The Great Big Home & Garden Expo

Mark your calendars for The Great Big Garden Expo!  February 4-12.  Come visit our booth and get some fresh ideas for your projects.  This year’s theme, for the showcase gardens, is Classic TV Shows.  Visitors can vote on their favorite garden.  So don’t miss out this year’s show is a guaranteed good time.

PUMPKIN BUMPKIN

 THE NAME “PUMPKIN” ORIGINATED FROM PEPON, THE GREEK WORD FOR ” LARGE MELON”.

    (THIS INFORMATION WAS TAKEN FROM THE PORTAGE COUNTY FARM BUREAU PUBLICATION)
  • PUMPKINS CONTAIN POTASSIUM AND VITAMIN A.
  • PUMPKINS WERE ONCE RECOMMENDED FOR REMOVING FRECKLES AND CURING SNAKE BITES!
  • PUMPKIN FLOWERS ARE EDIBLE.
  • PUMPKINS ARE 90% WATER.
  • PUMPKINS ARE USED FOR FEED FOR ANIMALS.
  • PUMPKIN SEEDS CAN BE ROASTED AS A SNACK.
  • NATIVE  AMERICANS  USED  PUMPKIN  SEEDS  FOR  FOOD AND MEDICINE.
  • IN  EARLY  COLONIAL  TIMES,  PUMPKINS  WERE  USED  AS AN INGREDIENT FOR THE CRUST OF PIES, NOT THE FILLING.

APPLE FACTS TO CHEW ON

  • Apples are a member of the rose family
  • Washington state grows the most apples in the U.S.
  • The apples from one tree can fill 20 boxes every year
  • Fresh apples float because 25 percent of their volume is air.
  • In the winter, apple trees need to rest for about 900 to 1000 hours below 45 degrees Fahrenheit in order to flower and fruit properly
  • If you grew 100 apple trees from the seeds of one tree, they would all be different
  • Apples are high in fiber
  • There are more than 7000 varieties of apples grown in the world

Early Fall Frolics!

Crisper weather is ahead.  Although fall brings bittersweet memories of summer days gone by, we welcome the bountiful harvest as we gather in the fruits of our labor. Yes, we did get off to a late start this year but, many of us gardeners have already been enjoying homegrown produce.  Mid-August is an exhilarating time, for tomato and corn are at their peak right now.  If you do not grow your own veggies its a great time to visit your favorite roadside stand or farmers market.  Many retailers will offer bulk pricing for those of you who enjoy canning or freezing your produce.   

Peaches, raspberries and some apples, are going strong right now in most areas of our state.  You can visit http://www.pickyourown.org/OH.htm to find an orchard near you for a weekend day trip.  There is something special about preparing home-cooked meals with fresh fruits and vegetables picked up at a farm market within hours of harvest.  Also, on your to do list, try visiting an Ohio city that celebrates the zucchini, corn or melon with a festival all its own!  This is the perfect time of year to explore Ohio with your very own planned adventure.

AUGUST DAYS

RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY. 

COME AGAIN AUGUST DAY. 

THREE-Z WORKERS WANT SOME PAY!

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! Three-Z in the Movies

Three-Z materials have been in demand for two local movie  shoots. Both our color red mulch and washed gravel were used to enhance some outdoor scenes. One movie, Fun Zone, was featured on Fox 8 News!  It’s great being part of a positive spin on Cleveland!