Home and Garden 02/18/17

HOME & GARDEN • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2017

Look inside for these specials and many others.

herb gardens S TAR T ING INDOOR

YEAR ROUND GARDENING: LATE WINTER PRUNING, SUMMER FLOWERING SHRUBS AND ORNAMENTAL GRASSES KEN MOON: INSTALLING FLOOR TILES AND SKYLIGHTS

herb garden

HOW TO T END TO AN INDOOR

METRO SERVICES

F

resh herbs and recently picked ingredients can add flavor to any meal. A home chef can even improve the flavor of storebought or prepared foods with an herb garnish that can transform otherwise bland dishes into something you’ll want to eat again and again.

Harvesting fresh herbs is easy for homeowners who have gardens right in their backyards. However, not everyone has a backyard, and even those that do might find their gardens threatened by changing seasons or unwanted critters. When gardens are moved indoors, the bounty of fresh ingredients continues no matter the date on the calendar.

Herb gardens are perhaps some of the easiest gardens to cultivate indoors because they don’t require large pots or much space. The plants themselves are relatively compact, and it only takes a pinch of herbs to give a meal some extra flavor.

When growing herbs indoors, your indoor growing area must have adequate light to simulate the longer days of summer; otherwise, the plants may go dormant. It’s ideal to have a southern exposure on the herbs, with at least eight hours of sunlight per day. If you do not live in a particularly sunny locale, consider supplementing the plants with grow lights, which will provide the full spectrum of light the plants need to thrive.

HG 2 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, FEB 18, 2017

Indoor air can become too dry for herbs, so you will need to compensate by providing humidity. While there may be added humidity in a kitchen greenhouse window, it still may not be enough to keep the plants healthy. Think about misting the plants daily to create some extra humidity, or place herb pots on top of a water-filled tray with pebbles so the evaporating water will add moisture without making the roots soggy.

Insects are another threat to indoor gardens because there is no cold weather to inhibit the hatching of insect eggs. Soil from outdoors may be more susceptible to insects that are already living in the dirt.

Instead of soil from outside, use packaged

soil or a non-soil alternative that will hold moisture without the added risk of bugs. If small insects appear, use a mist of soapy water to kill the bugs without harming the plants or making the herbs unfit for eating.

Group herbs together according to their watering needs to make maintenance that much easier. New sprouts generally need more water than established plants.

Prune the herbs as needed for recipes. If the herbs experience a growth spurt, trim some of the plants and freeze the herbs for later use.

Many indoor herb gardeners begin by growing parsley, chives, oregano, and basil, but you can experiment with just about any herb.

AROUND THE HOUSE

Installing floor tiles and skylights

BY KEN MOON, SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE

KEN MOON

Dear Ken: I am installing a set of pulldown stairs in my garage. I heard you talking about the fire protection required in a garage. Can I do both?

– Jack

In virtually every house built in the last 60 years, the house and garage have been required to have a layer of special, thicker-than-normal sheet rock to add additional protection between the two spaces. This rule recognizes that there is a little more fire danger from the garage space — especially because of the presence of gasoline, paint and other flammables. So, the “firewall” as it’s called, slows down the spread of the flames for a few extra minutes until the fire department gets there. Any holes in these surfaces — like your pulldown stairs — compromise this protection. In your case, you can ameliorate that breach by adding that sheet rock layer — it’s usually five-eighths inch thick — or some galvanized metal on the plywood underside of the stairs. Then add a “picture frame” of two by four’s around the edges of your new opening to protect the trusses.

If your home is old enough, you may have a heat vent opening or two into the garage from the furnace. This not only violates the fire protection we’ve been discussing, but also represents a safety hazard THAT can allow fumes, like carbon monoxide, to get sucked into the heating system. So, these openings should be permanently sealed.

Dear Ken: I have a shower caddy mounted on some adhesive strips in my shower. My question is, how do I remove it without damaging my shower tile?

– John Applying some gentle heat — a hair dryer set on low speed, for instance — on to the surface will usually allow you to ease the strips off the tile. Be careful, though: too much heat may actually crack the tile you’re working on. Once the caddy is gone, you can use some Goo-Gone solvent to remove the last of the residue.

