Homestyle - Summer 2012

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HomeStyle

MIDLAND DAILY NEWS SUMMER 2012

FENCE APPEAL: GO-TO STAPLE FOR PRIVACY LOCAL PLANT ENTHUSIASTS SHARE GEMS WHAT’S NEW THIS YEAR FOR ANNUALS?

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inside 4 POTTING BENCHES MAKE GARDENING MORE EFFICIENT

6 FENCE APPEAL 12 LOCAL PLANT ENTHUSIASTS SHARE GEMS, SECRETS

20 JAZZ UP AN OUTDOOR DINNER 21 SAY VIOLET CHEESECAKE! 23 THIS YEARâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S HOT ANNUAL HomeStyle is produced by

Midland Daily News www.ourmidland.com

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Potting benches make gardening more efficient

BY MELISSA KOSSLER DUTTON for The Associated Press One of Karen Angelucciâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite gardening tools is the wood potting bench her father made for her.

The big poplar bench has shelves for storing pots, nails on which to hang utensils, and a large work area, said Angelucci, of Lexington, Ky., an author of gardening books. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have to have room to work and create,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Potting benches tell the character of a person. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why mineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s large and messy.â&#x20AC;?

Gardeners use the benches primarily for potting flowers One of Karen Angelucciâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite gardening tools is the wood and small seedlings. potting bench her father made for her. The big poplar bench has They can help you become shelves for storing pots, nails on which to hang utensils, and a more efficient, said Robin large work area. (AP Photo, Karen Angelucci)

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Pokorski, secretary for the National Garden Clubs. She likes having all her tools within armâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reach when sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s potting plants. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do without it,â&#x20AC;? said Pokorski, who lives in Los Angeles.

Pokorski chose a plastic bench because she felt it would hold up better under the California sun. Potting benches are available in many materials from wood to vinyl.

Building one can be an easy do-it-yourself project, said Lou Manfredini, Ace Hardwareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Home Expert, in Chicago.

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5 incorporate the bench into the landscape or hide it behind a garage or shed. Remember that a potting bench can get messy and cluttered.

SIZE Think about what size plants and pots you will be using, and how much workspace you will need.

HEIGHT Make sure the work area is at a comfortable level. You don’t want to have to bend down or reach up.

STORAGE Some benches come with shelves, drawers, or utensil hooks for storing or displaying gardening tools. Consider hanging tools on hooks so they aren’t sitting in wet drawers after it rains.

MATERIAL Pick a material suited to your climate. Many benches are made from cedar or redwood, which can withstand the elements well.

Plastic and recycled materials also hold up well in sun, rain and snow.

WHEELS Some benches have wheels so

they can be moved around the yard. If you intend to roll yours around the lawn, make sure it isn’t too heavy to push.

COST Prices vary widely. A do-ityourself bench could be constructed for as little as $30. A number of gardening websites offer plans for building potting benches. Store-bought benches start at around $100.

APPEARANCE Benches come in many styles, from rustic to country cottage to simple and functional. If the bench will be visible from a patio, deck or house window, you will need to consider whether it blends with the look of your house or yard.

ACCESSORIES Potting benches can be outfitted with many kinds of equipment. Some have sinks that can be rigged to outdoor spigots.

Others have leaves or shelves that can be folded out to create extra work space. Some come with boxes to store soil or catch it while you work.

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The Astonica potting bench. Gardeners use potting benches primarily for potting flowers and small seedlings. (AP Photo, Ace Hardware)

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fence PAGE 6

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FINDING THAT

appeal Cedar fencing installed by Forkel Fence at a home in Midland. (Midland Daily News photo, Nick King)

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Brian Harvey poses next to his vinyl fence that Forkel Fence installed at his Midland home. The fencing, which encloses Harveyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s backyard, came with a lifetime warranty.

