June 18 - 24, 2011
Lifestyle... How does your garden grow
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
GARDENING
Gumbo-limbo BURSERA Simaruba, commonly known as the Gumbo-limbo, is a tree species in the family Burseraceae. The native Gumbo-limbo is a tropical tree that is native to the southeastern United States through the West Indies, Mexico and Central America. It adapts to a variety of habitats, from dry to moist and is fairly salt tolerant. It is also considered one of the most wind tolerant trees, so it is recommended as a good hurricane resistant species. Gumbo-limbo is planted for shade and ornamental use on backyard patios, or along streets and highways. It readily sprouts from branches stuck into the ground and is sometimes used to plant natural, living fences. The gummy, turpentine-scented resin has been used in the West Indies for making glue, varnish, liniments and as a coating for canoes. The aromatic sap is also used as a treatment for gout, whilst the leaves are brewed into a medicinal tea. The light, soft, spongy wood is used for fence posts that have been known to take root in the ground and grow! Other small wood products such as matchsticks, toothpicks, charcoal, boxes, crates, and interior trim have also been made from the Gumbolimbo. Some birds, including mockingbirds and vireos, regularly consume the deep red fruits of the Gumbo-limbo during the summer and fall months. The Gumbo-limbo is a medium sized fast growing tree that can attain a height of 20-50ft. It has pinnately compound (featherlike) leaves and attractive reddish bark that peels away in thin flakes to reveal a smooth and sinuous gray under-bark. The tree’s massive trunk is 2-3ft in diameter and supports huge irregular branches and a spreading, rounded crown. A semi-deciduous Gumbo-limbo loses all its leaves in early spring, just before the new leaves appear. Propagation: A green Gumbolimbo branch simply stuck into the moist ground will take root and grow rapidly. It also is easy to propagate from seed. Gumbo-limbo trees grow in the same area as the Poisonwood trees. If you have touched the Black Poisonwood, the first thing to do is to find a Gumbo-limbo tree. As soon as possible you wash the area very well with any oil dissolving substance; water and regular soap
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MONEY TIP
With Mary Hamilton of Meridian Trust
Dealing with debt NATURE SPLENDOR
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alone will not remove all of it. You cut a piece of the Gumbolimbo bark and wipe the inside on the affected area. Hang on to this bark and reapply several times after. You can also boil the bark, add
powdered vitamin C to the boiled water to make a paste that you can apply on the burn. However in some extreme cases of burn, the power of the Gumbolimbo may be limited.
REPLACE DISPOSABLES
WHEREVER possible, replace disposable products with reusable ones (ie. razors, food storage, batteries, ink cartridges, coffee filters, furnace or air conditioner filters).
IF YOU are struggling with debt or just a general lack of money, you may be feeling lonely and isolated and possibly even depressed. I guarantee you are not alone. Many of us are too proud to admit it when we are struggling financially, but it can be a big relief to share your concerns with friends and family and learn that you are not alone in facing cash flow challenges. Action is often the best cure for worries. One of my favourite sayings is: “If you want to see different results you need to do things differently.” Doing something, anything, to tackle your worries is better than brooding on them. Have you tried the following? Go for a long walk and meditate on creative ways to solve your problems. JK Rowling, billionaire author of the Harry Potter series of books, wrote the manuscript in a busy café as she could not afford to heat her flat. A walk in the early morning or evening can help to clear the mind and see solutions that were previously hidden. Have you talked to your bank about refinancing, or a debt repayment holiday? Might they let you pay interest only on a mortgage for a few months? If you don’t ask, you don’t get! If there is any equity (a surplus of value over debt) in your property can you fire-sale it to convert it into the cash you urgently need? Although it is not ideal to sell in a depressed market, sometimes life is not ideal. Do you really need the property carrying the debt, or can you accept life without it and allow it to be repossessed? If you have no way of paying back the debt secured on a piece of property, you need to face the facts. Life will go on. Reconsider your power consumption. We all know it can save money but how many of us actually turn off lights when we leave a room and unplug electronic equipment at night? Have you considered rising with the sun and going to bed soon after it sets? Open the blinds and curtains during the day. Natural sunlight is free. Do you make unnecessary trips in your vehicle? Gas inflation is hitting vehicle owners where it hurts – in the wallet! Everyone is concerned about the current price of gas per gallon. Do not be afraid to car share where possible. Don’t have a car? Ask for a ride with a friend or neighbour and repay them in kind with a few hours of babysitting, gardening or cleaning services later that week. Count your blessings. When you feel that money problems are taking all the enjoyment out of life, try to count your blessings such as good health, your family and the natural beauty that surrounds you in TCI. It may not solve your money problems but it may give you the peace of mind you need to put them in perspective. And always remember, when the going gets tough, keep going.