Quarterback Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers, linebacker Brian Orakpo of the Washington Redskins and punt returner-kick returner Devin Hester of the Chicago Bears are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the fourth week of the 2011 season (October 2-3), the NFL announced today.
QB AARON RODGERS, GREEN BAY PACKERS
Rodgers became the first player in NFL history with 400 passing yards (408), four passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns in a game in the Packers’ 49-23 win over Denver.
He completed 29 of 38 passes (76.3 percent) for 408 yards with four touchdowns and one interception for a 134.5 passer rating. He also rushed for 36 yards and two scores.
For the third season in a row, Rodgers has recorded a passer rating of at least 110 in four consecutive games. No other quarterback since the 1970 merger has posted two consecutive seasons with four 110+ passer rating games in a row.
Rodgers has 1,325 passing yards, the most in franchise history through the first four games of a season. He is the only player in team history to throw for 12 touchdowns and rush for two scores in the first four games of a season.
In his seventh season from California, this is Rodgers’ fourth career Player of the Week Award and second this season (Week 1). He has been named Player of the Week four times in the past nine weeks (Weeks 13 and 16, 2010; Weeks 1 and 4, 2011).
Rodgers and BRETT FAVRE (12) are the only quarterbacks in team history to win the award at least four times.
The NFL also announced eariler this week that quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers, Eli Manning of the New York Giants, and Alex Smith of the San Francisco 49ers are the finalists for the FedEx Air NFL Player of the Week honors for games played on October 2 - 3.
Fans can vote for one player in each category on NFL.com/FedEx from 9 a.m. EST on Tuesday through 3 p.m. EST on Friday to determine the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week.
New York’s Eli Manning completed 67.5 percent of his passes for 321 yards and two scores in the Giants’ 31-27 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers completed 29 of 38 passes for 408 yards, four touchdowns and an interception in the Packers’ 49-23 win over the Denver Broncos. His 134.5 quarterback rating was the highest on the weekend.
San Francisco’s Alex Smith threw for 291 yards and two touchdowns in the 49ers’ 24-23 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Green Bay Packers take on the Atlanta Falcons in front of the nation this Sunday, 7pm on NBC.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers, linebacker Sean Lee of the Dallas Cowboys and kicker Jason Hanson of the Detroit Lions are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Month for September, the NFL announced today.
OFFENSE: QB AARON RODGERS, GREEN BAY PACKERS
Rodgers led the team to a 3-0 record, completing 74 of 103 passes (71.8 percent) for 917 yards with eight touchdowns and one interception for an NFL-best 120.9 passer rating.
He posted a passer rating of at least 100 in all three September contests.
Rodgers leads the NFL in completion percentage (71.8 percent) and touchdown-to-interception ratio (8:1).
In his seventh season from California, this is Rodgersâ third career Player of the Month Award and second in a row. He previously was honored in October 2009 and December 2010.
Rodgers is the first player to be named NFC Offensive Player of the Month in consecutive months since Pro Football Hall of Famer MARSHALL FAULK (December 2000 and September 2001).
He and BRETT FAVRE (five) are the only Packers to be named Offensive Player of the Month multiple times.
As fans prepare for Thursdayâs NFL Kickoff 2011 game featuring the Packers vs. Saints, those planning on going to the game or the concert are encouraged to arrive early due to the larger-than-normal crowds expected near Lambeau Field.
Visitors to the area should allow additional time for traveling, to seek parking, and for walking toward and around the parking lots, concert area and Lambeau Field entry gates. To the east of stadium, Lombardi Avenue and Potts Avenue should be used to reach the stadium as Armed Forces Drive will be the site of the NFL Kickoff concert. The concert also will be broadcast inside the stadium on TundraVision.
Lambeau Field parking lots will open at 2:30 p.m. for Thursdayâs game with normal procedures. Season parking pass holders should park via their normal lot entrances. Fans should be in their seats by 7:15 p.m. as the pregame festivities will get underway at that time.
Thursdayâs special in-stadium card stunt will need participation from ticketed fans seated in the stadium bowl. Fans will turn Lambeau Field into a ring of stars and stripes during the national anthem and help with a special âGo Pack Goâ display in between the first and second quarter.
