1st Annual Big Zucchini Contest August 17th
OK you home gardeners, we want to see your zucchini. Young, old or in between this fun competition is free to enter. Now is the time for glory. Bring in your biggest zucchini from the patch on August 17th and see how it compares to others. The winner gets bragging rights, a $25 gift card and will be featured in the September issue of the MD Thymes. Read more on Facebook.
Back to School
College or pre-school, MD Nursery has many unique and practical items for students:
Insulated lunch totes
Re-useable sandwich keepers
Fun and funky water bottles
Insulated drink cups
Assorted zippered pouches and pencil cases
MadPax backpacks and accessories
Tablet covers
Journals
Mini cacti and succulents (perfect for dorm rooms)
Outdoor Living Sale August 1 to 31:
Outdoor Furniture 10 - 40% off
Decorative Stakes and Whirligigs 40% off
Patio Umbrellas 40% off
Fire Pits and Torches 10% off
Water-wise Tips
August is here, with it, plenty of heat, perhaps no available irrigation water, and your valuable landscaping begins to suffer. Here are a few tips to get your garden through the dog days of summer:
Water early in the morning or in the evening. This reduces water loss to evaporation.
If you are limited to how much water is available, prioritize water needs. Vegetable gardens and newly planted trees and shrubs require the most water. Turf grasses can be allowed to go dormant (brown) with less water. These grasses will green up once again when cooler weather returns.
Cut back perennials that are done blooming. This redirects a plant’s energy to its roots instead of seed production.
Water deeply, not often. A thorough soaking will promote deep rooting. Frequent light watering leads to shallow, drought-prone roots.
Move planters and hanging baskets into the shade.
Recognize drought-stress: Wilting is the most obvious sign. Brown tips or edges of leaves are another.
Pay special attention to new evergreens. These thirsty trees may not show signs of stress until months later, when it’s too late.
Check your irrigation and probe down into the soil to ensure water is reaching the root zone.Mulch is your friend. A good three inches will help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
These simple steps can help to reduce drought stress and limit water waste.
Product of the Month:
San Gabriel Organic ‘Burn-Out’ Weed and Grass Killer. This is an all natural, OMRI- listed, non-selective herbicide. Citric acid and clove oil are combined to kill weeds and grass quickly. Burn-Out is available in 24 oz and 64 oz ready to use bottles. Most effective when applied during warm, dry weather. Staff testing concluded it "really works" and it "actually smells good." MD Nursery is pleased to offer a wide selection of natural and organic weed and pest control solutions for the home and garden.
Preserving Herbs:
August brings forth a bounty of herbs. Don’t let your harvest go to waste. Try these simple techniques to preserve herbs:
DRYING: This is best for herbs such as sage, oregano, rosemary, mint and dill. Tie herbs into bunches and hang to dry in a cool, dark spot. Herbs can also be laid flat in a cool dark spot. When leaves are completely brittle, they can be stored in glass jars or in zip top bags. Save some extras for holiday gift-giving.
VINEGAR INFUSION: This works well with most herbs and makes a beautiful gift. Put a few sprigs of herbs into a glass jar. Top with white wine vinegar and let steep for two weeks. Strain into a bottle or jar.
PESTO: Pesto can be stored in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for a month. Use it on pizza, whisk it into mayo as a sandwich spread or stir into pasta. Parsley, cilantro, sage, spinach, kale and arugula make great pesto alternatives or additions to traditional basil pesto.
1 medium clove garlic, peeled and chopped
3 ½ cups fresh herbs or greens, any combination
½ cup , toasted and unsalted pine nuts, almonds or sunflower seeds
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
¾ cup Olive Oil
1 lemon, juice and zest to taste
salt and pepper, to taste
Pulse all ingredients in food processor or blender to a spreadable consistency.
Planter Recipe: A Living Wreath
Join the succulent trend and make a living wreath. You’ll need:
Living wreath form
Sphagnum moss
Potting Mix
6 -9 small assorted succulents
Floral wire
Watering can and root stimulator
Soak the moss in water for about 30 minutes. Using floral wire, create a loop on the back of the wreath frame for hanging. Line the bottom and sides of the form with moss and fill with potting mix. Plant the succulents in the form and cover the exposed soil with more moss. Use the floral wire to wrap around the wreath and hold the plants and moss in place. Mix root stimulator with water and soak the wreath while it is still flat and let excess drain. Allow wreath to lay flat for about a week to give the plants some time to root out. Your wreath can be hung in a shady spot outdoors for the summer, or kept flat as a centerpiece. Keep moss and soil moist, but not soggy. To water, lay flat and allow to drain before hanging on a wall. All materials for this project are available from our floral department and greenhouse.
Book of the Month
Lone Pine Field Guides
Animals, birds, wildflowers, trees and more can all be identified with the help of these easy to use field guides. These are handy for adults and fun for kids. Take one on your next hike!
MD proudly boasts a wide selection of books. Included are children’s books, cook books, how-to books and many gardening and landscaping books. Our book nook is located along with a lending library in the spacious loft of the gift shop.
