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Rose Pruning Again

Late February to early March is the time for the major pruning of roses. Back in December, I did a preliminary pruning , now is the time for the last major pruning before the spring season begins.  First, a comment on hybrid tea roses. This is what most people have in their gardens. I only have a few hybrid tea roses. These are the roses that need the most drastic pruning. Basically, you cut all the canes down to about 1 foot, making the cuts right above an outward-facing bud. The result will be something like this -  Most of my roses fall into the shrub and climbing categories. These roses are pruned differently and not as severe as the hybrid teas. For shrub roses (and many of the David Austin English roses fall into this category), I first take out the older canes completely to the ground. The older canes are easy to spot - they will be thicker and darker in color. After thinning out the older canes, I remove any canes that are damaged, crossing one another and canes that ...

Cucumber Sandwich Spread



We are beginning to get a lot of cucumbers. Our neighbors are sharing and I have a little plant in the employee garden at work that is just starting to produce. One of our favorite snacks this time of year is a cucumber sandwich. "Sandwich" isn't really the proper work since we like the spread on crackers (my favorite are Triscuits).

Although I had heard of cucumber sandwiches my entire life, it wasn't until I was an adult that I actually tried one.

The following recipe makes quite a bit but it can be refrigerated.

Cucumber Sandwich Spread

Cucumbers (sliced)
16 oz. cream cheese (2 8 oz. packages) (softened)
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 TBS. Hidden Valley Ranch Dip mix (you can use the entire 1 oz. packet but we find that it is too strong and salty)
1 tsp. dill
1/8 tsp. Worcesthershire sauce

Blend the cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, dip mix, dill and Worcestershire sauce together until smooth.

Slick cucumbers thinly.

Spread on bread or crackers. Enjoy!


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Phillip, I am so making this. Thank you!~~Dee

    ReplyDelete
  2. The kind of a healthy snack I can eat all day, every day...

    ReplyDelete

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