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Fences still the go-to home improvement item for curb appeal, privacy

BY CATHY NELSON PRICE Midland Daily News Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always kept pets in, noises out, and property values up, but todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s residential fence choices go way beyond chain link and white picket in the style choices and durability they offer.

Whether you go the DIY route or work with a professional fence installer, you need to follow procedure. In the city of Midland, permits are required for all fences; special permits or variances may be required depending on the height or placement of your fence.

Township requirements vary, and your sales representative or installer should be able to tell you what they are, or even obtain them for you. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We always ask if the resident wants to obtain the permit, or if theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like us to do it,â&#x20AC;? said Lovelle Forkel of Forkel Fence in Midland. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are also â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;front-of-houseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; rules imposed by neighborhood or housing associations

Elegant, sleek combinations of smooth extruded sections and aluminum or steel tubes such as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;estate fencingâ&#x20AC;? style are popular for small enclosures, like swimming pools. that dictate fencing restrictions.â&#x20AC;?

A plat of your property is helpful, or stakes in the ground delineating the boundaries, Forkel noted. And thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one step that has to be taken before the first post goes into the ground. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If the client hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t called Miss Dig, we will,â&#x20AC;? she said.

Placing a fence directly on a property line requires permission from adjoining property owners, so most fences are installed anywhere from six inches to a foot inside the property line. Once the location is determined, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to choose your fence material and style.

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basic color can start as low as $5 per linear foot. Adding additional color or height drives up the cost. You can figure on spending twice as much for the same amount of fence in wood, slightly more than twice for vinyl (again, extra for custom color) and three times as much for ornamental iron. Combination fences â&#x20AC;&#x201C; chain link with privacy slats, lattice work topping solid panels or â&#x20AC;&#x153;puppy fencesâ&#x20AC;? with closer rails at ground level and wider above â&#x20AC;&#x201C; also cost more.

Some installers price per foot, and some per job, according to Gary Naert, of Fence Crafters in Linwood. Either way, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to remember that you might also need a gate or two. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You can figure that, because of the hardware and heavier posts needed, a gate will run about two and a half times what a section of the fence costs,â&#x20AC;? Naert said.

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10 Even though its petroleum component may spike the cost, “Vinyl is the most popular fence material we sell because of its low maintenance and durability,” Forkel said. “Brown is the most popular color for most yards, because it blends into the surrounding area. Or, if you want something really dressy, black vinyl is a less costly alternative to black ornamental iron, which is pretty high end.”

Ornamental iron fences are no longer restricted to the bars and spikes that front a gloomy mansion.

Elegant, sleek combinations of smooth extruded sections and aluminum or steel tubes such as the “estate fencing” style are popular for small enclosures, like swimming pools. If cost isn’t a factor, the estate fence style is ideal for hilly acreage in a country setting, following the curve of the land.

Galvanized chain link fencing, also available in a number of colors, is still the most economical – and safest – choice for yards that double as pet enclosures. Customers who need chain link but also want the beauty of a wood or vinyl fence can choose one of the combination styles available, with the wood or vinyl décor visible on the outside backed by chain link inside.

Kevin Frasher, of Midland Fence Company, notes that, for wood fences, Brazilian red cedar is increasingly popular for both its beauty and ease of maintenance.

“It doesn’t mildew or mold, and a yearly power wash takes care of it,” he said. Less expensive white pine fencing is usually pretreated with a solution that resists infestation.

Because it’s such a bigticket item for homeowners, fencing is expected to last – and may have a warranty – about the same number of years as a roof; anywhere from 20-25 years for wood to 30-40 years for chain link, and longer for iron or steel.

To get maximum life out of a fence, homeowners should follow some sensible rules.

For example, watch those tree limbs when you’re determining the height and placement of your fence.

“If you’ve got a relatively inexpensive vinyl fence, and a tree limb breaks and falls on it during a cold Michigan winter, what’s going to happen? The vinyl snaps,” warned Frasher. “You can’t replace a single post, so you have to replace the whole section.”

