Marigolds, those mainstays of summer gardening, often get a bad image. Some say they are too colorful. Others point to their spindly construction. Still others think that they are not exotic (or expensive) enough for their gardens. Still, marigolds have their place and can actually be beneficial to your other plants. Here are just a few facts about marigolds: * Marigolds can be annual or perennial, depending on the species (and the climate in which they are planted). * There are 52 species of marigolds. * The Latin name for margiolds is “tagetes.” * Although most commonly found with orange flowers, marigolds can also produce yellow or white flowers. * The common name of this plant is derived from “Mary’s Gold”... [Read more]

I confess I love POM pomegranates and juice. Their tart, fruity flavor mixes well with other juices and makes attractive and tasty cocktails. They are also a useful ingredient in a host of recipes from pork chops to muffins. Pomegranates are a great source of anti-oxidants, good for heart health and general nutrition. The people at POM have been kind enough to share their recipe for ginger muffins with Blisstree readers. I made these yesterday and they were gone in an hour. YUM! POM Ginger Muffins Ingredients: * 1/2 cup arils from 1 large POM Wonderful Pomegranate * 2 cups flour * 3/4 cup sugar * 1 tablespoon baking powder * 1/4 teaspoon salt * 1/4 cup chopped candied ginger * 1 tablespoon grated orange peel * 1 cup milk * 1 egg * 1/3... [Read more]

Ferns are a mainstay of any shade garden. They range from tiny to gigantic, from green to brown to deep purple. Ferns are also one of the easiest garden plants to grow and, once established, they will reward you each season with new “baby” ferns to transplant around your yard. Below are a few more fern facts: * Ferns date back to prehistoric times, to the Carboniferous Era. * Ferns and fern patterns were a popular design motif during the Victorian era. * There are more than 20,000 species of ferns. * Ferns are most often associated with woodland gardens, but may also be found in bogs and growing from cracks in rock faces. * Ferns are sometimes used to clean cuts in the wild and the foliage makes a good bandage in a pinch. *... [Read more]

Summer grilling season is upon us and if you don’t have all of the equipment you need to create your favorite grilled recipes, you’re in luck. There are two new sweepstakes where you can win a deluxe grill. Odom’s Tennessee Pride Sausage is giving away 50 George Forman outdoor grills plus a supply of sausage. The prize, valued at $130, includes a “Mega Size” electric indoor/outdoor grill with 240 sq. in. non-stick cooking surface plus 10 coupons good for 10 free packages of Tennessee Pride 16 oz. roll sausage. The runs from now until July 31 (2009). You must be 18 years of age or older and a resident of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia to enter. Visit the Tennessee Pride Web site to enter. The second... [Read more]

Today, I finally planted my cold season vegetables–carrots, beets, peas, and spinach. I’m particularly fond of beets. Perhaps it’s my German ancestry. I like them cold, warm, in soup, in salads, and no Easter season is complete without at least one batch of pickled beets and eggs. If you’ve never tried growing beets, it’s very easy. You’ll also be rewarded with a supply of tasty beet greens for salads or to serve wilted with vinegar. Here are a few beet facts: * Beets have been cultivated since the second century BC. * Beets originated in the Mediterranean region. * The beet is a relative of chard. * Eating beets is said to be good for the immune system. * Beets are sometimes referred to as “Blood... [Read more]