Colorado County Citizen | 2018 Fall Home and Family Tab

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I New t raditio ns I Lawn A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO

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The Colorado County Citizen

2

Mums not just for fall Chrysanthemums, often referred to as “mums,” are among the most popular flowers for autumn plantings and landscape decor. But these hardy, often vividly colored plants are worthy of attention as early as the spring gardening season.

Although mums are most often purchased in September and October and cast aside shortly thereafter, the plant that many people mistake for an annual is actually a perennial — meaning with the proper care it can come back year after year. By planting mums in the spring, gardeners ensure the plants have enough time to develop solid root systems, including their hallmark underground runners that enable them to grow tall and wide and over-winter.

While it’s best to plant potted mums that were used in fall decorating after the flowers die and before winter sets in, some container plants can still thrive

and come back the following year.

When cleaning gardens in the spring, do not trash withered mums that may have been stashed behind the shed.

Try planting them and you may be surprised that they thrive and rebloom in the garden this year. Remove the dead branches and dried-up parts of the plant only after new shoots begin to grow.

Gardening experts advise planting mums in sunny spots with southern exposure.

However, be sure to keep the plants away from artificial lighting, such as streetlamps or garden accent lighting, as mums are short-day plants that bloom only when the hours of darkness are greater than the hours of daylight.

Mums that get too much light at night may not bloom to their fullest capacity, or they may be “leggy,” with longer stems instead of being compact. Prun-

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Wednesday, October 31, 2018

If you want pretty mums next fall, plant in the spring

ing or “pinching” mums in June and July will help keep mums compact as well, resulting in more flowers.

Mums desire a rich and moist but well-drained soil. Planted mums will require less water than container plants, but the ground should never become soggy. Well-watered plants will offer more flowers.

Hardy mums work well as edging, in mass groupings to create a shrub-like appearance and even in containers.

Thanks to their relative affordability, mums are an inexpensive way to dress up landscapes. Mums are hardy in USDA zones five through nine.

Although fall-flowering mums may not be the first plants to come to gardeners’ minds at the onset of spring, planning chrysanthemum landscaping now can help ensure beautiful plants when spring and summer flowers begin to wither.

Well known for bringing color to autumn landscapes, mums actually are a perennial that can be planted in spring to come back each year.

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The Colorado County Citizen

3

Nothing brings family together in the fall like food Wines to pair with your favorite foods

Add a new tradition to your Thanksgiving table

BY VINCE LEIBOWITZ vince@coloradocountycitizen.com

IOWA EGG NOODLES AND MASHED POTATOES

In my family, one of my favorite fall traditions is adding a new dish to our Thanksgiving dinner menu.

For years, we’ve always had what has been considered “traditional,” for our family meal: turkey, dressing, homemade cranberry sauce, green been casserole, mashed potatoes, and more.

Beginning about 15 years ago, I had the idea of adding something new to our Thanksgiving dinner table every year. Over the years, my recipes for homemade, baked macaroni and cheese, squash casserole, hash brown casserole, braised asparagus, sweet potato poutine, roasted butternut squash, sautéed carrots, and even mushroom and broccoli casserole have made appearances on our table.

Some, like the baked mac and cheese, and asparagus have themselves become new holiday traditions for our family.

If you want to add a little something different to your Thanksgiving table this year, may I suggest one of my family’s staples—borrowed from my

INGREDIENTS: Reames Homestyle Egg Noodles (frozen, 16 or 24 oz bag) 4 quarts water or chicken broth (quart amount varies based on 16 or 24 oz size, check bag for amount—you can buy canned broth or make it yourself with a hen) Your regular holiday mashed potato recipe, already prepared.

INSTRUCTIONS: Bring the broth to a rapid boil. Add the noodles and return to a rolling boil, stirring to separate. Cook noodles for about 20 minutes (you don’t want them soggy, you want them a somewhat firm because they will likely sit in the broth in a crock pot on your buffet for a bit).

Once cooked, transfer to a warm crock pot, cover, and keep on low to medium heat until ready to serve.

Once you’ve scooped your mashed potatoes on your plate, dip noodles with a ladle and smother the potatoes in broth and noodles.

late step-grandmother’s annual holiday buffet: mashed potatoes and egg noodles.

Yes, you absolutely read that correctly.