Game attendees will find a card taped to their seat with directions indicating which side to hold up during each stunt and whether to stand (national anthem) or sit (Go Pack Go). Fans will be prompted by a group from the field holding up cue cards reading, âGet Ready for Stunt #1,â then âGo Stunt #1.â The same will occur during the second stunt. The stunt, sponsored by Penske, is schedule to be broadcast live during the game.
Additionally on Thursday: Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr, with a Packers flag in hand, will lead the team out of the tunnel to the field through the Packers Ambassador Line, which this week will be formed by 31 other NFL alumni, one representing each team in the League. Each of the players will be holding his teamâs respective flag.
The national anthem will be performed by 2007 American Idol winner, Jordin Sparks. The conclusion of the anthem will feature a flyover of four F16s from the 115th Fighter Wing of the Wisconsin Air National Guard based in Madison and a brief fireworks display.
Thursdayâs fan giveaway is a gold towel with the words, âKick It Off Loud.â Among the many other gameday activities taking place are the annual Coats for Kids collection (coats and cash donations accepted) prior to the game in the parking lot and at the gates, Operation Fan Mail, and alumni appearances by Willie Davis and Chris Gizzi.
Itâs time to get Back To Football as the NFL begins its 92nd season with an unprecedented celebration in its special pregame show, "NFL KICKOFF 2011 PRESENTED BY EA SPORTSâ â 7:30 PM ET Thursday, September 8. KID ROCK, LADY ANTEBELLUMand MAROON 5 are scheduled to perform.
The event opens to the public at 3:15 PM (CT). Fans may enter the concert site from Holmgren Way and may watch the performances along Armed Forces Drive. Fans do not need tickets to attend the free concert and may show up on event day to celebrate the start of the season prior to attending the Green Bay Packers game or watching it on television that evening.
Fans who are not planning on attending the game at Lambeau Field may register at 1iota.com to have a chance to be a part of the casted audience that will watch the concert on South Oneida Street adjacent to the stage. It is advised that fans participating in the casted audience do not have a game ticket as they will remain at the concert site for a live TV hit leading into the kickoff of the game.
NFL Kickoff 2011 will be televised from 7:30-8:30 PM (ET)/6:30-7:30 PM (CT) on NBC and NFL Network, leading up to the season opener between the Packers and the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field (NBC, 8:30 PM ET).
This is the 10th consecutive Kickoff celebration to start the season and the eighth consecutive year the NFL has saluted the Super Bowl champions with the opening game in their stadium on a Thursday in primetime.
Wisconsin State Fair Park Officials are pleased to announce that the 160th Wisconsin State Fair, presented by U.S. Cellular, ended on a high note this evening at 10pm.
Hundreds of thousands of loyal Fairgoers came out to celebrate during the Fairâs annual 11-day run and take advantage of family-friendly pricing, diverse entertainment and fair traditions. Mother Nature was âfairlyâ kind this year, offering a few hot, humid days and a couple days of light rain, but mostly beautiful blue skies and light breezes, providing Fairgoers the opportunity to enjoy all that the Fair has to offer.
âIt was a tremendous Fair despite the tough start,â stated Chief Executive Officer of Wisconsin State Fair Park Rick Frenette. âWe are appreciative of the collaboration and efforts of the State Patrol, West Allis Police Department, and Milwaukee Police Department to assure our Fairgoers that the Fair is a safe, fun experience for our guests. We look forward to continuing to work with them for the 2012 Wisconsin State Fair and beyond.â
âThe attendance this year shows, that more than ever our Fairgoers are passionate about the Wisconsin State Fair, and they showed amazing support for us this year,â stated Patrice Harris, communications manager. âWe are thrilled that each year they come out to enjoy the new things we have to offer and the traditions of the Fair â the agriculture, food, music, attractions, contests and activities.â
In addition to a four percent increase in attendance, initial revenue reports reflect a significant increase of 5.6%.
