Container Gardens are extremely popular for their instant beauty, ease of growing and versatility. Planting in the ground can sometimes feel like work. But planting container gardens is just plain fun. Container gardens are relatively easy – just a few basic things to remember. 1. Selecting a container – A good rule is that larger is better. A larger container will hold more soil so it won’t dry out as fast. A heavy container may be necessary to keep it …
SunPatiens -Easiest Flower for Sunny Spots
Sunpatiens are potentially the perfect plant. They’re amazing in the landscape, versatile and easy to grow. If you plant them around your mailbox, be prepared for your neighbors to be asking you to help them with their landscaping too. SunPatiens have only been available a couple of years but they have quickly become one of the most popular plants with landscapers. They’re one of my favorites too! Recently, the Gazette did an article about the problem with downy mildew on …
Hummingbird Gardens
I was reminded again recently about how many people enjoy having hummingbirds in their garden. A friend was talking about how she wanted a specific plant to put by the feeder just so that she could attract these beautiful birds and enjoy watching them. Attracting hummingbirds is relatively easy to do with certain plants and a few garden basics. Hummingbirds are attracted to brightly colored blooms and are especially fond of tubular shapes which allow them to stick their beaks inside. Red is a …
Fertilizing Over the Summer
Your plants will thank you if you give them some fertilizer this summer! Keep your plants looking their best and growing strong by adding fertilizer every 2-4 weeks this summer. Free liquid fertilizer is always available at Wenke Greenhouses. Bring in your own milk jugs or cat litter jugs or something with a top and fill up with our ready-to-use fertilizer. It’s the same kind we use in the greenhouse and your plants will love it! Plants, flowers and vegetables …
Heuchera – The Perfect Perennial
Heuchera helps you connect with nature by bringing our fluttering friends, the hummingbirds, to your back yard. Not only do hummingbirds help pollinate flowers but they are also are remarkable to watch. Heuchera – also known as Coral Bells – is a notable perennial in Michigan because of its versatility, ability to attract nature, color options and so much more. Once you’ve had time to enjoy watching the hummingbirds that come to the heuchera in your garden, you may also …
Caring for your Phalaenopsis Orchid
Orchids have a magical beauty and allure, with incredible colors, shapes and scents. With over 30,000 species of orchids available, it is important to know what kind of orchid you have. This holiday season, Wenke will be offering the Phalaenopsis Orchid. These plants are commonly referred to as “Moth Orchids” and are considered among the easiest of the orchid family to care for. Here are a few basic tips help your Phalaenopsis orchid grow, thrive, and bloom. Temperature Phalaenopsis enjoy a fairly warm …
Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins
Enjoy this recipe for Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins that Sue made for us! They are a perfect treat to bring to all your holiday gatherings and a great way to show off your homemade pumpkin purée! Easy Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins 1 15oz can or homemade pumpkin 1/4 cup vegetable oil 2 large eggs 1 cup sugar 1 tsp vanilla 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp ground ginger 1/2 …
The Great Pumpkin – Homemade Pumpkin Purée
In the fall, pumpkin dominates a lot of recipes. For ease, I often turn to easy-to-find canned pumpkin. I always thought it was super complicated to make my own pumpkin purée. Well, thanks to our resident baker of “all things delicious”, Sue Sarters, I now know differently. Recently, Sue purchased some of our pie pumpkins and took them home to make her own homemade pumpkin purée. She then took that homemade pumpkin purée and used some in a recipe for pumpkin …
Cheers to Cherry Bars
Need a delicious treat to share at your holiday gathering? Michele, our resident designer, brought in an amazing cherry treat for all of us here at the retail store. It was so good I thought I would share… Enjoy! Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 15 to 20 minutes Ingredients: 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (9 graham crackers) ¼ cup sugar ½ cup butter, melted 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk 21-ounce can LUCKY LEAF® Regular or Premium Cherry Pie Filling …
Bean Soup
Looking for a low fat, high protein meal? Try this quick and easy soup made mostly with canned beans. It is one of my favorites! I love this garnished with a pinch of shredded sharp cheddar and some crushed tortilla chips. Ingredients 1 can Black Beans 1 can Kidney Beans 1 can Cannellini Beans 1 can Butter Beans 1 can Fat Free Refried Beans 1 can Diced Tomatoes 3 cups Water 1 tsp Minced Garlic 1 tsp Onion Powder 1/2 …