And if you have an automatic sprinkler system, watch where you aim that water stream.

“Water your flowers, not your fence post,” Forkel advised.

Fences may be one of the few home improvement items for which resale value isn’t necessarily the driving concern.

“People don’t invest in fencing because they’re selling,” said Naert, “but because they’re staying.”

Fencing installed by Forkel Fence. (Midland Daily News photo, Nick King)

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Secret garden? Tips for creating backyard privacy

BY KIM COOK for The Associated Press Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a particular problem for homeowners in close-in suburbs, where backyards abut and you may as well invite the neighbors to everything you do outside since theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re pretty much right there with you anyway. But even spacious yards can feel exposed, with neighboring lots impinging on personal space.

There are many creative fencing and landscape options that can help create a zone of privacy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Think â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;screeningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; before throwing up a barrier,â&#x20AC;? says Margie Grace, a landscape designer in Santa Barbara, Calif. â&#x20AC;&#x153;One of my favorite choices is a screen made of steel-wire reinforcing mesh mounted on wood posts. Let the wire rust for a great look, and add lacy vines. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got a show-stopping art piece, plus the privacy you need.â&#x20AC;?

If you do want a solid barrier, Grace suggests a plastered wall, which can

be custom colored, and can look traditional or contemporary. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Add architectural details such as screen panels or an iron grill; artistic details like tile mosaic, shutters, shadow box or a mural; or a beautiful gate even if it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go anywhere,â&#x20AC;? she says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These help make the wall welcoming.â&#x20AC;?

Fences can be softened with vines, espaliered plantings and trained ornamentals. Vary the height of plantings and allow them to break the fenceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top line.

If a neighborâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house looms over you, Grace suggests creating an outdoor â&#x20AC;&#x153;ceilingâ&#x20AC;? with canopy trees and overhead structures such as pergolas, shade sails and arbors.

With greenery, decide if you need evergreen year-round coverage; if so, avoid deciduous plants. If a crisp formal hedge isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t your style, consider an informal screen of plants, perhaps dual-purpose ones that will also provide fruit, flowers or greens.

An outdoor space designed by Grace Designs. There are many creative fencing and landscape options that can help create a zone of privacy in your yard. (AP Photo, Holly Lepere Photography)

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In the garden Local plant enthusiasts share their gems, secrets photo by Marcia Dilling

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How does your We asked several gardeners to Here’s what The Garden: Describe your garden. Size, formal or informal, border or beds, sun or shade, whimsy or oldworld decor, butterflies, ponds, water?

New Growth: What are you going to try differently this year?

Can’t Go Wrong: Your old standby favorites that keep producing year in, year out.

Rare Beauty: What people talk about when they see your garden. The “you have to see this flower.”

Marcia Dilling Midland The Garden: My garden consists of half a dozen or so irregular-sized beds of various sizes, none of which is completely filled in by plants, as the beds were planted only 2 1/2 years ago. It’s very informal, casual and untidy, with a combination of sun and shade. Some plants favor birds (finches and hummingbirds) and butterflies. Around the perennial beds will be 30 to 40 pots of annuals. In the midst of all this is a messy birdfeeding station.

New Growth: (1) A few native plants I’ll purchase at the Chippewa Nature Center’s annual native plants sale (May 25-26). (2) Herbs not currently in the garden, from Gary Brandt at Midland Farmers Market.

Can’t Go Wrong: Grasses (some native); goldenrod that has always been here, i.e., not specifically planted but much loved; cup plant, a native sunflower; penstemons, catmint; heuchera; Solomon’s Seal; daffodils; bigleaf aster; dwarf goatsbeard; columbine; prairie

smoke; various herbs; anise hyssop; autumn flowering clematis; wild geranium; snakeroot (Actatea simplex aka Black Negligee) Rare Beauty: Cup plant in midsummer. It’s a native sunflower that grows 6 to 8 feet tall, although the flowers are small and not particularly showy. Various grasses. anise hyssop, which is often loaded with bumblebees gathering nectar; it also serves as a resting place for the bees at night. Black Negligee snakeroot Petal Pusher: By most people’s standards, my floral displays are interesting but are not spectacular. Some may become so in a few years after the plants have spread and filled in the blank

areas. (I’m optimistic!)