Ladling a steaming helping of egg noodles cooked in chicken broth or chicken stock until it becomes almost gravy-like is somewhat of a culinary tradition in southern Iowa, where I spent many Thanksgivings and Christmases as a child and young adult.

Healthy, it isn’t, but it is delicious.

Some folks make the noodles from

scratch, but my grandmother always bought them frozen—she had too much else to cook from scratch, she said, to be bothered with making them from scratch.

While frozen egg noodles of exactly the variety you need for this recipe are not easy to find in Texas, a quick google showed that HEB in Brenham carried these, and a quick call to helpful folks at HEB in Columbus actually resulted in me already placing my order for this year’s noodles. The recipe appears beside this story.

Pairing wines with your favorite foods can be intimidating. Professional and amateur sommeliers might know just the bottle to pair with that sizzling steak, but weekend warriors might not be so confident. The Food Network offers the following pairing tips to people looking for the right bottle to go with some popular foods.

■ STEAK: Cabernet Sauvignon is a red wine that’s high in tannins. Novice wine drinkers might wonder why certain wines dye their mouth after drinking, and that’s because of tannins. Steak softens the impact of tannins because of its fat content, making this an ideal pairing.

■ SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS: Italian food and wine go hand-in-hand, and Chianti is a great wine to pair with spaghetti and meatballs. Chianti has a bold flavor, and the Food Network notes it has enough acidity to stand up to all the tomatoes and meat in spaghetti and meatballs.

■ INDIAN CUISINE: Fans of Indian cuisine no doubt like spicy foods, but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t also enjoy some temporary relief from their fiery favorites.

Rieslings, which tend to be low in alcohol content, are sweet white wines that can be just the thing to complement all that spiciness. The Food Network notes that high-alcohol wines might make spicy Indian food feel even spicier, so if Riesling isn’t your ideal wine, at least opt for another wine with a low ABV. ■ SALMON: Seafood fans who love salmon might like it even more if they pair it with Pinot Noir. While many types of fish are best paired with white wine and Pinot Noir is a red, this pairing actually works well because the salmon stands up to the wine’s bold flavor.

■ LAMB: Red meat and red wine go great together, but different types of red meat pair better with different types of wine.

Lamb and Bordeaux go great together because lamb has a gamey flavor that requires a rich, bold wine. Bordeaux fits that bill, allowing the rich, fatty lamb meat to absorb its tannins.

The Colorado County Citizen

4

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

FALL LAWN & PASTURE CARE

Autumn is a prime time to tend lawns and gardens Autumn is gardening season. That statement may not seem right to those who think of the spring as the peak time to care for lawns and gardens.

However, autumn is an ideal time to get into the garden and ensure that flowers, trees and garden beds will over-winter successfully.

A number of things make autumn a prime gardening season. The cooler days of fall enable gardeners to spend ample time outdoors without the threat of blazing heat. In addition, soil harbors a lot of residual warmth in autumn.

Also, the colder temperatures haven’t yet arrived in autumn, nor have the leaves completely fallen, making fall a prime time to assess what’s already in the landscape, what needs pruning back and where to address planting for next year.

Gardening enthusiasts can focus their attention on these areas this fall.

■ PAMPER PERENNIALS. As annuals and perennials start to fall back, mark

Mums are perennials. When properly planted and cared for, they can bloom every autumn. the spots where perennials are located so they can be easily identified later on. This way, when planning spots for spring bulbs or other spring layouts for next year, perennials won’t be overlooked or covered over.

■ PRUNE SHRUBS. Look at shrubs and trees and cut out dead or diseased wood.

■ CLEAN UP BORDERS. Weed and tidy up borders and lawn edging.

■ INSTALL PAVERS OR ROCK WALL. Embrace the cooler temperatures to work on labor-intensive projects, such as putting in a garden bed, retaining wall or walkway.

■ REMOVE SPENT SUMMER VEGGIES. Take out vegetable garden plants that have already bloomed and borne fruit.

Tidy up vegetable gardens and start to sow cooler weather plants, such as onions, garlic, beans, and sweet peas.

■ RAKE AND COMPOST. Rake the leaves and gather grass clippings to add to the compost pile.

■ PLANT SPRING BULBS. Get tulips and other spring bulbs ready for planting so they’ll burst with color next year.

