|
The Beautiful Landscape 
Vinca Vines: Academy Award-Winning Plants for Best Supporting Actors
The various vines from Beier's add a sweeping, graceful touch to hanging baskets and container gardens, giving them a completed look. They also make lovely houseplants when the summer container season is done. Visit this website for a brief article about Vinca Vines, and information about all kinds of vines that can grace your garden or containers.
|
|
The Perennial Landscape
1991 Perennial of the Year: Heuchera Coral Bells "Palace Purple"
The frosted deep purple leaves of this gorgeous Heuchera variety makes it an awesome border plant for your perennial garden. Hardy plants return every spring and are good at staying put, but should be divided every two or three years.
Read this quick article about Heuchera Coral Bells by clicking here |
|
The Herbal Landscape
 Thyme: "They" say it's easy to grow, but...
Thyme is "easy to grow" from seed if you don't mind that all the plants damp off and die a week after sprouting! Do yourself a favor and grab a few sturdy transplants from Beier's. Transplants make growing thyme so much easier!
Click here to read a wonderful article about growing and using Thyme.
To purchase bulk dried herbs, check the Quick Links box above.
|
|
The 5th Dimension
 Everything else you need to know about successful gardening
Decorate Your Garden Right With This Fun Idea
Are you looking for a custom made but still inexpensive garden decoration? This is the one!
Read all about this unique idea by clicking here |
|
The Edible Landscape
Quick Green Bean Tips
- Bush green beans do not usually need support.
 - Use trellises for your pole-type green beans to conserve garden space and make harvesting easy.
- Seeds can be planted any time after last frost, which means now!
- Plant batches two weeks apart until mid-August for continuous harvest through late summer.
- Add a few generous handfuls of compost to the area and mix well.
- Plant all types of seed 1 inch deep.
- For bush beans: place seeds 4 inches apart in rows 18 inches apart.
- For pole beans, place seeds 6 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart.
- Beans have shallow root systems, so hand-pull weeds or hoe lightly.
- Harvest beans when they are the size you prefer. Smaller is better!
- Harvest when the dew is off the beans and they are dry. Harvesting wet beans can spread bean bacterial blight.
- Harvest frequently and they will continue to produce.
- Hot, dry winds cause blossoms to drop and reduce yields.
- Rotate your bean patch from year to year to reduce chances of disease.
- In the fall, completely remove bean plant residue from the garden and compost properly.
- If your beans mature past good eating size, shell the seeds out, dry, and you have dried white beans for soup.
|
|
Classes and Learning
Plan Your Own "Planting Party"
If your group would like to make a "date" of this planting party, you may bring your own wine and cheese, treats, or other entertainment. Please call the greenhouse to confirm what you can bring along.
- Free registration for hostess, plus an awesome bonus gift!
- $5 admission fee for each guest
- Potting soil for one container included!
- FREE idea book and information to take home
- Bring your own 12 inch diameter container or hanging basket or purchase one from our awesome selection
- The only other cost is for the plants you decide to take home!
More Classes to Think About...
Saturday, June 6: "Everyday Herbs"
Tuesday, June 9: "Beier's Picks for Perennial Success"
PLUS: Hummingbird gardens, sandcast bird baths, planning perennial gardens, and more!
|
Green Beans with Tomatoes
Serves 6
|
|
1-1/2 pounds fresh green beans
1 large ripe tomato, cored and chopped
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and cut into julienne strips
1 clove garlic
2 tablespoons olive oil
5 pods of okra OR one white potato, cubed
salt and pepper to taste
Wash green beans and trim stem end, set aside. Wash, core and chop
tomato, no need to remove skin.
Heat olive oil in a nonstick pan. Add
onions and saute for one minute. Add garlic and tomatoes, continue to
cook for one minute. Add green beans, toss, add okra or potato, season
with salt and pepper. Add in a cup of water, cover quickly and simmer
for 10 minutes or until potato is tender. Check potato by pricking with
a fork.
Recipe courtesy of Beier's Greenhouse. Adapted from a recipe found at the University of Illinois Extension Office website.
May 24, 2009
|
