Quotation of the Week: "One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it provides." — W. E. Johns

Color-Breathing Dragons

By Tamara Galbraith Want to scare the winter blahs from your flower beds? Pick up some colorful, cool season-loving snapdragons. A member of the foxglove family, 'Antirrhinum' is usually grown as an annual, but can perennialize in warmer climates. Wherever you are, snapdragons will provide a burst of bright color in the early spring garden. The upright flower spikes of snapdragons range in color from flaming red and vibrant pink to brilliant bronze and bright white. They are also available in a variety of sizes: a tall 2'-3' variety is good for the back of the border, while shorter types brighten up bed fronts. Another variety, called 'Magic Carpet,' was developed especially for use in rock gardens. Whatever type you choose, be sure to give it lots of sun and fairly fertile, moist soil. Amend the soil with a good planting mix, such as Kellogg's Amend, before planting. On a final note: the biggest enemy of snapdragons isn't a sword-wielding knight, it's rust; check your plants often and be prepared to spray them with an organic fungicide such as Safer Garden Fungicide at the first signs of disease.

John Hyland Green Thumb Garden Pro

Pest Profile: Black Vine Weevil

By Tamara Galbraith This spring, watch out for the Evil Weevil. Black Vine Weevils, or Otiorhynchus sulcatus, are a destructive beetle-like pest and the big enemy of rhododendrons everywhere. The weevils also love dining on strawberry, blackberry, and blueberry bushes, as well as azaleas, yews, hemlocks and more. Adults chew half-circle chunks out of leaves, feeding primarily at night, but it is the larvae that do the most damage, as they feed on plant roots. Large roots and stems can be literally stripped of bark. Larvae feed in early spring as temperatures rise, pupate and emerge as adults by early summer. Nematodes, wasps and birds are your best friends in battling these nasty creatures outdoors. However, they can also infest your indoor plants; use a low toxicity spray and/or drench, such as Bonide All Seasons Horticultural Spray Oil, if you spot weevils. Because weevils are non-flying insects, sticky tape and traps also work well.

Put a Pellie in Your Bed

By Tamara Galbraith Pelargoniums are the princesses of the geranium family. They've certainly earned their reputation; not only is the foliage breathtaking, but the scent of many pelargoniums is absolutely dizzying...and it's not the petals doing the smelling. The leaf color of pelargoniums can range from fancy colored, gold, silver and tri-color, while the shape can be stellar (resembling a star), angel (like a pansy), ivy-leafed, round, lobed, ruffled...well, you get the idea. Scented-leaf pelargoniums, while usually not as pretty to look at foliage-wise, are nonetheless gorgeous to the nose. Imagine brushing against your plants and picking up the smell of pineapple, freshly ground nutmeg, rose, mint, coconut, orange, lemon, rose, ginger, allspice or apple - just to name a few. This fragrant type of pelargonium has been used since the 1700's for flavorings, sachets and many other products. Some pellies have a vining habit while others get shrubby. Most prefer a Mediterranean-type climate, enjoying both heat and moisture. Plants vary in height from 1-3 feet, making them perfect for containers, in most cases. Use a good potting soil like Whitney Farms Premium Potting Soil. If you're not sure how to tell a pelargonium from a geranium, inspect the flower; geraniums have five equal-sized petals, while pelargoniums have two upper and three lower distinct petals. And, while leaves and flowers of these deliciously-scented pelargoniums are edible, try to hold off from eating them until you get them home from the nursery!

Our March Specials

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Sluggo

Sluggo by Monterey Chemical kills snails and slugs. Sluggo can be used on fruits and vegetables, berries, outdoor ornamentals, lawns and greenhouses. • Safe for pets and wildlife. • Remains effective after rain or sprinkling. • Easy-to-use granular formulation; shaker can aids in dispensing of product.

What You'll Need: 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs 1 can (4-oz) chopped mild green chiles, drained 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 yellow onion, diced 2 cans (15-oz each) diced tomatoes, undrained 1 cup chicken broth 1 tsp. ground cumin Salt and pepper to taste 2 tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro 4 corn tortillas, sliced into 1/4-inch strips 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese 1 Avocado, peeled, diced and tossed with lime to prevent browning (optional) Juice of 1 lime (optional)

Step by Step:

Place chicken in slow cooker Combine the chiles, garlic, onion, tomatoes, chicken broth and cumin in a small bowl. Pour mixture over chicken. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 hours or on LOW for 6 hours until chicken is tender. Remove chicken; use 2 forks to shred the meat and return to slow cooker. Adjust seasonings. Just before serving, add tortillas and cilantro to slow cooker. Stir to blend. Serve in soup bowls topped with shredded Monterey Jack cheese. If desired, top each serving with diced avocado and a squeeze of lime juice. Yield: 6 servings