Newsletter / February 2009

Cupid, the cute little guy with the magical arrows of love, is often seen in association with Valentine's Day. But why is that?

Cupid became associated with Valentine's Day because he was the son of Venus, the Roman god of love and beauty. Cupid often appears on Valentine cards holding a bow and arrows because he is believed to use magical arrows to inspire feelings of love.

Speaking of love, we know you love those plants in your house that have been with you for years. David wants to remind you to check your house plants for aphids and other pests. A good way to control pests is to wash all exposed plant parts in a mixture of a mild soap and warm water then rinse off the soap mixture with clean water. Repeat this procedure every 4-5 days until you see no sign of pests. Another alternative is "Safer Soap", a non-toxic remedy you can buy at most hardware stores. If you have pests and decide to use a pesticide, please read the label and use it in a ventilated area.

Last spring, David tried a variety of succulents that are annuals. I grew them out on my deck all summer and I'm now enjoying them inside. I am having great success with them in the house, so you may want to consider doing that next year. The best part is that they look great and are low maintenance--they love dry soil and being ignored! David is bringing them back again this year with a few new varieties. He will also have a good mix of Rex begonias.

Also coming soon, probably within the next month, we'll be selling gift certificates online. This will be a great convenience for our customers and a fantastic gift idea. Watch for details.

The farm may be closed for the season, but we're still working hard to get things ready for a spectacular spring. Be sure to click on the link and fill out the short survey so we know what we should continue or change to serve you better.

Have a great February. Stay warm!

Barbara & David Frerichs