Dear Ken: The carpet in our bath is pretty bad. Is it easy to rip it up and install tile yourself? What about those sticky back peel and seal tiles?

– Bill If the carpet is simply stretched over some pad, it’s pretty easy to get rid of it.

Unhook it in a corner with some pliers, and then simple “unzip” it from the rest of the tack strip. After you remove the pad and tack strip, spray on some KILZ primer/ sealer over any stained spots.

The self-sticking tiles are easy to do yourself, but they don’t hold nearly as well as a system that is glued with troweled-on mastic. I would avoid them and use some 12-inch-by-12-inch regular ceramic tiles.

If the floor is simply a layer of plywood or chip board, your job will end up looking better with a layer of cement board underlayment, like Durock or Hardee board; that will create a smooth and unyielding layer for your new tile.

Dear Ken: I would like to have skylights installed in our great room, but I’m worried that this would be a major and expensive project. I’m not crazy about the tube versions.

– Suzie Skylights installed after the fact are a little tricky. Depending on your style of roof, they can be difficult to flash into place and integrate with the existing shingles. Whoever does this work for you should be a licensed contractor — not simply a handyman service — because there are some structural implications.

You’re right, this will be a relatively expensive and messy project, since it involves several disciplines: framing, roofing, insulators, dry walling, interior trim and painting.

You might want to rethink your prejudice against the tubular style. They are a “one stop” install — very quick, and because of their built-in flashing collar, a little easier to leak-proof.

Ken Moon is a home inspector in the Pikes Peak region. His radio show airs at 9 a.m. Saturday and is carried on KRDO, AM 1240 and FM 105.5. Visit AroundTheHouse.com.

Gotu kola Herbal medicine in your winter window

BY VALERIE BLANKENSHIP, RH, AHG, CLINICAL HERBALIST

It doesn’t take a lot of space to provide a cozy spot for growing some useful plants in a not-so-sunny window. As an herbalist, I am a big fan of growing a small winter kitchen garden, full of my favorite culinary medicinals. A strong thyme infusion — a tea steeped 20-30 minutes — is helpful for knocking out a throat infection, and steeped sage leaves relieve what is left of my hot flashes.

But for something a little more exotic, now is the perfect time to start the sacred Indian herb gotu kola in your windowsill. A gotu kola plant — latin name Centella asiatica — makes a lovely green presentation in a winter window, with its very pretty, rounded, cup-shaped leaves.

This slow growing herb takes three months to harvest, so if you are in a hurry, you may want to begin with an established plant. Both seeds and plants are available through mail order from Traditional Medicinals.

RELIEVES STRESS

Gotu kola is considered an adaptogen, an herb that assists in your ability to adapt to stress. In India and throughout Asia, where the herb has been popular for thousands of years, gotu kola is considered a harmonizer of the mind, and a balancer of the body and spirit. Modern research has shown that the leaves of this

plant relieve stress by elevating gammaaminobutyric acid (GABA) levels. Perhaps it is this ability that makes it a good choice for mild cases of anxiety, insomnia and nervous disorders.

HEALS TISSUE

In my herbal clinic, I see lots of folks with skin conditions. I have found gotu kola to be a valuable addition to my clients’ tincture formulas to help with dry, flushed, irritated skin, such as eczema, psoriasis or inflamed acne.

For reducing scars and stretch marks, I make an herbal oil or salve with castor oil and helichrysum essential oil to apply topically to soften and re-absorb scar tissue. For bigger or more severe scars, I give large doses of gotu kola internally as well; two to six tablespoons of the powdered herb must be taken daily for this purpose. I usually have clients throw CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

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SATURDAY, FEB 18, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 3

YEAR ROUND GARDENING

Late winter pruning, summer flowering shrubs and ornamental grasses

BY FREDRICKA BOGARDUS, COLORADO MASTER GARDENER

Toward the end of February is a great time to kick off the gardening season with some pruning and cleanup. Summer flowering shrubs are those shrubs which bloom after June 15, on new growth, as opposed to spring blooming shrubs which bloom on last year’s wood. Since January and February have been so warm, it is important to get this task accomplished before these plants break dormancy. There are several approaches to pruning these summer bloomers.

