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Edition 5.43 The Orchard Online News October 27th, 2005

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3 day forecast

3 day forecast



Lafayette
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Contact Information:

E-Mail:
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Telephone:
 (925) 284-4474

Address:
4010 Mt. Diablo Blvd.
Lafayette, CA 94549

Dr Earth

Dr Earth
Master Nursery
Hydra Blue

Gardner & Bloome
Master Nursery Paydirt

E. B. Stone Tomato & Vegetable Food
is formulated from quality natural organic ingredients for use throughout the vegetable garden as well as with soft fruits like strawberries. It will contribute to even plant growth without producing excessive foliage at the expense of fruit. The additional phosphorous helps to ensure the production of high quality fruits and vegetables. The calcium in our Tomato & Vegetable fertilizer aids in preventing disorders like blossom end rot and helps to correct acidic soil conditions. For superior produce, use our Flower & Vegetable Planting Mix with native soil when preparing your beds.
quote of the week

Quotation of the Week:

""Love your neighbor; yet don't pull down your hedge."
— Benjamin Franklin

It's Not Too Late To Save on Casual Furniture!
We're having our end-of-season sale and you can save up to 75% on many assorted styles from some of the best manufacturers in the business!

Pumpkin Arrangements
Pumpkins are a sentimental favorite that bring natural color and dimension to the season. Outdoors or in, there is no better way to convey the warmth and splendor of fall. Fresh flowers look great in pumpkins! Today pumpkins come in many gorgeous earthy colors that just happen to look great with today's organic style or blend beautifully with a more formal setting. Let a pumpkin inspire you, and have one of our floral designers fill it with beautiful flowers of the season.

More fun ideas from the Florist:
  • Adorn a pumpkin: Tying a ribbon at the top of your pumpkins can add an elegant touch. Look for wonderful ribbons in the flower shop.
  • Gilding a pumpkin: Adding a touch of metallic spray paint gives pumpkins a whole new look, or paint the pumpkin all over for a really dramatic effect. We carry floral sprays in designer gold, silver and copper colors.
  • Mighty Minis: Mini pumpkins add texture and dramatic eye appeal to floral centerpieces and planted basket designs. Ask us to incorporate these seasonal gems into your next arrangement.
  • Invite Jack to Dinner: Incorporate a jack-o'-lantern into your table decorations and turn down the lights to invoke the ambiance of Halloween.
* Tip: Pumpkins last a long time, but they are fresh products. Check your pumpkins often, especially the bottom, and protect surfaces when appropriate.
 

OCTOBER

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Watch the shadows stretch across the garden as the sun dips ever lower, and note that some sunny areas become quite shaded. Don't plant things that need sun in an area where it soon won't shine. On the other hand, areas in deep shade during summer, as under trees, are often bathed in sun all winter long - a good place for spring bulbs and many annuals.

True Blue

The common garden hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) is a traditional garden favorite. It is useful as a background plant and provides beautiful cut flowers prized by florists and gardeners.
The color of the hydrangea flower can be controlled to some extent. Hydrangeas come in shades of white, blue or pink. White stays white, but pink flowers can be made blue or vice versa by changing the acidity of the soil. The flower becomes pink (or even red) in neutral to alkaline soil (over pH 7), or blue in a strongly acid soil (below pH 5.5). Since most of our Bay Area soils (and tap water) tend toward the alkaline, pink hydrangeas usually have no problem maintaining their color.

Due to a lack of acidity the beautiful blue hydrangea may take on a disappointing pinkish hue over time. Since the flower buds are formed on old wood the secret to maintaining or returning to an intense sky blue is a late Fall application of Master Nursery Hydra Blue (aluminum sulfate) to acidify the soil around the plant. Two or three additional applications may be necessary – check your soil’s pH after the initial application if in doubt.
 
Master Nursery Hydra Blue is available in a 5 lb. bag for $8.99.
* Apply between one tablespoon and one fourth cup per plant,
depending upon conditions.

Fall Back: It's That Time of Year Again!

We will be returning to Standard Time on October 30th. Remember to set your clocks back one hour Sunday the 30th, at 2am. Or set them early and enjoy that extra hour of sleep!


 

Smoke detector batteries should be changed yearly; the change to Standard Time is also a great time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors. Properly functioning smoke detectors save thousands of lives every year.


FRESH from Oregon!!

We just received a large assortment of rhododendrons and small size Japanese maples. Shop early for the best selection, and get them while they're hot! Stay tuned for information on the new and unique varieties of rhododendrons, including some fragrant varieties!

Recipe of the Week: Chunky Chicken Chili

What You'll Need:

  • 2 lbs. cooked chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 2 cups chopped onion
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
  • 1 tsp. ground coriander
  • 2 cans (4-1/2 ounces) chopped green chiles, undrained
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 cans (15-1/2 ounces) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (14 ounces) chicken broth
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
  • 1/2 cup chopped green onions

Step by Step:

Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

Add garlic and sauté for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in cumin, dried oregano and coriander; sauté for 1 minute.

Stir in chiles; reduce heat to low and cook for 10 minutes partially covered.

Add the chicken, water, cannellini beans, and broth; bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes.

Ladle into serving bowls and sprinkle with cheese, cilantro and green onions.


Yield: 8 servings

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