Planting Tomatoes? Don't Forget the Basil and Parsley!

Planting basil and parsley with your tomatoes isn't just for eating. They help each other grow!

Companion planting is a great way to help your garden help itself--that means less work on your part and more reward.

Today, we'll look at three plants that are great together.

If tomatoes are your pride, then you'll definitely want to plant basil nearby. Basil helps tomatoes repel both insects and disease--in addition to aiding in growth and flavor (before and after you cook them!). Parsley will also add to tomato growth and hardiness.


Basil also repels mosquitoes and flies (including fruit flies).
Parsley also benefits asparagus (another good companion plant for tomatoes) and roses (against rose beetles).

from onlyfoods.net

from ghorganics.com

from tulsamastergardeners.com

We're Live In 5...4...3...2...

1

That's right. Yours Truly has a dedicated web site for all of your business inquiries. Go there to check out the work we've done in the past and ask about what we can do in your future! Here on the blog, we'll be keeping things funky, fresh, and fun!

Who: Planting The Seed

What: Our new Website!

When: NOW!

Where: http://www.planting-the-seed.com

Why: Because you need it!

How: Go to the url above or just CLICK HERE!

Stay posted for continuous updates on the website for all of our projects on show!

Brussels and Butter

If you've been growing some delicious Brussels sprouts like we have, you'll need a good recipe to go with 'em. Try this one on for size. I doubt you'll find better!

Butter Simmered Brussels Sprouts

• Brussels Sprouts (about 1 pound)
• Butter (2 tablespoons melted or clarified)
• Garlic (1 to 2 cloves, sliced)
• Lemon Juice (preferably fresh)
• Optional: Breadcrumbs, Parsley, Parmesan Cheese

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add Brussels sprouts (keeping it on high) and boil until they are just tender (about 10 minutes). (You want to be careful not to overcook them in this stage.) Drain the water through a colander and wash the sprouts with cold water to stop the cooking process.

2. Place the butter (about 2 tablespoons - clarified butter is best) on a warm skillet. Add sliced garlic. Once the butter is hot, add the sprouts (optional: add breadcrumbs or Parmesan cheese). Stir until sprouts are hot (about 3 minutes).

3. Remove the garlic. Toss (sauté) the sprouts with a touch of lemon juice. Season with freshly ground black pepper and a pinch of salt.

4. Garnish with minced parsley (and a couple whole pieces for looks) and serve.

Gardening and Safety Tips Straight from the CDC

The Center for Disease Control has compiled a great list of safety tips for every gardener. Whether you're new to the garden, or you've had dirt under your nails for years, these tips can make your gardening safer, healthier, and more enjoyable.

Ohanami - Japanese Cherry Blossom Viewing : UWF Cherry Blossom Festival

Ohanami (Oh-ha-na-me) is the yearly Japanese tradition of having a picnic underneath the beautiful and short-lived sakura (Cherry Blossom Tree). These beautiful plants bloom only for a short period in the spring and are known for their sudden appearance, quick departure, and breathtaking flowers.

Photograph by Brandon McLeod

Photograph by Brandon McLeod

The University of West Florida is having a Cherry Blossom Festival (Sakura Matsuri) on Friday March 30, 2012 starting at 1:30 in the afternoon. For more information contact the UWF Japan Center at 850-474-3363 or email japan@uwf.edu.

Feature speakers include:  UWF President Dr. Judith Bense, CEO and President of Florida House on Capitol Hill Bard Hudson, Congressman Jeff Miller, Florida Secretary of State Kenneth Detzner, Consul General Eiichi Kawahara, Secretary of Florida Lottery Cynthia O'Connell, Mayor of Pensacola Ashton Hayward.

Trust me, you don't want to miss out on this. Take the family along and have a nice picnic under a soft pink canopy.

If you can't make it to the UWF Cherry Blossom Festival, be sure to head over to Mobile's Charles Wood Japanese Garden before it's too late!

Plantasia! Spring Plant Sale at Mobile Botanical Gardens

Plantasia! The spring plant sale hosted by Mobile Botanical Gardens begins Friday March 23 and ends Sunday March 25.

"Thousands of Plants for your Gulf Coast Garden"

Mobile Botanical Gardens is located at 5151 Museum Drive (see map below).

Admission is free!

from mobilebotanicalgardens.org

"This annual benefit serves as both an educational tool and a fundraising event for the ongoing growth and maintenance of the Mobile Botanical Gardens."


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Charles Wood Japanese Garden

You've heard us mention it; well, recently, we met up with Mr. Charles Wood, the visionary behind the aptly named Charles Wood Japanese Garden in Mobile, Alabama.  

Melanie Lobel (PTS, on left) and Charles Wood (on right)

Japanese Magnolia

Two of Mobile's happiest gardeners.

History of the Charles Wood Japanese Garden (from their website)

     "The Mobile Japanese Garden is the brain child of Mr. Charles Wood. A student of various forms of painting, Mr. Wood became interested in the ancient art of Sumi-e, a Japanese art form based on wash painting pioneered by the Chinese during the Tang Dynasty.