2011 ATTENDANCE 911,231
ADMISSION PROMOTIONS
AUGUST 4 HUNGER TASK FORCE DAY 45,133
149,500 pounds of food donated to Hunger Task Force
AUGUST 5 DISCOVERWISCONSIN.COM DAY 5,145
AUGUST 8 SPRECHER BREWING CO. $6 BEFORE 6PM 10,047
AUGUST 9 KOHLâS FAMILY VALUE DAY 27,559 Adults
13,073 Youth
AUGUST 11 U.S.CELLULAR $5 after 5pm 4,214
AUGUST 14 MILITARY & VETERANS RECOGNITION DAY
COURTESY OF BUDWEISER 2,162
FOOD STATISTICS
Wisconsin Bakers Association Original Cream Puffs 355,478
Artic Glacier Pounds of Ice 550,425
Real Wisconsin Cheese Grill Grilled Cheese Sandwiches 52,143
The 2012 Wisconsin State Fair, presented by U.S. Cellular, will take place August 2 â 12, 2012. The Wisconsin State Fair offers an original experience to all that attend and is a phenomenal value with 30 FREE entertainment stages, thousands of animals, endless family activities, events, contests, vendors and culinary delights. For the most up-to-date information, please visit WiStateFair.com
The Green Bay Packers have accepted an invitation from President Barack Obama to visit the White House on Friday, Aug. 12, to celebrate their Super Bowl XLV victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
âIâm really excited that we were able to find a date to visit the White House,â said Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy. âThe labor situation this spring made it a little challenging for us to set up a visit, but I think it is going to work out great. Weâre very appreciative that President Obama invited us, and Iâm thrilled that our players and coaches will get to enjoy this unique opportunity.â
The visit to the White House will precede the Packersâ trip to Cleveland for their preseason opener against the Browns on Saturday, Aug. 13. Details for the White House visit are still being finalized.
Summerfest officials announced the fourth list of stage headlining entertainment for Summerfest 2011 at the Potawatomi Bingo Casino Stage & Pavilion Headliner Release Party tonight. The Potawatomi Bingo Casino Stage & Pavilion with Miller High Life and will once again bring an eclectic lineup to this yearâs festival.
The Potawatomi Bingo Casino Stage & Pavilion with Miller High Life will feature the following headlining performers:
June 29 | 10:00 pm | Max Weinberg Experience
June 30 | 10:00 pm | Wanda Jackson
July 1 | 10:00 pm | Taj Mahal
July 2 | 10:00 pm | Cowboy Mouth
July 3 | 10:00 pm | Don Felder
July 5 | 9:30 pm | Indigenous
July 6 | 10:00 pm | The Spinners
July 7 | 10:00 pm | Yonder Mountain String Band
July 8 | 10:00 pm | Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings
July 9 | 10:00 pm | De La Soul
July 10 | 9:30 pm | Todd Rundgren
Summerfest 2011 will take place June 29 â July 3 and July 5 â 10, from Noon until Midnight daily. Summerfest will be closed Monday. The Worldâs Largest Music Festival and Milwaukeeâs cornerstone summer celebration attracts the music industryâs hottest stars, emerging talent and local favorites. The Marcus Amphitheater and 10 additional stages, along with a diverse selection of food and beverage vendors, marketplaces and interactive exhibits, are set against the Lake Michigan and downtown backdrops, creating a festival experience like no other. Patrons can also enjoy Miller Lite, the Official Beer of Summerfest. For more details visit http://www.Summerfest.com
Before winning the Super Bowl, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said his celebrity crush was none other than Ellen! Today he stopped by to meet his new love -- and shared his thoughts...
Greg talks w Geroge Lopez about bringing the Lombardi trophy back to Green Bay, and waking up the day after the big game thinking the whole thing was a dream. Plus, Greg discusses Christina Aguilera's "Star Mangled Banner."
Green Bay Packers linebacker and new Super Bowl champion Clay Matthews stopped by to visit his friend Ellen. He told her all about winning the big game -- and his alter-ego on the field.
The Cleveland Show Co-Creator Mike Henry, Cleveland Brown & Rallo Tubbs chat with Van about who will be guest starring on upcoming episodes, a possible Family Guy / The Cleveland Show colabo, a sneak peek into Season 3 and lots more!
CLICK ON PLAYER TO LISTEN:
The Cleveland Show |Â Sunday | 8:30pm CT on FOX.
