Newsletter 15 – June 11, 2009

Corn Rice Salad                  Heuchera (Coral Bells) 

Alstromeria                                Weed Control

“All animals, except man, know that the principle business of life is to enjoy it.”

Samuel Butler

What I Really Need is More Time

Who hasn’t said that?  Unfortunately, I don’t have any spare time in my back pocket to give you.  We all have exactly the same number of minutes and hours in each day.  The trick seems to be in choosing to use them wisely.  I’m perhaps one of the worst at getting more things started than a day can possibly hold.

This weekend I’m going to visit one of my dearest aunts, whose time is running low due to serious disease.  When I was a child, she always had time – time to talk, time to play cards, time to tell me silly jokes, and time to sing to me for hours.  Maybe things were a bit slower paced then, but considering she babysat for at least six small children every day of the week, I doubt it.  She just chose better than I do.  And I will forever be thankful.

What fish is the best singer?

My Aunt Betty would love this one.

A tuna fish. Joke 1

FREE Hanging Basket

A birdbath or fountain can add so much to your outdoor living area. A water feature provides soothing sounds for you to enjoy, as well as attracts birds. Continuing this week, at America’s Best Flowers, you will receive a FREE jumbo hanging basket, valued at $39.99, with the purchase of any in-stock birdbath or fountain.  Our selection of water features ranges from elegant to whimsical.  Combined with a stunning hanging basket, this is the greatest deal around. We invite you to come out today and check out our water features while the selection is still good.

What did the boy fish say to the girl fish?

Let’s cut school and go for a swim. Joke 2

It’s Time for PREEN

We all have such great intentions in the spring. The idea of serving fresh vegetables to our families outweighs our practicality and we plant, and plant and plant. Then in June we weed, and weed and weed. If this sounds familiar, America’s Best has the perfect answer for you. Preen now comes in an Organic Vegetable Garden formula. This pre-emergent stops weeds before they start, by inhibiting the root development in seedlings. Although it does not kill existing weeds, it does prevent new weeds from developing. You can apply Preen anytime during the growing season around established vegetable plants, and cut your weeding time drastically. Available in a 5 pound container, this product will cover up to 250 square feet of garden space.

Preen also makes a formula especially for flowers called Brilliant Blooms with fertilizer, as well as the regular Garden Weed Preventer.  Both of these work well in your flower beds to prevent weed seeds from germinating.  Save June for yourself, stop in today and pick up a jug.

What do you do with a blue whale? Cheer him up!. Joke 3

Al’s Pick of the Week – Alstromeria

Often called Princess Lilies, alstromeria is a great plant for any garden.  Available in reds, pinks, purples, yellows, oranges and bi-colors, this very tender perennial blooms all summer when grown in partial to full sun and deadheaded regularly.  They can be over-wintered successfully if treated like geraniums and kept in a basement or other cool area.

Hummingbirds, and gardeners alike, are attracted to the trumpet-shaped blossom of alstromeria.  The plant will lend a tropical air to your patio or deck.  Dropped into a ceramic pot or planted in the ground, alstromeria are sure to please.  Stop out today and see for yourself how beautiful the princess lily is.

What part of a fish weighs the most?

Its scales.  Joke f

PERENNIAL of the Week – Heuchera

Heuchera, commonly known as Coral Bells, is available in a rainbow of colors to add a bright touch to any partial to full shade area of your garden.   Heuchera is a very hardy, drought tolerant perennial and a perfect companion plant for hosta and brunnera.  Tall spikes of small bell shaped flowers in mid to late summer attract hummingbirds and make great cut flowers, adding wispiness to your bouquets.  Add a splash of silvery-purple, peach or lime green to a hidden corner of your garden and watch it pop.  We have Beaujolais, Cinnabar Silver, Georgia Peach, Lime Rickey, Marmalade, Obsidian, Peach Flambe, Southern Comfort and Velvet Night in our gallon pot, available this week at special savings.  Stop out today and pick up a selection of these beautiful plants. 

