Plant tips (cut and save)

*Sprinkle crushed eggshells over the soil of potted plants. Eggshells are full of minerals that are natural fertilizers.

*To have healthier house plants feed them once a month with 2 T. Epsom Salts dissolved in 1 gallon warm water.

*To make coleus plants bigger and bushier, pinch off the flowers when they start to spike. Otherwise, the plant grows tall rather than spread out.

*The secret to compact beautiful chrysanthemums is to pinch back or trim about half of the plant's new growth. Repeat this until about the first week of July. And be sure to water and fertilize properly.

*Plant your begonias in pots, either sink into the ground or set on top of the soil. In fall, before frost, take the pots inside and place in a cool room over winter. Begin watering again in spring and when danger of frost has passed, set them outside again and fertilize weekly through summer.

*When gathering seeds take them from the largest healthiest blooms. Leave the flower on the plant until it is completely dry, remove the head and place on a paper plate to dry. Shake out the seeds and store them in a cool dry place.