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
Summer time is the perfect time for picnics and family gathering and with the 4th of July holiday on the horizon, I thought I’d share one of my favorite grilling recipes called the” Fat Burger”.
Fat Burger
1 pound of ground chuck
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
4 rolls of your choice
¼ cup of pesto sauce
4 slices of smoked mozzarella cheese
1 large ripe tomato sliced
Create 4 patties out of the ground chuck and season them with salt and pepper to taste. Grill patties over direct heat until internal temp reaches 160 degrees. During the last 30 seconds grill the rolls with cut side down until they are slightly toasted. Top each burger with a slice of cheese and a dollop of pesto sauce and tomato. Serve with toasted rolls.
Cheers
