LAWNS DONE RIGHT, INC.’S FAVORITE NEW ANNUAL FOR SPRING 2012

SNOW PRINCESS SWEET ALYSSUM

Genus Name: Lubularia ‘Inibusnopr’

Type: Tender Perennial

Blooms: Fragrant White Blossoms Spring to Fall

Light: Full Sun

Soil: Moist, Well-Drained

Size: 4 to 6 In. Tall

Let these honey-scented white flowers billow over the

edge of a container or along a wall. Just give Snow

Princess a little room because it can cascade 2 to 4 ft.!

Because this variety is sterile, it doesn’t waste energy

producing seeds, it just keeps flowering!

Lawns Done Right, Inc. is so looking forward to Spring 2012!

HAPPY GARDENING!

‘YARD ART’ PLACEMENT

Too many ornaments (I like to call it ‘yard art’) in a garden (or yard) make it look like a busy street without any thought of traffic control.  Thirty years ago when you mentioned garden ornaments, one picture flashed before your mind’s eye:  The garden gnome, made of concrete and dressed in primary colors of red and blue, standing alone or holding court with one pink flamingo.  Today the concrete gnome is still found at some garden centers, but amidst the plump frogs and colorfully dressed little men you’ll also find Japanese lanterns, Renaissance putti, brass sundials and portable fountains.  ‘Yard art’ in the garden center can be whatever you choose.  Even pink flamingos have their place.  In a garden full of philodendrons and flowering gingers, five such birds made the difference between ho-hum and “wow”.  Suppose your garden plan has been executed to perfection.  Your back yard featured a small brick terrace backed by a low stone retaining wall curtained with creeping fig that’s under control.  The effect is one of quiet charm, but it could still use something to set it off.  A well-placed piece of garden sculpture on the wall will change the mood of the entire garden.  In my own back yard garden I really am at my limit for ‘yard art’.  It is the opinion of us here at Lawns Done Right that even one more piece would cause it to look ‘tacky’!

‘Yard art’ should be in scale with your garden or yard.  A small Japanese stone lantern, just big enough to accommodate a candle or low-voltage light for evening viewing, is much more subtle than a 6-foot tall concrete palm tree.  You’ll find that scaled-down ‘yard art’ adds depth to a small garden view, while large pieces overpower it.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when you design your small garden:  Try to avoid straight lines unless you are planning an area that has a direct relationship to an adjoining building.  Such lines are rarely found in nature, and soon become boring to look at.  If your garden is a salute to the natural look of a shaded woodland,  remember to use art that reflects nature, not artifice.  Don’t be afraid to break the rules.  Although most books and articles tell you to put any large plants or objects at the back of the border or in the back of the garden, a great piece of garden art might be best right up front!

Many times when we are doing ‘revamp’ landscaping I will set out all of the ‘yard art’ that the client has on hand and pick and choose what needs to go where – that is with the client’s permission of course.  Many of our landscape installation clients prefer for me to decide where to place fountains or even containers or other yard art.  Sometimes it is somewhat difficult to tell a client that a particular piece of ‘yard art’ really does not have a place in the new landscape.   Ultimately, the goal would be to have a few tasteful pieces of ‘yard art’ placed strategically to enhance the landscape.   Most of all, have fun choosing and placing your ‘yard art’ and, if in question, call in an expert.   Happy Winter Gardening!

Fresh garland and wreathes can be picked up at local nurseries. We at Lawns Done Right like to patronize our local nurseries, Abide-A-While and Hyam’s. You can add some white lights, candles, or ribbons can also add a little something if you want to add some glimmer. A mantle always looks beautiful adorned with fresh greenery and what about a garland for around the front door? The white lights would especially look great on that one.Mailboxes are another area that can be ‘spruced’ up with evergreen and red bows. This can send out holiday greetings to friends and neighbors.

In conclusion, whatever you decide to decorate with this holiday season, simple is always better and live fresh greenery is a snap to clean up also. A minimalistic approach to holiday decor affords you more time to relax with the ones you love and enjoy the season.

Enjoy the Holiday Season!

How to Select a Perfect Pumpkin in Charleston, S. C.

Select a pumpkin that is completely orange. A partially green pumpkin might not ripen any further.  Size is an important factor. Medium pumpkins are best for pumpkin carving – small pumpkins are better for cooking.   Don’t pick a pumpkin that is too big for you to carry, especially if you have back problems.  If you’re choosing your pumpkin from a patch, take a small wagon and a knife with you.  The wagon will be great for hauling pumpkins & tired kids – you will need the knife to cut the stem.  Cut the vine on either side of the stem & you can trim off the remaining pieces of the vine and cut the stem at the perfect spot when you get it home.  Does the shade of orange matter?  If so, there are hundreds of varieties, some with different shades of orange. Selecting the shape is a matter of personal preference. Some like ‘em tall & others like ‘em round.  Often, people select shapes to fit the carving patterns they will use. Pick your pattern before you go.  Don’t lift or carry a pumpkin by it’s stem. The pumpkin stem gives it character!  A ripe pumpkin has a hard shell that does not dent or scratch easily when pressing on it with your thumbnail. Do this on the back or bottom of the pumpkin…..never on the face.  Check out the entire pumpkin carefully for soft spots. If you find even one soft spot, go on to the next pumpkin.  Check the pumpkin for cracks and splits. If you find one, examine it to be sure it is not turning into a soft spot or has mold inside of the crack.  Look for bugs and insects. Specifically, look for holes in the pumpkin, which are indicative of insect problems.

Of course, Lawns Done Right, Inc. recommends our locally owned and operated (member of Lowcountry Local First) Legare Farms Pumpkin Patch located on Johns Island for purchasing your pumpkins.   They also have a lot of other fun, fall activities to offer at this time of the year.  You can reach our friend Helen Legare or her sister or brother at 843.559.0788 for directions and details.

Now….here’s a recipe for all those pumpkin lovers out there.  This recipe is good enough to make your tongue slap your brains out:

Next Blog:  How to Carve a Pumpkin.

.

Enjoy this tasty Skillet Apple Pie Recipe:

Makes 8 to 10 servings

 2 lb. Granny Smith Apples

2 lb. Braeburn Apples (we used red delicious, fuji and granny smith apples)

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

¾ cup sugar

½ cup butter

1 firmly packed cup of light brown sugar

1 14 oz. package refrigerated pie crusts

1 egg white

2 tbsp. granulated sugar

Preheat oven to 350, peel apples and cut into ½ inch wedges. Toss apples, cinnamon and ¾ cup of granulated sugar. Melt butter in a 10 inch skillet over medium heat, add brown sugar and stir constantly 1 or 2 minutes until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, place one piecrust over brown sugar mixture. Spoon apple mixture over piecrust and top with remaining piecrust. Whisk egg white until foamy. Brush top piecrust with egg white, sprinkle with 2 tbsp of granulated sugar. Cut 4 or 5 slits in top crust for steam to escape bake at 350 for 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes ( I put ours on a cookie sheet so it didn’t drip in the oven) or until golden brown and bubbly, shielding with aluminum foil for the last 10 minutes (I did not do this, our over might not get as hot as some) to prevent excessive browning if necessary. Cool on a rack for 30 minutes before serving (if you can stand it, we couldn’t!!). serve with butter-pecan ice cream!

Here are some suggestions for your first post.

1. You can find new ideas for what to blog about by reading the Daily Post.
2. Add PressThis to your browser. It creates a new blog post for you about any interesting  page you read on the web.
3. Make some changes to this page, and then hit preview on the right. You can always preview any post or edit it before you share it to the world.