Gardening Tips for Fall

Gardening Tips come September

Fall is upon us.........

Don't Forget....

Last Week of August - Reduce fertilizers and watering plants only once a week. Pick vegetables from garden; divide perennials and water well until roots developed.

September

1st week - Ideal time to sow lawn seeds and repair bald spots. Begin to plant spring bulbs, before first frost.

2nd week - Move containers to sheltered location. Set up birdfeeders in the yard.

3rd - 4th week - Clean up last weeds; Check houseplants for pests before moving them indoors.

Happy Gardening Everyone!

Gardening Tips for July

Gardening Tips for JULY

Sunny days of July encourages us to sit back and enjoy all the hard work we've done 'til now.

1st week - continue to deadhead regularly the flowers to keep them looking their best. Cut some flowers to make indoor arrangements and continue to enjoy them. Generally, plants need less frequent watering, you'll just see them growing before your eyes, water deeply only about once a week according to climate.

2nd week - Continue to weed to keep beds tidy. Add organic compost to flowerbeds and veggie garden. Top mulch up where getting thin in garden. Helps to hold moisture and keeps weeds at bay.

3rd week - trim back perennials as they finish blooming. Trim hedges to keep them looking lush.

4th week - Find out the best location to ensure plant survival; best growing conditions for your new plant to thrive. For example, a shrub that needs full sun will never do well in a north-facing location. Keeping in mind your zone.

Planting Advice:

Use a mixture of annuals and perennials to create "garden rooms" that add privacy or keep flowerbeds interesting throughout the seasons.

Happy Summertime Gardening! Sit back and enjoy that Lemonade...mmmm! ahhh!

Father's Day Fun Facts

History

Originated in America; In 1910, Mrs. Sonora Smart Dodd came up with the idea during a mother's day.

In 1924,President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of a national Father's Day.

In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed a proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day.

In 1972, President Richard Nixon established Father's Day as a permanent holiday.

The Official flower is a Rose; wear red for the living father and white for the deceased father.

Some famous fathers are: Actors: Brad Pitt, Ben Affleck, Jon Stewart, Jude Law, Tom Cruise, Paul McCartney, Patrick Dempsey and Michael Douglas.

Common Dad's Sayings are:

This is the last warning I'm giving you!

We never did that when we were young!

Will you let me read the paper in peace?

If your friend jumped off the cliff, will you do the same?

It hit me just the other day, summer's just around the corner! My family looks forward to outdoor activities with friends, family and dear old dad!

We are making plans with the family to head out to the cottage in the Muskokas. We're getting the fishing boat out from winter storage, my brother Joe is tuning up the bikes and our Uncle Tony is our summer hiking leader, who checks out some interesting routes to explore that we vote on at our family meeting. Mom's checking our backpacks to have them ready at a moments notice for those weekend adventures! And of course, Dad whose the best BBQ-er ever! The whole family looks forward to his great barbecuing surprise recipes....yummm! I can smell it already!

And should you become more adventurous--check out the campsites around Ontario; RVing, Tenting, trails and when they open for this season.

Let's not forget all the water sports and summer options. The Stanley Cup 2010 won by Chicago Black Hawks!! With World Cup soccer 2010 in South Africa starting shortly with 5 favorite squads participating.

For years, the "Necktie" was a popular Father's Day gift..now more than 21 percent of us think of the "Grill" as a Father's Day gift. This is a great reason for family members to get together...so fill up that cooler with Dad's favourite "brew", and grill food, set up that patio furniture his favourite deck chair and tunes.

Check out JJ's Household grill and more outdoor products!

Have a safe and happy summer !

Springtime Gardening Tips

Gardening Tips for JUNE

Long warm summer days are approaching and our flowerbeds are flourishing.

1st week - Plant tender transplants such as pumpkins, tomatoes and begonias. Heat-loving plants such as beans and marigolds will germinate quickly in the warm soil. Continue to apply mulch to shrubs, perennials and vegetable beds. This will help shade roots and reduce watering.

2nd week - Prune early flowering shrubs to encourage young shoots for flowering the next year. Remove dead flowers from containers; deadheading encouraging more flowering and keeps display tidy.