How do you stop a fish from smelling?

Hold its nose..  joke 5

Container Workshop News:

Every year our container workshops are a huge success.  Many of you attend them all.  We have been receiving calls asking when the next one is.  There are no container workshops scheduled in the near future, but you can contact us at 608-222-2269 and schedule an appointment with one of our designers. The only requirement is that you purchase all of your plants here. You may bring in your own pots or purchase one of ours.  There will be a nominal charge for soil, however, the advice and scintillating conversation are absolutely free.

After years of battling the bulge, my sister finally lost weight

She shed so many pounds that her suits began to sag,

Leading one co-worker to suggest she alter her clothes to fit her new figure.

“”Not yet,” my sister said, “Let me enjoy the sag a little while first.”. Joke 5

DRY Your HERBS

We have had two very successful workshops on growing herbs.  Now that you have them, we thought you might like a reference on how to preserve them for winter use –  http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/how/dry/herbs.html

If at first you do not succeed, try not to look astonished! Joke 7

Mark Your Calendars

June is Perennials on Parade month.  Each week we will be featuring one perennial at special savings.  Check the newsletter every week to see what we have selected for you.    

July 4-5 Independence Celebration – Stop by our main location in Cottage Grove and receive FREE Ice Cream and Popcorn to celebrate our amazing country’s independence.

July 11-19 ABF Dollar Days – This is the first of two opportunities to use your orange ABF Dollars for up to 50% off the total price of purchase on our entire stock

Did you know?  Only Loyalty customers receive our newsletters via email.  Only Loyalty customers receive ABF Dollars.  And, best of all, Loyalty customers receive all the great mailings throughout the year.  If you know anyone who shops here, but hasn’t signed up as a Loyalty customer yet, please encourage them to do so.  We thank you and so will they.

If you are receiving double mailings, we ask that you please email or call us at 222-2269 so we can reduce the amount of paper coming to your home.  It’s just one small way we are working to save our environment.

To prevent sagging skin, eat ‘til the wrinkles fill out” Joke 8

Bonnie’s Kitchen

Fresh Corn-Rice Salad

As soon as I saw this recipe from the  Better Homes and Gardens Daily E Recipe, I couldn’t wait to try it. I really liked it, but then it contains many of my favorite things like fresh corn, arugala, rice, and tomatoes. I liked it so much, that I made it the very next day, and changed to wild rice, added a chopped avocado and chopped cilantro. YUMMO!

4 ears fresh corn

1 ½ cups cooked rice, cooled

1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved

1 cup fresh arugula

1 small red onion, cut in thin wedges

1 jalapeño pepper, thinly sliced

2T. rice vinegar or red wine vinegar

2 Tbsp. olive oil

Husk corn and remove silk with a stiff brush, rinse.  Cook corn in boiling, lightly salted water for 3 minutes.  Remove from water, let cool.  Cut corn off the cob in planks.

Combine cooked rice, tomatoes, arugula, onion and jalapeno pepper.  Transfer to a serving bowl; top with corn.

Drizzle with vinegar and olive oil.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  Serve at room temperature.  Makes 10 to 12 servings.

Note: To cut plants, place an ear of corn on its side on a cutting board.  Holding the corn firmly with fingers away from the blade, cut off a side of the corn.  Rotate and repeat until all sides are removed.  Use a spatula to gently move planks to salad.

Nutrition Facts Calories 123, Total Fat (g) 1, Saturated Fat (g) 0, Sodium (mg) 332,

First I had to work late.

Then I discovered that I’d locked my keys in the car.

But the last straw was learning that roadside service

couldn’t get a locksmith to me for at least two hours. 

Finally the guy showed, looking exhausted.

As he struggled with my door, I joked,

“Do those Slim Jim tools come in purse-size?”

“Yeah,” he muttered. “They’re called keys.” Joke 9

SEE YOU SOON!!!