A delicious ground cover

Strawberry plants are a great ground cover for several reasons. They tend to stay very low and bushy, and the runners that each plant produces quickly fill in, covering the ground completely and choking out any potential weeds. Aside from the delicious fruit these plants produce, they are covered with tiny flowers (which can be pink or white) in late spring to early summer.

If you can, plant your strawberries on a gradual slope; this improves with drainage and can help prevent frost injury. A south facing slope allows strawberries to ripen a few days earlier than plants on a north facing slope. I’ve planted a variety of strawberries, both June bearing and ever bearing, on a slope at the back of my property. Planting different varieties allows me to enjoy multiple harvests throughout the growing season. Plan on making room for at least 100 strawberry plants for a family of four to enjoy the fruit when ripe, and have enough berries to save as jellies and jams so you can enjoy the fruits of your labor all year long

Bare Root fruit trees

Fall is a fantastic time to plant fruit trees.  I love planting new fruit trees every year.  I planted a plum tree and a pear tree, mini peach and nectarine trees, and about a dozen different dwarf apple trees about 4 years ago.  It takes a while for your trees to start baring fruit. About 2-4 years depending on the variety, but it is well worth the wait. My trees are all producing delicious fruit and every year they will produce more and more fruit for me and my family to enjoy.

One of the things I constantly promote in my videos is the importance of beautifying your landscapes, adding value to your property, and contributing to the greening of our planet by planting trees, especially fruit trees. I was introduced to this ancient Greek proverb that has reshaped my life: “A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they will never sit in.” Ever since I read that, it has been one of my missions to plant five new trees a year, to do my part to help remove carbon from the atmosphere, and provide food and habitat for people and animals for generations to come.

Five Reasons Bare Root Trees are better than Root Ball or potted trees:

Bare Root Trees Are …

• …easy to handle: Bare root trees have no soil around them, so they are incredibly lightweight and easy to handle. I could personally plant many in one day. After all, I am only 110 pounds soaking wet.
• …considerably cheaper than trees with root balls: Without the root ball attached they are more cost effective, both in shipping costs, price, and time.
• able to establish themselves faster: Bare root tree roots grow and propagate themselves at an incredibly fast rate, and in many cases within a year or two will surpass a container tree with up to 200 percent greater root development. The roots are able to develop and adapt to the soil conditions and the local micro climate quickly, providing fresh flowers and fruits faster.
• … great in small spaces and containers: I rely on bare root trees in my container gardens. Because they are so adaptable, they do extremely well. I have had incredible success with my bare roots, from my Dwarf Cherries to my Olive and Citrus trees (which I bring inside every winter in my Zone 6 climate)
• Available in so many more varieties:  Your local garden center only carries a few varieties.  Stark Bros is able to carry a large selection of fruit trees including many amazing exotic fruits for you to choose from.

For More on How to Plant Bare Root Trees Click Here

Patti’s favorite edible flowers

Beautiful blooms can do more than just sit in a vase. They can also add a unique flavor to your favorite dishes. Try infusing your next meal with these tasty, and attractive options.

Nasturtium
Name: Trapaeolum majus
Zones: Annual

Size: 12 to 16 inches tall and wide
Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil
Culinary delight: The flowers add a peppery flavor and a dramatic splash of color to a special salad that your kids will love. The leaves are also edible.

Mint
Name: Mentha spp. and cvs.
Zones: 3 to 9
Size: 12 to 36 inches tall and wide
Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; moist soil
Culinary Delight: The flowers taste minty, too, and can be used liberally in many Middle Eastern dishes. I also use them as a garnish in my mojitos. Mint is very invasive, however, and should be grown in pots

Pansies
Name: Viola x wittrockiana cvs.
Zones: 4 to 8
Size: 6 to 9 inches tall and 9 to 12 inches wide
Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; moist soil
Culinary Delights: The flowers have a mild, minty flavor and are great as a garnish on hor d'oeuvres and desserts but extra special when candied.