Salmon Steaks in Cucumber Sauce
by Chef Trent & Lawn King

Our recent cooking demonstration, May 17, was a huge success. Chef Trent prepared two different entrees prepared with fresh herbs. The following is one of the recipes from the event.

4 eight-once salmon steaks

Salmon sauce:
1 eight-ounce tub of sour cream
2/3 c. finely chopped, seeded cucumber
2 T. minced shallot
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 T. fresh basil, chopped
1/8 tsp. white pepper

Brown salmon on both sides. Place salmon in baking dish and place sauce atop of salmon. Pour poaching liquid around salmon.

Poaching liquid:
1 c. water
1/2 c. sherry
1 sm. onion, minded
2 sprigs fresh parsley
1/4 tsp. pepper

Gardening & Landscaping Resources
by Lawn King

Plant Libraries
Monrovia
Ohio State University

Ideas & Inspiration
GardenMinnesota.com

Diagnostic Tools
U of MN extension office

Recycling Information
GardenMinnesota.com
(plastic garden pots, polystryene trays and hanging baskets)

2007 Landscaping Trends
by Lawn King

There are three major trends we're seeing in landscape design this season: rust-look garden decor, perennials and decorative grasses.

Rust-look garden decor - arbors, gazebos, statuary, vases - constructed of iron and other metals are becoming the focal point in many gardens today. Large, especially over-sized, pieces have become extremely popular this spring.

The second major trend has been the increased use of perennials. A few years ago, we rarely saw perennials. Professional landscapers and do-it-yourself gardeners are now carefully selecting perennials to bloom in waves - for constant color all season long.

Finally, we're seeing more decorative grasses incorporated into community and residential gardens. Decorative grasses are great as fillers or to achieve a more "natural" looking landscape.

It's not too late! There is still time to fertilize your lawn and apply broadleaf weed killers before summer sets in. Some examples of broadleaf weeds include dandelions and thistles.

If you haven't uncovered your perennial bed yet, now is a great time to get it done. Clean up any dead foliage and put it on your compost pile. Trim back any grass (except the fescues-Elijah Bue). Go ahead and apply some fertilizer to gear up for the year. A fresh layer of mulch will spruce up the garden. Use perennials to fill in any empty spots in your garden.

Welcome your feathered friends back after the long cold winter. Clean out any old left over bird seed from your feeders and wash and sanitize before filling them back up with fresh new food. They will love you for taking the time to do some spring cleaning!

Spring is officially here! There are only a couple of more weeks that you can still safely prune your fruit trees before they begin to bud.

How to Read Plant Tags
by Lawn King

Bloom Season
SP = Blooms from late April through June.
SU = Blooms late June through August.
F = Blooms late August through September.
W = Blooms September through late October.

Special Notes
V = This vigurous grower will require frequent pruning.

S = This self-seeding plant will expand the initial planting area.

D = Plants that benefit from dead-heading will bloom more often and make the plant stronger, but require more maintenance.

I = Invasive plants must be contained with either a wood, vinyl or brick border to prevent them from spreading into your lawn.

HP = Plants that require hard pruning will need to be pruned all the way back to the stalk to encourage new growth in the spring. Prune* these plants in the early spring or fall. Ideally, it best to prune these types of plants in the dead of winter to keep insects and disease at bay.

*It is important to sterlize your pruning equipment and protect all plant wounds from insects.

Pack a picnic, pose with your new groom, get down on one knee to propose or take Mom out for a stroll on a warm, sunny summer day to one of these beautiful Minnesota gardens.

Normandale Japanese Garden
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Park
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Leif Erickson Park Rose Garden
Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary
Munsinger Gardens and Clemens Gardens
Noerenberg Memorial Gardens
Edinborough Park
Loring Park

Is your favorite garden not listed here? Please help grow this list.

The Minnesota Christmas Tree Association has put together a list of the various types of Christmas trees, including photos and distinguishing characteristics. Christmas trees are 100% biodegradable and environment-friendly. In fact, many Twin Cities communities recycle them into landscaping mulch.

MNCTA's List of Christmas Tree Types

Shop Lawn King for these Christmas trees:
Balsam Fir
Fraser Fir
Norway Pine
Scotch Pine
Colorado Spruce