Deadheads: coneflowers, gaillardia, blackeyed susan, lavender, ligularia, butterfly weed (a native milkweed); Big bluestem and Little bluestem (native prairie grasses), coreopsis. (I thought anyone could grow lavender and coreopsis!)

Green Thumb: Plant only what will adapt to my sandy soil and lack of full sun, and will grow with minimal care. Plant perennials that spread. Enjoy the unstructured look and don’t worry about what other people think. Water if necessary but mainly sit back and enjoy the plants year ’round -- when emerging, blooming and forming seeds, and during the winter when only dried plants are visible. Walk often among the plants.

Seed Bank: Herbs from Gary Brandt at Midland Farmers’ Market, annuals from Kutchey’s Greenhouse; 95 percent of my perennials were planted by a crew from Reder’s Landscaping -- planned, ordered and supervised by horticulturist Beth Martin.

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garden grow? o share their gardens with us. they said: Petal Pusher: What are some of your most beautiful blooms?

Deadheads: What have you had bad luck with in your garden?

Green Thumb: Share a few of your secrets, please!

Seed Bank: What are your favorite ways to get plants? Buy, divide, swap, seeds? And where do you get them?

Chuck and Beth Martin Homer Township New Growth: We are in the process of moving and so everything is new this year. We have a new environment to grow and kill all types of different plants.

Can’t go wrong: Euphorbia polychroma, penstemon Husker Red, Amsonia tabermaemontana, chocolate Joe pye weed, white bleeding heart, and the many heucheras Rare Beauties: Viburnum plicatum tomentosa (doublefile viburnum), Red Fox Katsura tree Petal Pusher: pasque flower, crocosmia Dead head: delphinium, houttuynia Green Thumb: We have no secrets.

Diane Moening Lee Township The Garden: My garden is oval.

It is informal. There are a lot of trees so we have shade plants with hostas and peonies, and in the spring, daffodils, tulips. I put in impatiens and lots of other annuals and other shade plants.

I have statues of angels and the Blessed Mother in my flower bed.

We also have a rosebush inside the garden. We have a lot of birdhouses and attract cardinals, blue jays and orioles. We feed the orioles grape jam.

Deadheads: Everything usually comes up every year with no problems, except for our tulips and hydrangeas. The tulips are a problem because about half of them grow and never have flowers on them.

Green Thumb: Keep gardens weeded. We have a very special secret way that we weed — we get on our hands and knees and pull everything that doesn’t look like a flower; sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference.

New Growth: Nothing new this year other than new lilies. I plant our Easter lily plants each year after they have finished flowering.

We have quite a few lilies colored, yellow, orange, pink and white.

Rare Beauty: My pedestals with my angels Petal Pusher: My peonies. They are mostly pink and we have about 20 plants.

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Keith and Elizabeth Lumbert Homer Township The Garden: Our garden is a perennial “cottage style” garden bordering the north side of our home.

New Growth: Removing a couple of the overgrown holly to create space for more perennials.

Can’t Go Wrong: We love our patch of Solomon’s Seal; it was a wedding gift from a gardening friend and every spring we are thrilled to see it come up.

Rare Beauty: Our garden is especially beautiful in the evening; at that time a highlight is the blooming evening primrose.

Petal Pusher: Our favorite is the pasque flower with its purple and yellow bloom and fuzzy texture.

Deadheads: Invasives.

Green Thumb: We move garden statuary around in the early spring to protect the upcoming plants; the changes and additions of the artwork seems to startle the deer and keep the plants from getting eaten.