Summer blooming shrubs include most butterfly bush, blue mist spirea, Hancock coralberry, mock orange, potentilla, bumald and Japanese spirea, hydrangea, rose of Sharon and snowberry. There are others so identify and research your shrub if you are unsure when it blooms.

Before you start pruning, look at the

plant. Prune off any broken, damaged or diseased branches, and remove branches that rub against one another. Once that maintenance work is done then decide on the pruning method you want to use for that shrub.

Rejuvenation pruning is cutting a shrub back almost to the ground to encourage a flush of new growth. Butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii) and Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) should be annually pruned back to about six inches to increase the flower abundance and size. Other flowering shrubs may benefit from this severe pruning every three to five years. Some shrubs should never be pruned this way include; tree-like shrubs such as Viburnum sp., Euonymous sp. and shrubby forms of Rhamnus (buckthorn), and any shrub that is grafted onto a

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Register at EPCExtension.eventbrite.com. Call 520-7688. different rootstock. If a shrub is really overgrown and very woody, rejuvenation pruning can be used to reduce the overall size of the shrub. On well-established shrubs, this is a three to four year process, starting with a severe cut back, then annual thinning to reduce the number of

new stems. The advantage to rejuvenating a large shrub over replacing it, is that you retain the well-established root system which provides drought tolerance and protection from seasonal; temperature fluctuations.

Thinning is a method of pruning which CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

HG 4 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, FEB 18, 2017

YEAR ROUND GARDENING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

systematically removes old woody branches and encourages new growth.

The approach is to remove one-third of the branches each year. Select the largest (oldest, woodiest branches) for pruning back to the ground each year. Every three year cycle will completely refresh the plant. New growth every year will supply new flowers. This methodology does not work well with plants such as Spirea or Potentilla.

Shaping is pruning to improve the appearance of the shrub, and to encourage improved light penetration and air flow through the plant. To shape remove portions of exterior branches to thin, layer, shape, balance weight and reduce size. Try to maintain a natural shape for the plant.

When shrubs have reached the optimum size for their location, you may need to do a vegetative pruning every three to five years to maintain size and bloom.

I have not included shearing as a pruning method for flowering shrubs.

Shearing seldom works well for flowering shrubs because it indiscriminately removes flower buds.

Ornamental grasses should also be cut back to ground in late winter. You can actually do this task anytime from late autumn until early spring. Many people do not cut grasses back in fall because they like the winter interest of the tall foliage and blooms. It is a good idea to get the job done early in the spring to encourage the new grass growth once it begins to warm up.

Spring will be upon us soon, and you will be glad you accomplished these chores when you start seeing that wonderful new growth and beautiful flowers.

For answers to urban horticultural questions, contact ask.extension.org.

You can also follow the local Colorado Master Gardeners on www.facebook.com/ ColoradoMasterGardeners.EPC.

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denniS The menaCe

The Family CirCuS

by hank ketcham

Sherman’S lagoon

PiCkleS

by Brian Crane

mr BoFFo

by Joe martin

by J. P. Toomey

by Bil keane

rhymeS wiTh orange by hilary Price

marmaduke

by Brad and Paul anderson

Baldo

HG 6 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, FEB 18, 2017

by hector Cantu and Carlos Castellanos

Blondie

by dean young and John marshall

muTTS

by Patrick mcdonnell

Funky winkerBean

luann

by greg evans

PeanuTS

by Charles Schulz

by Tom Batiuk

SATURDAY, FEB 18, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 7

loS angeleS TimeS CroSSword

non SequiTur

by wiley

edited by rich norris and Joyce lewis

lola

by Todd Clark

BeeTle Bailey across 1 Neutral 11 Farm animals 15 Reacts to staying up, perhaps 16 “St. Matthew and the Angel” painter Guido 17 The Hugo Awards are presented at one 18 What hearts may do 19 Queen __ Revenge: Blackbeard’s ship 20 Reams 21 Mil. addresses 22 Tree in a carol 23 Some subordinates: Abbr.

