Newsletter 12 – May 21, 2009

Events    Open Hours     Recipe    LAST Container Workshop      Sun Prairie Site 

“We cherish too, the Poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies.”

 Moina Michael 1915

Be Sure to Plant In MEMORY of Your Loved Ones

To celebrate Memorial Day, America’s Best Flowers will again be offering a FREE Engraved Brass Memorial Plaque with every tree and/or shrub purchase totaling $100 or more from Friday, May 22 through Monday, May 25. What a beautiful way to remember your loved one, or perhaps a beloved pet.  You may choose a cross, a rose, a dove, a flag, or a cat or dog paw to decorate the plaque along with the name of your loved one. The plaque will be mounted on a wooden stake and will be ready for pick up beginning Saturday, June 13. We have an excellent selection of ornamental trees and shrubs to choose from, including gorgeous flowering crabs, magnolias, hydrangeas, rhododendrons, lilacs, shrub roses and fruit trees. For more information on Memorial Day history and tradition, visit  http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html

“All we have of freedom, all we use or know –

This our fathers bought for us, long and long ago.

Rudyard Kipling, The Old Issue, 1899 Quote 1

Last Day for ‘Containermania’

The container workshops last Saturday and Sunday were as fun-filled as usual. But remember, Saturday, May 23^rd is our last Container Workshop of the spring.  It will run from 10-4PM, but keep in mind that this one is Saturday only. So “contain” yourselves, take advantage of this time to plant as many containers as you like.  While you’re here, be sure to plant up an herb planter.  Beautiful herb planters serve you in two ways.  Not only do they provide a source of herbs for cooking, but they are an attractive addition to any patio or deck or kitchen.  With FREE soil and assistance being offered this Saturday, you can’t go wrong.  If you would like to bring your own pot, please do, the soil and help is still free.

 “Peace to each manly soul that sleepeth:

Rest to each faithful eye that weepeth.”

Thomas Moore  Quote 2

Easy Vegetable Gardening

Perhaps you want lush, homegrown vigorous veggies this year. We’ve got just thing for you. Before attending the container Workshop, join Brian Emerson of the Ag. Research Center in our meeting room for a FREE Quick Class; Easy Vegetable Gardening, Tomatoes and More! on Saturday, May 23 at 10AM. Brian’s class is not only for the beginning veggie gardener, but the experienced gardener, who may have questions about a specific problem, will find the answers here. Plan on attending, and receive a FREE 4 pack of Wisconsin 55 tomatoes. You can’t beat that!

“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.”

Joseph Campbell Quote 3

Sun Prairie Location is OPEN

Even though the roads leading to it are not easy to travel.  Barb and her great staff are where they’ve always been, across from the old Hanley’s hardware store on Main Street in Sun Prairie.  Business hours are 9 to 8 on weekdays and 9 to 6 on weekends, just like at our West Towne site (in the Sears automotive parking lot) and the main greenhouse here in Cottage Grove.  We are open 9 AM to 6 PM on Memorial Day.  Special Hours at the farm this Saturday open until 8 PM.

“Your silent tents of green

We deck with fragrant flowers;

Yours has the suffering been,

The memory shall be ours.”

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Quote 4

Al’s Pick of the Week

Establishing mums in Wisconsin can be tricky.  While no one can guarantee mums to be perennial in our climate, you increase your chances of success by planting in the spring.  We have several varieties that we planted for spring.  These plants are in bloom now and offer the bonus of a second bloom period if you cut them back when the first flush is over.  Early planting gives plants more time to establish a good root system before the ground freezes.  Regular fertilization and watering, plus a good cover of mulch will also help insure your success.

 “The patriot’s blood is the seed of Freedom’s tree.”

Thomas Campbell  Quote 5

UPCOMING EVENTS

May 23             Container Workshop from 10-4. Last chance this spring to take advantage of FREE SOIL AND ASSISTANCE and we clean up the mess!

May 23                  Easy Vegetable Gardening, Tomatoes and More! 10AM. Vegetable gardening is back!  People have rededicated themselves to growing their own veggies. In addition to providing delicious fresh produce, other benefits include the therapeutic effects of working the soil, which clears your mind; the physical exercise, which strengthens your body; and the calming effect of watching your garden grow, which is a tonic for your soul. We invite you to learn gardening shortcuts and tips from Brian Emerson of the Madison Agricultural Research Station. FREE 4-pack of Wisconsin 55 tomatoes to anyone attending the class

Saturday, May 30    10AM FREE Herb Class with Mari Lynn Haugh. She’ll cover planting, growing and harvesting herbs, including planning and designing an herb garden and how to use herbs in your food, home & for gifts

Saturday, May 30        Celebrate Herb Fest with us from 11 – 2, and you can sample herb breads and herb-infused dipping oil.   This annual event is so fun because it gives us the opportunity to show you how easy it is to add variety to your meals, just by snipping a few herbs right from your own garden.

Sunday, May 31          1PM  Hosta Workshop with Ed Schulz, president of the Madison Hosta Society.  There’s nothing like hosta to add dimension, variety and interest to your shade garden. Learn from the expert how to incorporate them to your best advantage.

The Rose Workshop last Saturday helped a lot of you to better “understand” your roses. One lucky participant won the rose of the year “Cinco de Mayo”. We’ll be scheduling the How To Winterize your Roses in Wisconsin for this fall and will announce in an upcoming newsletter.

We will have free classes continuing throughout the season, along with more Make and Take Workshops.  Our goal is to hold events that are interesting and helpful to our customers. Remember to give us your input.  We’re listening!

“How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!”

Maya  Angelou Quote 6

Bonnie’s Kitchen

It’s time for that holiday cookout. Isn’t it a rule that you MUST have burgers on Memorial Day? We’re featuring a Salsa burger recipe that’s easy and good.  This would be especially good served with Tex-Mex Sweet Potato Salad, a recipe from a previous newsletter, week 18 of 2006.

Salsa Burgers

1 ½ lb. lean ground beef

½ cup salsa

¼ cup plain bread crumbs

3 oz. (3/4 cup) shredded hot pepper jack cheese

6 burger buns, split , toasted

6 tomato slices

6 avocado slices

6 T sour cream

In medium bowl, combine ground beef, salsa and bread crumbs; mix well. Shape mixture into 12 patties, about 4” in diameter and ¼” thick. Sprinkle a rounded tablespoon of cheese in center of 6 patties, spreading slightly. Top with remaining patties; press edges together firmly to seal.

Grill over medium heat for 11-13 minutes or until thoroughly cooked, turning once.

Place burgers on bottom halves of buns. Top each with tomato and avocado slice and 1 T sour cream. If desired, top with additional salsa. Cover with top halves of buns.

Another Cookout Idea

I have another fun and crowd pleasing idea you might want to try for your cookout this year. A group of us had gone to Dotty Dumplings several weeks ago, and each of us tried a different burger from their extensive list of burger options. We had lamb burgers, buffalo burgers, and ostrich burgers. Last week, when we went to my sister’s cookout, she and her husband offered a choice of those very burgers to all their guests. It was so fun! You can purchase ostrich, ground lamb and bison meat at Farmer’s Market, Saturdays on the Square, or the Monona Farmers Market on Sundays.

“We, who are left, how shall we look again

Happily on the sun or feel the rain

Without remembering how they who went

Ungrudgingly and spent

Their lives for us

Loved, too, the sun and rain?”

Wilfred Wilson Gibson Quote 7

SEE YOU SOON!!!