Tuesdays with Annie 03 09 10

Susan J. Bissonette once said, “"An optimist is the human personification of spring." So as these spring-like days infiltrate New England, are any of us optimistic about growing apricots? Like peaches, plums and nectarines, apricots are nutrient-hungry plants and if given these rich growing conditions can produce and mature rather quickly. Apricots are like all other temperate fruit trees, appreciating full sun, well-drained soil and proper spacing. The best part about apricots – this fruit can live a long life, about 75 years. Let’s check the answers from yesterday’s brain teasers and see how you want to proceed with apricots.

1) The apricot, Prunus armeniaca is a member of the Rose Family (Rosaceae). (True.) The Rose family is chock-full of interesting plants. It rates third on the list for food production.

2) The apricot originated in Armenia. (False – China ) It was first believed that apricots originated in Armenia and therefore a portion of its name was derived - Armeniaca. However, there seems to be no denying its original habitat was China. Apricots were cultivated in other temperate regions throughout Europe and Asia and eventually introduced to the United States. The majority of the apricots commercially produced are canned or dried. Fresh apricots can be hard to come by and are rather pricey, which make planting an apricot tree tempting for New England gardens.

3) Georgia is the largest producer of apricots in the United States. (False – California.) California takes first place producing over 90% of the U.S. crop. Apricots have similarities to peaches. One little interesting tidbit about the Peach title: despite Georgia still being called the Peach State, California also produces more peaches than Georgia.

4) Apricots are one of the most drought-resistant fruit trees (True) Apricots, unlike peaches, plums and nectarines, which are very closely related, do not have the same water requirements and can thrive in relatively dry conditions. This is one of the main reasons you see apricots grown in Mediterranean climates.

5) Apricots are an early blooming fruit tree. (True) Apricots bloom very early in the Northeast and are at risk to late season frost damage. They wake up early and bloom early. If you decide to plant an apricot tree, try to avoid frost pockets where cold air can sit. Good air drainage, i.e., south facing and gently sloping locations may be your best bet.

If you are interested in growing apricots, locating the liners (small bare root plants) is not always easy. Many of the suppliers sell out a year in advance so call around and see if there may be some stragglers. If not, order now for next year. This fruit tree is becoming increasingly popular for commercial growers in this region because of the high price the apricot can demand at market.

To end the apricot dilemma, ‘should we grow, should we not grow’ question, let’s take Thomas Edison’s advice and use it as our inspirational thought for the day. "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."

Don’t forget to tell your social media gardening friends where they can find Annie’s Gardening Corner. The Fan Page on Facebook - ‘Bilowz Associates Inc. & Our Blog - Annie's Gardening Corner’ will have tidbits of information heading into spring only found there. You can either go to the blog via our website, http://www.bilowzassociates.com/ under Blog and click on ‘Follow our Fan Page on Facebook’ or direct link to the Fan Page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bilowz-Associates-Inc-Our-Blog-Annies-Gardening-Corner/325316334444 and become a fan. Have a great Tuesday.

Photo of apricots - from Internet)

Monday Morning Brain Teasers 03 08 10

What comes on quicker than a hot flash? Monday mornings. And with that, the brain teasers are sure to follow. Sticking with the recent theme of fruit, today’s true or false format is about the versatile apricot. Although most may think fruits tree, let alone apricots may be difficult to grow, let’s test your knowledge on a few of its habits and history. Tomorrow, when you see the answers in Tuesday’s with Annie, you can make your decision whether apricots should be part of your fruit tree repertoire.

1) The apricot, Prunus armeniaca is a member of the Rose Family (Rosaceae).

2) The apricot originated in Armenia.

3) Georgia is the largest producer of apricots in the United States.

4) Apricots are one of the most drought-resistant fruit trees.

5) Apricots are an early blooming fruit tree.

If you care to take Garfield’s advice for the day, “Avoid fruits and nuts: after all, you are what you eat. “ Or you can check in tomorrow and find out everything you wanted to know about apricots.