     Mr. Wood's interests in Sumi-e piqued his interest in Japanse culture. As a result he became interested in Japanese gardens. In a chance opportunity with one of his wife's garden club meetings, he suggested that Mobile would do well to have a traditional Japanese garden for people to enjoy. As it turned out, the association to which his wife belonged had leased a large piece of property from the city. Their needs were modest compared to the size of the property so the director of the association suggested that Mr. Wood could lease approximately fourteen acres of the property. Coincidentally, the property had been a fishery that was designed and managed by a Japanese-American.

     Mr. Wood immediately fell in love with the property and his vision for a Japanese Garden was born."

The Japanese Garden is located on Forest Hill Drive (Near Municipal "Langan" Park). 

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Spring Weeds

Since winter was so mild this year, the spring weeds are coming in early and they're coming in strong. Take quick action with an all natural weed killer that won't break the bank!

What you need:

• Adjustable Spray Bottle
• Vinegar

That's it!

Fill your spray bottle with cheap, natural, white vinegar. Spray your weeds as closely as possible to avoid hitting the plants you want to keep. 

(Hint: Keeping your garden fertilized at the appropriate levels, will help stave off the weeds naturally.)

from furniturehomedesign.com

Spray bottles are a must for the DIY gardener!

A Little Self-indulgence - PTS's Garden

We've had a lot of requests for my personal garden. Well here are a few sneak peeks at what's going on in my backyard. (Warning: Don't drool on your keyboard!)

Brussels!

Mm, mm, good!

Yummy lettuces!

Look at that rosemary!

Have You Seen Us On Google+?

Planting The Seed wants to do everything it can to keep in touch with you, the people we care about. That's why we've opened up a Google+ page, so we can bring you content via whatever your preferred electronic medium. Now you can drop us a line via Facebook, Email, Twitter, Google+, Carrier Pigeon, Post Card, Telephone, or Smoke Signals. The choice is yours.

Click the link above to check it out and add us to your circle, or skip the trip and click below!

TOMATO-PALOOZA - One Day Sale!

Don't miss Tomato-Palooza at Mobile Botanical Gardens

One Day Only

Saturday March 10, 2012

9am ~ 2pm

One potato, two potato, three potato, four, five potato, six potato, seven potato more!

It's time to get those spuds into the ground!

Potatoes are an extremely versatile food crop that's fairly easy to grow. Whether you want it baked, boiled, sautéd, gnocchied, scalloped, mashed, fried, or au gratined potatoes are a great food source that you can plant even in a small area.

So put on your gloves and plant some taters!

This year, why not try an interesting variety and surprise your friends. Here are a few heirlooms and special tubers that you may not have seen!

Rose Finn Apple Fingerling

from andreachesman.squarespace.com/

Yukon Gold

from seedsavers.org

Swedish Peanut Fingerling

from southernexposure.com

Can't decide? Try a variety pack!

Want to get an early start? Here are some sweet potatoes and yams that will breathe new life to your garden and your taste buds!

All Purple

from southernexposure.com

Bradshaw

from southernexposure.com

Carolina Ruby

from southernexposure.com

Can't decide? Buy a mix!

The seed provider linked to above is a trusted source for ethically grown heirloom and organic seeds. For more information, visit their website at www.southenexposure.com 

Festival of Flowers 2012

That's right Festival of Flowers 2012 is just around the corner--and guess whose going to be there?


That's right, your local landscaping and gardening expert will be giving a seminar.


Who: Planting the Seed's Owner - Melanie LobelW
What: Festival of Flowers 2012
When: March 29 ~ April 1

Where: 6701 Airport Blvd # B227, Mobile, AL (See Map)
Why: Because everyone loves flowers!
How: Buy your tickets here!


Here's the schedule:

March 29th - April 1st, 2012
Thursday, Friday & Saturday 9 AM - 5 PM
Sunday 12 PM - 5 PM
Contact the Festival at: 251.639.2050 or 1.877.777.0529



From the Festival's website:


"Among the show's feature attractions:

• Recognized as one of the top 20 events in the south by the Southeast Tourism Society
• Largest charity Flower Show in the Southeast
• Life-sized Floral Couture featuring Fairy Tale characters made of 50,000 real flowers
• Proceeds from the event are used to fund the health ministry of Providence Hospital
• Over 45 vendors in our marketplace
• Convenient local hotels and restaurants
• Attracts over 15,000 attendees
• Tour buses come from Louisiana, Georgia, Mississippi and Florida
• Now in its 19th year
• Held on an eight acre campus on the hospital grounds
• Promotes gardening and preservation of our natural resources and beautification of our environment
• Seeds of Wisdom promotes literature enthusiasts’ interpretation of books into floral design
• Blooming Cuisine Seminars - demonstrations and culinary discussions
• The Famous Conductorcise with Maestro David Dworkin, Conductor
• Featured Artist Bonnie Fuchs
• Official festival photographer Fountain Howard, author of Spirit of the South
• Garden Cafe"

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The Gulf Coast Garden and Patio Show

The Gulf Coast Garden and Patio Show is March 2, 3, and 4 at the Mississippi Coliseum in Biloxi.

It is one of the major gardening events held on the coast each year and is hosted by the wonderful folks over at the Mississippi Nursery and Landscape Association.

Check out one of our favorite garden bloggers: Nellie Neal.
She'll be speaking each morning to introduce some of the most beautiful plants at the show and teach a little about growing them.

The show will have heaps of shopping and informational seminars. So check it out!

Here it is on the map!



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