Summer 2007

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=150 BGCOLOR="#99FF66" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="04050961dkfecn.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Professional Gardening by Earthenjoy Flo"><U><IMG SRC="05ed9490.png" border=0 width="473" height="73" ALT="Earthenjoy Home" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Verdana" ><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Professional Gardening by Earthenjoy Flo"><U>Home</U></A></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="services.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Gardening Services"><U>Gardening Services</U></A><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Symbol" >   ·   </FONT><A HREF="newsletter.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Quarterly Newsletter"><U>Quarterly Newsletter</U></A><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Symbol" >   ·   </FONT><A HREF="showcase.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Garden Showcase"><U>Garden Showcase</U></A><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Symbol" >   ·   </FONT><A HREF="about.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About Earthenjoy"><U>About Earthenjoy</U></A><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Symbol" >   ·   </FONT><A HREF="contact.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Earthenjoy"><U>Contact Earthenjoy</U></A></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=190 BGCOLOR="#99FF66" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>In This Issue:</B></div> <div> <A HREF="newslettera1_m.htm#brainy_butterflies" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Summer 2007"><U>Brainy Butterflies</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newslettera1_m.htm#wise_watering___better_flavor" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Summer 2007"><U>Wise Watering = Better Flavor</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newslettera1_m.htm#formerly_forbidden" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Summer 2007"><U>Formerly Forbidden</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newslettera1_m.htm#black_currant_sorbet" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Summer 2007"><U>Black Currant Sorbet</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newslettera1_m.htm#cola_burgers" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Summer 2007"><U>Cola Burgers</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newslettera1_m.htm#there_ain_t_no_bugs_on_me" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Summer 2007"><U>There Ain't No Bugs On Me</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="lilacs.htm" target="TRLX_Middle" TARGET="_top" TITLE="lilacs.htm" target="TRLX_Middle"><U><B><IMG SRC="6a996bc0.jpg" border=0 width="150" height="188" ALT="Lilacs." ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="lilacs.htm" target="TRLX_Middle" TARGET="_top" TITLE="lilacs.htm" target="TRLX_Middle"><U>Click for larger picture.</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>Archive of past newsletters:</B></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Quarterly Newsletter"><U>Current Newsletter</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newslettera7.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Spring 2008"><U>Spring 2008</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newslettera5.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Winter 2007"><U>Winter 2007</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newslettera3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fall 2007"><U>Fall 2007</U></A></div> <div> Summer 2007</div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter9d.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Spring 2007"><U>Spring 2007</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter9b.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Winter 2006"><U>Winter 2006</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter99.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fall 2006"><U>Fall 2006</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter97.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Summer 2006"><U>Summer 2006</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter95.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Spring 2006"><U>Spring 2006</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter8f.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Winter 2005"><U>Winter 2005</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter8d.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fall 2005"><U>Fall 2005</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter8b.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Summer 2005"><U>Summer 2005</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter89.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Spring 2005"><U>Spring 2005</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter87.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Winter 2004"><U>Winter 2004</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter85.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fall 2004"><U>Fall 2004</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter83.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Summer 2004"><U>Summer 2004</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter81.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Spring 2004"><U>Spring 2004</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter7f.