Garden Source

The Muskmelon Israeli, ‘Cucumis melo’, has creamy-white flesh and a unique and very tasty flavor. Large, oval, 7 to 8 pound fruits are on very vigorous and productive vines. The fruit is very aromatic and the flavor is unique, making this melon a variety worth trying. The fruits do not have ribs or sutures and has sparse netting with a yellow-orange rind. The Israeli Muskmelon is an annual and is very sensitive to frost. Israeli vines spread to about 10 feet in diameter, about the same as most muskmelons. The flesh is a creamy-white color. Plant in the spring, 1 to 2 weeks after the last frost when soil temperatures are warm. Muskmelons prefer light and well drained soil. Muskmelons use a lot of water but they should not ever be soggy wet.

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The Hollyhock Indian Spring, ‘Alcea rosea ‘Indian Spring’, has very tall spires of old fashioned flowers. The flowers are 3 to 6 inches wide and appear in colors of yellow, purple, pink, red, and white. They begin to bloom in early summer and continue to bloom for 30 to 90 days. Hollyhocks prefers full sun and heat. The plants should not be crowded by other plants and they require good air circulation. Hollyhocks thrive in heavily composted fertile, organic soils. They require regular waterings. Plant seed in early summer, if planted too early they seem to lose their perennial habit. Indian Spring is used for edible flowers, cut flowers, dried flowers, and as background screens.

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The Basil Italian Large Leaf, ‘Ocimum basilicum’, is a sweet basil that is particularly good for pesto and is also excellent for fresh use. There is nothing like the smell of basil, it is the smell of summer. There is no more useful herb. The Italian Large Leaf Basil has just that, a larger leaf than other basils. It is a good all “around basil” and it has very few pests. Basil is used in so many foods, it is hard to mention them all. It is used in Italian foods and pesto and pasta sauces. Fresh basil makes a nice tea, an excellent vinegar, and tastes great fresh with fish, poultry, rice, mild vegetables, eggplant and many others. Plant 1 to 2 weeks after the last average frost date. Place the Basil seeds in well drained soil with lots of organic matter.

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Winged Burning Bush, ‘Euonymus alatus’, is a beautiful rounded shrub with tiny yellow flowers in May-June and known best for its long lasting fiery red fall color. The inconspicuous flowers give way to paired or single reddish capsules that split to reveal orange fleshy seeds. (Four corky ridges appear along the length of young stems. ) Corky wings on the branches provide additional winter interest. Winged Burning Bush is good for borders, accents and screens. It prefers sun to light shade. This shrub is widely planted by landscape professionals and homeowners for its fall color, dark green leaves and winged stems. It expands locally through vegetative reproduction and to new areas through bird dispersal of seeds. Shrubs can be repeatedly cut to the ground to control re-sprouts.

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