Making the world a little greener
The Sage Page with our spare thyme!
Let there be Color! The wildflowers have transformed the dull winter landscape of my neighborhood park into a scenic spot filled with various yellow blooms. It made me wonder...
How do plants know when to bloom? A complex combination of temperature, length of day, circadian rhythms, and genes are responsible. Specifically the gene, Apetala1, triggers blooming as part of the plant’s reproductive cycle. Our beautiful show is just survival to plants.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, May 27th@ 7:00pm at The Miniature Cottage, 410 E. Iris in Berry Hill (near 100 Oaks in Nashville) Join us for a casual potluck dinner & some needle felting. Hope to see you all there!
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CUMBERLAND HERB ASSOCIATION • April 2015 Newsletter
Please submit news/info by the 1st week of the month to Jessica Bach: jessica_mayo@bellsouth.net or 615-891-8735.
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In the Garden. . .
Planting for tomorrow...
Making the world a little greener
The Sage Page with our spare thyme!
Drought-Resistant Perennials
Perennials make life easier in the long run because they return year after year. Check out these reliable and interesting plants for summer heat & drought. PHLOX (moss phlox) Needs part sun/sun & loamy soil Type: perennial Height: 2-6 inches Width: 6-36 inches wide Flower: red, lavender, pink, white or blue Foliage: chartreuse/gold
LAMB'S-EARS (Stachys)
Special features: mat-forming, evergreen foliage, spring & summer bloom, drought tolerant, attracts birds, cut flowers, fragrance, good for containers, low maintenance, spreads easily
Needs full/part sun & well-drained soil Type: perennial Height: under 6 inches to 3 feet Width: 12-48 inches wide Flower: blue, pink, red, white Foliage: gray/silver
Special features: fall, spring & summer bloom, deer resistant, drought tolerant, groundcover, attracts birds, cut flowers, good For containers, low maintenance (Use dry leaves for tea)
CONEFLOWER (Echinacea)
Special features: summer bloom, winter interest Deer resistant, drought tolerant Attracts birds & butterflies, cut Flowers, fragrance, good for Containers, low maintenance (Immune booster)
Needs sun & well-drained soil Type: perennial Height: 1 to 3 feet Width: 1-2 feet wide Flower: blue, orange, pink, white Foliage: chartreuse/gold
YARROW
Needs full sun & well-drained soil Type: herb, perennial Height: under 6 inches to 8 feet Width: 18-36 inches wide Flower: pink, red, white Foliage: chartreuse/gold, gray/silver
RUSSIAN SAGE
Needs full sun & well-drained soil Type: perennial Height: from 1 to 8 feet Width: 2.5-3 feet wide Flower: blue Foliage: gray/silver
Special features: deer resistant, drought tolerant, groundcover, slope/erosion control, spring, summer & fall bloom, attracts Birds, cut flowers, good for Containers, low maintenance
Special features: colorful fall foliage, fall & summer bloom, deer resistant, drought tolerant, good for privacy, attracts birds, cut flowers, fragrance, good for containers, low maintenance
Find more great perennials at http://www.bhg.com/gardening/plant-dictionary/perennial/ • images: http://www.freeimages.com
C U M B E R L A N D H E R B A S S O C I AT I O N • N A S H V I L L E , T N • A P R I L 2 0 15 N E W S L E T T E R
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Two to Try...
Making the world a little greener
The Sage Page
Easy does it this month! These two to try are great for any skill level - if you can cut up a cabbage or use a can of spray paint - you’re all set!
with our spare thyme!
Mock Mercury Glass
Spray paint is a great tool for updating old decor items or unifying mismatched items like lamps, vases, candle holders, etc. To fake a mercury glass finish, most online tutorials I found called for Krylon Looking Glass Mirror Paint, but good luck finding it! I used a can of Valspar chrome finish . spray paint & it turned out pretty cool. Just be sure you’re working in a well-ventilated area Materials Krylon Looking Glass Spray Paint Decorative object to transform Painter’s/masking tape Newspaper
A clean spray bottle White Vinegar Water Paper towels
Directions: • Clean your item really well • Use newspaper & tape to cover the outside of your object (or inside - which ever surface you don’t want to paint) • Mix 1 part water with 1 part vinegar in the spray bottle • Lightly spray the inside of your object with the water mixture • Follow with a light coat of paint • Dab off excess paint with a paper towel soaked in the water/vinegar mix • Let dry slightly and repeat the process until desired effect is achieved • As a last step, you may want to spray the inside with a darker color paint to add more contrast Read more at http://tatertotsandjello.com/2013/12/create-faux-mercury-glass-krylons-looking-glass-spray-paint.html#4KeVgYmGYhM617l6.99
Roasted Cabbage Wedges This recipe is so simple, but so good...you’ve got to try it! Thanks to Lauren B. for sharing this one! Ingredients 1 tablespoon plus 2 more tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 medium head green cabbage, cut into 1-inch-thick rounds/wedges Coarse salt and ground pepper 1 teaspoon caraway or fennel seeds 3 tablespoons finely diced bacon (optional) Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Brush a baking sheet with 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil. Place cabbage rounds/wedges in a single layer and brush with 2 tablespoons oil. Season with coarse salt & ground pepper. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon caraway or fennel seeds (or both). Roast until cabbage is tender and edges are golden, 40 to 45 minutes.
Have a recipe or craft for me to try? Send me your suggestions! C U M B E R L A N D H E R B A S S O C I AT I O N • N A S H V I L L E , T N • A P R I L 2 0 15 N E W S L E T T E R
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