■ DIG UP HERBS. Relocate herbs like parsley or basil to indoor gardens. Otherwise, strip all leaves and freeze for

storage during winter.

■ CONSIDER MUMS. Chrysanthemum plants are perennials. While they look beautiful in pots, if planted, maintained and winterized, they can bloom every fall.

■ FERTILIZE THE LAWN. Fertilizing in autumn helps ensure grass will stay healthy throughout the winter.

■ ADD MULCH AND COMPOST TO THE GARDEN. Replenish spent soil with mulch and compost so garden beds will be revitalized for spring planting.

■ PRUNE HEDGES. Tidy up hedges, as they won’t be growing much more this year.

■ CLEAN AND STORE EQUIPMENT. Clean, sharpen and oil all equipment, storing lawn and garden tools properly so they are ready for spring and not lying out all winter.

Autumn may not seem like gardening season, but there are plenty of lawn and garden tasks to tend to during this time of year.

Late fall good time to make sure thistles don’t infest pasture

BY VANESSA CORRIHER Texas A&M Agrilife Extension

If left uncontrolled, thick thistle stands can reduce grazing and result in less forage production. A single thistle plant can produce at least 4,000 seeds,

which increases the chance for higher thistle populations in the pasture the following year. Consequently, management practices need to be conducted prior to flower formation for effective thistle control.

Even if thistles have not infested your

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pasture in the past, it is ideal that your pastures are scouted in late fall through mid-spring (November to March) to ensure that thistles do not get out of control. New infestations are easier to manage than large-scale populations.

Although there are at several different species of thistle in Texas, most are closely related and control recommendations will not differ. Best time to control with a herbicide is when thistles are in the rosette stage. The rosette stage is when the thistle forms a low-growing ring of leaves. As they mature they are harder to control and may require higher rates of herbicide to have effective control.

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■ Remedy ■ PastureGard ■ Cimarron Max (for bermudagrass pastures, will control bahiagrass) Remember, the label is the law! Always read the pesticide label before using.

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

The Colorado County Citizen

5

Fall and winter entertaining ideas Entertaining need not end once the days get shorter and the temperatures get colder.

Getting together with friends and family is still possible even if the weather outside is frightful.

When Mother Nature takes a chilly turn, those who don’t want the party can consider the following entertaining ideas.

■ INDULGE IN SWEET TREATS. Comfort foods can make even the most days easier to tolerate. Invite people over for a dessert party. At a dessert pot luck party, everyone brings along a favorite decadent dessert, from molten lava chocolate cake to warm bread pudding.

Serve alongside tea, coffee and hot chocolate. Adults can enjoy the added punch of spiked beverages, which can warm everyone up instantly.

■ GET PHYSICAL. Get physically active with friends or family members by staging mock Olympic events in the yard.

Coffee enjoyed with a group of friends can warm hearts on cool fall days.

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These can be fun “sports” created by participants or variations on fun fall and winter activities.

■ GET COOKING. Cooking can certainly pass the time, and it can be even more enjoyable when done in the company of others. Send out an invitation for friends to stop by for a meal or plan a meal prep party.

■ HOST A MOVIE MARATHON. Handpick some favorite films and invite everyone over for a movie marathon. Fill the family room, home theater room or living room to capacity and host a group for a film fest. If space permits, set up one room with a children’s movie for youngsters, while the adults retire to another room for movies that are more their speed. A buffet table set up with assorted snacks will help keep bellies full while guests watch some favorite flicks.

Fall and winter days and nights are ripe for entertaining possibilities.

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The Colorado County Citizen

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Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Fall ideal for planting trees and shrubs

BY DR. DOUGLAS F. WELSH Landscape Horticulturist Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Many people prefer January through March for planting, but the fall months of September through December have distinct advantages. Fall planting follows the heat of summer, before a cool winter season, and trees and shrubs planted in the fall use this to good advantage.

Plant roots grow anytime the soil temperature is 40 degrees or higher, which may occur all winter in Texas. During the winter months, the root systems of the fall-planted specimens develop and become established. When spring arrives, this expanded root system can support and take advantage of the full surge of spring growth.

Fall is the optimum time to plant balled and burlapped trees and shrubs. Balled and burlapped plants have ample time to recover from transplanting and proliferate roots before spring growth begins.