Remember, you can find Annie’s Gardening Corner in a few places including Twitter. A recent addition is our new Fan Page on Facebook called ‘Bilowz Associates Inc. & Our Blog - Annie's Gardening Corner’. You can either go to the blog via our website, http://www.bilowzassociates.com/ under Blog and click on ‘Follow our Fan Page on Facebook’ or you can try this direct link to the Fan Page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bilowz-Associates-Inc-Our-Blog-Annies-Gardening-Corner/325316334444 for more photos, events and information including our blog.

(Photo of Apricot from Internet)

Get Cooking

To kick off Friday morning with a funny thought, we’ll borrow a bit of levity from George Carlin. “I put a dollar in one of those change machines. Nothing changed.” So let’s get out of this winter slump and think spring. When the bigger things in life seem to kick you in the shorts, those things you don’t really have control over, think of what you intend to change this year in your garden.

Russ Faulk of Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet wrote a recent article about the rise in outdoor kitchens. “Fully functional outdoor kitchens are now the norm, featuring refrigeration, sinks, prep areas, and pizza ovens in addition to the grill.” Although this is over the top for most folks, creating that outside space where you can entertain friends and family is an important extension of one’s home.

There is a lot of hard labor and energy put into creating beautiful outdoor spaces but a fire pit or pizza oven (*remember to check your town or city’s local codes) can add an area that keeps your guests entertained well into the wee summer evenings. It doesn’t have to be elaborate and it can be done on a shoe-string budget. It takes a bit of Yankee ingenuity and elbow grease.

So if you want to put a dollar into the change machine and see change, then roll up your sleeves and get cooking! The inspirational thought for the day is by Lin Yutang. ““If man be sensible and one fine morning, while he is lying in bed, counts at the tips of his fingers how many things in this life truly will give him enjoyment, invariably he will find food is the first one.” Naturally, gardening should be a close second. Have a great weekend. Annie

(Photo of pizza oven - from the internet)

The Urns Have It

Are you looking for that special element to make your garden, deck or porch come together? This is the time to start shopping for your decorative pieces. One, it gets you in the mood to start thinking ‘gardens’ and ‘outdoors’ and two, you’ll get prime choice on all the great items waiting to be discovered in garden centers, second-hand stores and unique shops.

These decorative pieces make a statement about you. Sure, there is always room in your borders for bold, colorful flowers or the unusual specimen tree. You can test the latest and greatest perennials but you must apply the general rules: the right soil, sun/shade and water requirements. When you look for those special deco pieces, there are no rules. This can speak volumes about your garden personality. It lets you say, “Hey, this is me.”

Talk about leeway! You can find some funky, chunky pieces or something tasteful and classic or better yet, mix them all up. It’s all in what you want to do here. Break the rules!

Based on this theory, the inspirational thought for the day is by Katharine Hepburn. “If you obey all the rules you miss all the fun.” And with gardening, it may be hard work but it should always be fun! Annie

(Upper Photo, Levens Hall, UK - Photo by Greg Bilowz)
(Below Photo - Image from Internet)

Have you seen my pink bra anywhere?

The Sweet Scent of Lilacs

One of the first flowers of childhood memory is the sweet blooming Lilac. Although we won’t be seeing the likes of its flower until late April to mid May, it is like opening night for our gardens. There is something about a lilac’s sweetness that fills the air, telling gardeners spring is truly here.

The Common Lilac, Syringa vulgaris, a species in the Olive family, Oleaceae is not native to North America although it is claimed as the state flower of New Hampshire. This shrub has longevity; a perfect choice for any garden. Its many cultivars range in colors: purple, burgundy, pink, blue, white and even yellow in standard and dwarf forms. There is certain to be a suitable choice for your garden, too many to pick a favorite. Most varieties are best used for borders or screen plantings as it grows in thicket form rather quickly and is a great habitat for bird and wildlife. An excellent cut flower, it offers sweet smelling blossoms for the garden or the house. You can check out the International Lilac Society http://www.internationallilacsociety.org/Home.html as this shrub is a collector’s passion. There is even an upcoming convention in Shelburne, VT this May.

