Myths and truths in caring for Rosemary plants

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I have killed a rosemary plant every year for the past 10 years and this is the longest time that I have not done so (8 months). Hopefully mine would continue to thrive even with the recent onset of heavy rains. 

Some myths that I have learned to be untrue:

1. Water them once a week only - I’ve been watering this rosemary everyday and they seem to be very happy. When my previous rosemaries are watered once a week, the leaves get really thin and sickly looking. It’s when they’re too dry that I’ve noticed that they get sick from infestations. 

2. Get them full sun - Mine gets only full sun early in the morning from 6-8am, then partial sun for the next 4 hours, and in complete shade the rest of the day. 

3. They prefer cooler weather - No, they don’t. They’re perfectly happy in tropical weather as long as you don’t leave them out in the rain. 

4. They don’t like the wind - They’re pretty hardy against strong winds and they’re planted in my balcony so they get a lot of beating from the wind all the time. 

Now the truths:

1. They don’t like being drenched with water - don’t drown them with water, but just enough to make the soil wet. Don’t leave them out during heavy rains, mine gets protected from rains. Make sure that the water gets drained fast too. 

2. Give them the right soil mix - I think this is the real secret for them to thrive. I found a great video that combines pebbles, coco husks, garden soil, perlite and compost. This allows the water to drain fast. As soon as you take them out from the plastic pots where you bought them, change the soil mix to the desired ratio as describe on the video below. 

3. Fertilize them - I use organic fertilizer made of kitchen scrap compost. I’ve already trimmed them twice, once to give cuttings to neighbors and another time to flavor my dish, and I make sure that they get some nutrients after trimming so that the leaves grow faster. 

Let’s see if these rosemaries will thrive some more in the next few months. Keeping my fingers crossed that these ones are for keeps. 

Here’s the video link for the soil mix:

https://youtu.be/DzC9co1Q1qk

***Reposted from a Facebook group post

Inauguration of expanded and improved Siquijor Seaport

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More vessels and larger ships can now be accommodated by the expanded and improved Siquijor Seaport which was inaugurated on Thursday, 26 August 2021 by Department of Transportation Secretary Art Tugade.“With the improvements that we are doing at the airport and seaport, soon, Siquijor will be known as ‘Isla del Progreso.’ In other words, you will now have a massive change in connectivity at the seaport of Siquijor,” Sec. Art said.

The port expansion project covers the construction of an RC Wharf with Ro-Ro ramp and a back-up area.

Twenty-five units of solar lights were also installed in the port. This translates to lower electricity cost and will reduce the port’s carbon footprint.

With its improved facilities, the port now allows for faster vessel turnaround time and a shortened waiting period for passengers and shippers. This will eventually reduce the queueing of rolling cargo.

Siquijor Governor Zaldy Villa, in his message during the inaugural ceremony, told the Transportation Chief that the development projects in the province will truly impact the locals' way of life.

“Before the pandemic, there was a demand for us to upgrade due to the increased number of trips coming from Cebu, Bohol, and Dumaguete. This pressured us to look for additional funding sources,” he pointed out as he explained the necessity of the said infrastructure.

“Whenever we have events, the Siquijornons will chant: 'Dream Siquijor!' and now, it has already come to light. Our dream is already a reality! Taus-pusong nagpapasalamat po kaming lahat kay President Rodrigo Duterte at DOTr Secretary Art Tugade for helping us achieve this,” Gov. Villa expressed.

Prior to the upgrade, the Siquijor Seaport can only service a maximum of four (4) ferries. With the renovation works already completed, it can now serve up to eight (8) vessels with provision to handle a 65-meter cargo ship and can service two Ro-Ro vessels at the same time.

The upgraded Siquijor Port will also boost equitable and inclusive growth in the areas of employment, local trade, and investments.

When it was being upgraded, the port generated 35 jobs. Moreover, with development projects now complete, the Siquijor Port is expected to further open more job opportunities for residents of the province, particularly in the tourism sector and other tourism-related industries.

Earlier in the day, Sec. Art also inaugurated the Siquijor Airport. These two transport infrastructure projects are vital for the economic and tourism growth of the province.

5 Gift Ideas for Your Sister's Baby Shower

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Is your sister expecting a new member of the family soon? Sometimes it's difficult to find the best gifts for an expecting mom that will totally "wow" her. As her sister, you probably want to show up to her baby shower with the biggest and best gift you can find.

Taking care of babies today is a little different than it was decades ago before things like disposable diapers and breast pumps even existed. Today it can be a little overwhelming when you walk down the baby aisle at your local Wal-mart or Target, so we are going to give you a few ideas to help you put together the best baby shower gift possible.

1. Make a gift basket of various diaper brands.

If you're a first-time mom, it's hard to know what diapers you and your new baby will prefer. There are so many types, brands, and sizes to choose from. Eco-friendly baby products are hot right now, but so is staying within a budget. A great idea for a baby shower gift is to put together a variety of different diaper brands so she can get a feel for what she likes, or what the baby likes for that matter.

You can get a few small packages of different newborn diaper brands and put them together in one gift bag so she can try them all. If you feel inclined, you might also include a gift card so she can buy a bigger box of the ones she likes the most. This gift will never go unappreciated.

2. A hospital stay gift bag will be greatly appreciated.

Staying in the hospital for a couple of days after you deliver a baby can be rough. Including things like snacks, hair ties, a long phone charging cord, and a comfy pair of pajamas will be a perfect gift. Hospitals will provide certain things for a new mom, but there are several things they don't provide that come in handy when the time comes.

3. Breast pump accessories help when the baby arrives.

If your sister is planning on breastfeeding, there are so many amazing products on the market today to help her with the journey. One of the best gifts you could buy is a Haakaa pump. This device attaches to the nipple on the opposite breast that the baby is nursing on and catches milk from her natural letdown. This is a great way for her to catch that extra breastmilk so it doesn't go to waste, and it also helps her body continue to produce more breastmilk.

It has a gentle suction and allows her to save every ounce. It doesn't require electricity or batteries, so it's easy for mama to use anywhere and everywhere. Many moms use the milk from the Haakaa pump to put in the freezer and use later on.

4. Gift cards for food and water delivery minimize the stress.

Once the baby arrives, it's difficult to stay on top of feeding yourself and your partner, along with a newborn. One of the most useful and appreciated gifts is gift cards for food delivery, as well as an at-home water delivery service.

Water home delivery is great because you know the water is high-quality and you can get it for the best value possible. You also don't have to worry about going to the store to buy bottled water or water in gallon jugs. The five-gallon bottles should last until the next delivery comes through and new customers can often get a good deal when they start their subscription service.


5. Try to start a food train with her neighbors and friends.

Many people who know are close to the parents of a newborn take it upon themselves to reach out to neighbors, friends, and family to start a food train schedule. This is a huge help when new parents get home from the hospital because there isn't a lot of extra time to make a good homecooked meal.

The people who sign up will simply make a one-pot meal to send over to the new parents when it's their turn on the schedule. There's nothing like a hearty, homecooked meal when you're exhausted and famished from the first few days of getting the hang of taking care of a newborn baby.