Garden
This is the best time to plant trees and shrubs. So if you're thinking of adding to your landscape, now is the time to dig in.
Set out cool-weather annuals such as pansies and snapdragons. Lettuce, cabbage and broccoli also can be planted now. Plant garlic and onions.
Plant more spring bulbs to extend your bloom next March and April. This is also a good time to seed wildflowers and plant such spring bloomers as sweet pea, sweet alyssum and bachelor buttons.
Rake and compost leaves, but dispose of any diseased plant material. For example, if peach and nectarine trees showed signs of leaf curl this year, clean up under trees and dispose of those leaves instead of composting.
Home
Not surprisingly, Thanksgiving is the No. 1 day for home cooking fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association. The recent deep-fried turkey craze has added to this hazard with more than 1,000 turkey fryer-related home fires reported annually.
If you're thinking of frying your bird Thursday, here are some safety tips from the NFPA:
Make sure your turkey is completely thawed. This is the biggest mistake. Adding a partially frozen bird to the hot fryer can be extremely volatile. To defrost in the refrigerator, allow 24 hours for every 5 pounds of turkey.
Use your turkey fryer outdoors on a flat surface away from buildings and any material that can burn. That includes decks and garages.
Never leave the fryer unattended. The oil may catch fire. Don't overfill the fryer with oil; make sure there's room for the turkey.
Keep pets and children away from the fryer when in use. Remember: The fryer and oil will stay very hot for hours after use. Wear safety goggles and oven mitts.
If an oil fire breaks out, don't add water. Use a fire extinguisher or baking soda. If the fire appears unmanageable, call 911.
– Debbie Arrington
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