize that mulch also can prevent garden soil from becoming overly compacted, according to HGTV. This can mean beneficial earthworms can move easily through the soil, creating channels for water and depositing their nutrient-rich waste prod- ucts. Gardeners can choose organic or inorganic mulch. Organic mulches are derived from natural materials that will decompose over time, lending organic matter as well as various nutrients to the soil. Organic mulches also may contain beneficial microorganisms that can fight against plant diseases. Inorganic mulches may be made of stones, landscape fabrics and plastic. Both types will need to be amend- ed or replaced as they de- grade. Those who want the most environmentally- friendly mulching materials can choose all-natural mulches instead of synthetic alternatives. To work effectively, mulch should be applied in a two- to three-inch layer of material, state the experts at Old World Garden Farms. This is the ideal amount to retain soil moisture and sup- press weed growth without choking plants. Also, mulch that is too thick may make it impossible for water to pene- trate, or it may prevent the soil from airing out, causing continuously wet conditions that lead to root and stem rot. The University of Con- necticut Home & Garden Education Center says mulch should not be placed directly against plant crowns or tree bases, as this can promote the develop- ment of disease. It may also serve as a habitat for bark- and stem-eating rodents. The center also suggests water- ing newly installed bark or wood mulches to prevent fungi from colonizing in dry mulch and causing problems like a water-repellent sur- face on the mulch. Home landscapers con- sidering mulch types may find that compost, manure and grass clippings (from nonpesticide-treated lawns) can be inexpensive and ver- satile in garden beds. The home advice site The Spruce notes that newspaper may also be effective. Many news- papers have switched over to organic dyes, especially for their black and white sec- tions. Newspapers are an inexpensive way to suppress weeds and act like organic mulch in beds. They can be covered with other organic mulch, like shredded bark, for more visual appeal. Mulch can be a versatile asset when doing gardening projects around home land- scapes. And the benefits are more than just aesthetic. The basics of mulching ACROSS 1. Secret clique 6. Earliest in and out 10. Ancient Egyptian symbol of life 14. Olfactory property 15. Kidnapping 17. Golf prize 19. Helps little fi rms 20. Cast a spell on 21. Panama is one 22. Dishonorable man 23. Sea eagle 24. Part of the healing process 26. Vin's last name 29. Wings 31. Made older 32. Political device 34. Looks like a rabbit 35. Gurus 37. Philippine Island 38. Not or 39. Hindu model of ideal man 40. Exam 41. Making less diffi cult 43. Without 45. Dravidian ethnic group 46. A baglike structure 47. Buenos Aires capital La __ 49. Dab 50. Singers who perform together 53. Pirates' saying 57. OK to allude to 58. Somaliland diplomat 59. Has to pay back 60. Felix is one 61. Intestinal pouches DOWN 1. Harsh cries of a crow 2. Type of horse 3. __ fi de: authentic 4. Doctors' group 5. Fugitives are on it 6. Forged 7. Wild goat 8. Infl uential American president 9. Calls for help 10. Repents 11. Palm tree with creeping roots 12. Black powder used in makeup 13. Happy New Year 16. Stretched out one's neck 18. Whale ship captain 22. Atomic #20 23. Border 24. River that borders India and Nepal 25. After B 27. Fencing swords 28. Where researchers work 29. Expression of satisfaction 30. Broadway actor Nathan 31. Heavy, heat-retaining stove 33. A way to eliminate 35. Type of tree resin 36. Russian river 37. Children's TV network 39. Troublemaker 42. Averts or delays 43. Self-immolation by fi re ritual 44. It cools your home 46. Satisfy to the fullest 47. Stinks! 48. Popular board game 49. Attack by hurling 50. A vale 51. Type of acid 52. Tasmania's highest mountain 53. No seats available 54. Licensed for Wall Street 55. Family of genes 56. Constrictor snake ANSWERS FOR THIS WEEK'S CROSSWORD HOME & GARDEN HOME & GARDEN HOME & GARDEN This fall choose a local expert to help you with all your home improvement, remodeling, and lawn and garden projects. Check out our 2021 Fall Home & Garden section with expanded coverage for both Washington and Ozaukee counties. The 2021 Fall Home & Garden section will publish: September 10 - Daily News • September 12 - Washington County Post September 14 - News Graphic Looking to update, remodel or spruce up this fall?

• Cover