2010 Christmas Open House

Christmas Open House is Saturday and Sunday at Big Bloomers Flower Farm and The Garden Market.

Refreshments and door prizes too.

Don't miss it!

Thanks to all that came and took part in our Gardening and Cooking with Herbs seminar. If you were not here you missed some really delicious food.

As promised here are all the recipes.

Lemon Verbena Dip

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

8 oz. lemon yogurt

1/4 cup lemon verbena leaves, very finely minced

1/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Serve with sliced fruit or plain cookies.

Cucumber Dill Salsa

2 cucumbers, peeled, seeded and chopped

3 plum tomatoes, chopped

1/4 cup chopped chive or green onions

2 tbsp. chopped garlic chives

2 tbsp. chopped fresh dill

1 tbsp. lemon or lime juice

pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients. Chill to serve.

Makes a good dressing for hummus on a pita or with chips.

Herbed Butter

3/4 cup butter, softened

1 tbsp. fresh sage

1 tbsp. fresh thyme

1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley

1/3 cup green onions. including tops

1 tbsp. fresh marjoram

1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper

Blend or process all ingredients until well blended. May be stored in the refrigerator for 1 week.

Can be used to baste turkey or chicken when roasting. Good spread on hot bread or a baked potato. Also yummy on plain crackers.

Feta Herb Dip

4 oz. feta cheese

4 oz. cream cheese

1/3 cup mayonnaise

2-4 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 tsp. dried basil

1/4 tsp. dried oregano

1/8 tsp. dried dill weed

1/8 tsp. dried thyme

1 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

Combine ingredients together in food processor or by hand. Cover and chill for 30 minutes.

Serve with your favorite cracker or pita chip.

Fresh Vietnamese Spring Rolls

2 ounces rice vermicelli

8 rice wrappers (8.5 inch diameter)

8 large cooked shrimp - peeled, deveined and cut in half

1 1/3 tablespoons chopped fresh Thai basil

3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves

3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

2 leaves lettuce, chopped

2 carrots cut into matchsticks

Dipping Sauce

3 tablespoons hoisin sauce

Natural crunchy peanut butter to taste

Bring a medium saucepan of water to boil. Boil rice vermicelli 3 to 5 minutes, or until al dente, and drain.

Fill a large bowl with warm water. Dip one wrapper into the hot water for 1 second to soften. Lay wrapper flat. In a row across the center, place 2 shrimp halves, a handful of vermicelli, basil, mint, cilantro carrots and lettuce, leaving about 2 inches uncovered on each side. Fold uncovered sides inward, then tightly roll the wrapper, beginning at the end with the lettuce. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

Mix hoisin and peanut butter until blended. Serve as a dipping sauce with spring rolls.

Drunken Dilly Rice

3 8.8 oz. Uncle Ben's Jasmine Ready Rice

1/2 stick butter

One package precooked Trader Joe's Logostinos

One cup white wine

Five sprigs fresh dill

This is a recipe that my sister concocted for me one evening. The measurements are not precise. Its all done "to taste". She did not use white wine in hers. The drunken part was my idea and makes this recipe even more luscious.

Bruchetta

6 Roma tomatoes, diced

2 cloves garlic, chopped

3 tbls. olive oil

2-1/2 tsp. balsamic vinegar

2 tbls. chopped fresh basil

1/2 tsp. kosher salt

1/4 tsp. fresh cracked pepper

8 slices Italian bread cut about 1 inch thick

2 tbls. grated parmigiana reggiano cheese

Wish together chopped garlic, vinegar, salt, pepper and basil.

Slowly drizzle in oil.

Add tomatoes.

Let sit for 20 minutes at room temperature.

Toast bread and top with tomato mixture.

Sprinkle on a little cheese and broil till cheese melts.

Serve immediately.

Next Saturday Seminar-October, 30, 2010

Just wanted to remind you of our next Saturday Seminar, Cooking and Gardening with Herbs from 10:00 to 12:00 on Saturday, October 30,2010.

HAPPY FALL!!!

This year we are very pleased to be able to offer to our customers the heirloom pumpkins, Jarrahdale and Long Island Cheese. These two heirloom pumpkins/squashes are not only great looking but with their smooth and creamy texture are one of the best pumpkins for pie making. They are also great cut into wedges, rubbed with oil and baked. Add a little butter and maple syrup when they are done cooking and you have a delicious and easy fall side dish. Their firm texture also lends themselves well to soups and stews. Use them outside as decoration and after a couple of frosts they will be even sweeter. Supplies are limited so don't wait too long to visit us and pick up some of these delicious pumpkins.

Pansies, ornamental cabbages, kale, mustard, snapdragon, mums and dianthus

are also waiting for your fall gardens.

Hope to see you soon!

Big Bloomers 2010 Saturday Seminars

Big Bloomers 2010 Saturday Seminars

Please join us for these events, led by Big Bloomers' staff and filled

with information and tips for happy gardening!!

All seminars will be from 10:00 a.m - 12:00 p.m. (includes plenty of time for shopping)

August 28, 2010 - Perennial Favorites

September 25, 2010 - Container Gardening for Fall

October 30, 2010 - Cooking and Gardening with Herbs

November 27, 2010 - Holiday Open House and Holiday Decorations

Hot Summer Savings!

******************************

25% off all unfinished concrete

benches, tables and statuary

**********

Japanese Maples regularly priced - $64.95

Now - $34.95

**********

50% off all annuals!

Hummingbird Day 2010

Hummingbird Day 2010

Saturday, July 24, 2010

10:00 a.m - 2:00 p.m.

50% OFF ALL ANNUALS

Tropicals not included in sale

ALL ANNUALS 35% OFF

All Geraniums

(including specialty geraniums and ivy geraniums)

4" POTS $1.00

6" POTS $2.00

HANGING BASKETS OF GERANIUMS $5.00

TORENIA - 4" POTS - $1.00

SALE - JUNE 10, 2010

35% OFF ALL ANNUALS

4 pack, pots and hanging baskets

Dahlias

BUY ONE

GET ONE FREE

all pot sizes

(free items must be of equal or lesser value)

Tropicals not included in sale

PETUNIAS*PETUNIAS*PETUNIAS

Buy one get one Free

All varieties and sizes including wave varieties

4 pks., pots and hanging baskets.

(combination baskets not included)

Free item must be equal of lesser value.

Sale ends Sunday, June 6, 2010

WEEKEND JAPANESE MAPLE SALE

THIS WEEKEND ONLY

SATURDAY, MAY 15TH AND SUNDAY, MAY 16TH

JAPANESE MAPLES (CULTIVARS INCLUDING VIRIDIS, BLOODGOOD AND CRIMSON QUEEN)

REGULAR PRICE $64.95

SALE PRICE $50.00

PANSY & VIOLA BLOWOUT SALE!!!!!

BLOWOUT SALE

ALL PANSIES AND VIOLAS

NOW DRASTICALLY REDUCED!

6" POTS $1.00

4" POTS 50 CENTS

ALL FOUR-PACK FLATS $2.00

GET MONTHS OF INSTANT COLOR AT INCREDIBLE SAVINGS