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Winter 2003"><U>Winter 2003</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter7c.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fall 2003"><U>Fall 2003</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter60.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Summer 2003"><U>Summer 2003</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter5d.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Spring 2003"><U>Spring 2003</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id91.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Winter 2002"><U>Winter 2002</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id78.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fall 2002"><U>Fall 2002</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id76.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Summer 2002"><U>Summer 2002</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id75.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Spring 2002"><U>Spring 2002</U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=330 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> Summer 2007</div> <div> <B>Quarterly Newsletter</B></div> <bR> <div> Earthly Elements</div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="brainy_butterflies"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><IMG SRC="6b08f2d0.gif" border=0 width="399" height="45" ALT="Brainy Butterflies." ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="6b1dbff0.gif" border=0 width="219" height="255" ALT="Clipart of a butterfly." ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> When butterflies in search of nectar encounter a new flower, it may take them a few tries to learn how to sip from it. A study conducted by Georgetown University scientists found that after some fumbling about, butterflies learn how to stand in just the right place and operate their proboscis (their sipping tongue) in just the right way to get at the nectar. Groping time on a new flower varies from 10 to 20 seconds, once the butterflies have figured out the right moves, they become more efficient feeders.</div> <bR> <div> Butterflies also learn the colors of flowers, and are apt to revisit blossoms of the colors that had provided nectar on a previous visit. They are generally attracted to vibrant colors like hot pink, bright red or screaming yellow. Their learning process is interesting to watch especially with flowers that change color as they age, such as a multicolored lantana. For example, if you have a lantana that that opens yellow and then ripens to red, native butterflies will quickly learn to concentrate on the fresher yellow flowers. But despite evidence that butterflies can make these kinds of learned decisions, they are still not as smart as bees. After bumblebees find new flowers and learn how to access the nectar chamber, their visiting time skyrockets from three flowers per minute to more than 10. This ability to learn through trial and error explains why gardeners often see very concentrated bee and butterfly activity on certain flowers. Like more sophisticated animals, bees and butterflies tend to stick with what they know.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  <A NAME="wise_watering___better_flavor"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><IMG SRC="6b20e310.gif" border=0 width="526" height="49" ALT="Wise Watering Equals Better Flavor." ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <IMG SRC="6b387790.gif" border=0 width="135" height="121" ALT="Clipart of a carton melon with a smiling face." ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="5" VSPACE="5">For peak harvest-time flavor from melons, tomatoes, and peppers, keep these tips in mind:</div> <bR> <div> Melons need 1 inch of water per week in the early stages of growth. Too much water, however, late in the fruiting cycle can cause cracking of fruits and weaker flavor. A rule of thumb is to cut back on watering the plants once fruits reach tennis-ball size.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="6b4877d0.gif" border=0 width="135" height="125" ALT="Clipart of a carton tomato with a smiling face." ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="5" VSPACE="5">Tomatoes like 1 to 2 inches of water per week until late in the fruiting cycle. To avoid cracking, water regularly and evenly so the plant doesn't absorb too much at one time. Drip systems and mulch help in this regard tremendously.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="6b5937d0.gif" border=0 width="147" height="125" ALT="Clipart of a 2 carton peppers with a smiling faces." ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="5" VSPACE="5">Peppers like 1 inch of water a week, but if you like the hot varieties either withhold water or over-water your peppers a bit. This (and other forms of stress, such as high temperatures) makes hot varieties put out more capsaicins, (the pungent element that makes peppers hot).</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="formerly_forbidden"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><IMG SRC="6950e860.gif" border=0 width="526" height="134" ALT="Formerly Forbidden ( A History of the Black Currant)." ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Black Currants were once popular in the United States, but became a "forbidden fruit" after Currant farming was banned in the early 1900s. Due to it's unavailability (for the past 100 years), they've fallen out of favor in our diets. What a shame! Once you understand the many healthful benefits you'll want to know where you can get some! Let's go back to where all the controversy began.