Electronic Edition of My newsletter
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Rosemary and Garlic Marinated Salmon
place salmon fillets in a bowl and toss with 5 cloves of crushed garlic, 3 sprigs of fresh rosemary, and 1/2 cup of olive oil,
cover and chill overnight, then Grill for 5 minutes per sided over an open flame. serve with grilled zuccini and a fresh
garden salad.
place salmon fillets in a bowl and toss with 5 cloves of crushed garlic, 3 sprigs of fresh rosemary, and 1/2 cup of olive oil,
cover and chill overnight, then Grill for 5 minutes per sided over an open flame. serve with grilled zuccini and a fresh
garden salad.
HOW TO PROPERLY DEADHEAD ROSES
Most heavy pruning of roses is done during the dormant season, and we are pruning for health, shape,
vigor, and superior flowers when we do so.
Some pruning however does need to be done during the growing season but our goals at this time of
year are different.
Pruning in the spring or summer usually is done to shape the rose, or if it is a rose that will continuously
flower, deadheading, or the removing of old flowers needs to be done in order to encourage the rose to
reflower.
Deadheading repeat-flowering roses has multiple benefits. Not only will it conserve plant energy and
produce more flowers, but it will also remove hiding places and food for insects which often become
pests in our garden. It may even permit minor improvements in air circulation, thus reducing the
potential for fungal diseases like powdery mildew and leaf spot.
Basically we deadhead to remove old and dead flowers from a rose bush so that the hips, the rose fruit,
do not form. By diverting the energy normally used for hip development, we give the plant more energy to
produce new flowers and cane growth.
The only reasons for deadheading a one-time-blooming rose are to give the plant a cleaner
appearance and to maximize vegetative growth.
Deadheading should vary between types of roses.
To deadhead Hybrid Teas and Floribundas: remove a spent flower and the cane beneath it back to the
first outward-facing leaf with five leaflets. Deadheading back to a leaf with fewer leaflets often results in
non-flowering new growth, called "blind wood."
To deadhead repeat-flowering roses: like shrub roses or climbers, this can be more variable. New
flowering wood can be produced from a bud at the bract beneath a flower or from buds at any leaf axis.
On these roses, it is better to deadhead back to the bract beneath the flower, and observe whether new
flowering wood grows from this point. If flowers are not produced, prune back to the first leaf and start
the observation process again.
Continue deadheading back to the highest leaf on a cane until you know the pattern or growth and
bloom for a cultivar.
This might not be as clear cut as what to do for Hybrid Teas or Floribundas, but this will really become
helpful when you have deadheaded your roses for a season and know what is best for them.
Then every season thereafter you will get the best flowers from your roses.
Most heavy pruning of roses is done during the dormant season, and we are pruning for health, shape,
vigor, and superior flowers when we do so.
Some pruning however does need to be done during the growing season but our goals at this time of
year are different.
Pruning in the spring or summer usually is done to shape the rose, or if it is a rose that will continuously
flower, deadheading, or the removing of old flowers needs to be done in order to encourage the rose to
reflower.
Deadheading repeat-flowering roses has multiple benefits. Not only will it conserve plant energy and
produce more flowers, but it will also remove hiding places and food for insects which often become
pests in our garden. It may even permit minor improvements in air circulation, thus reducing the
potential for fungal diseases like powdery mildew and leaf spot.
Basically we deadhead to remove old and dead flowers from a rose bush so that the hips, the rose fruit,
do not form. By diverting the energy normally used for hip development, we give the plant more energy to
produce new flowers and cane growth.
The only reasons for deadheading a one-time-blooming rose are to give the plant a cleaner
appearance and to maximize vegetative growth.
Deadheading should vary between types of roses.
To deadhead Hybrid Teas and Floribundas: remove a spent flower and the cane beneath it back to the
first outward-facing leaf with five leaflets. Deadheading back to a leaf with fewer leaflets often results in
non-flowering new growth, called "blind wood."
To deadhead repeat-flowering roses: like shrub roses or climbers, this can be more variable. New
flowering wood can be produced from a bud at the bract beneath a flower or from buds at any leaf axis.
