Your All Things Plants newsletter for December 22, 2012

• 15 new members.
• 65 new threads.
• 1,575 new posts.
• 613 new images to the plant database.
• 31 new comments in the plant database.

There were 7 new gardening ideas posted last week:

By GordonHawk December 22, 2012 Making a Christmas gingerbread house For this house you'll need 1 " styrofoam or construction foam insulation available at Home Depot, decorative mini garland items, dark brown paint, and white latex caulk. Optional items: clear plastic for the windows, mini decorations and tiny battery lights. (251 words - Read the full article) (no comments)

By GordonHawk December 21, 2012 Christmas ornament planters Here's an idea for turning a large hollow Christmas ornament into a planter. (365 words - Read the full article) (6 comments)

By Paul2032 December 20, 2012 Add some red to your holiday greens The addition of a splash of red to holiday greenery will brighten your holiday designs. (112 words - Read the full article) (no comments)

By plantladylin December 19, 2012 Homemade holiday decorations For easy homemade holiday decorations, collect items from your garden. Pine cones, pruned branches from evergreen shrubs or trees, holly branches with berries attached and even grape vines are garden items that will work well for simple and easy projects. (975 words - Read the full article) (5 comments)

By BookerC1 December 18, 2012 Helping your fresh Christmas tree last longer If it will be more than 4 hours between the time you cut your fresh Christmas tree and the time you set it up in the tree stand, put it in a bucket of water in an unheated, sheltered spot like a garage or porch until you're ready to bring it inside. Cut a fresh "cookie" off the base of the trunk before placing it in the tree stand, so it can continue to take up water. No other additives are needed. Be sure to keep adding water as long as the tree is taking it up. It will absorb up to a full gallon in the first day. (no comments)

By Sharon December 17, 2012 Decorative treats for birds If you have grapevines or wisteria that need a winter trim, here's an idea that your feathered friends will love. (397 words - Read the full article) (18 comments)

By LarryR December 16, 2012 The organized gardener Carry a small digital voice recorder with you when you garden, either in your pocket or with your tools. Make “voice notes” of important things to remember, or to do later, as these thoughts come to you. Schedule a time at the end of each day to transcribe your notes onto paper or type them into the computer. These recorders cost as little as $15, are small (generally about 4” tall, 2” wide, and 1/2” thick), and lightweight (less than 2 oz.). (4 comments)