3rd week - Pull weeds out of beds and place stakes for plants before they grow in. Water transplants until established. Plant annuals into containers; they work well in small spaces and can be moved around to light or shade. You can start plants in late March in containers.

4th week - Keep an eye out for pest and disease problems. Easiest to deal with them when just beginning. Evergreens can be pruned once new growth has fully extended but still tender. But never cut back to old wood because most cannot regenerate from old wood.

Happy Gardening!

Springtime Gardening Tips

Gardening Tips for May

"The promise of spring is fulfilled with sprouting and blooming of May, and winter soon forgotten."

1st Week - Move or divide perennials, prune flowering shrubs. Now is the time to finish tidying the garden and prepare the garden beds to get planting done.

2nd Week - Work compost into your flowerbeds and gently work them over removing weeds as you "fork" along. Remove mulch from perennials; trimming any of last year's growth.

3rd Week - Work on preparing your vegetable garden. Expand or create flowerbeds.

4th Week - De-thatch lawns in spring; only when thatch layer is more than 3/4" inch deep. Aerate lawn with garden fork; gently pressing fork tips with foot in rows, about an inch apart to allow water and air to move freely through the soil. Mow lawn to height of 2 inches, leaving grass clippings on lawn.

Cities across Canada are taking steps to ban pesticide use on lawns, and scheduling summer water bans to leave turf dry and crisp during hot spells. Alternative ground covers are the way of the future.

Planting suggestions for May

Begin to arrange rock garden flowers like: Rockcress and Phlox to attract butterflies and bees. "Chicks and Hens", while "Creeping Jennies" are hardy ground cover 'fillers', low maintenance plants for the rock garden, and are safe to walk on. Pick up interesting clay pots and containers at your local garden centre to grow herbs in.

***Remember to check your planting zone for the best selections of a successful planting season.**

Happy Gardening Everyone!

Springtime Gardening Tips

Gardening Tips for APRIL

Springtime should start warming up by the end of April, but frost and flurries can still happen. We'll start to see the first shoots appearing. April frost is not uncommon in Ontario. Let's finish tidying up the garden and the first shoots should be just around the corner.

Things to Do

1st Week - Plant Trees, Shrubs and Vines once soil can be worked. Check out any power tools such as lawn mower and have them serviced if necessary. Bring out tools to clean and sharpen.

2nd Week - Gently pull back mulch from sprouting plants on warmer spring days. Place containers out on warm sunny days to help seeded plants grow; make sure to place them back indoors until warm temperatures are consistent and chance of frost has gone.

3rd Week - To improve soil drainage during cool wet spring add organic matter to drought-loving plants.

4th Week - Start pruning trees and shrubs to maintain health of plant. Prune before growth starts or wait until plant has leafed out. Tomatoes, snapdragons and spider flowers and can started from seed a few weeks before moving them into the garden.

Suggestions for Early Spring Plants

Many plants can be started before the last frost. These seeds can be planted as soon as soil can be worked: Spinach, Peas, Swiss Chard, Cabbage, Kale, Bachelor's Buttons, Phlox, Poppy, Sweet Pea and more. Take a trip to your garden centre for the best selection. Many garden centres will take your name and will call you when plants you are looking for come in.

**Remember to check your Zone before starting any of the suggestions indicate above.

Happy Gardening to All!

Springtime Gardening Tips

Gardening Tips for MARCH

Warm spells lure us out to see what's sprouting in that garden of ours. Be aware of your Zone; these tips are for Ontario, Canada.

1st Week - Prune off any damaged growth from your trees and shrubs that happened over the Winter.

2nd Week - As the snow melts clear up debris such as leaves, sticks and garbage.

3rd Week - start indoor seeding; most can be started in late March.

4th Week - Before digging call your local utility company to prevent injury and save time and money. Do not plant vigorous spreaders in rock garden yet.

Things to Remember when Planting

Gradual expose annuals and harden perennials before planting them to adapt to outdoor weather conditions and reduces chance of transplant shock. Keep them in the shady spot if you need to wait to plant them.