Remember, however, all bare root plants, including roses and pecan and fruit trees, should be planted in late winter when they are completely dormant.

When buying plants for your landscape, be sure to get healthy, well-grown plants. Always buy from a reputable dealer. Those in the plant-selling business year-round depend on repeat customers, and only by selling customers quality plants can there be assurance of future business. Beware of plant bargains. They can easily turn out to be real headaches.

A bargain is no good if it dies. The price tag, especially the cheapest one, is not the best guide to quality.

‘Plan before you plant’ is always a good rule of thumb. Whether you are planting a single plant or an entire landscape, plan first, then plant. Every plant in the landscape should serve a purpose. Ask yourself if you want a plant for screening, for privacy, or for shade. How large will it be five years from now? Plants, like people, grow up. Remember, that a small

one-gallon-size plant will look entirely different after a few years of growth in your landscape.

Plant properly for success. Here are a few guidelines on getting the job done right: ■ Dig a hole large enough in diameter so that the root system has at least six inches of clearance on all sides. The root ball should rest on a solid soil foundation, so don’t dig the hole much deeper than the ball.

■ Plant the tree or shrub slightly above the level of the surrounding soil, to allow for settling and increased soil drainage.

■ Carefully place the tree or shrub in the hole. Handle the plant by the root ball, not by the trunk. A broken ball of earth can mean a dead plant. Always remove any container before you plant.

■ Backfill the hole, using only the native soil removed from the hole; do not use soil amendments when planting large shrubs and trees. Fill the hole, and firm the soil around the plant. Water thor-

oughly to settle the soil around the roots and to eliminate any air pockets.

■ Do not fertilize your tree or shrub after planting. Wait until early in the spring to do this, and even then, go lightly. Heavy applications of fertilizer may burn and injure the root system, and could possibly kill the plant.

■ Watering has been and remains paramount in transplanting. At the time of transplanting, soak the root ball and surrounding soil. A thorough watering every 7 to 10 days dramatically increases the success ratio. More frequent watering may encourage root rot. Remember more trees and shrubs fail from over watering then from under watering.

■ Before calling it a day, add 4 to 6 inches of mulch around the base of newly planted trees and shrubs. This helps to keep down weeds and conserve soil moisture. Use pine bark, compost, grass clippings, or leaves.

Fall is for planting. Visit your nursery today, and beautify and add value to your home.

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The Colorado County Citizen

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

7

Fall a good time to look for potential indicators of roof trouble With regard to home repairs, homeowners may be able to delay some projects until the weather permits or they find room in their budgets. But other areas, including the roof, may demand immediate action.

Fall is an excellent time for homeowners to give some thought to their roof.

Few homeowners give the roofs of their homes much thought until a problem arises. But learning to recognize potential indicators of roof trouble can help homeowners prevent potentially drastic situations down the road.

■ LIGHT: Homeowners with attics in their homes can inspect the ceilings inside the attic for signs of holes or leaks.

Light peering through the top of the house indicates a hole or leak, as does stains or streaks on the ceiling.

■ WORN SHINGLES: Shingles should lie flat against the roof, so any that appear to be buckling or turning up are damaged and in need of repair. A single damaged shingle does not require a full roof replacement, but inspect all

Fall is a great time to check out your roof to ensure it is in good condition. It is also a good time to clean your gutters. the shingles nonetheless. Another indicator of shingle problems can be found when cleaning downspouts or gutters.

If the gutters and downspouts contain lots of shingle granules, the roof may soon need to be replaced.

■ MOSS: Moss on a rooftop may give a home character, but that added character is costly. Shady areas of a roof can be susceptible to the growth of moss and fungi because moisture can be trapped in such areas. If possible, remove moss or fungi from a roof with a stiff brush or hire a professional to do the job instead. Moss may come back even after brushing it off, so homeowners should keep an eye on areas of their roofs that get little sunlight. In addition, trapped moisture can be very harmful to a roof, so it may be wise to exercise caution and have roofs with mold or fungi growths inspected.

■ AGE: Another indicator of roof trouble may be the age of the roof. Even if there are no visible signs of damage, homeowners whose roofs have some years under their belt may want to consider replacing them. Asphalt shingle roofs typically have life expectancies of 20 to 25 years, while roofs installed over existing layers of shingles may need to be replaced after 20 years.

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The Colorado County Citizen

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