UUGGHH!!! 1ST SIGHTING JAPANESE BEETLES

Well, you know it's June when the first Japanese beetles appear on your roses. Oh, sure, they're sort of pretty but don't let their appearance fool you! These shiny, metallic brown flying beetles are a destructive force, and the more you have, the more seem to be attracted to various plants...the most organic control is hand picking, early in the morning, armed with a bucket of soapy water. They are sluggish this time of the day and are very easy to bap into the bucket. Spraying with a solution of Neem oil is also effective. Whichever method you use, you have to be persistant! They are becoming more and more of a problem for homeowners since coming into our country from Japan in 1916. The beetles drop from plants in the summer, laying eggs which hatch in August into white grubs. Control of these grubs will help with control in your yard, and keep your grass alive!) but they are strong flyers and will inevitably come from other areas of your neighborhood. Laying out applications of Milky Spore, a natural bacteria which kills the grubs is also a good option, but again, you really need to work in concert with your neighbors to make complete control even remotely possible... Japanese beetle traps are another option, however, many experts say that they actually attract more beetles to the area - I'm not sure I want to play with that kind of fire!! At any rate, as with any pest, staying on top of the problem and dealing with it in whichever way is best for you is certainly better than letting them devour your ornamentals!!!

Looking for something different?

It's looking like Spring at Oak Street! If you're looking for some weirdlings, now is the time to come browse. We have an absolutely beautiful mahonia gracillipes - larger leaves with a silver backing make this a gem for the woodland garden. Speaking of woodland gardens, native azaleas, virginia sweetspire , native pieris and wildflowers are gracing the nursery now. Japanese maples have made an appearance as well, including a weeping form, acer palmatum 'Ryusen' which promises to be a beauty. Don't forget our beautiful fringe tree, Chionanthus virginica, an ethereal gem for spring. There's so much more - you really need to take a stroll to take it all in... see you soon!

Meyer Lemon Curd Recipe

This is soooo delicious. Meyers are the cadillac of lemons and this treat showcases their incredible flavor. The only problem you'll have making this simple recipe is staying out of it once it's done! Good to know....I made my first batch with grocery store eggs and it was okay, but had a funny flavor undertone I couldn't identify. Second batch, I used our farm eggs and the difference was amazing. I'm hooked on these eggs!

2 - 3 Meyer lemons

zest of 2 lemons

6 egg yolks

1 C sugar

1/4 C unsalted butter, cut in pieces

• Zest lemons. Put the zest in a food processor with the sugar and buzz until zest is incorporated into sugar.
• Juice lemons - you need a generous 1/2 C of juice. Strain out seeds & pulp.
• Place egg yolks and sugar in heavy, small sauce pan. Whisk together.
• Put heat on low, and stir in lemon juice, using a wooden spoon.
• Continue to stir until the curd thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
• Remove from heat and immediately stir in butter until it completely melts.

Jar the curd and refrigerate it. Expect it to last several weeks, if it stays around that long!

Plant now for Spring!

If you haven't planned and planted your spring garden it's time to get going...there's still a great selection of pansys, violas, snapdragons and the new trailing pansy, Plentifalls, available in a lavender, white and mix. It's always fun to try something new - either a new color combination or a plant you've never grown. We're always happy to put in our two cents worth of advice if you want it - just ask! Don't forget to add a little foliage pizazz to your planters - curly parsley, variegated acorus, carex and even a little lettuce will make your pots memorable. See you soon!

Saturday Vegetable Soup

Saturday Vegetable Soup

We've been making soup for the past several Saturdays and offering samples in the Market. This recipe is a keeper....it's easy, delicious, and healthy too. It calls for all fresh ingredients, but in a pinch, you could substitute box tomatoes or frozen corn. It's an Alton Brown recipe we found on Food.com and we hope you like it.

4 Tbs. olive oil

2 Cups leeks, white part only, chopped (if you're short, add shallots or minced onion)

2 Tbs. garlic, finely minced

2 Cups carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds

2 Cups potatoes, diced (we used our little red creamer potatoes, unpeeled)

2 Cups green beans, cut into 3/4-inch pieces

2 Quarts vegetable or chicken stock

4 Cups tomatoes, peeled and chopped (personally, I'm not peeling them!)

2 Ears corn, kernals cut off the cob. Throw away the cob.

1/2 Tsp. black pepper

1/4 C fresh parsley, chopped

2 Tsp. fresh lemon juice

• Heat the oil in a large, heavy-bottomed stockpot over medium-low heat. Once hot, add the leeks, garlic, and a pinch of salt and sweat until they begin to soften - 7 - 8 minutes.
• Add carrots, potatoes, and beans and continue to cook for 4 - 5 minutes more, stirring occasionally.
• Add the stock, increase the heat to high, and bring to a simmer. Once simmering, add the tomatoes, corn kernels, and pepper.
• Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until the veggies are fork tender, about 25 minutes.
• Remove from heat and add the parsley and lemon juice. Season to taste with salt. Serve immediately.

Great combos for winter planters

Try some of these combos for planters if you're stuck for ideas at the garden shop... Supreme sky blue pansy with a smaller viola, say Penny orange (an absolute knockout of a color!) mixed with a little curly parsley - simple and effective. More pizazz can be added by using any of the beautiful lettuce varieties now available - a chartreuse green such as Elite Simpson would be a wonderful addition! Want brighter colors? Try Matrix citrus mix - a mix of orange, bright yellow and white pansys, with a bit of rose thrown in to add depth. Remember to think about what will be blooming around your planters in the spring to help you decide color choices. Have fun!

Great gardening weekend

It's going to be a great weekend for gardening! It's time to plan your spring garden - in addition to all the great pansy varieties out there, you'll also find supporting players such as snapdragons (great for cut flowers when they bloom!), ornamental kales - lacinato is a great one with blue/green foliage that's also edible, curly parsley to add that punch of bright green foliage, and so much more! We still have some incredible pumpkins and gourds - who knew there were so many shapes and sizes??! We're excited about the new season and hope to see you this weekend!