Avoid planting at the hottest or sunniest part of the day. Choose overcast or later in the day.

Wait until plants, tree and shrub branches start "budding" before pruning them back.

Plants should be well watered when newly planted; check root zone before planting. Watering strongly but infrequently in the coolest part of the day will help establish strongest root growth.

Happy Gardening to All!

Kitchen Inspiration

Today I was leafing through a recent 'Oprah Magazine' and found this lovely poem of inspiration by Molly Wizenberg, relating to 'home' particularly the 'kitchen'. Take some time to reflect..I'm sure it will be interesting to all.

"When I walk

into my kitchen today,

I'm not alone.

Whether we know it

or not, none of us is.

We bring fathers

and mothers and kitchen

tables, and every meal

we have ever eaten,

Food is never just food,

It's also a way of

getting at something else

who we are, who

we have been and

who we want to be".

Small Appliances I just can't live without!

3.5 Quart Stainless Steel Fondue Pot...Fully immersible for easy cleaning.

Eight fondue forks and fork holder ring included.

Hey there everyone...Party-time season has arrived!...."don we now are gay apparel..." What about a casual, winter get-together with friends held over a fondue pot! How did we let the fondue pot of the 70's go out of style in the first place? Fortunately it's back! Great for 'foodies' - who seek fun in culinary fare! Sales of Fondue Pots are booming!

Plan a 'theme' party to stir the interest among friends. Why not be the first to 'rejuvenate' the '70's party-time fare; while playing '70's pop tunes? Serve wine from the '70's? You don't have to be the one who prepares all the selections; tell your friends about it and have them bring their favorite crusty breads, fruits and veggies for dipping; wine and '70's music!

Can't think of a "New Year's Eve" theme this year?...what about a Fondue Party? Why not rent '70's party ware or check your storage boxes for '70's clothing. The party will be the talk of the town!

Here we feature the Stainless Steel Rival Fondue Pot, is just the right size for a party of eight. For such great deals why not buy 2 fondue pots; one for cheese sauce another for chocolate sauce. Surprise your friend...buy one as a gift and share the experience joining the "Fondue" craze! Check out the video below.

And as my husband says...Fondue is fun to do (lol)!!

Check us out or to purchase item click here jjhouseholdemporium.com

Your friendly neighborhood cook - Julia

Cookware for Soup, Stew or Boiled Vegetables

16pc Heavy gauge Surgical Stainless Steel

Extra Thick Bonded Bottom for even heating. Including 6pc SS Utensil Set

Tips and Trivia on the Potato

Trivia

The definition of the 'Potato' - also know as white potato, Irish potato, murphy, spud, tater -an edible tuber native to South America; a staple food of Ireland. In about the year 1570, the first potato made its way across the Atlantic to make a start on the continent of Europe. It was one of the three major crops including tomatoes and corn that was introduced to Europe. It took thirty years for the potato to become popular throughout the rest of Europe. Resistance was due to population's eating habits, the tuber was considered a poor man's food. Unlike any other major crop, potatoes contain most of the vitamins needed for sustenance.

Our personal favorite recipe we often enjoy is Roasted Potatoes with Onions and Carrots. Clean Potatoes, Onions, and Carrots; cut all into wedges-- place in roasting pan and drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic. Prepare at desired ratio mix of potatoes/onions/carrots. Roast at 350F Degrees in center of oven uncovered for 45min-1hour. Tossing after 30 minutes. Serve warm. Yummy!

Today, you will find a 'multitude' of potato recipes of many cultures from around the world. Why not try a new one today?

Tips

Best way to make mashed potatoes - to prevent "gluey" potatoes never boil, simmer, just enough water to cover potatoes. After straining place cooked potatoes back into pot- adding 1/4 cup milk and small amount of butter, using potato masher or beat on low speed with electric mixer until potatoes are just 'mashed'.

Optional

Add 2-3 boiled diced parsnips and mash with potatoes. Other: grated garlic, chopped parsley or grated parmesan cheese for flavor. Check us out or to purchase item click here jjhouseholdemporium.com

Your friendly neighborhood cook - Julia