Today's Features

Busy bees keeping you busy?

We have had some recent cold weather for this time of year and that may cause honeybees to seek out a new space to accommodate them. In the early spring, honeybee colonies may become overcrowded and then the bees send out a pheromone scent to alert the colony they need to move to another location. Unfortunately, they may end up somewhere inside your house or they may swarm to a nearby tree or shrub waiting for the scout bees to tell them where their next home will be.

In the midst of all the dire news these days, television commentators, newspaper and magazine articles, Joe and Jane Q. Public all seem to be concentrating on the power of “hangin’ in.”

There are several horticultural requirements when you move to the South. Obviously, you must grow evergreen azaleas and camellias. You have to leave the lilacs behind—at least the common lilac (Syringa vulgaris). And, if you truly want to be a part of the southerner’s garden club, you need to grow gardenias.

Since gardenias aren’t the easiest shrubs to grow, here is some information so you can enjoy the sweet smell of success with gardenias.

All kinds of ripe produce are now just beginning to overflow from gardens and orchards and the one dish that really means “summertime” is the salad!

With the abundance of fruits and vegetables this time of the year, just toss them into a salad bowl and enjoy them, with or without a dressing. Summer salads only require a nice, clear dressing, not a heavy, creamy dressing. For grilled zucchini, squash, eggplant or even fresh green beans, try using a garlicky or citrusy dressing.