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Pruning 'Summer Crush' Hydrangea in Late Summer or Early Fall

Hydrangea 'Summer Crush' in June... in September Pruning can be a complicated project, especially when it comes to hydrangeas (I can think of one more plant that causes pruning headaches - clematis). That said, if you grow many hydrangeas, especially different types, once you get the hang of it, it begins to come naturally. I used to rarely prune my hydrangeas because I had more space. Now, with a smaller garden, I'm finding that some are getting too large for comfort. Case in point, 'Summer Crush'. It is actually not a huge hydrangea, but it does get larger than advertised - about 5 feet in my garden (the tag said 3-4'). 'Summer Crush' is in the 'Endless Summer' line of hydrangeas and they are among the easier to prune. This is because they bloom on both old and new wood. Therefore, no matter when you prune, you should get blooms. It is the older hydrangeas, the ones that only bloom on old wood, that you have to be careful with. I would recomm...
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Chocolate Banana Bread



More chocolate (can you tell I love it?) This one comes from AllRecipes.com. This is a good way to wreck your diet!

Chocolate Banana Bread

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter or margarine, softened
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 6 ripe bananas, mashed
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease two 9x5 inch loaf pans.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together butter, sugar and eggs. Stir in bananas and vanilla. Sift in flour, baking soda and cocoa; mix well. Blend in sour cream and chocolate chips. Pour batter into prepared pans.
  3. Bake in preheated oven for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into center of a loaf comes out clean.


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. DDecember 22, 2010 at 4:54 PM

    Good looking goodies, Phillip, this and the yule log. We love anything chocolate! all I have to do is look at it and I gain. ;) I shall have to try at least one of them.

    I wanted to be sure to wish you and your family a joyous and blessed Christmas, and say thank you for sharing in this past year.

    ReplyDelete
  2. EveDecember 22, 2010 at 7:21 PM

    OH MAN!!!
    I'm going to have to try this one!

    ReplyDelete
  3. serial tillerDecember 22, 2010 at 7:46 PM

    Phillip...you must stop posting all this food! I have gained 5# just from reading your recipes! LOL Have a great Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  4. meemsnycDecember 22, 2010 at 9:31 PM

    Oooh, I love banana bread! And with chocolate, yummy goodness.

    ReplyDelete
  5. still goodDecember 23, 2010 at 6:10 AM

    What a beautiful photograph!!!!!!!!!!!

    I'm going to the kitchen now to make your chocolate mint cookies for Todd's b'day!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. still goodDecember 23, 2010 at 6:14 AM

    that last post was from me (rebecca).

    ReplyDelete
  7. KellyDecember 23, 2010 at 10:39 AM

    I made this and it is AWESOME! Thanks Mr. Therapy!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Rob (ourfrenchgarden)December 24, 2010 at 12:34 AM

    Merry Christmas!

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  9. scottweberpdxDecember 24, 2010 at 11:57 AM

    mmmmmm...you had me at "chocolate"

    ReplyDelete
  10. compost in my shoeDecember 25, 2010 at 6:25 AM

    Diet, what is that about.......looks yummy!!

    ReplyDelete

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