Jun
22
Black-Eyed-Susans are one of the most common easy to grow native plants in the United States. They are great for the gardener who is trying to naturalize an area, since they thrive on neglect, and hold tough against other invasive weeds and plants. As a caution to anyone who would like to try Black-Eyed-Susans in their flower garden, this plant can be invasive in small spaces, which makes them great for naturalizing, but not a good choice for the gardener looking for a single specimen in the garden.
They’re a beautiful yellow flower, with a chocolate to black center. Depending on your area of the country the blooms will appear sometime between June and September. Mature plants are about two to three feet tall. Black-Eyed Susans are a short lived perennial (or bi-annual), that will also germinate from seed. They love full sunlight, and grow very well in sunny meadows, ditches, and hillsides.
Jun
18
I love festivals here are some gardening related festivals in Ohio this summer (June –August):
If you’re looking for a fall schedule, check back in a few weeks. (Mid-July)
Maria Stein Country Fest
June 22 - June 24, 2007
Maria Stein, Ohio
German Village Haus und Garten Tour
June 24, 2007
Columbus, Ohio
Ohio Lavender Festival
July 6- July 8, 2007
Streetsboro, Ohio
http://www.ohiolavenderfestival.com/
Butterfly Festival
July 21-July 22, 2007
Cox Arboretum, Dayton, Ohio
http://www.coxarboretum.org/events/index.html
Ohio State Fair
August 01 - August 12, 2007
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.ohiostatefair.com
Vintage Ohio Wine Festival
August 03 - August 04, 2007
Kirtland, Ohio
Peach Daze
August 11 - August 12, 2007
Lebanon, Ohio, USA
http://www.hiddenvalleyfruitfarm.com
National Tractor Pulling Championships
August 17 - August 19, 2007
Bowling Green, Ohio
http://www.pulltown.com
Great Darke County Fair
August 17 - August 25, 2007
Greenville, Ohio
(Our local county fair & one of the greatest county fairs in Ohio & US)
www.darkecountyfair.com
I have a couple fairs in there, Darke County, and Ohio State, both have outstanding garden, and horticulture displays.
Jun
18
Peonies in Bloom
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Here is a photo of my Peonies from a few days ago. They are looking brown and dry now, but they were beautiful for a few days! The other photo is of my climbing Tea Rose, it’s beautiful now, and full of blooms.
Jun
13
I’ve been searching the last couple days for great new garden gadgets, over the next couple days I will show you some of the things I found. I’m always up to test out a new garden gadget.
This is one of the coolest things I’ve been seeing this summer, check it out. You can roll this portable sink right into your garden, or potting shed. Hook up the hose and you’re ready to go. When you’re finished just fold it up and put it away until next time. It would also be excellent for outdoor entertaining, or cookouts. You can set it up as an outside place to wash hands, pots, dishes, the possibilities are endless.
Jun
6
Hostas
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This is a Blue Angel Hosta in the front of my house. It has a beautiful blue cast to it, and is one of my favorites. Not sure what the hosta with the yellow tipped leaves is called, but both of them get huge by mid summer.
Jun
4
Summer Herbal Drinks
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I wanted to share a couple of my favorite summer herbal drinks with everyone.
Summer Lemon Punch
This is a great drink for a summer party or reunion.
7 black tea bags
2 quarts water
1 lemonade concentrate (12oz)
1 cup sugar
1 bottle Sprite, 7 Up, or any citrus cola
1 cup crushed lemon balm, save some nice leaves for garnish
Steep the crushed lemon balm leaves in 2 quarts of hot water with the tea bags until the tea reaches the desired strength. Strain the liquid to remove the leaves. Add the frozen lemonade and sugar to the tea liquid. Mix well and add cola (7-Up, Sprite. Garnish with lemon balm leaves.
This is a great refreshing drink (one of my favorites)
Iced Mint Tea
1 Black tea bag
12 Sprigs of mint (spearmint, applemint, chocolate mint, peppermint, or a combination)
honey
citrus zest (optional)
Heat water for one cup of tea, add tea bag and mint to the hot water. Steep for 6-7 minutes, or until desired strength. Serve iced with fresh mint for garnish.
Jun
2
What Are The Best Edible Blooms?
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Are you looking for some edible flowers to throw on your fresh salad this summer? One word of caution- do not eat flowers when you do not eat unknown flowers. Some flowers and greens can be poisonous.
Here is a list of some great flowers to toss into you next salad:
1. Nasturtiums
2. Violas
3. Violets
4. Dandelion
5. Chives (Alliums)
6. Angelica
7. Anise Hyssop
8. Scented Geraniums
9. Squash flowers
10. Marigolds
11. Rose Petals
12. Calendula
For the best texture and flavor, pick your flowers first thing in the morning, when they are still full of moisture from the dew, or after a gentle summer rain.
Delicate edible blooms will not last long once they are picked. You can keep them fresh for a little a few hours by placing them in damp towels in a cool place.
Edible flowers can add a touch of color, and interesting flavor to your next salad. In addition to edible flowers, you can try some unusual edible greens to spice up your salad.
The next time you toss romaine, or head lettuce toss in some of these leaves to add interesting color, flavor, and texture to your salad (and also a ton of vitamins and antioxidents)
Cilantro
Dandelion
Scented Geranium Leaves (Mint, and Citrus are great)
Beet Leaves
Mint
Chickory
Yum, nothing is better than salad fresh from the garden!