Fall Newsletter - 2010

Fall Newsletter - 2010

(You can always find the latest Newsletter on our site)

Favorite Recipe:

Stew in a Pumpkin

Prepare your favorite stew recipe. After browning meat, sauteeing vegetable and simmering stew, clean a 10-12 pound pumpkin, saving the top and stem. Season the inside of the pumpkin with salt and pepper and place it into a shallow baking dish. Spoon prepared stew into the pumpkin and replace the top, brush the outside of the pumpkin wth oil. Bake at 325 for two hours until pumpkin is tender. scoop out sides while serving.

The same method can be used to create a unique dessert by seasoning the inside of the pumpkin with cinnamon and sugar, then filling with an apple crisp.

Seasonal Tasks
• Cut back perennials, prune shrubs and trees
• Plant spring blooming bulbs
• Harvest remaining vegetables and plant garlic for next year
• Mulch beds to protect from frost damage
• Protect outdoor sculpture, fountains and pots from freezing
• Bring in houseplants, tender perennials and tropical bulbs
• Treat broadleaf evergreens with anti-dessicant
• Detailed information can be found on Our Blog or contact us for maintenance

Entering the Off-Season
Many homeowners don’t give much thought to their landscaping once they have raked the fallen leaves off their lawn, but there are many ways to enjoy the landscape during the off-season. There are improvements that can be made to the landscape to enhance its fall and winter appeal including the addition of an outdoor kitchen with a fireplace or heater, landscape lighting and plants that feature multi-season interest.

Even when the temperature drops, you can still turn up the heat on outdoor entertaining. In this region, late fall and early spring are still great times to entertain. An outdoor kitchen offers accessories, counter space and storage that will allow for grilling three seasons of the year. During the cooler months an outdoor fireplace or patio heater can warm a crisp evening on the patio also extending the months of use.

Landscape lighting can be used to illuminate walkways, outdoor kitchens and patios for use. To increase the safety and functionality of the landscape during the evenings, which arrive earlier this time of year, consider landscape lighting to illuminate pathways, entertainment areas and specimens. A well designed lighting plan will highlight the beauty of the landscape, including elements with winter-interest such as stone, grasses and branch structure.

Many plants add multi-season interest to the landscape, such as those with colorful fall foliage, berries or interesting winter shape and texture. In the fall the leaves of deciduous plants, like the Red Maple, change color in advance of the coming cold. Evergreens like Pines and Rhododendron though rely on their foliage to sustain them through the winter. Even those that lose their leaves may offer beautiful bark, such as the Oakleaf Hydrangea or Birch. Other plants are capable of attracting desirable wildlife to the off season garden. Song birds enjoy the berries of landscape favorites such as Dogwood, Holly and the seed of many perennials. Branches trimmed from some landscape favorites such as Southern Magnolia and Red-Twig Dogwood can even be brought indoor to provide holiday décor.

Finally, the off-season can be a great time to begin planning for projects to be built the following year. The design and permit approval often takes longer than many homeowners expect so it is important to allow plenty of time for this process. Focusing on a fun summer project can also help pass the cold months of the off season!