So when the snowflakes and winds of March dip your enthusiasm to lower levels, think of that childhood memory when lilacs filled the air and you knew that spring was truly here. And if you are looking for a family event to experience and celebrate the history and beauty of lilacs, be sure to visit the Arnold Arboretum on Sunday, May 9, 2010. The Arnold has one of the oldest and largest collections in the United States; worth a road trip even for my British readers. For more Lilac Sunday information, call the Arnold Arboretum at 617.524.1718 or check out this link - http://www.arboretum.harvard.edu/plants/lilac_sunday.html

To help us battle the last of the winter doldrums, the inspirational thought for the day is a one-liner from the internet. “Why do skeletons hate winter? Because the cold air goes right through them!” Have a great Wednesday. Annie

Image of Lilac from Internet

Tuesdays with Annie 03 02 10

Everyone loves Tuesdays because it’s answer day! So let’s test your thinking skills with an internet riddle. What lives in winter, dies in summer, and grows with its root upward?Did you guess it yet? Don’t peek. It’s not a carrot, it’s not parsnip; one last chance - an icicle. Thankfully, most of these remnants from winter are gone. So let’s get right into the strawberry trivia.

1) Strawberries are in the same family as raspberries – the Rose family, Rosaceae. (True) The deliciously sweet strawberry belongs to the genus Fragaria in the Rose family, Rosaceae. Raspberries are also part of this family.

2) Strawberries need full sun; at least 6 hours per day. (True) Strawberries require an ample amount of sun for optimum fruit set and ripening. The plants need well-drained soil and adequate irrigation to assure proper health. Try growing strawberries in containers, urns, even hanging baskets. There are creative ways to grow and display your red berries.

3) The uniqueness of a strawberry is its leaf. (False.) Strawberries are the only fruit with its seeds on the outside. Without going into too much detail, the strawberry you eat is neither a fruit nor a berry. It is the enlarged receptacle of the plant called a pepos. If you are interested in the botany of the strawberry, it is well-worth the read but too much science for a Tuesday morning.

4) Strawberries can have the winter protection of mulch (usually straw) removed in early spring. (True). Mulch should be moved aside in the strawberry rows but not totally removed from the garden. It is good to keep the mulch close by to ensure cover for the blossoms should a frost be predicted. And in the Northeast, we know that happens often in the spring.

5) The American Indians made the first version of strawberry shortcake. (Trick question. It was a joint venture.) The American Indians used crushed berries and cornmeal, which was made into strawberry bread. The Colonists then created a much more decadent version, thus creating the infamous strawberry shortcake. We certainly took a fancy to this tasty morsel. Per the history records, the United States developed the first hybridized strawberry in 1780.

Because we will soon be seeing lots of wigglers and crawlers in our gardens, always a good sign, today’s inspirational thought for the day is fitting. Of course it is another internet riddle. What else would you expect on a Tuesday with Annie!

“What do you call it when worms take over the world? Global Worming.”

Image of strawberry shortcake - from Internet

Monday Morning Brain Teasers 03 01 10

Our first day of March is mixed with snowflakes and of course, the Monday morning brain teasers. Today’s true or false format is a runner-up in Annie’s favorite fruit category – strawberries. In the Northeast, March through April is the time to start planting your bare root stock so let’s test your knowledge about this delightful early-blooming soft fruit.

California produces 80% of the country’s supply of strawberries. However, in that trip across country, the fruit loses some of its charm. Immediately after a strawberry is picked, the sugars start turning to starch, similar to corn. It loses a lot of its intense flavor. There is nothing like the taste of a freshly picked strawberry. Last year’s June strawberry season was a bit of a washout due to all the heavy spring rains. Let’s hope we have plenty of sunshine to pick lots of these sweet gems. What’s your favorite way to enjoy fresh strawberries?

1. Strawberries are in the same family as raspberries – the Rose family, Rosaceae.
2. Strawberries need full sun; at least 6 hours per day.
3. The uniqueness of a strawberry is its leaf.
4. Strawberries can have the winter protection of mulch (usually straw) removed in early spring.

5. The American Indians made the first version of strawberry shortcake.

Don’t forget that Nourse Farms is a great resource for your strawberry plants. In case you didn’t get their information in the raspberry brain teasers, here is a gentle reminder. You can find information online at http://noursefarms.com/ or by contacting them at 413-665-2658. Today’s inspirational thought for the day is a cute riddle found on the internet; perfect for Monday morning. “When is a cucumber like a strawberry? When one is in a pickle and the other is in a jam.”

(Photo of strawberries from the Internet)