CasaSugar

Name This Flower

CasaSugar — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 08:30:56 -0700

This flower is a staple of the Autumn garden. It's known by several different names, one of which is also the name of an herb. Can you tell me what it's called?

September Must Haves

CasaSugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:00:45 -0700

Happy Autumn! Whether you're experiencing an Indian Summer in your corner of the world or chilly Fall winds have blown in your door, I've found plenty of fun ideas to keep you busy this month. See what I'm excited about this September!

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Fall Garden: Scarlet Jewell Maple

CasaSugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 05:30:00 -0700

If, like me, one of your favorite parts of Fall is taking in the gorgeous colors of leaves, you might want to consider purchasing trees for your yard that are known for their Fall colors. For instance, if you love brilliant, fiery red tones, you might want to check out the Scarlet Jewell, a variety of maple tree that gives you bright red color typically two weeks ahead of other maple trees. Growing to a height of 70 feet and a width of 30 feet, its leaves are dark green in the Summer, and it grows in zones 3-7, preferring moist, slightly acidic soil.

To find out more about this maple, read more.

And as an added bonus, the Scarlet Jewell also showcases tiny, bright red flowers each Spring. This gorgeous tree was selected in northern Minnesota by Terry Schwartz of Bailey Nurseries, and is grown exclusively by that nursery as well. It's only available at independent garden centers across the country, so check mom and pop operations in your neighborhood for this tree. If you have garden catalog lust, you can also check out the Bailey Nurseries catalog here, and save a tree!

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Do You Decorate With Autumn Leaves?

CasaSugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 07:00:57 -0700

In the Autumn, I often bring particularly colorful leaves into the house. Usually, the plan doesn't get much more interesting than putting them in a bowl on the table or standing them up on the fireplace mantel. Do you decorate with leaves?

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Midday Muse: Favorite Parts of Autumn

CasaSugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 12:00:06 -0700

Growing up, I always dreaded the end of Summer, especially since our Winters often lasted for at least half of the year! However, I do adore Autumn, even if its arrival means bidding Summer adieu. It's always had a bittersweet feeling to me that's always more sweet than bitter. I love nature's signs of the seasons, too, from the cooling temperatures to the beautiful changes in foliage.

What's your favorite part of Autumn?
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Midday Muse: Everblooming California

CasaSugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:00:58 -0700

Since I grew up in the Midwest, I associate mid-September with falling leaves, chilly temperatures, and apple picking. However, here in California, where I've lived for seven years, I'm still getting used to the concept of mild seasons. As if to prove this to me, my rosebushes, which were just blooming back in May, are back in full yellow-and-red splendor again. I suppose I'll get used to it eventually, right?

Garden Therapy: Leaf Relief

CasaSugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 05:30:59 -0700

If you're not raking up leaves in your neck of the woods yet, you will be very soon, so I have a few tips to help make the job easier. Once you've raked the leaves into big fluffy piles, consolidate them by raking them onto a large tarp. Then, drag your leaves to their final resting place, whether it be a backyard compost pile or in the green bin. Another trick? Run a lawnmower over your leaf piles, which will cut them down to size and speed up backyard composting time. Source

Fab Fall Photos: Dh931's Pretty Pennsylvania

CasaSugar — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 04:09:23 -0700

Dh931 is the latest user to write to me about some of the beautiful fall photos she's taken this season. Dh931 notes that while she used to live in a much more urban area, she loves the fact that there are more trees than people in her new Pennsylvanian home. She also says that the lack of rain has caused a lot of the leaves to drop early, and that red leaves are more scarce this year.

Even with the lack of rain, I think that Dh931 has done an admirable job capturing the beauty of the season. What about you?

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Autumn Decor: Party Pumpkins

CasaSugar — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 13:33:02 -0700

I recently came across this crafty take on decorating with ornamental pumpkins over on Sunset.
Tiny pumpkins-or any small gourds-can be colored in minutes with acrylic paints or permanent markers. The secret to their jewel-like sparkle is a finishing glaze applied after the paint or ink has thoroughly dried.

To find out how to make these, just read more

Supplies:

Miniature pumpkins in varying sizes and shapes
Foam brush
Acrylic paint
Rubber comb (available from craft stores)
Broad-tip permanent markers
Polyurethane glaze

Here are the steps:

Use a foam brush to apply acrylic paint evenly over pumpkin.
While paint is still wet, run a rubber comb around the pumpkin. Start from the stem and work from top to bottom. As an alternative to painting and combing, use a broad-tip marker to draw spirals or dots on the pumpkins, or go a little wild by drawing random lines in contrasting colors.
When paint or ink is dry, spray with a polyurethane glaze as a protective finish.
Display these in your home or give them away as a party favor if you have an autumn or halloween party.

Midday Muse: Autumn Maple Leaves

CasaSugar — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 11:30:00 -0700

I saw these Japanese Maple leaves the other day when I was walking home from work. Their deep colors make me wistful for a more autumnal fall-such as the type I grew up with in the midwest.
Anyone else seeing some beautiful fall leaves?