Cleveland and Donna celebrate Valentineâs Day with a trip to Los Angeles after scoring courtside seats to the all-star basketball game. Caught up in the excitement, Cleveland gets rowdy and talks smack to the players from the sideline throughout the game. The basketball champs, feeling hurt, seek revenge by paying a surprise visit to Stoolbend and putting Cleveland in his place. Meanwhile, Rallo befriends a little person at the grocery store who he mistakes for a child and gets into some adult trouble when he leaves his new friendâs sister at the altar in the all-new âA Short Story and a Tall Taleâ episode of THE CLEVELAND SHOW airing Sunday, Feb. 13Â (8:30pm CT) on FOX
In case you missed Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers last night on The Late Show with David Letterman we got you covered. Watch The Late Show w David Letterman 10:35p CT / CBS
Quarterbacks TOM BRADY of the New England Patriots, PHILIP RIVERS of the San Diego Chargers and AARON RODGERS of the Green Bay Packers are the finalists for the FedEx Air NFL Player of the Year honors, while running backs JAMAAL CHARLES of the Kansas City Chiefs, ARIAN FOSTER of the Houston Texans and MICHAEL TURNER of the Atlanta Falcons are the finalists for the FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Year, the NFL announced today.Â
You can vote for one player in each category on NFL.com/FedEx until Friday, January 28 at 9 pm ET to determine the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Year.
Green Bayâs AARON RODGERS finished in the top 10 in nearly every major passing category this season, with 3,922 passing yards (seventh), 28 touchdowns (tied for sixth), a 65.7 completion percentage (sixth), 40 25-yard passes (second) and a 101.2 passer rating (third). Rodgersâ 3,922 passing yards this season brought his total in three seasons as a starter to 12,394, ranking second in NFL history for the most passing yards by a quarterback in his first three seasons as a starter. Rodgers posted a passer rating of at least 110.0 during Week 9 & Weeks 11 â 13 making him him the only quarterback since 1970 to post a passer rating of at least 110.0 in four consecutive games in back-to-back seasons.
How To Help Tornado Victims
The tornadoes in Moore, Oklahoma, as well the twisters as Kansas and Texas, have killed dozens and left thousands homeless. Officials expect the death toll to rise.
Relief efforts are underway. Right now, the best way to help the victims is a donation to major relief organizations.
Here is a list of organizations that are accepting donations:
American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund: Click HERE to donate online. You can also text REDCROSS to 909999 to immediately donate $10 to the Red Cross Disaster Fund.
Phone: 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767); for Spanish speakers, 1-800-257-7575; for TDD, 1-800-220-4095.
Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief: The Oklahoma Baptist Convention says says donations will "go straight to help those in need providing tree removal services, laundry services and meals to victims of disasters." For more information, and to donate, visit Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief's website by clicking HERE.
You can send checks to:
BGCO
Attn: Disaster Relief
3800 N. May Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK. 73112.
Salvation Army - The Salvation Army is deploying mobile kitchens that can serve to 2,500 people a day. Click HERE to donate via their website. You can also text the word STORM to 80888 to make a $10 donation from your mobile phone.
You can also donate to the Salvation Army via check: Put the words "Oklahoma Tornado Relief" on the check, and mail to:
The Salvation Army
P.O. Box 12600
Oklahoma City, OK. 73157.
Phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769).
Feeding America - Feeding America says it utilize its 200 foodbanks to deliver food and supplies. Click HERE for their website.
Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma - Text the word FOOD to 32333 to donate $10 to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma
How To Help Tornado Victims
The tornadoes in Moore, Oklahoma, as well the twisters as Kansas and Texas, have killed dozens and left thousands homeless. Officials expect the death toll to rise.
Relief efforts are underway. Right now, the best way to help the victims is a donation to major relief organizations.
Here is a list of organizations that are accepting donations:
American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund: Click HERE to donate online. You can also text REDCROSS to 909999 to immediately donate $10 to the Red Cross Disaster Fund.
Phone: 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767); for Spanish speakers, 1-800-257-7575; for TDD, 1-800-220-4095.
Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief: The Oklahoma Baptist Convention says says donations will "go straight to help those in need providing tree removal services, laundry services and meals to victims of disasters." For more information, and to donate, visit Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief's website by clicking HERE.
