Show Date: 3 Sep 10
You know the old folks used to say how time flew…  dang, I’m one of them now!!    I can’t believe it’s Labor Day weekend.  Sheeesh

Labor Day was conceived in the midst of the Industrial Revolution back in the 1880’s to pay tribute to hardworking Americans.  Wahoo for us!  How about some hardworking plants?

Baptisia Australis

You’ve seen this guy before!  Let me add that Baptisia Australis aka Blue False Indigo is the 2010 Perennial of the Year.  Zone 3 hardy and doesn’t mind clay soil.  A full sun lover that grows 3 to 5 feet tall. 

Liatris - Blazing Star

Another hardworker, this Liatris is a native too.  Zone 3 hardy and butterflies love it.

Wild Cranesbill

The above beauty flowers in the Spring and then it’s leaves turn a red/orange for Fall. 

Have a fantastic and safe Labor Day weekend and I’ll see you back here on Monday…

Show Date: 2 Sep 10
Ever wonder why you nothing seems to grow around a black walnut tree?

Black Walnut tree

It’s called Juglone and it’s toxic to many plants. 

Black Walnut nuts!

The toxicity reaches out 50 to 60 feet beyond the drip line of the tree.  Why would you plant them?  Because of the beautiful wood, wonderful shade and the nuts!

What can you plant near them?

• Weeping Forsythia
• most Viburnum
• Eastern Redbud
• Canadian Hemlock
• Hosta
• Heuchera
• Daylilies
• Jack-in-the-Pulpit (one of my favorite shade plants)
• Clematis ‘Red Cardinal’

Clematis 'Red Cardinal'

For more information and more plants you CAN plant under the Black Walnut tree, check out this website:  Black Walnut Toxicity[Ohio State University]

Show Date: 1 Sep 10

Food, Inc.

Right up front I will let you know that the documentary “Food, Inc.” is disturbing to say the least.  It will frighten you but remember there’s hope!

Food, Inc. / Hungry for Change

  Just a quick fact, 80% of the meat you buy is processed by 1 of only 13 stockyards.  They cannot keep those places clean with the number of animals that go through them every day. 

Support your local, sustainable farmers as they offer the BEST alternative to industrialized food.  Click on the following link to find a local farmer, farmer’s market and much more:

Local Harvest

Show Date: 31 Aug 10
My email box is inundated with offers of gorgeous bulbs for Fall planting.  Oh what to choose!! 

Bulbs - tulips in great shape

I always suggest you buy locally first!  If you can’t find what you’re looking for there are a number of reputable online companies.  Check out my favorite links to find them…

When you get your bulbs check for weak, mushy spots.  If they arrive that way, contact the company immediately.  You should be able to exchange them.  If you can’t,  never order from them again!

If there’s a little bit of surface mold, that’s okay, just wipe it off.  By the way, people often lump together a number of other roots in the “Bulbs” category.  Those would be rhizomes, corms and tubers.  They are planted at different levels.  For a ton of information on how to plant those “Bulbs” check out:  Bulb Basics [University of Illinois Extension]

Show Date: 30 Aug 10
Dad used to say “kid, I learned the hard way, that’s why I’m telling you now so you don’t have to”.  And yet…. 

I seem to learn the hard way too.  Maybe it’s genetic!  I’ll still list some helpful hints so YOU don’t have the learn the hard way:

• wear gloves when chopping hot peppers OR make sure you don’t rub ANY part of your body until you’ve washed your hands thoroughly!
• when harvesting, have a wash basin or water source nearby to get the big chunks of dirt off before you go into the house
• have a sharp knife handy
• wear easy slip-off shoes so you’re not struggling with a basket of produce in your hands while opening the door to your home
• start a small veggie garden, you can always make it bigger but don’t overwhelm yourself
• AND HAVE FUN!

Show Date: 27 Aug 10
Let’s face it, we have the greatest State Fair in the Universe!  Well, at least in the U.S.! 

Minnesota State Fair 2010

There’s always plenty to do and LOTS to see!  I’m a people watcher, personally…  and FOOD!  It’s the only day I allow myself fried cheese curds, french fries, corn dogs and Tom Thumb donuts all at once.  Oh, I pay, but it’s worth it!!  I almost forgot Sweet Martha’s cookies and milk!

For all you need to know:  MN State Fair           ENJOY!

Show Date: 26 Aug 10
I always thought Peonies was pronounced Pee OH nees until I had to do a presentation in front of a group of Master Gardeners.

Peony 'Candy Stripe'

I was wrong!  It’s Pee AH nees!  Just in case anyone asks you, you can sound like a Master Gardener.  Really, any way you pronounce it, they’re beautiful plants.

They grow in most types of soils but don’t like shade.  For a great start to these beauties, dig a hole about a foot and a half wide and two feet deep.  Replace some of the soil with peat moss, leaf mold or compost.  Plant so the peony eyes are face up about 2 inches  below the soil surface. 

For the first year, mulch your plants AFTER the ground has frozen then pull the mulch up as Spring arrives.

Show Date: 25 Aug 10

Make borscht!  There’s a recipe under my “Recipes” button called Terry’s beet and cabbage borscht that is outstanding. 

Beet Borscht

Freeze your peppers for winter use.  It’s easy, just wash them off, dry them and place them in a freezer bag taking out as much air as possible. 

Tarragon is tasty in fresh salads.  So is fennel, just not together with the tarragon!

Show Date: 24 Aug 10

Sweet Basil

With Sweet Basil’s fleshier leaves they’re easier to freeze than to dry. 

Snip the leaves on a sunny morning after the dew is gone, rinse if needed, pat dry and place in freezer bags.  Take out as much air as possible and then toss in the freezer!  Doesn’t get much easier than that…

OR chop your clean basil, pack them in ice-cube trays, fill the space with water and then freeze.  This works well for soups. 

How wonderful to have herbs all winter!  yum…

Show Date: 23 Aug 10
I went to a MN Twins game (awesome new field!!!!) and everybody’s munching on sunflower seeds!

Sunflower seeds 'Titan'

When the backs of your sunflower heads turn from banana yellow to brown and are droopy, cut the seed head off leaving about 12 to 18 inches of stem. 

Hang the heads in a warm, dry, ventilated area until the seeds loosen and dry.  Then rub the heads together or use a wire mesh screen to remove the seeds from the head.  Store in an airtight container until you’re ready to roast.

Sunflower 'Arikara' from Heirloom Seeds

For an easy roasting method check out the National Sunflower Association and get ALL kinds of great info!