Page 38 - CFAN_Sep2014

SEPTEMBER MEANS PLANTING TO THE BEAT OF A DIFFERENT DRUM
AS THE WEATHER starts to change its tune, so too must we plant to the beat of a different drum for our garden and landscape’s health. Now is the time to plant annual flowers and vegetable plants. Also, if you’re looking to transplant any trees and shrubs, September is when you want to do it, because they grow easily this time of year.
Here’s a simple, but smart tip: check your soil's pH, or acidity level, before you plant. We'll do that for you for free at Doty's Farm & Garden Supply in Winter Haven.
Remember to fertilize your lawn. This month is an opportunity to ensure your grass receives quality nutrients. Be sure to check for chinch bugs, sod web worms, mole crickets, and fungus. If you have any weak patches of grass, there's still time to seed, plug or sod them.
You can feed your azaleas, gardenias, camellias, and ixoras with a good acid- type fertilizer (if you didn't feed them in August). But those poinsettias should have been pruned for the last time before Christmas by September 10.
Last item of note before you tackle the next outdoor project: be sure to drop by the store if you have any dull blades. We facil- itate sharpening services for knives, scis- sors, chain saws, lawn mowers, and more. And if your pet needs vaccinations, stop by between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. on the first and third Saturday
each month.
by WILLIAM “BILL” DOTY
BIO: William R. “Bill” Doty is owner of Doty Farm and Garden Supply Inc., founded in Winter Haven in 1954. Bill graduated from Winter Haven High School and Florida State University. Growing up, he learned valuable lessons in listening and asking questions and was a student of the family business. Bill shares his knowledge with his customers daily and with our readers monthly.
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cucumber
inch thick. Fry them in butter until they’re soft. It’s usually 10 to 15 minutes at medium. If you’re having pork chops or ham steak
you can do them in the same pan and one flavors the other. About five minutes before everything is done, add a handful of apple slices and a little brown sugar and cinnamon. It’saonepandinner...ifyouhaveabigpan.
any of Central Florida’s tasty bounty. ag
A SLICE OF THIS AND A MASH OF THAT
Raw tomatoes and I have never been on speaking terms. Our son thinks the sun rises and sets on raw tomatoes. One of my wife’s favorite dishes takes only minutes to make and it’s a first course, a lunch or, in two slices of bread, a sandwich.
FRIED WHAT?
Sweet potatoes are a super food because I mean big— literally. You get a lot of flavor and they’re full of things that are good for you. goodness from one Florida fruit. Air makes avocado
My favorite way to do them is in a frying pan. turn dark so mash it as if for guacamole and cover it Wash them well and cut into slices about an with a thin layer of water. It would be a shame to waste
“It’s what? What do you mean fried
cucumber?” Don’t knock it till you try it. Peel
a cucumber. Scoop out the seeds. Cut it into
bite-size pieces, more long than square, and
fry in a little oil or butter just until the edges vinegar you can afford. If you don’t like Balsamic, a soften a bit and it’s heated through. Add salt, good olive oil will do. Garnish with basil leaves. pepper, and herbs to taste. Florida avocados are big. I don’t mean popular.
tomato
Slice a perfect tomato about half inch thick. Slice
fresh mozzarella cheese about the same. Alternate cheese and tomato and drizzle with the best Balsamic
Slice a perfect tomato about half inchthick. Slicefresh mozzarella cheese aboutthesame. Alternate cheese and tomato and drizzle with the best Balsamic vinegar youcanafford. Ifyou don’t like Balsamic, a good olive oil will do. Garnishwithbasil leaves.
38 | CFAN
avocado
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