News & Events

For the Birds
January 11, 2016 / Penny

Hello good friends,

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…finally! The birds don’t care, though; they just  bag of bird seedknow it’s finally cold. Very cold. And they’re hungry.

 We’ve decided to carry birdseed, holiday seedcakes, and suet to support our feathered friends and to go along with our whimsical and beautiful birdhouses and feeders. We currently carry seventeen kinds of seed but will make every effort to get any variety we don’t have that you might want. I’m a big fan and still a trustee of the Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland.
Furthermore, if you live in the area, we will deliver to your house for a nominal fee!
The final bird-related news is that Penny has found a fellow who makes beautiful and amusing birdhouses. He will also come to your house and take a picture, then make a customized birdhouse which is a model of your own house for a reasonable fee. We plan to feature some of his work at the store soon.
Lastly, for those out there champing at the bit for spring, we have put all of our 2015 flower and vegetable seed on sale at buy-two-get-one-of-the-same-price -free.
Experienced growers will already know that old seed, properly protected from light and water, is generally viable, sometimes after a great deal of time (for the plant-lovers and crazies out there, have a look :
Current hours are:
Thurs. and Sun.  10:00-4:00
Fri. and Sat.         10:00-5:00

Happy New Year! We hope to see you soon.

Penny Orr

 

Reasons to Plant in Autumn
October 8, 2015 / Penny

The excitement of spring and getting the garden in is a ritual for many and can be like a Onions in groundgood cup of coffee after a long night’s sleep.   Spring planting rejuvenates us and our surroundings but fall planting should not be forgotten.  Planting in the fall allows you more time to enjoy the spring planting season and has many benefits.  Here are some of the reasons we tell our customers to plant now:

  • The soil is warmer in fall than in spring allowing roots to take hold quicker
  • You can still see what you have in the garden and add to it before everything has gone to sleep for winter
  • Growers/Nurseries have been growing and nurturing plants all season so many are larger and often on sale
  • The soil is easier to dig and amend than our compacted, soggy spring soil.
  • The weather is sunnier and crisp and just that perfect temperature for being outside
  • Late October and November rains take care of the watering for you
  • Things like kale, onion, garlic, peas and more can be planted now for an early spring crop
  • Spring-blooming bulbs, perennials and shrubs will be ready to provide you the first sight of color when the snow melts

Happy Planting!

Butterflies, Bees, and Hummingbirds, oh my!
September 14, 2015 / Penny

New Arrivals:

helenium rotgoldA raft of wonderful plants attractive to butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Nearly all are eastern or prairie natives.   Some are sharply discounted to 40% off, especially last year’s plants; a number of these gallon or larger pots are two-fers!
Did you know that Chives can be critical to monarch butterflies? A great many other herbs and annuals are also helpful to our butterflies and skippers and bees too!
Did you know that many of the showy fall asters are also butterfly plants?
Fall and winter are a great time to educate oneself, especially if you’re considering a butterfly garden or butterfly-friendly garden at all. There’s a lot of terrific information on the internet. Here’s a  sample site to get started: http://www.wildwoodhimitage.com/butterfly.html
We also have a medley of mixed pots containing 1-3 of the following: Salvia, Boltonia, Veronica, Solidago, Oenothera, Verbena hastata, Verbena bonariensis, Pycnanthemum, Phlox divaricata, Heliopsis, Coreopsis (yellow), Baptisia australis, Stonecrop/Sedum, and others loved by butterflies, bees and/or hummingbirds on sale at 40%
Below are listed a smattering of the pollinator/butterfly/hummer plants currently on board at Perennials Preferred:
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Our Favorite Gazpacho
August 31, 2015 / Penny

It is with great dismay that we hear from our customers that their gardens were not the stellar  harvest they have had in the past.  The abundance and variety may not be what it was but we have seen tomatoes in abundance and just enough cucumbers for fun so we thought this easy and yummy recipe would be perfect for making use of what you have.

Ingredients

8 – 10 large Tomatoes
1 Cucumbergazpacho-
1 Clove Garlice
1 Small Onion
1 Green Pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 Tsp Ground Cumin
3/4 c. EVOO
1/4 c. Sherry
1 piece of bread (wheat, rye, french) tried them all and depending on the flavor you like they are good

Instructions

Prep vegetables – clean and de-stem.   Peel cucumber and garlic, remove seeds from the green pepper.

Soak bread in water and then squeeze out liquid.

Cut onion, cucumber and tomatoes in to 1 inch chunks, mince the garlic and put in food processor, add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.

Chill and serve cold.

Onion Pie Recipe for the Last Cold Snap – we hope!
April 21, 2015 / Penny

zwiebelkuchenAs we begin planting our gardens, another cold snap is about to hit.  So we thought we share a recipe from Oma (German Grandma) on how to make Onion Pie – Zwiebelkuchen.  (recipe circa 1932)  Enjoy it now before it stays warm and save it for fall when your onions start coming up.  Don’t have onions….know worries we have plenty on hand to get you started.

Ingredients

Dough

  • 3 c. flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp. instant yeast
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 5/8 c. lukewarm water

Filling

  • 6-8 large onions
  • 2 tbsp. butter
  • 2-3 strips of bacon crumbled
  • 4 tbsp. flour
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • Pinch of Salt
  • 1/2 tbsp. Caraway Seeds

Preheat oven at 350 degrees.  Mix yeast and salt into flour and then add the warm water, mixing until a smooth dough forms.   Form dough into ball, put into a bowl to rise. Lightly oil the top and cover with a towel.  Let rise at least an hour.

To make the filling finely chop the onions and then saute with the butter adding the butter as needed.  Once onions are soft remove from heat.  Mix flour and cream until completely blended add eggs, salt, caraway seeds and onions.

Take risen dough and roll out on pizza pan – be sure to form a crust all around the perimeter.  Spread filling over dough.  Sprinkle bacon over top.  Bake until crust become golden brown.

Enjoy!