You can send checks to:
BGCO
Attn: Disaster Relief
3800 N. May Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK. 73112.
Salvation Army - The Salvation Army is deploying mobile kitchens that can serve to 2,500 people a day. Click HERE to donate via their website. You can also text the word STORM to 80888 to make a $10 donation from your mobile phone.
You can also donate to the Salvation Army via check: Put the words "Oklahoma Tornado Relief" on the check, and mail to:
The Salvation Army
P.O. Box 12600
Oklahoma City, OK. 73157.
Phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769).
Feeding America - Feeding America says it utilize its 200 foodbanks to deliver food and supplies. Click HERE for their website.
Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma - Text the word FOOD to 32333 to donate $10 to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma
Low Maintenance – Big Impact Perennials
Don't let a lack of time, energy or space stop you from growing perennials. Instead select and grow low maintenance plants with big impact.
Start with your design. Once you develop your plan, cut the number of different perennials in half and double the number of each. You will have fewer perennials to identify as they emerge in spring, less maintenance to learn and bigger impact.
Edge your beds to keep unwanted grass out of the bed and make managing the surrounding lawn much easier. I dig a small trench around the edge of my gardens and fill with woodchips.
Always select plants suited to your climate, soil and natural rainfall. You'll have healthier and more beautiful plants with much less work.
Look for perennials that require no staking and little or no deadheading. Avoid those that reseed, are aggressive and do not plant perennials that tend to escape the garden and invade our natural spaces.
A bit more information: Use color to help increase the impact without increasing the number of plants. Warm colors of red, orange and yellow grab your attention. Repeat colors, known as color echoing, from one plant to another to provide unity and balance. Use complementary colors, those across from each other on the artist color wheel, like red and green and blue and yellow to create a focal point.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Grow Your Own Pickles & Celebrate National Pickle Week
Celebrate National Pickle Week by growing a few of your own cucumbers for pickling.
All you need are a few seeds, a sunny location and a bit of garden space or a large container. Train these large vining plants up a fence, trellis or decorative obelisk to save space.
Consider planting National Pickling Cucumber Seeds developed by the National Pickle Packers Association and Michigan Agriculture Experiment station. These were bred for their versatility and perfect pickle shape. You'll be harvesting cucumbers in about 52 days after planting.
Or save some space with Bush pickle. This cucumber forms a 3 to 4 foot wide mound and produces an abundance of 4-inch fruit. It's a perfect size for containers. And save even more space and grow straighter fruit by training these smaller plants up a cage or trellis. Cucumbers are ready to pick in about 45 days.
A bit more information: Cucumbers are generally ready to harvest in 45 to 60 days after planting. This makes them a great option for mid and late season plantings. Just calculate the number of frost-free days left in the growing season to see how late you can plant. And further extend the season by using floating row covers like ReeMay, Harvest Guard, and Frost Covers to protect plants from frosty weather.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Celebrate Clean Air Month – Grow Some Air-Purifying Houseplants
Celebrate National Clean Air Month by growing a few houseplants to improve your indoor air quality.
NASA teamed up with PLANET (Professional Landcare Network, formerly ALCA) and found adding 15 to 18, 6 to 8 inch diameter container houseplants will improve the air quality in an 1800 square foot house. Keeping them healthy will increase their beauty and ability to cleanse the air.
Consider adding a bamboo palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii). Use this large houseplant to create a warm welcome for guests, dress up a blank wall or mix in with other houseplants for an impressive indoor garden.
This palm is an understory plant in Central America. It is hardy in zones 10 to 11 and adapted to the lower light conditions indoors. Grow it in a brightly lit location and keep the soil slightly moist.
Cut off fronds as they die, leaving the leafy stem covering intact. Once it is fully dried, remove to expose the attractive stems.
A bit more information: Start new plants by division. Remove suckers and offshoots that form at the base of the plant. Slide the bamboo palm out of its pot. Use a sharp knife or drywall saw to separate the offshoots from the main plant. Repot the parent plant and offshoots in a container slightly larger than the remaining root ball.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
We get your letters...
What an amazing weekend!
First of all, a very big THANK YOU to everyone who came out to Grafton and Mukwonago and waited in line amid cold, windy and rainy conditions for those Wisconsin Dells Season Opener Cards.