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="6a0803d0.jpg" border=0 width="128" height="317" ALT="Photo of a bottle of CurrantC Black Currant juice." ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="5" VSPACE="5"></div> <div> Allow me to sum it up for you in a simple word...DISEASE! The cycle started like this. In 1705, White Pine seedlings were shipped to England. As the tree spread across Europe, Blister Rust (Cronartium ribicola), a disease affecting White Pines, appeared on the trees in Germany. For a more in depth look at the disease go to <A HREF="http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/pub/php/management/whitepine/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/pu"><U>www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/pub/php/management/whitepine/ </U></A>Meanwhile, in the U.S., forests were being depleted by the booming lumber industry. Unaware of the disease, the U.S. began RE-importing White Pine seedlings from Europe. Unfortunately, the White Pine Blister Rust came with them. So just where does the Black Currant fit in the mix you're wondering? Here's how...plant pathologists demonstrated that the tree disease, which threatened the U.S. timber industry, DID NOT jump from White Pine to White Pine, but from White Pine to Black Currant bush to White Pine. By 1911, regulations were passed which led to the farming ban. The ban still exists today in Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. It was however lifted in New York State in 2003, as result of efforts made by The Currant Company. They introduced the first nationally available Black Currant beverage in the U.S. since the ban was lifted. This powerful health-food nectar goes by the brand name CurrantC. Black Currants are a strong source of powerful antioxidants and vitamins much like the pomegranate juice POM that's been available for a few years. I've tried this one & have to admit that I actually like the CurrantC better because it's a bit sweeter and BETTER for you.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="black_currant_sorbet"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><IMG SRC="6bbaa2f0.gif" border=0 width="426" height="47" ALT="Black Currant Sorbet." ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> 1 qt fresh, frozen or canned black currants</div> <div> Juice of 3 lemons</div> <div> 1 cup + 2 Tbsp. sugar (or alternative)</div> <div> 3/4 cup water</div> <div> Puree black currants and combine with lemon juice, sugar, and water. Freeze until smooth, firm, and frozen.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  <A NAME="cola_burgers"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><IMG SRC="6b93d380.gif" border=0 width="317" height="56" ALT="Cola Burgers." ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <IMG SRC="69b90960.gif" border=0 width="400" height="150" ALT="Clipart of a can of soda plus a hamburger." ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> An unusual combination for sure! This isn't your typical burger, but it has fabulous flavor.</div> <bR> <div> 1 egg</div> <div> 1/2 cup cola, divided</div> <div> (Diet cola is NOT recommended)</div> <div> 1/2 cup crushed saltines (about 15)</div> <div> 6 tablespoons French salad dressing, divided</div> <div> 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese</div> <div> 1/4 teaspoon salt</div> <div> 1-1/2 pounds ground beef</div> <div> 6 hamburger buns, split</div> <bR> <div> In a bowl, combine the egg, 1/4 cup cola, cracker crumbs, 2 tablespoons salad dressing, Parmesan cheese and salt. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into six patties, 3/4" thick (mixture will be moist). In a bowl, combine the remaining cola and salad dressing; set aside.</div> <bR> <div> Grill patties, uncovered, over medium heat for 3 minutes on each side. Brush with reserved cola mixture. Grill another 8-10 minutes or until no longer pink, basting and turning occasionally. Serve on buns with your favorite condiments. Serves 6.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  <A NAME="there_ain_t_no_bugs_on_me"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><IMG SRC="699a4860.gif" border=0 width="420" height="134" ALT="There Ain't No Bugs On Me!" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <IMG SRC="696923d0.jpg" border=0 width="146" height="317" ALT="Photo of a bottle of Herbal Armor Insect Repellent." ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">THIS STUFF WORKS!! I started using this product last season. I got it at Whole Foods Market and it's not cheap. About $8.00 + per bottle, but it's worth it!</div> <bR> <div> Herbal Armor is all natural and DEET FREE. DEET is a toxic chemical that can cause neurological damage once absorbed by the skin. Children are especially susceptible to the toxic effects of DEET, and yes, there is an Herbal Armor just for kids. The product is a protective blend of five essential oils, and has a nice scent. Herbal Armor repels mosquitoes, ticks, gnats, flies, ants, and black flies (unfortunately, for me it DON'T work on BEES, guess I'll be trying the Bounce sheets for that this year)! This product also offers protection from West Nile Virus, Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. YES, YOU DO HAVE TO RE-APPLY IT FOR GUARANTEED PROTECTION! Independent clinical research demonstrated that Herbal Armor is 95 to 100% effective up to 3 hours per application.</div> <bR> <div> Give it a try and keep you and your family bug free this summer!</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Earthenjoy FlowerScaping L.L.C.  ©2007</div> </td> </tr></table></body>