Author: Paul

Author Paul R. Wonning considers himself an "Indiana Hound," because he likes to "sniff" out the interesting places and history of Indiana and then use his books to reveal them to his readers. He also enjoys gardening, American history and dabbles in writing fantasy and humorous fiction.
Gardener's Guide to Growing Your Vegetable Garden, Sample Chapter

Sample Chapter – Arugula

Harvested as a food crop at least since the Sixth Century, BC, arugula has a long history. Originating in the Mediterranean area, arugula had the reputation of being a sexual stimulant. This reputation was so strong that growing it in monasteries during the Middle Ages was forbidden. Many writers at the time recommended mixing it with lettuce to lessen the aphrodisiac effect. Arugula also found use as an anesthetic. Traditionally, people gathered arugula from the wild or home gardens to add to their salads. Continue reading Sample Chapter – Arugula

Gardener's Guide Serie

Gardener’s Guide to the Raised Garden Bed

The Gardener’s Guide to the Raised Garden Bed provides a wealth of information about growing vegetables in raised beds. The book includes chapters about building materials, siting, plant nutrients, soil amendments, irrigation, soils, composting and much more. Gardeners will find a monthly journal of garden activities to guide them along. Gardeners using row style gardens will find the information useful, as well Continue reading Gardener’s Guide to the Raised Garden Bed

Podcast - United States History Timeline, United States History Series

Podcast – Episode 6 – Christopher Columbus Sets Sail On His First Voyage

Christopher Columbus Sets Sail On His First Voyage
Description:
Episode 6
In this episode, Christopher Columbus has completed preparations for his historic voyage. The episode briefly describes the sailors that took part in the voyage and the ships, Santa Maria, Nina and Pinta. Continue reading Podcast – Episode 6 – Christopher Columbus Sets Sail On His First Voyage

Gardener's Guide Serie

Sample Chapter – Garden Trowels

A garden trowel is an indispensable tool for every gardener. All gardeners should have one trowel and it is best to have several for different purposes. The word trowel derives from the Latin word “truella”, which means “small ladle”. A trowel can serve as a ladle but that is really just one use for a trowel. Indeed, a trowel is the most used tool in the gardener’s toolbox so it is important to get a good one. Nothing is as aggravating as a poor quality trowel that bends when you try to dig. Additionally, a poorly designed handle tires the hand and causes blisters. Continue reading Sample Chapter – Garden Trowels

Gardener's Guide Serie

Gardeners Guide to Compost

Compost is an invaluable ingredient for garden soil. It enriches the ground with minerals and other nutrients and can provide ideal mulch for growing plants. The Gardener’s Guide to Making Compost is a primer that both gardening beginners and veterans can use to help them make better compost. The book covers most popular types of compost systems, making compost with worms, mulching and green manures. It is an excellent primer on making and using compost. Continue reading Gardeners Guide to Compost

Gardener's Guide Serie, Sample Chapter

Sample Chapter – Garden Soil Types – A Quick Soil Primer

Garden Soil Types – A Quick Soil Primer
Soil is the top several inches of the earth’s crust. Soil is necessary for civilization to exist, as it supports the plant life that sustains forests, plains, agriculture and other habitats. Five basic factors influence the formation of soil, the bedrock, climate, local fauna and flora, topography and the passage of time. The gardener will find three layers of soils underlying their garden, the topsoil, and subsoil and parent material. The parent material is the minerals that originally formed the soil. The subsoil is the intermediate level between topsoil and the parent material and will have some qualities of both. The topsoil is the part that concerns most gardeners. Continue reading Sample Chapter – Garden Soil Types – A Quick Soil Primer