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by Tamara Galbraith

Using frost cloth can mean the difference between life and death this time of year. Maybe you're trying to squeeze in (and keep the bunnies away from) some lettuce before the really bad weather sets in. Or maybe that prized plant will only take temperatures down to 35°. Whatever the case, having a good supply of frost cloth — also sometimes called a 'row cover' — is a must.

Frost cloths can generally be found cut to several different widths and lengths, and woven into varying weights. Obviously, the thicker the fabric, the more protection provided. Some cloths advertise plant protection down to 20º, if applied correctly.

So, what are the advantages of using a frost cloth instead of a plain old blanket or plastic sheet? Most importantly, frost cloth allows both light and water to penetrate, instead of the fabric just getting soaking wet and heavy. Also, frost cloth is more breathable. If temperatures warm up during the day following the cold and you've left the cloth on, chances are your plants won't get cooked, as opposed to what could happen with plastic or cotton sheeting.

While you can just 'float' the row cover directly on top of plants, the best set-up is to install hoops or some other support for the frost cloth, making sure it is tall enough to not allow the cloth to touch the plants. Then, drape the cloth over the support and secure it on all sides and at the base, so that the warmth of the ground rises and is trapped around the plants. Office supply-type binder clips, spring clamps, and u-pins all work well for securing the cloth to your chosen support and to the ground

Timing is important, too. If you know Jack Frost is coming, give your plants a good drink of water and get them covered before sunset to trap the most available warmth.

Most commercial frost cloths can be washed in the washing machine on gentle cycle and re-used for several years. They are also great in the springtime as an insect barrier or shade cloth...or for keeping those pesky bunnies away.

by Tamara Galbraith

During the winter months, when there isn't much to do except stare out the window or peruse seed catalogs, gardeners need to be on the lookout for a couple of tough pests that, once settled in, can be hard to control.

Fungus gnats, the near-microscopic flying insects that feed and breed within damp organic matter in potting soil, can actually be a problem any time of year. These tiny flying pests can spread pathogens, chew on roots and be a general nuisance. Fungus gnats' favorite hangout is the fungus existing in moist, organic soil, so the best way to battle these bugs is by letting your houseplants dry in between waterings. However, some overwintering houseplants — like those lovely amaryllis bulbs many of us are forcing during the holidays — like to remain somewhat moist. So...what to do?

A good drench of Neem oil through the soil is a good start, and a layer of sand on top of the potting soil works even better. This prevents the fungus gnats from reaching and subsequently laying eggs in the potting soil, but still allows moisture to reach the roots.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, spider mites can become a terrible problem for indoor plants when conditions are too dry, which is often the case during cold winter days when most of us are keeping toasty. If you notice a plant's leaves shriveling and dropping, or webbing in between stems and leaves, you've probably got a spider mite problem. Again, Neem oil is an extremely effective solution, and its low toxicity makes it safe to use around the house. The mites can be killed with several sprays of Neem. However, the humidity around the affected plant will need to be addressed to keep mites from returning:

• Keep plants away from the hot blast of furnace output vents.
• Spray sensitive indoor plants with water daily if possible.
• Move all sensitive plants together and run a humidifier near them to keep air moisture levels high.

Eric was born in Redwood City and moved to San Jose when he was 10 so his mom and dad could start the nursery.

He always had a love for music from an early age and was bitten with the rock 'n' roll bug right out of high school. He played in numerous night clubs during an 8-year career as a keyboard player in all-original hard rock "hair" bands and had a song produced by 70's guitarist Ronnie Montrose.

He met the love of his life, Lolli, 20 years ago and has been happily married to her for 18 years. They share an active lifestyle of hiking, whitewater rafting, skiing, scuba diving, traveling, shell collecting, wave running, and going to the movies.

Actively involved in volunteer work in the nursery industry, Eric has been involved in a number of landscape projects at the San Francisco Zoo, where he has been able to combine his knowledge of plants with his passion for wild animals.

He is a published writer in nursery industry magazines and is a guest seminar speaker at various events across the country. Eric is very involved in student and global ministries at his local church and works with Mission's Partners around the globe. He has participated on teams to El Salvador, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia, and most recently was in Northern India.

My Celebrity Service staff and I look forward to serving you this year. We'll go out of our way to make your day!

Eric Wilder - President