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September 2, 2021
The Planking Challenge
by Joey Bokor
by Joey Bokor
You've probably heard of the planking challenge. It takes two forms. In one, a few years back, I think there was a challenge to plank in odd locations. The other one is a fitness challenge to strengthen your core. Kim and I have been trying to get out and exercise a little more. Especially over the last 18 months, it's been so easy when you are cooped up or stressed to grab an extra serving of something and when you rarely have to dress up in nicer clothes, it is easy to ignore the scale going up a little.
One of the things we've done is a plank challenge. Each day we do a plank (the exercise version) and attempt to hold it for 2 minutes. Then each day, we add a few seconds so that by the end of a month, we are at a 3-minute plank. It is pretty tough to do but does make you feel more stable as your core strength increases. The other morning after a jog, we were doing our planks in the living room, when suddenly, Pearl wanted to get in on the action. First, she shimmied under me, doing a low army crawl and then she popped out between my arms. Since we were mid-plank, we didn't stop her, and so she thought she was being a good girl. She looped around and did it again, and then she did the same to Kim, except that with Kim she started licking her arms. At this point, we are only 30 seconds into our 2 minutes, and we are both laughing hysterically. And that makes it at least 10x harder to hold a plank. Thanks, Pearl, for the extra workout.
So anyways, we're checking a little fitness off of our to-do list each morning and getting ready for a beautiful fall in the garden. The schedule of fall seminars is posted, and we look forward to seeing you in person to teach you all about gardening in Florida. We are also working on our pumpkin order for the season to bring back last year's Pumpkin Wall. I don't know about you, but I'm ready for some cooler temperatures and some fall fun in the garden.
One of the things we've done is a plank challenge. Each day we do a plank (the exercise version) and attempt to hold it for 2 minutes. Then each day, we add a few seconds so that by the end of a month, we are at a 3-minute plank. It is pretty tough to do but does make you feel more stable as your core strength increases. The other morning after a jog, we were doing our planks in the living room, when suddenly, Pearl wanted to get in on the action. First, she shimmied under me, doing a low army crawl and then she popped out between my arms. Since we were mid-plank, we didn't stop her, and so she thought she was being a good girl. She looped around and did it again, and then she did the same to Kim, except that with Kim she started licking her arms. At this point, we are only 30 seconds into our 2 minutes, and we are both laughing hysterically. And that makes it at least 10x harder to hold a plank. Thanks, Pearl, for the extra workout.
So anyways, we're checking a little fitness off of our to-do list each morning and getting ready for a beautiful fall in the garden. The schedule of fall seminars is posted, and we look forward to seeing you in person to teach you all about gardening in Florida. We are also working on our pumpkin order for the season to bring back last year's Pumpkin Wall. I don't know about you, but I'm ready for some cooler temperatures and some fall fun in the garden.
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Happy Gardening, The Kerby's Nursery Family 
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Plant at the correct depth - This is the most important part of planting seeds. A general rule of thumb is that
small seeds should be planted shallow (a quarter of an inch under the soil) and large seeds
should be planted deep (around an
inch under the soil). Each seed packet will tell you the depth that particular seed variety should be planted at. Follow it.
Seeds that want to be shallow won't have the energy to reach sunlight if they are planted too deep. Seeds that want to be
deeper will emerge too quickly and won't be strong enough to stay upright if they are planted too shallow.
Start Seeds in Pots or Trays - Some seeds, like lettuce, spinach, radishes and carrots are easier to start right in garden beds. But some veggies like collards, broccoli, tomatoes and peppers are easier to start in individual pots or trays. We like to use old egg cartons with holes poked in them as our seed-starting trays. This allows you to start a number of seeds and then select the strongest plants for your garden. When starting seeds in pots or trays, use a very light soil, such as Ferti-Lome's Seed and Cutting Mix. A dense, heavy soil can be tough for a little seedling to push through.
Water seeds properly - Seeds don't need a whole lot to get started. A little sunlight and moderate moisture is all that they require. Avoid over-saturating the soil that you are starting seeds in, as this can lead to disease issues and poor growth of seedlings. As seedlings grow larger, increase the amount of water they receive.
Transplant - The first set of leaves that emerge are called seed-leaves. The second set will be the true leaves. Once the true leaves have emerged, your new seedlings should be ready for transplant. Don't let them stay in little trays too long or they will get rootbound.
Have Fun - Seeds are a great way to start heirloom varieties that are hard to find as starter plants and it is the best way to start large beds of lettuce, spinach and other greens. So experiment a little, find a variety and challenge yourself to have your best harvests ever.
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New Arrivals |
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Sunshine Ligustrum
 Fall Color for your Landscape 10" Pot - $29.99 |
Pentas  A Butterfly Magnet 6" Pot - $7.99 |
Fall Seeds are In Let's Get Those Gardens Started Organic and Heirloom Varieties Available |
