Show Date: 31 Aug 09
While chopping jalapenos to roast with my tomatoes I completely forgot to put on some latex gloves. I then rubbed my eye!

My dad used to say, “Kid, I learned the hard way so I’m telling you now in hopes you won’t have to”. And then I would proceed to learn the hard way!

Here’s are some simple helpful hints that I hope you remember:

• when harvesting your veggies have a sharp knife and a basket for your bounty
• keep a wash basin or water source near to rinse your harvest before traipsing through the house
• wear easy on-off shoes.

Show Date: 28 Aug 09

I would go so far as to say that our state fair is THE best and THE biggest in the country!

Don’t miss the Horticulture building as you nosh your way through the fair!

My favorite noshing items would be the Corn Dog and Tom Thumb donuts. They do NOT taste that good ANYWHERE else!

Minnesota State Fair

Show Date: 27 Aug 09

'Candy Stripe' peony

However you decide to pronounce peonies, they’re still very pretty! Now through mid-September is a good time to plant them.

They need full sun in well draining soil. Plant your peony eyes-up about 2 inches under the soil and about 3 to 4 feet apart.

After the ground has frozen, mulch your newly planted peonies the first winter only, then pick up the mulch in early spring.

Show Date: 26 Aug 09

My beets got totally out of control because I bought the wrong kind and didn’t enjoy the flavor as much. My ingenious husband came up with a modified recipe for Beet Borscht that knocked my socks off!

Beet and Cabbage Borscht Recipe

He used my red cabbage, beets and ‘Purple Dragon’ carrots along with thyme I dried last year!

By the way, you can freeze jalapenos whole for use all winter! I do it all the time. I love them finely chopped on my pizza.

Show Date: 25 Aug 09

Sweet Basil leaves are fleshier than my ‘Spicy Globe’ variety but can still be dried. It just takes longer. Some folks say they’ve lost some of the flavor but I’d still take my homegrown dried over what you buy in the store.

You can freeze the leaves as well.

Chop them up, stuff them in ice-cube trays and top the leaves off with water. Freeze them, pop them outta the trays, place them in a freezer baggie and they’re great for cooking!

Show Date: 24 Aug 09 
This years strange weather has slowed the harvest of our tomatoes but they’re comin’ on now!  ‘Black Krim’ is a wonderful heirloom with great flavor and very prolific.  This one’s a big guy so give him room. 

'Black Krim' tomato

Pay no attention to those dead spots, some of the branches got so heavy they bent and broke.  

'Yellow Pear'

‘Yellow Pear’ will not be a tomato I plant again.  It’s enormous and very prolific but the texture leaves something to be desired for me. 

It’s an almost mealy texture although the flavor is good.  I’ve found that drying them is a great option for me.

Show Date: 21 Aug 09

Have you ever noticed that men seem to have a higher desire for an impeccable lawn?
This is a “strictly from experience” observation of mine.
To help the guys out I’ll let you in on a great tip.

Lawn!

Get out there NOW!

Now into the middle of September is the BEST time to repair, replace or start a new lawn!

Seed to soil contact is essential for good germination and so is a great mix of seed.

For northern gardeners, use a blend of Kentucky bluegrasses, fine fescues and perennial ryegrass. Your local garden center can mix a special blend for YOUR needs. Let them know the light conditions and soil type.

Show Date: 20 Aug 09

Wind power, solar panels, hybrid cars.

All wonderful “green” options that are a little out of my budget just yet!

Here’s a cheap way to help eliminate bad bugs. Take your birdpath off it’s pedestal and place it on the ground. This will make a home for frogs, toads, salamanders, snakes and spiders; all live on bugs!

Diatomaceous Earth is a great control for slugs, a mix of raw eggs and water helps deter rabbits and a few drops of soap in a spray bottle of water will wipe out aphids.

All of these methods do need to be reapplied every few days or after rain.

Show Date: 19 Aug 09

Hydrangea Macrophylla or Big leaf includes mopheads and lacecaps.

Hydrangea Macrophylla Lacecap

Hydrangea Macrophylla Mophead

As you can see Lacecaps are more delicate looking while Mopheads are big, bold and gaudy!  The ‘Endless Summer’ hydrangea is a mophead. 

These are zone 5 hardy, they bloom on new and old wood, they need more water and if you want blue flowers you’ll need to amend the soil.

When planting, add peat moss and soil sulfur.  You can also add ammonium sulfate every spring. 

For a great article and more information check out:  Spring Meadow Nursery

Show Date: 18 Aug 09 
I covet other peoples hydrangeas because I have none.  I will rectify that someday but in the meantime here are a few fab choices!

Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle'

Hydrangea arborescens or Smooth Hydrangea bloom on new wood and should be pruned down to a foot above the soil early each Spring. 

Hydrangea Pee Gee (treelike)

Hydrangea Paniculata Grandiflora or Pee Gee is also zone 3 hardy, blooms on new wood but rarely needs pruning.  Prune in early Spring.

Oakleaf Hydrangea are marginally hardy in zone 4, have oak-shaped leaves that change color with the season.    They need winter protection.  One way to do that is to bag your fallen leaves and snug them up close to your plants.  This method makes it easier for Spring clean-up.

Climbing Hydrangea

Climbing Hydrangeas are also tricky here.  The roots need winter protection and can take a few years to establish themselves.  Once they do, these beautiful climbers can grow to 30 feet!