New Lawn From Seed is EZ!

One of the many benefits of owning a dog is that I am spending more time in our yard. The downside is I am confronted with weeds, especially in our grass. Replacing a lawn with new sod is costly, so I have been testing grass seed options to fix areas I have treated with weed killer.

As a result of my testing, Scott Turf Builder Ez Seed is my new favorite grass seed. Within a week new grass is growing and it mixes nicely with existing grass. There are three varieties - fescue, bermuda and combination. They also have a dog spot repair. It requires very little effort beyond just making sure the soil is loose and pouring some of the mixture onto the soil. You can add a layer of soil on top but that is not absolutely necessary. It is available at most nurseries, including Home Depot, OSH and seasonally at Costco.

Look for our advertisement in local media!

Use 'Companion Plants' to Keep Bugs at Bay

It is started as a wet summer and that raises the potential for swarms of mosquitoes just as the weather turns warmer. We've sung the praises of rosemary before, but it, Citronella grass, catnip and marigolds provide a surprising benefit: warding off unwanted bugs such as mosquitoes and flies.

These plants give off subtle odors that confuse or otherwise ward off insects, making them a natural form of pest control.
Basil has similar properties, plus it is a candidate to plant near tomatoes since it may improve both the growth and flavor of tomatoes. Some other 'companion plant' options that ward of pests are mentioned by the web site DIY Life:

- Peppermint: Repels ants, white cabbage moths and aphids.
- Garlic: Repels Japanese beetles, fleas and aphids.

You'll want to avoid other pairings, such as putting cucumbers near strong aromatic herbs such as sage -- the vegetable can absorb unintended flavor. See here for a full list of plants that go well (or not) together.

Another preventative measure is to remove any standing water. Go around your yard and look for any place that water gathers: uneven gutters, kiddie pools, those buckets you left behind the garage, that planter tray you never got around to using. A single five gallon bucket left out in the rain can become a mosquito nursery in single day.
Put your trash cans and recycling bins as far away from your house as you can, and while you're at it make sure that the lids on your trash cans fit snugly. Flies love garbage and ants love the sugary residue in recyclables. Moving both away will cut down on the flies buzzing around your patio table and the ants crawling around near your house.

While entertaining outside, remember citronella candles and tiki torches help keep the bugs away. They usually have a four foot 'protective' radius, so you'll need several to provide decent coverage.

It is also the time of year to set your yellow jacket traps. Be aggressive in setting traps early in the season to help you enjoy your outdoor entertaining!

Bringing Spices to Life

Here is a great plant to add to your garden which will help to accent meals with fresh flavors

Rosemary is a perennial evergreen shrub with pretty blue flowers. Because it is relatively hardy, it can fit into spots where other plants might struggle -- for example, in a rock garden or at the edge of flower beds.

Better yet, it can provide its flavors year-round and can be applied in a huge array of dishes including lamb, steak, poultry, vegetables, soups and stews. It is a pungent yet not overpowering with a sweet, resinous flavor. Usually planting one plant is enough to meet your needs. Our family especially enjoys rosemary potatoes, and I've featured one such recipe below.

The Farmer's Almanac recommends:

• Plant the seeds/cuttings in well-drained soil.
• Rosemary grows to about 4 feet tall and spreads about 4 feet as well, so be sure to give your plants enough room to grow. 

Barefoot Contessa's Rosemary Roasted Potatoes Super simple and easy to pair with many entrees, this dish is a family favorite.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds small red or white-skinned potatoes (or a mixture)
• 1/8 cup good olive oil
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoons minced garlic (3 cloves)
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary leaves

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Cut the potatoes in half or quarters and place in a bowl with the olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic and rosemary; toss until the potatoes are well coated.
Dump the potatoes on a baking sheet and spread out into 1 layer; roast in the oven for at least 1 hour, or until browned and crisp. Flip twice with a spatula during cooking to ensure even browning.

Remove the potatoes from the oven, season to taste, and serve. Delicious!

About Barefoot Contessa:
Popular cookbook author and magazine columnist Ina Garten throws open the doors of her Hampton's home for delicious food, dazzling ideas and good fun on Food Network's Barefoot Contessa.
Read Full Bio

Favorite Gardens: Butchart Gardens near Victoria, B.C., Canada




Inspiring Local Gardens: Filoli

Today the garden is maintained by fourteen full-time horticulturists, student interns, and over one hundred garden volunteers. And it shows...


Filoli is located about 30 miles south of San Francisco in Woodside, California, just south of the Highways 92 and 280 junction. It is well worth the trip.

Keep in mind...

He who is in love is wise and is becoming wiser, sees newly every time he looks at the object beloved, drawing from it with his eyes and his mind those virtues which it possesses.

Ralph Waldo Emerson