24 Turn in 26 __-chef 28 Home to many warthogs 29 Eastern servants 31 Store accessibly 32 With 37-Across, “No problem” 33 Its Gold Medal features a profile of Franklin 36 Vintage tape format 37 See 32-Across 38 Moore co-star 39 Like thou, say 41 Three-time Tour de France champion LeMond 42 See 48-Across 43 Albanian currency 44 Traipse 48 __-Neisse Line, western border of 42-Across 49 Two-point contest?

51 122-square-mile republic 52 “Green Mansions” heroine played by Audrey Hepburn 53 Plus 55 1860s-’70s Black Hawk War combatants 56 Digital emergency signal 57 Uncle __ 58 Become decent?

5 “... the morning __ her golden gates”: Shakespeare 6 Yahoo! alternative 7 Rite sites 8 Apes’ lack 9 “__, Sing America”: Hughes 10 Rectangular Manhattan attraction 11 Improved book list?

12 Adapt in a dangerous way 13 Come across 14 Naps 23 Conversational softener 25 Not inclined 27 Toledo native 28 Military address 29 Venus counterpart 30 Goons 31 “Bossypants” memoirist 34 Efron who voiced Ted in “The Lorax” 35 Thankless bunch 36 Product originally called Croup and Pneumonia Salve 40 Give a hard time 41 Fixed, in a way 43 Rested (against) 45 Hodgepodges 46 Fix things 47 Shaggy 50 Together, in Toulouse 51 Vein locale 54 “L’Âge __”: Buñuel-Dalí surrealist film

by mort, greg, and Brian walker

hagar The horriBle

moTher gooSe

by mike Peters

Friday’s Puzzle Solved

down 1 Songwriters’ org.

2 Knockoff 3 Salon coloring 4 U-turn HG 8 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, FEB 18, 2017

Tundra

by Chris Browne

by Chad Carpenter

Bizarro

by dan Piraro

argyle SweaTer

by Scott hilburn

CeleBriTy CiPher by luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

B.C.

by hart

ziTS

by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman

JumP STarT

Frazz

by robb armstrong

by Jef mallett

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dilBerT

by Scott adams

Sally ForTh

by Francesco marciuliano and Jim keefe

BaBy BlueS

by Jerry Scott and rick kirkman

PearlS BeFore Swine by Stephan Pastis

PooCh CaFe

HG 10 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, FEB 18, 2017

by Paul gilligan

TAKE OUR ADVICE ADVICE

AMY DICKINSON

Dear Amy: I am a groom-to-be.

My fiancee and I grew up eight hours away from each other. My mother and my fiancee are close.

Several months ago, my mom planned a bridal shower in my hometown. My fiancee’s family was annoyed, upset and somewhat hostile about this, thinking that my mother was trying to

usurp their role.

My mother had assumed that they would also host a bridal shower in their hometown. They said they have never heard of someone having more than one bridal shower.

My future in-laws have not yet met my mother, who is one of the kindest, most polite people you could ever meet. This was quite hurtful to me.

After planning their own shower, my fiancee’s family has now decided not to have it. They have basically invited themselves to the one my mother is hosting.

This makes things super-awkward, because we don’t have room for them at the venue. We already had to trim the list to fit. Did my mother violate etiquette by planning a shower? Is there a polite way to tell my fiancee’s family (mother and two sisters) that there is no space for them? — Frustrated Groom

ADVICE

Question: I am pregnant and don’t understand the new recommendations about eating fish. Can you explain them? I DR. OZ AND DR. ROIZEN am scared about what mercury can do to me and the baby! — Kaylee H., Tampa, Fla.

Dea4rr Groom: The most appropriate people to throw bridal showers are not mothers or mothers-in-law, but bridesmaids, or friends of the couple who live in the town where the couple resides.

This current dust-up illustrates one good reason behind this recommendation. But yes, it is fine to have two parties in two different towns.

Yes, your family must find space for these three women at your hometown shower. Even if they were planning their own shower, the polite thing would have been to include and invite them from the start.

It is a shame that this is happening — normally in-laws have to meet personally before they commence the sniping. You and your fiancee need to work hard, and as a team, to establish that you expect people to behave and to respect your various family relationships.

