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MARCH 2018
Tomato Crazy seven acres of inspiration
gardening
Aromatic herbs and tasty tomatoes are a welcoming sign that spring and early summer will be delicious and healthy. As a gardening enthusiast you’ve probably experienced the pleasure of plucking a fresh tomato from the vine or snipping fresh herbs from your homegrown potted gardens. There’s nothing quite like enjoying these simple fruits of your labor. And for you foodies, you know the delicious difference between homegrown tomatoes and flavorful herbs and those you purchase at the market that have been boxed and shipped days earlier. With our early warm weather and ample sunshine, Rock City Gardens has a bounty of fresh tomatoes and herbs from which to choose. From Bell’s Beefsteak and Dixie Red’s hybrid to Cuban Yellow Grape cherry tomatoes, we’ve grown no less than 25 varieties of tomatoes and 50 kinds of herbs for your culinary enjoyment. While tomatoes and herbs can be planted in the soil, they generally perform even better when potted in appropriatesized containers with nutrient-rich potting soil. This allows you to move your potted gardens for sun exposure and easily water the plants as needed. And when your containers are within steps of your kitchen, plucking vine-ripened beauties and snipping a few fragrant herbs for a yummy meal is easy and fun. 2
Balsamic Bruschetta INGREDIENTS
8 plum or cherry tomatoes, diced ¼ cup chopped fresh basil ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1 teaspoon olive oil ¼ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 loaf French bread, toasted and sliced DIRECTIONS
In a bowl, toss together the tomatoes, basil, Parmesan cheese, and garlic. Mix in the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, kosher salt, and pepper. Serve on toasted bread slices.
Crazy for tomatoes? See page 6 for a complete list of all the varieties available at Rock City Gardens.
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CULINARY AND MEDICINAL HERBS
GOJI BERRIES
ANGEL GRASS Âť ANGEL GRASS promotes longevity by fortifying and strengthening the immune system and is known to reduce some chronic conditions and degenerative diseases. This culinary and medicinal Chinese herb has been used for healing for thousands of years.
Âť GOJI BERRIES are an excellent source of vitamins C, B and E, which naturally provide helpful amino acids and antioxidants for the body. This colorful herb performs well in potted gardens. Goji Berries are as ideal for cooking as they are for its medicinal benefits.
MAINTENANCE Easy!
MAINTENANCE:
LIGHT Full
LIGHT: Full
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Our friendly garden associates will happily help you select just the right medicinal herbs for your needs.
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As luck would have it – along with our hard-working growers – March brings delicious and medicinal herbs to our gardens. With minimal maintenance, you’ll reap the healthy benefits of these herbs throughout the summer.
HOAN NGOC » HOAN NGOC is a Vietnamese medicinal herb celebrated for its antioxidants, anti fungal, and anti bacterial components. Not only is it a natural preventative to physical ailments, it also aids in the healing of diabetes, high blood pressure, organ inflammation, detoxifying the liver, and reducing the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
VIETNAMESE CORIANDER » VIETNAMESE CORIANDER is flavorful, aromatic and delicious, especially when used in southeast Asian recipes. The taste is similar to cilantro and is very easy to grow. MAINTENANCE Easy! LIGHT Partial
Sun
MAINTENANCE Easy! LIGHT Full
Sun 5
Crazy for tomatoes?
Packed with flavor and nutrients, you'll love these tomatoes any way you slice them.
VARIETY
TYPE
COLOR
Ball’s
Beefsteak
Red
Betterbush
Slicing
Red
Black Cherry
Cherry
Black
Black Krim
Slicing
Black
Brandywine
Beefsteak
Red
Busy Early Girl
Slicing
Red
Celebrity
Slicing
Red
Carbon
Slicing
Black
Cherry Cascade
Cherry
Red
Cuban Yellow Grape Cherry
Yellow
Dixie Red Hybrid
Slicing
Red
Fireworks
Slicing
Red
Genuwine Hybrid
Beefsteak
Red
Homestead
Slicing
Red
Health Kick Hybrid
Beefsteak
Red
Husky Red
Cherry
Red
Kellogg’s Breakfast
Beefsteak
Orange
Mortgage Lifter
Beefsteak
Pink/red
Margherita Hybrid
Plum
Red
Marvel Stripe
Beefsteak
Yellow
Patio Hybrid
Slicing
Red
Paul Robeson
Beefsteak
Maroon
Russian Rose
Beefsteak
Rose
Rutger’s Select
Slicing
Red
Sungold Hybrid
Cherry
Orange
ASK DOC ROCK Q: Where should I grow tomato plants and how do I maintain them for the best results? A: Tomatoes require plenty of sunshine, well-drained soil and regular watering for peak performance. We also recommend planting your tomatoes in container gardens with nutrient-rich potting soil. While you can plant them directly in your garden, the biggest challenge will be keeping the nematodes away from the roots. Nematodes are microscopic worms that feed on the root system and cause your plants to whither away. Potted gardens keep these pests at bay. Once planted, stake your tomatoes with wooden stakes so their vines are trained to grow upright. A tomato cage can be used for the same effect. The tastiest tomatoes are those that are ripened on the vine before they are plucked. Let them grow until they are a blushing red. If your goal is to harvest weekly fruit, a good rule of thumb is to plant 2-3 plants for a family of four. Bon appetite!
G A R DEN BOUTIQ U E
The Bunny Trail All paths lead to Rock City’s Garden Boutique this Easter season where you can fill your basket full of exciting new delights. Our “party chicks” and piglets with bunny ears are absolutely adorable. Moss covered animals and eggs are a natural for your springtime Easter décor.
Blessed Blooms Don’t miss our newest addition – the blessing flower. Chokers and charm necklaces are inscribed with ‘love,’ ‘faith’ and ‘blessed.’ Each blessing flower opens up when you place a drop of water upon the bloom. See how it works here.
S P E C I A L E VENTS
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Proud Supporter Rock City Gardens has been a long-standing supporter of the Windsor Charity Polo Cup benefiting Alzheimer & Parkinson Association of Indian River County and The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. We’re proud to support this fabulous event and the organizations and individuals it benefits. Congratulations on this season’s extraordinary match.
Nature abuzz along Rock City's garden paths
How Does Your Garden Grow? We hope you enjoy the Easter season with family and friends. For an inspirational experience, take a stroll along our garden paths and witness the miracles of nature occurring within our garden gates every day. Happy Easter from all of us at Rock City Gardens!
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CLOSED EASTER SUNDAY
seven acres of inspiration
9080 U.S. Hwy 1 Wabasso, Florida 32970 772.589.5835 RockCityGardens.com
Monday through Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm Saturday and Sunday 9:00am – 5:00pm © 2013-2018 Rock City Gardens