Seed Bank: Swapping plants with friends works great for us – and as a bonus it usually comes with good advice.

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Maureen Donker Midland The Garden: When we started creating our backyard our goal was privacy but we also wanted it to be welcoming to our neighbors.

On one side, we have a stone path to the neighbors that weaves between the evergreens. Welcoming the neighbors in the back of the yard, we have an arbor covered with wisteria, which has never blossomed much to our chagrin, but it has the most beautiful foliage you’ve ever seen. The arbor has become the spot where the neighborhood kids come for their homecoming pictures.

Rare Beauty: The predominant feature of our backyard is the fountain. I purchased a mask of Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, thinking I would hang it somewhere in the backyard. Well then, we couldn’t find the right place to hang it so we built a fountain. My husband was skeptical, but now he loves it!

The sound of running water is very relaxing.

The backyard has really become an extension of our house. Our backyard borders contain peonies, hosta, pachysandra, grasses, sweet woodruff and other herbs we use for cooking. One unusual item that we planted on purpose is violets. Every May we harvest the beautiful purple flowers to make chocolate covered violet cheesecake (recipe on page 22) accompanied by May wine made with our own sweet woodruff.

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Be smart about weeds: save time, back strain

BY DEAN FOSDICK for The Associated Press Hand weeding is one of the most demanding chores in gardening, but it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be that way. Mulching, spraying, plant crowding and inexpensive stand-up tools can ease much of the back-straining work. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weed control Weeds can be is personal,â&#x20AC;? said Barb Pierson, used to prevent nursery manager soil erosion, for White Flower Farm, a mailprovide food and order nursery at cover for pollina- Litchfield, Conn. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To me, there tors, and supply are two types of weeds. Those organic matter to that spread depleted ground. quickly and look terrible, and those that donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t look so bad but if you leave them in your garden, it will appear messy.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some people enjoy cottage or natural gardens that have tons of weeds but

you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t notice them because the flowering plants are so big and bodacious,â&#x20AC;?

Pierson said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yet if you have a simple garden, those weeds will stand out.â&#x20AC;?

It pays to know your plants before uprooting anything, she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Otherwise you might pull up something you like - something attractive thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trying to self-sow and naturalize, like violas or pansies.â&#x20AC;?

Weeds generally are considered the thugs of the garden because they steal sun, water and nutrients that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re trying to direct toward edibles and ornamentals. They often appear unsightly and out of place.

But weeds have a positive place in nature. They can be used to prevent soil erosion, provide food and cover for pollinators, and supply organic matter to depleted ground.

Despite all that, it may be necessary to do some hand weeding around the yard. And there are ways to save time and effort doing it.

Weed after it rains, when the ground is softer and weeds are easier to pull.

Weed when the plants are small. Weed

whenever and wherever you see them pop up, at any time of year.

Or try: â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Crowding your favorite plants. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The lazy manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guide to gardening is to plant your flowers so tight there isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t room enough for any weeds to compete,â&#x20AC;? Pierson said. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Mulching. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Compost and leaves can smother weeds while making your soil healthier,â&#x20AC;? Pierson said. Solarization, or spreading plastic sheets or â&#x20AC;&#x153;geotextilesâ&#x20AC;? over the ground, also prevents unwanted germination. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Using the right tools. Longhandled hoes, string trimmers and propane-fueled â&#x20AC;&#x153;flamersâ&#x20AC;? have helped gardeners avoid many an aching back.

But be careful about where you direct those flames. Leaves and wood mulch are combustible combinations. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Spraying with synthetic herbicides. Weed-killing chemicals have proven effective, but donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t overdo it.

Targeting the spray rather than broadcasting it, and timing applications for windless days should reduce some of the ecological hazards. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Many people

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are using corn gluten now, which is more responsible for our groundwater,” Pierson said.