For me, it is a chance to meet / hang out with YOU the listener and give you goodies!
Second, got this letter from our 99.1 The Mix Contact Us forum, from the Dawson family of Port Washington and was truly surprised that my "simple gesture" warranted the following...
Question: Your Name:
Answer: Michelle
Question: Your City:
Answer: Port Washington
Comments:
Yesterday I took my parents to Grafton to wait for season opener cards. It was quite a cold morning. We arrived at 10 because in the past there have been huge lines. My mother is recovering from a recent open-heart surgery. She is a very petite older woman.
Van McNeil was interacting with people people in line and I asked him if it would be possible for my mom to going to the bank to warm up. He unexpectedly took my mom's hand and escorted her into the building. He was so kind to her and gave her a hug. He made sure she was warm and dry and took very good care of her.
My mom and dad are thrilled to be going to the Dells. Unknown to Van my dad just got out of The hospital last Friday after 4 1/2 weeks of being in. It's been a very rough couple of months for my parents and their health. My mother was just beaming about how nice Van was.
I wanted to thank you for the season opener cards which will allow my parents and my family to enjoy a vacation in Wisconsin this summer, and send a special thank you to Van for being so wonderful to my parents.
You're welcome and THANK YOU Michelle!
Just doing what I do because that's how my mama raised me!
Enjoy the Dells!
-Van
#everylistenermatters
Perennial Garden Renovations
Give your tired perennial garden a boost without a total renovation. Topdressing your garden with compost every year or two provides most if not all the nutrients your perennials need.
Pull back the mulch if needed. Then spread an inch of compost over the soil surface. You can buy a quality compost or make your own.
Leave the compost on the surface or lightly mix it into the soil. The earthworms, ground beetles, and other organisms will take it from there – moving the compost into the soil and around the plant roots where it is needed.
Or, do a bit of vertical mulching. Use an auger bit on your cordless drill. Simply drill holes into the soil between plants. Then fill the holes with compost. This gets the compost closer to the plant roots and soil organisms that will help mix it into and improve the soil.
Soil preparation and repair will help transform your garden.
A bit more information: Apply a plant strengthener such as JAZ spray to increase plant vigor and their natural ability to tolerate environmental stresses, insect attacks, and disease problems. These natural products aren't fertilizers or pesticides. They can be applied to established plants at the beginning of the season to boost their ability to deal with stress or as soon as problems arise.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Growing Banana Plants Indoors or Out
Add a bit of the tropics indoors or out with a banana plant.
The large leaves are great for screening views and creating a bit of privacy on a balcony, patio or in the yard. Add a wicker planter or chair and you have your own tropical get-away.
The fiber banana (Musa basjoo) is hardy in zones 5 to 11. It grows in full sun. It will die back to the ground and benefit from winter mulch in northern areas of its hardiness zone.
Less hardy and smaller, the blood banana (Musa acuminata 'Zebrina'), has large leaves with red markings on 6 to 8 foot plants. It's only hardy in zones 10 to 11, but can be overwintered as a houseplant or allowed to go dormant in other areas.
Combine these tropical beauties with palms, ginger and bird-of-paradise. Or add some hardy tropical look-alikes such as Japanese forest grass, large leaf hostas and trumpet vines.
A bit more information: Push the limits of your growing region with special wintering techniques developed by Dr. David Francko, author of Palms Won't Grow Here and Other Myths: Warm-Climate Plants for Cooler Areas. And for those in warmer regions check out Creating the Tropical Look.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Preserving the Asparagus Harvest
Preserve the flavor and nutrition of asparagus to enjoy year round.
This flavorful vegetable is low in calories and high in Vitamins A and C as well as fiber. Unfortunately, it is most readily available and at the best price in the spring.
Insure the best flavor with proper harvesting. Select young tender spears 8 to 10 inches tall. Wash, remove the ends, and then cut to fit the freezer bag or container.
Blanch the asparagus before freezing to lock in flavor, color and texture. Dip the asparagus into boiling water. You'll need a large pan with a lid. Blanch small spears for 2 minutes, medium spears for 3 minutes and large spears for 4 minutes.
Remove and immediately set the blanched spears in ice water for 5 minutes to cool. Drain and freeze.
