Category: Outdoor living

If you’re looking for a drought tolerant annual flower, then try our featured flower of the month the Gazania.  Gazania’s are full sun daisy like flowers that thrive in the dry heat of summer.  They perform magnificently in sandy soil.  Gazania’s take 60-70 days to mature, so if you live in an area with a short growing season you will want to start plants indoors about 8 weeks before the last frost.  The blooms are boldly colored, open during the day, and close at night.  I experienced great success with Gazania’s using them as border flowers in my garden.  Cheers

One of the most alluring plants in my garden is Salvia (Flare), having bushy dark green foliage that grows to heights of 18” – 20”. The red fluorescent spikes appear to illuminate in flower beds or border settings.  They performed magnificently this season when I planted them in rich well draining soil. My blooms usually last until late summer extending into the fall season.  Cheers

 

When I plan my garden I include late summer blooms for brightly colored cut floral arrangements.  This year’s varieties included Aster for it’s diversity, Zinnias were added for their tenacity and Rudbeckia was included for stability.  Enjoy!

If you are searching for late summer blooms to add to your garden try our featured flower of the month, Echinacea.  Echinacea is also known as “Cone Flower” a hardy perennial plant that is well adapted to zones 3 through 9 and considered to be one of the top 10 flowers to cultivate.  It thrives in full sun and will hold its own during drought like conditions. Echinacea with its daisy like features come in a multitude of varieties, shapes and colors. Their large heads are resistant to insects and disease. Echinacea will attract beneficial creatures like bees and butterflies in addition to providing food for birds during the winter season.  I start my seeds in well draining soil for plants that should reach heights of 30 inches and provide blooms for seasons to come.  Cheers

Summer is in full swing and grill time is at a premium.  Marinade, mops and rubs are essential elements of meat preparation and with hunting season on the horizon the recipe below will make a great marinade for venison or beef.

 

 Red Wine Marinade

2 cups of dry red wine

¼ of oil

½ cup of red wine vinegar

2 teaspoons of dry sage

2 cloves of garlic, minced

Combine the ingredients in a blender and food processor. Makes about 2 cups.

Enjoy!