The weather is starting to get chilly – which means it’s time to prep your garden for winter and protect your plants. Of course, if you choose to ignore winter preparations, the world will not come to an end, but you risk losing your less hardy and younger plants to severe cold, and also face a more daunting garden preparation chore in the spring. It’s well worth spending the extra time in your garden before winter takes hold.

Clean up weeds

Start your clean-up by removing weeds and any dead plants from your beds. For shrubs and trees, remove diseased leaves, but pruning is not recommended in the fall as it may stimulate new growth just as the harsh winter is bearing down.  Make sure you wear durable work gloves (like these) to protect your hands when you’re removing weeds and leaves.

Start your compost bin

If you don’t already have a compost bin, consider starting one at this time. You can throw your cuttings as well as dried leaves in your compost bin, which will break down into a nutrient-rich compost for next season. Don’t throw weeds or diseased cuttings into your compost, however, as this will only multiply these problems down the road.

Remove blubs

Non-hardy bulbs should be removed from the ground. Let the bulbs dry out for a few hours before storing them in a cool, dry place for the winter, such as a garage or basement.

It’s a good time, too, for dividing perennials. Division not only maintains the health of your perennials, but it’s also an easy way to propagate your plants so that you’ll have more coverage next season.

Mulch

Often you hear recommendations about mulching around trees and shrubs before winter hits, but rodents like to move into these cushy, warm piles to spend the winter, and snack on the bark of the trees and shrubs you’re trying to protect. This can be much more damaging than typical winter damage, so I’m not a big fan of that theory.

If it’s a rose or plant that really needs that extra protection, don’t bury it in mulch… use soil. Soil does a better job of insulation delicate plants from both cold and pests and also prevents soil erosion. Don’t mulch with soil too early, though, as it may encourage disease and pests. It is best to wait until after the first frost when the ground starts to freeze. Check out Bog Boots for keeping your feet warm and dry when you’re mulching. In general, 4 to 6 inches of soil mulch will provide an adequate layer of protection.

Watering
It’s a good idea to water your garden thoroughly before the ground freezes. Even with snow, winter can be very dry and harsh for many trees and shrubs, such as evergreens, so it’s best to provide them with a large supply of moisture before the extreme winter weather arrives.

Cleaning and Storing Tools
Once your cleaning and cutting is done, it’s time to give some love and care to your tools. Clean, oil, and sharpen your tools, then store them in a dry place for the winter. Drain garden hoses and store them coiled in a sheltered place where they won’t freeze and crack. It’s a little extra work, but come spring, you’ll be delighted to pull out your tools that are ready to go to work with no fuss or muss.

“Brining” a turkey is another word for soaking your Thanksgiving turkey in a spiced liquid, which infuses the turkey with moisture and flavor. Brining a turkey overnight is the best way to ensure a tender and delicious Thanksgiving turkey.

What you will need:

• 2 gallons water
• 2 cups apple juice
• 1 ½ cups Kosher salt
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 5 bay leaves
• 3 Tbsp. black peppercorns
• 1 Tbsp. dried rosemary
• 2 Tbsp. dried thyme
• 1 whole fresh orange peel, chopped
• 1 whole fresh lemon peel, chopped

* A simpler option is to buy a high quality, all-in-one spice mix and simply add the mix to water. Click here for more information on Turkey Brine spice mix.

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients in a large pot and bring to boil. Remove from heat, cover, and allow liquid to cool to room temperature. Mixture can be stored in the fridge until you are ready to brine.

Remove turkey from wrapper and throw away bag inside. Rinse thoroughly with cold water. Place turkey in plastic brining bag (available at many kitchen shops) or in pot large enough to hold turkey. Pool cooled brine liquid over top. Add cold water if you need more liquid, so turkey is covered. Place sealed pot or bag in refrigerator for 8 to 18 hours (overnight) before roasting.

Before roasting, remove turkey from brine and rinse thoroughly under cold water. Pat dry.

** This recipe makes enough brine for a 20 lb. bird.

Impress your family this Thanksgiving with a pumpkin pie made from fresh, real pumpkin.  Pecan and gingersnap layer insures a flaky and flavorful pie crust, and the almond spiced whipped cream on top adds a unique touch.

What you will need:

Pie Crust

• 1 pie crust
• ¼ cup pecans
• ¼ cup gingersnaps

Pumpkin Filling

• 1 small “pie” pumpkin
• 1 cup sugar
• 1.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• one half teaspoon ground ginger
• one half teaspoon salt (optional)
• 3 large eggs
• 1 can (12oz) of evaporated milk

Almond Spice Whipped Cream Topping

• 1 1/2 cups whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• Grated nutmeg, to taste
• 2 pinches ground cinnamon

Pie Crust:

First you will need to prepare a pie crust and press into 8” glass pie pan. You can either use a pre-made pie crust or make your own from scratch. We recommend this flaky pie crust recipe from cooksrecipes.com


Pecan and Gingersnap Layer:

• Toast pecans in a 350 degree F (180 degree C) oven for 8 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Cool and then place the pecans in a food processor and process until finely ground.
• Combine the ground pecans with crushed gingersnap cookies.
• Press this mixture evenly onto the bottom and up the sides of the unbaked pie crust.  Cover and return the pastry to the refrigerator while you make the pumpkin filling.

Pie Filling:

• Wash the exterior of a small pie pumpkin (also referred to as cheese pumpkin or sugar pumpkin) and cut in half. Remove the stem.
• Scoop out seeds and stringy pulp, so only meat of pumpkin is left.
• Cut into smaller pieces. Steam in a double pot steamer on stovetop until soft (20-30 minutes).
• If you do not have a steamer basket, place pumpkin pieces in large bowl with 2 inches of water and microwave on high until soft (20-30 minutes).
• Separate cooked pumpkin from the skin using a spoon. Should separate easily.
• Using a blender, blend pumpkin until it is a smooth, satiny texture. Place 3 cups of this mixture into a mixing bowl.
• To pumpkin, add sugar, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, ginger, salt, eggs, and evaporated milk.  Mix until well blended.
• Pour mixture into prepared pie crust. Cover edges of pie crust with tin foil, to ensure they do not burn.
• Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes, then reduce temperature to 350 degrees and bake for another 45-60 minutes.
• Pie is done when a knife inserted into center of pie comes out clean.
• Place in refrigerator to chill slightly before serving.

Almond Spiced Whipped Cream:

• Whisk cream using hand blender until soft peaks form.
• Whisk in almond extract and season with nutmeg and cinnamon, to taste.
• When you serve your pumpkin pie, place a generous dollop on each slice.

I have tried my overalls and they have withstood laying sod in the pouring rain, building modular stone retaining walls, and just plain getting dirty landscape work.  I have washed them numerous times already and they still look brand new - I love them!  Everyone who has seen them loves them.  The men I work with want to know if you make them for men because the kneepads are so awesome!  They are trying to figure out how they can cut their carhardts and get some kneepads in there!

PS:  notice the pink flames on our wheelbarrow!  It was my co-workers idea to spray paint all of our tools pink so we can keep track of them.  Anyone that works with us knows that the PINK tools go in the girls truck!

Sincerely,
Barb Gordon
Journeyman Landscape Gardener
Grande Prairie, Alberta,Canada

We are so excited to introduce Rosies new holiday gift bags! They are the perfect gift for the ‘Rosies’ in your life. Holiday gift bags come with:

* Rosies Overall (in size you choose) in Tan color
* Rosies tank top (in size you choose)
* “Made From Scratch” book
* Floral pattern work gloves

Click here for full details