Welcome to From the Porch Swing   This newsletter will be sent bi-monthly and will include valuable information and unique offers that are timely for the season.  Subscribers to the newsletter will receive advice from a variety of show exhibitors and national experts in each issue.

Caring For your Garden During the Summer   There are some basic principles in maintaining a healthy and thriving flower garden.   1] Early weed control will give your flowers time to grow by minimizing competition for water, nutrients, and sunlight.   2] Mulching the root area of your garden will provide cooler soils, retain moisture, and help with weed control.   3] Fertilizing with a liquid fertilizer such as Miracle Gro every 2 weeks from Mid May to the 4th of July will provide increased vigor and bloom quantity.  Don’t fertilize past early July since that can cause a plant to continue growing too late in the fall.   4] Dead-heading old blossoms from your perennials and annuals will create more blossoms throughout the summer and extend your bloom season.   5] Watering consistently through the summer will keep your plants growing up to their potential.  A plant starved for moisture will abort the flowers first and produce fewer flowers during the rejuvenation stage.   Keep up on these basic plant principles and your garden will give you continued pleasure all summer!  HAPPY GARDENING!   Bill Swanson The Botanical Gardens, Inc. New Germany, Minnesota

Metro Hippie   Tips from Designer and Eco-Preneur Josh Foss   In America, we use more water for our lawns than for any agricultural crop.  A great way to reduce our water consumption is to install a rain barrel, a simple strategy that saves thousands of gallons a year.   For more helpful green tips visit www.MetroHippie.com