SPRING IS TIME TO THINK OF FALL

Don't wait until Fall to think about Mums that usually don't survive the Chicago winters.   I have a strong dislike for the annual Mums I see plopped in the garden each Fall-don't like their color, form, or how unnatural they appear.

Garden centers are sorely lacking in perennial mums - even the largest one in Chicago that I work for carries only the Korean Mum, a rather pastel color.   I ran across a great on-line Mum store in Minnesota ( Faribault Growers ) that carries cold hardy mums in the yellow and red I prefer.   They have a great selection of "novelties" and at a great prices -$2.50 each .

Above are two of my favorites.  Shipping for these mums are from Apri 10-June 15.  The time to plant Mums in Chicago is when all danger of frost is past, or around mid-to-late May.


Written by Carolyngail at Sweet Home and Garden Chicago All rights reserved

The Chicago Flower and Garden Show 2011: Sneak Preview

Chicago's Navy Pier, host of the 2011 Chicago Flower and Garden Show

This year's theme : The Sport of Gardening

How that theme came about I do not know but I can guess that a man had something to do with it.

My Favorite of all the gardens :   Silent Poetry : The Confluence of Stone and Plants

by Rich's Foxwillow Pines Nursery

Window Boxes

The Always Creative and Outstanding Tablescapes

Two very contemporary gardens

 There were even Chickens in a Coop, first time this year.

And of course, flowers of every color, everywhere, all in bloom.

These are but a few highlights of the many beautiful displays.  The grand opening is tomorrow and there are a lot of interesting seminars, garden chefs, cake decorating competitions, potting parties,kid's activity garden,workshops and photography exhibitions.

A welcome respite from winter that Chicagoans are sure to enjoy.

Written by Carolyngail at Sweet Home and Garden Chicago All rights reserved

PLANS FOR THE POTAGER

                                                         Bibimbop


This popular Korean dish above is easy to make and one I whip up when family or friends visit.  Guests are given a bowl filled with either noodles or rice and after selecting the meat/veggies, it is drizzled with sesame oil and a dab of hot sauce.  Tasty and healthy at the same time.  If you'd like the recipe try Bobby Flay's vesion : http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/boy-meets-grill/bibimbap-recipe/index.html

I cook Asian dishes frequently and so this season I am dedicating one section of my potager to vegetables such as Bok Choy, which is a tasty spinach-like vegetable with crunchy, sweet stems, Spacemaster cucumber, a very compact, bushy plant for small gardens, Chinese broccoli, a.k.a. kale, a fast growing, small plant with incredible flavor and leaf lettuce.  I will add other staples such as green onions, chives and garlic as well.

Meanwhile I still have ample time to devise ways to keep those waskily wabbits out of my vegetable patch.


Written by Carolyngail at Sweet Home and Garden Chicago All rights reserved

GARDEN BLOGGERS' MUSE DAY

Dear March -- Come in --

How glad I am --

I hoped for you before --

Put down your Hat --

You must have walked --

How out of Breath you are --

Dear March, Come right up the stairs with me --

I have so much to tell --

I got your Letter, and the Birds --

The Maples never knew that you were coming -- till I called

I declare -- how Red their Faces grew --

But March, forgive me -- and

All those Hills you left for me to Hue --

There was no Purple suitable --

You took it all with you --

Who knocks? That April.

Lock the Door --

I will not be pursued --

He stayed away a Year to call

When I am occupied --

But trifles look so trivial

As soon as you have come

That Blame is just as dear as Praise

And Praise as mere as Blame --

-Emily Dickinson

Written by Carolyngail at Sweet Home and Garden Chicago All rights reserved