Finally, if you can’t beat them, eat them. One person’s eyesore is another salad.

Some of the most common edible weeds, such as Canada thistle, dandelion and wild mustards, can make appetizing side dishes or key ingredients in salads, said Emilie Regnier, a weed ecologist with Ohio State University.

“Remember, though, that like most other vegetables, weeds are most tasty when young and succulent,” Regnier said in a Weed Science Society of America fact sheet. “So time your harvest accordingly.”

Know what you’re gathering, however, because some weeds are toxic, the Weed Science Society says. And avoid anything that may have been sprayed with pesticides.

A red clover is shown in a yard in New Market, Va. With rounded, purple-red flowers and variegated leaves, they are healthy to eat in salads, as cooked greens, made into flour or blended as a tea.

This long-blooming plant pops up most everywhere and is rich in protein. (AP Photo, Dean Fosdick )

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Jazz up an outdoor dinner

BY AMY LORENTZEN for The Associated Press Keeping guests comfortable and entertained while dining al fresco can seem daunting.

But a few fun items can help you create a cozy space, serve summer foods with flair, and send guests on their way with a reminder of a special backyard barbecue or patio party.

String Lights, Lanterns

You don’t have to deal with the mess of tiki torches to create a warm ambiance. Instead, frame your best outdoor views with string lights or paper lanterns that can range from whimsical to contemporary to sophisticated. They’re affordable and easy.

They also make a smooth transition from the indoors and help define the outdoor dining area, says Stephanie Grotta, lead designer for Target Corp.’s Smith & Hawken line.

“You really want to create that intimate environment,” she says.

Outdoor Throw Pillows

Provide plenty of seating, and dress it up or tie together mix-and-match pieces by piling on colorful throw pillows. The trend is to “make the outdoors as comfortable as your living room,” says Leigh Oshirak with Pottery Barn Brands.

Use bold patterns, including thick stripes, geometric designs and Indianinspired florals. Or make your mark with monogramming. Since just about any eye-catching color is in this summer, go with the one you like best or add to what you’ve already got.

Mister and Fire Bowl

When you’re expecting high temperatures, don’t just set up fans. Rent, borrow or buy a mister to help tame the heat. You can also find inexpensive kits to turn your garden hose into an effective mister.

If the evening air cools quickly, a fire element will make your outdoor space cozy. Choose from wroughtiron lanterns, fire bowls and rings, or

a chiminea. Prepackaged outdoor fire logs only require striking a match. An added bonus: Guests can get campy and roast marshmallows or hot dogs.

Insect Repellent

Put away the sticky sprays, and provide guests with wearable insectrepelling items such as bracelets and belt clips. For kids and the young at heart, there are stickers available in fun shapes, including hearts, flowers, dinosaurs and, of course, insects. They’ll help protect from pests without leaving residue on skin and clothes.

Grilling Pizza Stone

Want to make eating alfresco a little easier? Prepare pizza dough beforehand and use a grilling pizza stone on your barbecue. Allow guests to add sauces, slices of fresh summer veggies and grilled meats.

Myra Adkins, general manager of Word of Mouth Catering in Austin, Texas, says portable food like pizza “helps break the ice if it’s a group of folks who don’t know each other very well.”

Outdoor Drink Dispenser

Give yourself even more party time by setting up a drink station where guests can serve themselves. Many department stores offer plastic and glass dispensers in various shapes and sizes. Add slices of lemon, lime and orange to ice water, or frozen berries to adult drinks for added color and flavor.

Pie Stand

Foodies are calling this “The Year of the Pie,” so break out your pie tin and use a decorative rack or stand to serve up this all-American favorite.

Try seasonal fruits for a classic pie, or get nostalgic with a smores pie. For something more elegant, try a raspberry cheesecake pie or a white chocolate banana creme pie. Whipping up a meringue or offering any slice a la mode makes it an even cooler treat.