Answer: The Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration have gotten together and (finally) put out a clear summary of their recommendations about eating fish, especially for pregnant and breastfeeding women. It extends the longstanding recommendation that women 16 to 49 and those who are pregnant or breastfeeding eat 8 to 12 ounces of fish (we’ll detail the kinds of fish below) in two to three 4-ounce servings per week. This is for women weighing 165 pounds or more. If you weigh less than that you should reduce your consumption, advises the FDA. Fish supply essential nutrients like omega-3s, selenium, zinc, iodine, iron and other minerals, high-quality protein, B vitamins and, from oily fish, vitamins A and D. Those nutrients help fetus, mom and baby stay healthy.

Your body can naturally and safely clear a certain amount of methylmercury, although it can take several months. Excess levels of mercury can be harmful to the brain and nervous system of fetus, child and, in larger doses, mom.

The basic guidelines are as follows: • Do not eat swordfish, king mackerel, orange roughy, shark, tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico and bigeye tuna (it’s on the list of overfished seafood anyway, and should be spared).

• Enjoy two to three times a week salmon, black sea bass, cod, flounder, haddock, shrimp, scallops, sole, squid, light tuna (canned) and 27 other varieties (great selection!). Always mix it up; don’t repeatedly eat the same kind of fish.

For the complete listing of good-for-you fish, go to fda.gov and search for “Fish Advice.”

Send questions to askamy@tribune.com or to Ask Amy, Chicago Tribune, TT500, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611.

Email your health and wellness questions to youdocsdaily@ sharecare.com.

—

—

ADVICE

Dear Heloise: Our older dog takes several medications. Giving him the pills in cheese or covered with a little peanut butter worked for a while, but added extra calories he did not really need.

HINTS My veterinarians said to go FROM ahead and mix the pills into his HELOISE regular wet food. It saves time, and we have cut down on snacks and treats, which is healthier for him, and my dog doesn’t suspect a thing! — H.M. in California Glad it worked in your home! Our Chammy, the silky wheaten, and Henry VIII, the mini schnauzer, got wise to this trick. I’d watch them work around the pill, or spit it out! — Heloise Dear readers: If your cat insists on unfurling the bathroom tissue (which is funny to watch but annoying to clean up!), here is a hint: Put the roll on so the tissue comes from the bottom, instead of over the top. This SHOULD stop the cat from unrolling the paper ... maybe! — Heloise Dear Heloise: We are getting a new patio set, but the chair pads in the old set are in pretty decent shape — they just faded.

I thought that the dogs could use these cushions as beds when out on the patio. The outdoor fabric stands up to the weather, and the cushions are still fluffy. All I had to do was snip off the ties so nobody would get tangled in them. — Amber P., Fort Wayne, Ind. Dear Heloise: I used to grease my hamster’s exercise wheel with a cotton swab and some olive oil. I’ve found an easier way. My friend suggested using cooking spray. It works, but do you think this is OK? — J.D. in California Probably not a great idea. Some people suggest this, but please be aware that many of the cooking sprays have other ingredients in them, not just cooking oil. Plus, DON’T spray while the hamster is in the cage; the propellant and fumes are not good for your friend. — Heloise —

Send hints via email to heloise@heloise.com or via post to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000.

TODAY’S HOROSCOPES BY JERALDINE SAUNDERS ARIES (March 21-April 19) You possess a great deal of energy. It is important to use your initiative to build up rather than to tear down. Focus on constructive activities.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) You can achieve your heart’s desire, but to do so you may have to take a bit of a risk. Restful moments in the company of a loved one might meet all your expectations.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) The right words can cut through misunderstandings like a paring knife on an apple. Because you have a tendency to be both defensive and aggressive at the same time, you must remember to use tact.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) You might only have one thing on your mind this weekend. Because you are focused on getting what you want, you aren’t likely to listen to reason.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Don’t overdo it. You have every right to defend yourself when challenged, but you should take care not to become belligerent.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) The best things in life are free. There’s no need for extravagance when a quiet gathering at home with family can be infinitely more satisfying. Keep things simple and your piggy bank will thank you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Achieving balance requires strenuous exercise.