On these roses, it is better to deadhead back to the bract beneath the flower, and observe whether new
flowering wood grows from this point. If flowers are not produced, prune back to the first leaf and start
the observation process again.
Continue deadheading back to the highest leaf on a cane until you know the pattern or growth and
bloom for a cultivar.
This might not be as clear cut as what to do for Hybrid Teas or Floribundas, but this will really become
helpful when you have deadheaded your roses for a season and know what is best for them.
Then every season thereafter you will get the best flowers from your roses.
Make Maintenance Routine
By far, the easiest way to save yourself time and keep expenses down is by keeping your house in
good working order to begin with. This requires some planning and skill, but in the long run could
help you avoid spending lengthy hours making repairs, not to mention the costs involved.
"Naturally, most people tend to focus on the exterior of their homes during the summer, but it's
important not to forget about the interior," says Johnson. "There are some simple monthly jobs that
should be completed to keep appliances and mechanicals in working order."
For example, start in the kitchen and inspect the dishwasher for leaks. A leak that isn't caught in
time could ruin your flooring, and possibly your sub-floor, as well. Then, move to the kitchen range
hood and clean the fan filters to prevent clogging -- a potential fire hazard. Also, be sure to wash
out the refrigerator frost-free drain pan to keep it in proper working order.
In the bathroom, inspect and clean faucet aerators and shower heads to prevent buildup and
potential clogging. If you notice buildup on fixtures, tubs or shower doors, you may have a hard
water problem. But, don't worry, 85 percent of homes do. Hard water contains significant levels of
dissolved calcium and magnesium that can cause scale and lime buildup on sinks, faucets and
water-using appliances, decreasing their life and making them less efficient. And don't forget the
time it will take you to scrub things clean -- time that could be spent outdoors enjoying the weather.
Johnson goes on to say, "To combat hard water have a professional test your water to determine
its hardness. If you do have hard water, consider purchasing a water softener, such as the 2040c
from Kinetico. It's a compact unit that possesses superior water softening capabilities for very hard
water applications. And unlike other bulky, unattractive water softeners, there's no need to hide it
thanks to its fashionable, modern appearance. Just remember, in the long run, not treating hard
water could prove more difficult for your pocket book to tolerate than installing a water softener."
By far, the easiest way to save yourself time and keep expenses down is by keeping your house in
good working order to begin with. This requires some planning and skill, but in the long run could
help you avoid spending lengthy hours making repairs, not to mention the costs involved.
"Naturally, most people tend to focus on the exterior of their homes during the summer, but it's
important not to forget about the interior," says Johnson. "There are some simple monthly jobs that
should be completed to keep appliances and mechanicals in working order."
For example, start in the kitchen and inspect the dishwasher for leaks. A leak that isn't caught in
time could ruin your flooring, and possibly your sub-floor, as well. Then, move to the kitchen range
hood and clean the fan filters to prevent clogging -- a potential fire hazard. Also, be sure to wash
out the refrigerator frost-free drain pan to keep it in proper working order.
In the bathroom, inspect and clean faucet aerators and shower heads to prevent buildup and
potential clogging. If you notice buildup on fixtures, tubs or shower doors, you may have a hard
water problem. But, don't worry, 85 percent of homes do. Hard water contains significant levels of
dissolved calcium and magnesium that can cause scale and lime buildup on sinks, faucets and
water-using appliances, decreasing their life and making them less efficient. And don't forget the
time it will take you to scrub things clean -- time that could be spent outdoors enjoying the weather.
Johnson goes on to say, "To combat hard water have a professional test your water to determine
its hardness. If you do have hard water, consider purchasing a water softener, such as the 2040c
from Kinetico. It's a compact unit that possesses superior water softening capabilities for very hard
water applications. And unlike other bulky, unattractive water softeners, there's no need to hide it
thanks to its fashionable, modern appearance. Just remember, in the long run, not treating hard
water could prove more difficult for your pocket book to tolerate than installing a water softener."
