6th Annual Authors in Bloom Blog Hop!

Welcome to my corner of the 6th Annual Authors in Bloom Blog Hop! What a fun way to celebrate spring AND win prizes. Win-Win!!

As for my gardening tip, I’m going to share a fun fact. Everyone knows that milk is good for the body, but did you know it may also be good for the garden? People have milk in the garden for several generations. Why, your grandparents probably used it! Not only is milk good for providing calcium, it can also protect plants against viruses and powdery mildew.

Wow. Raw or unpasteurized, cow’s milk has some of the same nourishing properties for plants that it has for us. It contains proteins, vitamin B and sugars that are good for plants, improving their overall health and crop yields. The microbes that feed on the fertilizer components of milk are also beneficial to the soil.

Why do our plants need calcium?

To avoid ugly blossom-end rot, like this poor little fella.

However, using too much milk isn’t a good idea. The bacteria in it will spoil resulting in a stinky odor and wilty, poor growth. Yuck.

So what type of milk can be used as milk fertilizer in the garden? I say use old milk–past its expiration date. This way you’re recycling/composting the old milk while fertilizing your plants at the same time. I do love a win-win proposition!

You can also use milk as a leaf spray. However, some plants (like tomatoes and squash) are prone to developing fungal diseases. If the milk remains on the leaves too long, it will cause more harm than good.

CAUTION: After spraying your plants with milk, don’t treat the area with any chemical pesticide or fertilizer. It can affect the fertilizer components in milk that actually help the plants—bacteria.

Now for the prize. I’m giving away a set up Batman gloves and garden tools to celebrate the release of my upcoming book, The Muddy Fingers Garden Crew to the Rescue! And why?

Because kids love to wear costumes and there’s no better place than in the garden. Seriously. Joey Hernandez LOVES to garden and he LOVES to have fun–especially when it comes to his favorite superheroes. (Check out my Facebook page for a sneak preview!)

Book three follows the children from school to a nearby neighborhood where they work to save a friend’s community garden in jeopardy of closure due to a squabble among neighbors. Will all be lost? Not if the kids have anything to say about it!

(Coming summer 2017)

a Rafflecopter giveaway


All righty now–get hopping! You have LOTS of places yet to visit!!

 

And

16 responses to “6th Annual Authors in Bloom Blog Hop!

  1. Joye

    Congrats on your children’s book. It sounds like one kids would love to read.

  2. Judy Cox

    I WOULD PROBABLY DRESS UP LIKE A HUGE HEAD OF cABBAGE.

  3. Rachael Clemons

    THAt is so interesting about his g milk!! Thanks for doing the hop!

  4. Sharon Guagliardo

    Thank you for the hop. Your children’s book sounds like a lot of fun. I’m not sure why my computer is typing in caps but my email should be all lowercase letters. Thanks. catwoman-1(at)Comcast(dot)net

  5. Belinda Clemons

    That is really awesome thanks .for the chance

  6. joy f

    Thanks for the chance.
    magic5905 at embarqmail dot com

  7. Christina Riggs

    A big bee.
    Christina / whistleinthewind74@hotmail.com

  8. Laura McGee

    I did not know that about milk. Lrskt@yahoo.com

  9. BookAttict

    I’d totally dress up as Poison Ivy!

    Thanks for the amazing giveaway!
    elizabeth(at)bookattict(dot)com

  10. Emily Smith

    I would love to dress up as Katniss everdeen. lol turtleemiwee(at)hotmail(dot)com

  11. Jeanna Massman

    I would be the Green Lantern because he has a Green ThuMb. jeanna_massman@hotmail.com

  12. Desiree

    Thanks for the giveaway! 💖
    BUNNYCLEM(at)GMAIL(dot)com

  13. Thanks for the tips!
    cchant86 @ yahoo.com

  14. Rhi

    I love the batman gardening gear! That is awesome! thank you for the chance. Not sure what I would dress up as in a garden. vipersweb (at)gmail (dot)com

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