You may be torn between a need for freedom and openness in a relationship and the desire to cling possessively to the things and people you love.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Avoid jealousy and possessiveness that can put a tentative relationship in jeopardy. Physical activities are highlighted this weekend.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) You might notice that possessiveness or petty jealousies emerge during what should be rational analysis. Adhere to high-minded principles.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Resistance to your plans may grow. You may find it difficult to make headway or struggle at cross purposes with someone in your family circle. Don’t start anything of great importance this weekend.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Remain alert. You may overlook terms and conditions that are designed to confuse a consumer. Act on your generous impulses when dealing with loved ones.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) Your appetite for romantic adventures may experience a surge, but you remain practical about material matters.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Feb. 18 Put your business ideas on the back burner as the next six to eight weeks unfold. Joining a club or group for social activities will broaden your sphere of influence in April and May. A new love interest might turn your head. You could be motivated to make money a priority during June and July.

Wait until September to decide if a person is worthy of your long-term allegiance, as people who have your best interests at heart will grow closer.

SATURDAY, FEB 18, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 11

GOREN BRIDGE

WITH BOB JONES ©2016 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

weekly bridge quiz q 1 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

SOuTH 1♦ ?

♠ 9 ♥ k q J 4 ♦ A 10 7 6 5 ♣ k 10 9

What call would you make?

SOuTH 1♦ ?

q 5 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:

weST NOrTH eAST Pass 1♠ Pass

weST NOrTH eAST Pass 1♠ Pass

What call would you make?

♠ 10 9 8 ♥ A ♦ A J 4 3 ♣ k q J 9 6

q 2 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:

With the opponents passing, you open one club and partner responds one spade. What call would you make?

♠q65♥975♦qJ3♣Ak64 SOuTH Pass ?

weST NOrTH eAST Pass 1♦ Pass

♠A874♥2♦k9873♣A62

q 3 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:

Right-hand opponent opens two hearts, weak. What call would you make?

Right-hand opponent opens two spades, weak. What call would you make? q 4 - Both vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠q2♥qJ85♦Ak974♣k3

Look for answers on Monday.

(Bob Jones welcomes readers’ responses sent in care of this newspaper or to Tribune Content Agency, LLC., 16650 Westgrove Dr., Suite 175, Addison, TX 75001.

E-mail: tcaeditors@tribpub.com)

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

VARICOSE VEINS

Gotu kola tincture, an alcoholic extract of the herb, is extremely beneficial both internally and topically for reducing varicose veins and hemorrhoids, especially when combined with horse chestnut seed. Its usefulness here is mainly due to its anti-inflammatory and astringent properties and its ability to normalize collagen production.

BOOSTS MEMORY

Gotu kola is excellent for improving memory and concentration, similarly to the actions of the popular ginkgo biloba, and I use one to four droppers twice a day of the tincture for this.

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GOTU KOLA the powder in a smoothie or mix it with apple sauce to get doses down. This takes patience and consistency, as scar reabsorption can take three to six months.

Its wound-healing, cooling properties make gotu kola a great choice for stomach ulcers. I like to use either three cups a day of the infusion or a tablespoon a day of the powdered herb for this purpose.

Got Leaks?

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q 6 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:

What call would you make?

♠A8♥AqJ43♦82♣kqJ7

Got Leaks?

HOW TO GROW

It is easily grown from seed in a container in the winter or in the ground outdoors in the summer. In our climate, it must be overwintered indoors in a sunny window. It likes rich, fertile soil with good drainage and will benefit from monthly fertilization with natural fish emulsion, kelp or comfrey leaf tea.

It loves moisture, and a medium-sized, glazed container will be easier to keep moist then a small, unglazed pot.

GOOD EATEN FRESH

Gotu kola leaves are slightly bitter, but tasty enough to eat straight off the plant. Folks fond of this herb like to use a few raw gotu kola leaves in salads or on sandwiches. In Asia, a tasty dish is made using shredded leaves, sprinkled with lime juice, chilies and coconut flakes.

Valerie Blankenship, CH, AHG has over 26 years of experience as an herbal clinician, formulator, and educator. She owns the herbal clinic and store: Sage Consulting & Apothecary, at 108 E. Cheyenne Rd, www.SageWomanHerbs.com

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