Written by Alex | July 24, 2012 | 2012 NewslettersNewsletter Tags: flowers, Gardening, jokes, recipies, stories
Perennials are Finally on Sale
Newsletter 21 – Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Youll love your garden … Its our promise!
Summer Perennial Sale!
Come on out and load up on beautiful perennials. We have a large variety of both shade and sun perennials that will look spectacular in your garden. If you are unsure of what perennial would work for a specific area our knowledgeable staff would be happy to assist you.
We may even put a few more things on sale this week. Hmmm, now doesnt that make you rather curious?
Coming in August – Customer Appreciation Day at America’s Best Flowers

All of us at America’s Best Flowers would like to show our appreciation to you, our Loyal Customers, by treating you to FREE pizza on Saturday, August 4th! Brett Buchanan and his Flying Cow Pizza (dont you just love that name?), will be tossing pizza dough between 11:00 3:00. Youve got to see Bretts portable brick oven on wheels! It is so cool, well, actually, its really hot!
Remember to mark your calendar for Saturday, August 4th. Gather up the family and head on out to the country for a slice of pie, pizza pie, that is!
While youre here, take a tour of our greenhouses and grounds. The tremendous colors of the summer garden are everywhere. Butterflies and hummingbirds abound. What a great way to spend a Saturday. Please join us for food, flowers, fun and friendship on Saturday, August 4th.
Emerald Ash Borer Control
For those of you with ash trees, Im sure youve been closely watching news stories related to the Emerald Ash Borers travels. Unfortunately, their silent march has been documented as far north as Janesville. The good news is that control is possible, as long as you are armed with the right weapon, a systemic insecticide that contains the chemical Imidacloprid.
Bonides Annual Tree & Shrub Insect Control with Systemaxx will do the job. One application kills insects, and prevents new infestations for an entire year. No spraying, just mix and pour at base of your plant. Systemic insecticide is absorbed through the roots to all parts of the plant, even new growth, and wont wash off. As always, read the label instructions thoroughly before using.
More good news, the same insecticide that will prevent Emerald Ash Borer damage, also controls Japanese Beetles, Aphids, Whiteflies, Mealybugs, Scale and many others. Remember to check that the product is safe to use with your plants before spraying (which can be found on the label).
Its so hot that…
You discover that it takes only 2 fingers to drive your car.
Are your tomatoes splitting?

This is actually a common occurrence when there is a fluctuation in watering. Cracking and splitting usually happens in the later stages of growth when the tomato is beginning to ripen. The tomato skin will thicken and toughen up when there is a dry spell. When a sudden influx of water occurs the tomato continues to grow inside and will cause the thickened outer skin to rupture resulting in a split or crack. Minor cracking at the top is by and large harmless. Keep in mind that large cracking or splits may expose the tomato to disease and insects.
It’s so hot that I have found out (the hard way) that my seat belt buckle
could be used as a branding iron.
If you have watering questions
Just go to our website, www.americasbestflowers.com and open our NEWSLETTER tab. This will bring up our 2012 NEWSLETTER (As well as previous years.) Please refer to the lead article in our newsletter Thirstday, July 5, 2012.
We sent to you information that we received from Heritage Seed Company regarding how to water your lawn during this summer drought. Please pass it on to your neighbors and friends. Theyll appreciate it!
Ed wants to know…Just how clever are you?
Americas Best Flowers name was chosen because Carol and I travel around the United States looking at flower trial gardens trying to find and grow plants that grow best in our area.
We are searching for a tag line, perhaps with a little humor in it that best describes the benefit of using America’s Best Flowers. Since our name already says we are in the flower business and we sell the best flowers the tag line should provide a benefit.
For the past few years we have used Youll love your garden … Its our promise! What do you think? Do we need a new tag line?
If you have a short and catchy idea for a new America’s Best Flowers tag line send it to abfscimino@yahoo.com by August 3, 2012.
Wow!
Thanks to Denise and Dana for sending us so many beautiful pictures of their garden. It was a tough decision, but we chose this one to share with everyone.
It’s so hot that Farmers are feeding their chickens crushed ice to keep them from laying hard-boiled eggs.
Remember
Americas Best Flowers wants you to succeed, so if you have gardening questions send an email to our Operations Manager, Al Lunde, at abflunde@yahoo.com. Al will get back to you promptly. We want to be your go-to-greenhouse for answers.
It’s so hot, birds have to use potholders to pull worms out of the ground.
In last weeks newsletter…
We asked for you to share with the rest of us what you are doing to keep your cool. Take a look at Loris great tip!
Cool Down Tip From Lori
I make cucumber water by steeping the cucumber ends and peels in water in the refrigerator overnight. I strain the cucumber water and soak several "fingertip" towels in it, wring them out, fold them neatly and place them in a rubbermaid container. I keep the container in the freezer and have instant cool clothes to wrap around my neck when I do my outside work.
You can find fingertip towels at any bath store. I look for them on clearance so I keep the costs down. Color doesn’t matter, as long as the price is right!!
Folks, youve got to try this. Its feels great and it smells wonderful.
(Warning: I had to stop Hubby from pouring balsamic vinaigrette on me…hee hee!)
`til next week,
~ Shirley
There is no snooze button on a dog who wants breakfast.
Upcoming Events
Sat, Aug 11 | Tomato Tasting Taste the difference between fresh varieties. Canning & pickling anyone? |
Sat, Aug 18 | 2nd Annual Dog Wash Fund Raiser 11am – 3pm For the Dane County Humane Society |
Sat, Aug 25 | Autumn Container Workshop 10am – 4pm FREE soil and assistance. Create a beautiful container in our potting shed and we’ll clean up the mess. Bring in your own pots or buy one of ours. |
Sat, Sep 8 – Sun, Sep 16 | The Last Dollar Days Come in and use your orange dollars. This is the last chance to use them before they expire for good. |
Sat, Sep 15 | Art and Craft Fair 9am – 3pm |
Sat, Sep 22 – Sun, Sep 30 | Autumn Sale |
Our Kitchen
The beeper on my cell phone went off the other day. It was a text from our friend, Jesse, calling to let me know he had discovered another wonderful recipe. What an easy breakfast-for-dinner idea! Just imagine how beautiful this will be next to a ham slice, bacon strips or link sausages (or all three). Serve with tall glasses of ice-cold milk and mugs of your favorite decaf coffee. A great meal any time of the day.
Jesses Truly French Toast
- 8 croissants
- 3 eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Directions
Start by flattening croissants by pressing firmly with hands. Beat remaining ingredients in a shallow baking dish. Place croissants in egg mixture one or two at a time making sure to coat both sides well. Fry in frying pan over medium heat until golden brown, approximately 2 minutes each side. Serve and top with maple syrup, fresh strawberries or fresh blueberries.
Bevs note I spray the frying pan well with non-stick vegetable spray and use just a tiny bit of real butter to fry these in.

Edward Knapton says Keep on Smiling!
Sec – Treasurer Berry Hill Farms, Inc.
DBA Americas Best Flowers Garden Center
4311 Vilas Hope Road
Cottage Grove, WI 53527
608-222-2269 Fax 608-222-1234 Cell 608-698-5627