And, if you don't have an asparagus patch, you may want to consider planting one this year.
A bit more information: May is National Asparagus Month. For tips on planting and harvesting asparagus listen to my audio tip. And check out the National Center for Home Food Preservation website for helpful tips and guidelines for preserving your harvest.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Mexican Mint Marigold (Tagetes lucida)
Add a little color and flavor to your garden and salads with Mexican tarragon.
This subtle beauty is really a type of marigold, but the leaves and flowers have a tarragon fragrance and flavor.
Wait until after the danger of frost has passed to plant this zone 8 to 10 hardy plant. Grow it in full sun to part shade and well-drained soils. It is somewhat drought tolerant. Northern gardeners can treat it like an annual and those in the northern range of its hardiness zone may see it die back to the ground in a hard freeze. But don't worry its root hardy.
The yellow flowers appear in late summer and persist through fall. The 14 to 20 inch tall plants make a nice addition to herb gardens and flowerbeds.
Harvest the new growth to use fresh. Preserve the flavor by freezing the leaves or storing in vinegar. They tend to lose their flavor when dried.
A bit more information: You can find this plant listed under several common names including Mexican tarragon, Texas tarragon, pericon, and sweet mace. No matter the common name you can use the leaves and blossoms in soups, sauces and chicken dishes as well as salads. Some gardeners even seep it for tea. Visit Bonnie Plants for more information and gardeners ideas for growing and using this plant in the garden.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Year of the Watermelon
Year of the Watermelon
The National Garden Bureau has declared 2013 the Year of the Watermelon. Be part of the celebration and consider planting watermelon in this year's garden.
Don't let the sweet flavor deceive you – these are nutritious as well as delicious. High in Vitamin C, low in fat and calories - it is a great way to boost your energy. Plus, all parts are edible.
You can pickle the rind, eat the fleshy portion fresh or roast or grind the seeds for flavoring. In china they stir fry watermelon while the Russians often pickle it before eating. You may want to try some new ways of enjoying this tasty summer treat.
Grow watermelon in full sun and well-drained soils. Save space by growing these plants on a trellis or decorative obelisk. Just secure the heavy fruit to the support with a cloth or macramé sling. Or plant a few seeds in a container and let the vines wander over your balcony or trellis.
A bit more information: Try planting one of the large picnic-type watermelons that can weigh 15 to 50 pounds. These are sure to get everyone in the family excited about growing and eating this, the largest edible fruit in the United States. Or perhaps you want to try one of the icebox melons that is much smaller at 5 to 15 pounds and easier to squeeze into the fridge. And don't forget about those with unique colored rinds and flesh and of course those that lack seeds.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Clematis Stem Wilt
Clematis Stem Wilt
Your clematis looks beautiful until suddenly the stems and leaves start turning black. Though it looks bad your clematis will survive.
The fungus that causes this disease enters your plant through wounds and cracks in the stem near ground level. Fortunately new growth arising below this point will be disease free.
Reduce future problems by pruning out and destroying infested stems. Disinfect tools between cuts to reduce the risk of spreading this disease.
As new growth emerges from the soil carefully secure it to the support to reduce the risk of cracking and damage. Eliminating the entryways for the fungus will reduce the risk of disease.
In the future consider planting the crown of the clematis below the soil surface. This allows the plant to produce new shoots below the point of infection.
Try growing small flowered clematis that tend to resist this disease. Alpina, macropetala and the viticella types are a few to consider.
A bit more information: For a disease to occur you must have the causal organism (fungus, bacteria, virus) present, disease-promoting weather and susceptible plants. Remove one of these factors and you eliminate the disease. Keep this in mind when managing clematis stem wilt and other plant diseases in your garden.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
I'm a fan, are you?
Who doesn't LOVE a good Roller Coaster? Am I right?! I've been so very lucky to been have rasied in the Midwest, a stones throw away from Six Flags Great America, where I practicaly spent my summers as kid with my best bud Edgar!
Mom and dad would drop us off at open and pick us up at close. 10a-10p. Don't think I could handle that now. Heck, I could barley make it on one run of Batman The Ride Backwards!
Yes, that's right, for a limited time this season, (BTW... I tried to find out when from officials, they wouldn't budge, so get there soon!) Batman The Ride will be running BACKWARDS!!
