Fall has arrived in zone 4 bringing cooler temperatures and changes to plant life.

Blooms remain on some plants but trees are taking nutrients from their leaves triggering fall colors and a rapid departure.  Yearly mountain sabbaticals are nearly over as there is a small window for “viewing the Aspen”. The beauty we enjoyed during the spring and summer is coming to a close ushering in new glorious crops like pumpkins and squash. You might see smoke from a chimney, have a limited number of barbecues to attend and soon be invited for comfort foods that may include favorite soups using vegetables from the garden.  Cheers!

If you are looking for a perennial plant that will attract butterflies to your garden then plant Scabiosa. It is a sensational flower that resembles a pincushion. Its bushy blooms appear as if suspended from long slender stems. It is an absolute must for pots and small rock gardens. It excels in zones 4-9 and will bloom from spring until fall. I prefer to plant Scabiosa as a border flower in the shaded areas of my garden. Cheers

Our featured flower of the month is the Cleome. The cleome is an easy to grow annual flower that belongs to the Cleomaceae and Brassicaceae plant families. Gardeners have admired this spidery flower with its open trusses of blooms in multiple shades of violet, pink and white. It is a full sun, drought tolerant flower capable of reaching heights of up to 6 feet. I like to start seeds in early spring in well draining soil for blooms that should last until first frost. Cheers

Most great barbeque doesn’t require a sauce to define its taste, but it can enhance the overall flavor. From Kansas City to the Carolina’s, geographical regions play a vital role in barbeque sauce style and flavor. I would like to share one of my favorite southern barbeque sauce recipes called “Golden Mustard”.

6 garlic cloves, minced                        1 cup of white vinegar

1 ½ teaspoon salt                                 ¾ cup yellow mustard

½ onion minced                                    ½ teaspoon cayenne

½ teaspoon black pepper                   ½ cup water

1 teaspoon paprika                              ¼ cup tomato puree

 

Mix ingredients in a saucepan and bring to simmer. Add onions and reduce heat to low. Enjoy

Makes 2 cups

If you prefer a great deal of flexibility within a distinct plant family then you will love our featured flower of the month, the Dianthus.  The Dianthus is native to Europe and Asia belonging to the plant family Caryophyllaceae.  It has 300 different species that can be grown as perennials, biannual or annuals. Dianthus can be grown in zone 3-9. I planted the annual species in full sun and they provided an excellent boarder flower with a lot of flare and blooms that lasted from early spring through fall. These flowers are a great addition to any cut floral arrangement. Cheers

Spice up your garden with interior floral arrangements. Mixing annuals and perennials throughout your gardens landscape will guarantee a steady stream of blooms during the spring and summer season. Here are some examples of interior arrangements from my own garden that I grew this season. Enjoy!

Now that runoff has subsided I head to one of my favorite rivers in zone 4 seeking a “hookup”.  While there’s nothing like the experience of wading up stream and taking in the scenic views, I will also be seeking an elusive strike from a beautiful fish known as a ”rainbow or brown trout”. One of my favorite flies to use is a midge.  A midge otherwise known as a “chironomid” is generally found in most river systems. These small two winged insects are a trout favorite.

 

They come in numerous sizes and colors. I prefer fishing a midge as the trailing fly with a dry fly on top serving as a strike indicator. This style of fly fishing is known as the “dry with a dropper” method which is perfect for attracting fish that are feeding in the center of the water column or rising to the surface.  No matter what type of method you utilize, fishing a midge will certainly increase the odds of those seeking the “hookup”.  Cheers

Nothing is more welcome than a cool breeze on a hot summer day. We are experiencing a very hot summer in zone 4 and across the country this year. During periods of high temperatures it is important to remember to protect your plants from extreme conditions. Always hydrate your plants when the ground is cool and before periods of full sun. Cultivating your garden will keep weeds from utilizing vital nutrients that your plants require during these crucial months. Combining these essential methods will help you beat the heat.  Cheers

Daily routine maintenance is a prerequisite for a successful garden. No matter what type of garden you have, you must perform soil enhancements, weed removal and floral deadheading.  By removing spent flowers and foliage you can increase the blooms and prolong the lifespan of most plants. Blooming flowers ranging from marigolds to daisies will benefit from this procedure. Some blooms will produce seeds when fully dried and can be added to your collections for seasons to come.  Cheers

Enchanting generations of gardeners for centuries, is our flower of the month the Marigold. Marigolds come in numerous varieties, shapes, sizes and colors. Introducing this annual flower into your garden’s landscape will add brilliant hues of bold yellows, bright oranges and russet tones. Not only are they easy to grow but they can assist in keeping certain garden pest at bay. They are full sun and drought tolerant which makes them a special favorite for dry climate regions like zone 4. I start seeds in early spring after the last frost for blooms that should last until fall. Cheers