Daffodils by the Lake

Simply Trees: Nutty about Nuts

Thank goodness for the pecan tree, for without it, there wouldbe no pecans and pecan pie, one of the tastiest of all pies. And thank goodness for walnuts and walnut fudge, hazelnuts andhazelnut spread, and “chestnuts roasting on an open fire.” Many of our foods are made much better by the nuts we add –banana …

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Her life is beds of roses

This is one in a series of occasional reports about South Florida gardens. Barbara LaPradd likes to wake up and smell the roses. Later in the day, the sun’s heat will burn off the flowers’ aromatic oils and their aromas will evaporate. but now, in the gentle heat of a winter morning, she can enjoy …

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February’s garden tips

Wild ride. Our landscape seems as confused as our bodies through this most unusual winter. Spring bulbs certainly think it’s spring one day, only to be blanketed by snow the next. There’s not much to do to prevent this early emergence, other than to enjoy the show. Snowdrops, crocus, hellebores, even my neighbor’s daffodils are …

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Tasting in the Land of Olive Oil and Honey

Red Bee Honey and gourmet olive oil shop, Olivette, team up for a tasting. Photo credit: Contributed My newest gastro-crush and Darien’s latest gourmet destination, Olivette, is determined to take over your pantry. in a very good way. Monday, Feb. 13, from 6-7:30 p.m., Olivette co-owner Alina Lawrence will team up with the Accidental Beekeeper, …

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Close Ties Between Economy And Environment Put Flamingos At Risk

Anthropogenic habitat modifications associated with economic enterprises often have negative implications for wildlife. one exception to this general rule is the success story of greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) in the Etang du Fangassier, France. there, the creation of extensive salt flats provided the birds with the saline areas they require for feeding and breeding, while …

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The tyranny of the kindergarten

When my elder daughter was a KG student, most often she would come home with a complaint against the teachers. I considered the complaints an expression of the ire of a truant student. When she began to say that she was often and again caned by the mathematics teacher or the EVS teacher (Yes, it …

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Delight in small things

I love this time of year. it is the season when, despite the cold weather, the garden is full of new growth. Everything is full of possibility again, seed packets plop through the letterbox seducing you with images of beautiful flowers or glossy vegetables. Every bit of tired old dead growth cut back seems to …

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Homing in on green

FROM the outside, the three-storey bungalow looks really grand. With an iron gate and an elevated courtyard entrance, you expect the interior to be as imposing. However, the moment you step inside, you meet with open space in the living room. There are no windows except for a few in the kitchen. There are sliding …

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Tomato Rot: How To Root Succulent Plants With Leaf or Stem Cuttings

Succulents are perfect plants for dry gardens and are easy to root and grow. once you learn how easy it is to propagate succulent plants, it’s a great way to expand your plant collection – and it’s free! You can use this planting technique with succulent plants from the Crassula family like Jade (C. ovata), …

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Florists, restaurants, jewelers report brisk holiday sales

love is in the air on Valentine’s Day. along with the red of the hearts and roses, there’s plenty of green to go around, too, as florists, restaurants and jewelry stores do a brisk business. “It’s our second largest flower day,” said Stephen Moore, co-owner of Galesburg Flower co. on North Broad Street. “We’re already …

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