MOBILE USERS: Click here to WATCH Van rides Batman: The Ride Backwards!
www.SixFlags.com
My Lucky Brewers Socks
I've been wearing these sock to the last few games I have attended at Miller Park and the crew always wins when I have them on. Do you think my socks lucky?
Matt Nathanson AND Plain White T's coming to Festa!
YES! That headline is correct...Matt Nathanson AND the Plain White T's will be performing at Festa Italiana, Saturday night, July 20th and I have the honor of being your ON STAGE HOST!!
I'm super stoked and looking forward to hanging with Platinum-selling singer-song writer Matt Nathanson, and Grammy-nominated Chicago-bred Plain White T's again!
Check out the videos from both groups last visit to The Mix Studios:
WATCH Matt Nathanson Interview and Performance.
WATCH Plain White T's Interview and Performance.
Watch for and Prevent Borers on Trees and Shrubs
Extreme heat and cold, droughts and floods can leave our plants stressed and more susceptible to damaging borers.
These insects are the immature stage of moths and beetles that feed under the bark and inside the stems of plants. Their feeding weakens and in some cases kills the plant.
Many borers are opportunists, attacking already stressed trees. We can't control the weather but we can help reduce stress on our plants. Start by growing plants suited to the climate and growing conditions in your landscape.
Mulch the area under and around the base of trees and shrubs. Organic mulches like wood chips keep the roots cool and moist and reduce competition from grass and weeds.
Be sure to water new plantings thoroughly and as needed the first few years. And do the same for established trees and shrubs during extended drought. This will keep them healthy and help ward off borers.
A bit more information: Incorporate trees and shrubs into perennial planting beds. You will create an attractive garden and better environment for the plants. Plus, planting beds as well as mulching will reduce the need for hand trimming and will keep weed whips and mowers away from the trunks of the trees. And don't pile soil or mulch over the stems of shrubs and the trunks of trees. These practices create entryways for pests and encourage disease problems.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Lawn Revival
If sparse, bare spots or lots of weeds describe your lawn, it is time for a little lawn revival.
Start by evaluating the current state of your lawn. If more than 60% is bare or filled with weeds, it is time to start over. Look at this as an opportunity to properly prepare the soil, select a more drought tolerant lawn or convert it into a no mow or low maintenance lawn or planting bed.
Overseed thin sparse lawns. Core aerate first or use a slit seeder to insure good seed-to-soil contact. For small bare spots use a lawn patch kit or make your own. Mix a handful of quality grass seed into a bucket of topsoil. Remove any dead grass and roughen the soil surface. Then sprinkle the commercial or homemade lawn patch over the prepared bare spot.
Keep the soil moist until the grass seed begins to grow.
A bit more information: Larger areas will benefit from the addition of organic matter into the top 6 inches of soil before sowing the grass seed or laying sod. Keep the soil moist until the sod has rooted into the soil below and the grass seed begins to grow. Consider overseeding the lawn to help create a more uniform appearance in the lawn. For more information, click here.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers, linebacker Brian Orakpo of the Washington Redskins and punt returner-kick returner Devin Hester of the Chicago Bears are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the fourth week of the 2011 season (October 2-3), the NFL announced today.
Before winning the Super Bowl, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said his celebrity crush was none other than Ellen! Today he stopped by to meet his new love -- and shared his thoughts...
Greg talks w Geroge Lopez about bringing the Lombardi trophy back to Green Bay, and waking up the day after the big game thinking the whole thing was a dream. Plus, Greg discusses Christina Aguilera's "Star Mangled Banner."
Green Bay Packers linebacker and new Super Bowl champion Clay Matthews stopped by to visit his friend Ellen. He told her all about winning the big game -- and his alter-ego on the field.
The Cleveland Show Co-Creator Mike Henry, Cleveland Brown & Rallo Tubbs chat with Van about who will be guest starring on upcoming episodes, a possible Family Guy / The Cleveland Show colabo, a sneak peek into Season 3 and lots more!
In case you missed Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers last night on The Late Show with David Letterman we got you covered.
Tons of Packer fans have invaded Texas for Big Game 45 on Sunday.
