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 doesn’t that make you rather curious?

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 4^th!  Brett Buchanan and his Flying Cow Pizza (don’t you just love that name?), will be tossing pizza dough between 11:00 – 3:00.  You’ve got to see Brett’s portable brick oven on wheels!  It is so cool, well, actually, it’s really hot!

Remember to mark your calendar for Saturday, August 4^th.  Gather up the family and head on out to the country for a slice of pie, pizza pie, that is! 

While you’re 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 4^th.

For those of you with ash trees, I’m sure you’ve been closely watching news stories related to the Emerald Ash Borer’s 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.

Bonide’s 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 won’t 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).

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.

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.  They’ll appreciate it!

America’s 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 ‘You’ll love your garden … It’s 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.

This was our favorite
Click for Larger Image

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.

America’s 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.

We asked for you to share with the rest of us what you are doing to keep your cool.  Take a look at Lori’s great tip!

‘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, you’ve got to try this.  It’s feels great and it smells wonderful. 

(Warning: I had to stop Hubby from pouring balsamic vinaigrette on me…hee hee!)

`til next week,
    ~ Shirley