Photos, Metro Service PAGE 21

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Maureen Donkerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chocolate Glazed Cheesecake With Violets 1 tablespoon butter softened 2 tablespoons graham-cracker crumbs 5 8-ounce packages cream cheese, at room temperature 1 1/4 cups sugar 5 large eggs 3 tablespoons chemical-free violet petals 2 teaspoons vanilla extract Boiling water Cardboard or cardboard cake round Chocolate Glaze, recipe follows

1. Using butter, coat the inside bottom and 2 inches up the sides of a 10-cup bundt pan. Sprinkle pan with grahamcracker crumbs, shaking pan to evenly coat the inside completely. Turn upside down to remove excess crumbs.

2. Heat oven to 325. In large bowl, with electric mixer beat cream cheese until softened and fluffy. Beat in sugar until well mixed. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

With rubber spatula, fold in violet petals and vanilla until well mixed. Pour into prepared pan.

3. Set filled mold in a 9x13 inch baking pan and place on the lower oven rack. Pour boiling water into pan to a depth of about 1 inch.

4. Bake cheesecake 1 hour 15 minutes. Turn off oven; let cake stand

in oven 30 minutes longer. Remove cheesecake from the water bath and cool in the pan to room temperature on wire rack.

5. Cut a piece of cardboard into a round to fit exactly over the cheesecake. Unmold cake onto the cardboard round and place on a wire rack set over a jelly-roll pan.

6. Prepare Chocolate Glaze. Pour half of glaze over top of cheesecake, allowing excess to drip into pan below. Refrigerate cake just until glaze hardens.

7. Meanwhile, keep remaining glaze at room temperature. If glaze hardens, reheat in hot water just until spoonable. Pour remaining glaze evenly over cake. Refrigerate cheesecake at least 2 hours or overnight.

8. Garnish cake with violet and violet leaves. Keep cool until serving.

To serve, cut cheesecake with a knife dipped into warm water and dried.

Chocolate Glaze In double boiler over hot, not boiling, water melt 3 tablespoons unsalted butter with one 8-ounce package semi- Maureen Donkerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chocolate Glazed Cheesecake sweet chocolate. Stir until smooth and is prepared with violets she grows in her yard.

(Midland Daily News, Nick King) cool to lukewarm.

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Calibrachoa is one of 2012â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s must have annuals

BY LORI QUALLS Midland Daily News Last year it was black petunias. This year the hot annual to have is calibrachoa. Say what? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Calibrachoa (also called million bells and superbells) grows and flowers at an amazing rate,â&#x20AC;? according to Better Homes and Gardens. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Often confused for a petunia, million bells makes a splash no matter where you put it in the garden. It is perfect for containers or hanging baskets but also can be tucked into the front of a border where it will spill out onto sidewalk or patio.

In fact, it may be the ultimate â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;spillerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for container gardens as long as you give it ample water and fertilizer, which it needs to fuel its astounding growth.â&#x20AC;?

Sounds like a winner. Proven Winners thinks so, said Diane Vennix, owner of Vennix Greenhouse in Essexville. She said the plant distributor has

picked the calibrachoa as one of its must have annuals this year.

Her store sells three varieties â&#x20AC;&#x201D; cherry star (pink with yellow stripes), grape punch (dark purple throats with lighter purple outside) and sweet tart (pink with yellow centers.)

They clean themselves, Vennix said, so there is no need to deadhead. Vennix said calibrachoas are best for pots or hanging baskets and recommended people plant three in a 10-inch container. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The flower is smaller, the plant gets really nice and big ... a big ball in a hanging basket,â&#x20AC;? Vennix said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They like sun. They arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t too tolerant of wind.â&#x20AC;?

And, unlike the petunia, superbells arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sticky, perk right back up after it rains, and stay compact and bushy even when stressed, according to Proven Winners.

Sweet tart calibrachoa, top, and grape punch, left. (Photos,

courtesy of Diane Vennix)

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