"There was a great honey harvest this year at Sprucedale Gardens," said Paul Larson. "We expect to have plenty of honey available for sale!" I documented the process as Paul filled this year's first jar of raw, natural honey! Step One: Take frame of honey off of the hive. Step Two: Cut off the wax cap. [...]
A Few Words From Joyce: "A native tree, Sugar Maples grow quickly into a lovely, full shade tree. It is the most recognized tree for its fall color - and is the source of delicious maple syrup! The extraordinary fall color of the Sugar Maple - glowing shades of yellow, gold, orange and red - makes [...]
Red Sprite Winterberry "Some have smaller berries, but the Red Sprite has a nice large, red berry. The plant is also useful in landscapes because it only gets to be four feet tall. It's a more compact winterberry." A Note About Male Winterberry "A lot of people aren't aware of this, but you need at least [...]
Yes, you'll enjoy these winter-hardy mums year after year! Yellow Spoon Lavender Daisy Red Daisy These mums will grow about two feet tall. For shorter plants and more flowers, simply "pinch" them each year! Pinching is snapping off the tip of the shoots (1-2" off the ends). You can do this once or twice - about [...]
We have bundles of corn stalks! Five foot tall Lynne posed next to them to give you an idea of how big they are!
"Sprucedale Gardens has been growing Beebee trees, also called Korean Evodia, for a couple of years now. They grow to about 30’ and have the great characteristic of flowering during the summer dearth, in late July to early August. Honeybees love the nectar from the large flower clusters. I’ve been to a mature tree here in northeast [...]
"Prarie Splendor" Coneflower Rudbeckia a.k.a. Black Eyed Susan "They especially look great against that blue." Plumbago "These are such a nice color. It's such a great shade of blue."
Why I make homemade jam: It's a great way to use excess fruit. My own fruit is at its peak ripeness at this time so it has wonderful flavor. It's also nearly organic - it's received few or no sprays. Homemade jam also makes a great gift! - Joyce Larson Materials: Sugar 0-3 cups (I use 3) 4 [...]
A Letter From Paul Larson, 8.31.15 "As far as the weather is concerned, I guess it’s true that no two years are exactly alike. However, one thing that does seem to be consistent from year to year is the occurrence of a prolonged dry spell sometime in mid-July to late August. While I know some other [...]