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Tuscany chicken with artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, and olives

July 29, 2020

Ingredients: 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 8 bone-in chicken thighs (3 pounds), skin removed if desired 1 tablespoon olive oil 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest 1 teaspoon fresh thyme 1/2 teaspoon fresh rosemary, crushed ½ teaspoon fresh tri colored sage 1 can (14 ounces)...

Watering 101

July 24, 2020

So, you spent all day at the garden center. You got some neat, amazing new plants. You spent your weekend planting and potting. But, if you’re like me, you’re not sure about watering. How much water does my plant need? When do I water? How often do I water? What are the best tools to water with? How can I remind myself to water? Worry no more,...

Fire Blight

July 17, 2020

Maybe you have a fruit tree in your yard, apples or pears? Have you started to notice the leaves turning brown, or even black, and your twigs, blossoms and fruit spurs dying? You might be experiencing fire blight. Fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) is a bacterial infection that affects plants in the Rosaceae family. It is most common in pome type...

Avocado Bruschetta

July 16, 2020

Ingredients: 4 slices country bread, toasted 2 cloves garlic, peeled and halved 1 avocado, halved, pitted, peeled and mashed ¼ cup/50 ml extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling. Directions: Rub each slice of bread with ½ garlic clove. Divide and spread the avocado on each slice of toasted bread. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.

Citrus Trees

July 10, 2020

Just because you live in the Midwest doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a citrus tree inside your own home. Not only do citrus trees add an appealing look to your home, they will give you homegrown citrus fruit! As the saying goes, if you don’t like the weather now, just wait a few minutes. This means that your citrus tree will fair well in a pot that...

Blackberry Ice Cream

July 5, 2020

Ingredients: 8 cups washed and drained blackberries 3/4 cup sugar 1/8 tsp kosher salt 1 3/4 cup heavy cream 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon 2 tsp gin (optional) 1 tbs fresh lemon juice Directions: In a saucepan, combine blackberries, sugar, and salt. Use a metal spatula or potato masher to crush the berries until the sugar is dissolved. Cook until...

Japanese Beetles

July 3, 2020

Japanese Beetles, the nuisance in everyone’s gardens and flower beds! If these little pest have invaded your backyard, you’re not alone and we, at Colonial Gardens, have a solution. A Little History Japanese beetles (Popillia japanicus) first appeared in the United States in 1916 in a New Jersey nursery. Supposedly, the beetles’ larvae came into...

The Cool Mint Tanqueray

July 2, 2020

A summery mint drink to enjoy on a warm night under the stars. Ingredients: 1.25 oz. Tanqueray no. ten .75 oz fresh lime juice .75 oz. simple syrup 6-8 fresh mint leaves Fresh sprig of mint for garnish Instructions: Muddle fresh mint leaves in simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add Tanqueray and lime juice. Shake well and pour into a cocktail...