Wednesday, October 31, 2012

“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” — Marcel Proust
“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” — William Arthur Ward


 “When we become more fully aware that our success is due in large measure to the loyalty, helpfulness, and encouragement we have received from others, our desire grows to pass on similar gifts. Gratitude spurs us on to prove ourselves worthy of what others have done for us. The spirit of gratitude is a powerful energizer.” — Wilferd A. Peterson

Butternut Squash with Apple & Cranberries 

      Yield: 4 servings
Holiday Butternut Squash with Apple & Cranberries Recipe
Ingredients
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  • 1 medium butternut squash (about 1-3/4 lbs.), cut into 1/2 inch cubes (about 5 cups)
  • 1 medium apple, cubed
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons real maple syrup or brown sugar    

Preparation

In 1 1/2-quart baking dish, combine all ingredients. Season, if desired, with salt. Cover and bake 30 minutes. Remove cover and bake an additional 15 minutes or until squash is tender. 

      * Mix melted butter with cinnamon, nutmeg, and maple syrup or brown sugar and stir to coat the squash.

Torenia aka Wishbone Flower


In the September newsletter we talked about downy mildew on impatiens and how widespread and devastating this disease was. Click here to read September's article. 

If you were one of the unfortunate individuals to have experienced this epidemic  first hand,  you will need to plant an alternative crop next year.   

One of my favorite shade plants is Torenia.  Torenia is often called wishbone flower and is a genus of plants in the snapdragon family.  If you look closely at the flower, you will see a tiny wishbone in the center. Torenia:
  • loaded with flower power,
  • come in a variety of brillant colors,
  • are easy to grow
  • provide continuous blooms from spring until fall.  
  • grow equally as well in sun or part shade. 
I hope you'll give Torenia a try next spring.  You won't be disapointed!

Wednesday, October 24, 2012



Do you see what I see?  Yes, a beautiful yellow finch enjoying the seeds of this black eyed susan!

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Share the Bounty
Woodbridge Greenhouses is collecting donations of extra garden produce.
We deliver it to the Trinity Episcopal Church Food Closet.
Woodbridge is open and accepts donations every day from 9 to 5.

Thank you for sharing your bounty with those in need.

It's time for our

Annual End of Season Sale!

Save 25% on All Trees, Shrubs & Perennials

Come in and choose from our wide selection of Trees, Shrubs, & Perennials!

Stop in Soon for best selection.

Offer Good until October 14, 2012
"I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house.

So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air.

- Nathaniel Hawthorne





Multi-Layered Approach to Protecting Spring Bulbs

The temperatures are cooling down, which means it's time to start thinking about your Spring garden bulbs.

This year, with the groundhog family still threatening our garden, it's time to take some defensive action. Woodchucks, also known as groundhogs (among other choice names in my house) along with squirrels, moles and voles can wreak havoc on your bulbs and garden. Not only do they nibble on the flowers, but they also dig down to get at the bulbs. It may take a combination of a few measures that may protect your tulips and bulbs from groundhogs. I've come up with a three stage plan:

Moles and Groundhogs aren't entirely evil. Moles do a great job of aerating the soil, amending the garden soil with their "organic matter" and devouring grubs. My plan is just to keep them from devouring our bulbs.

Preparation: The Trench

In front of our porch where the bulbs share garden space with our peonies (it's time to give them a little TLC, too). The peonies need to be divided and their soil amended. I usually mix some bone meal, and peat moss into the soil.  Digging a trench is more time efficient than planting bulbs individually. I also prefer a mass of colorful flowers rather than a few bulbs here and there.
Stage One: Block pests from below.

A bottom barrier of 1/2-inch galvanized wire mesh below the level of the bulbs and peony roots will line the trench. You can place mesh around larger plants individually. The mesh will allow the roots to grow while will stopping moles from uprooting them and killing them.

Stage Two: Deter pests from nibbling.

1. Sprinkle Granulated Plantskydd in the bottom of your hole. (You may also choose to spray the bulbs with liquid Plantskydd. Follow the directions on the container and allow the bulbs to dry before planting.)

2. Cover the Plantskydd and wire mesh with a thick layer of soil.

3. Plant your bulbs - gently pressing them into the soil pointed end UP.

4. Cover with soil leaving an inch or two for Stage Three.

Stage Three: Block pests from above.

Top your trench with a piece of chicken wire that extends a few feet past the garden's edge. Top with a layer of soil and cover that with a thick layer of mulch.
Another option is to install a fence around your garden. It would need to be 3 feet above ground and 10-12 inches below ground to keep groundhogs from digging under the fence.

About Plantskydd's®  Granular Formulation:

Plantskydd®  is a natural repellent that REALLY works!  BONUS: Plantskydd's active ingredient is an organic fertilizer.

Protect your garden, plants, and trees from: rabbits, voles, hares, chipmunks, squirrels, mountain beaver, nutria, opossum and other small rodents with Plantskydd GRANULAR Repellents. One pound of granulated Plantskydd will cover approximately 600 square feet.
October is also a good time to spray liquid Plantskydd on your trees and shrubs that are susceptible to deer damage. The odor fades in a day or sy, but it keeps working for up to 6 months!

Article compiled by Renee C. Brannigan

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

"The autumn always gets me badly,

as it breaks into colours.
I want to go south,

where there is no autumn,

where the cold doesn't crouch over one

like a snow-leopard waiting to pounce."

- D.H. Lawrence, Letters