Arthur in the Garden!

February 11, 2013 · 8:30 PM

Hardy begonia Barbara Rodgers

Did you know there are winter hardy begonias? They are root hardy here in zone 7b in central North Carolina. By Fall, they are leggy and look like miniature bamboo plants about three feet tall!

You can use this as an opportunity to root cuttings. This variety is Barbara Rogers and it grows about 3 feet tall and about as wide with large white flowers. This plant was added this year and only has four or five stems.

They will die back to the ground at first frost so you can make cuttings by cutting the stems at ground level.

You may place several cuttings per pot to make a nice clump the first year.

Each stem can but cut into several cuttings each with a few set of leaves and with a few nodes without leaves for roots.

Remove the leaves from the lower nodes to allow for good rooting as any leaves that are underground will only rot.

Keep them moist and in a shady location. It will take a few weeks to root. Protect them from freezing temps while they are in pots as they may be tender.

In the Spring they should be ready to plant in the garden! There are several varieties with various colours and flower shapes. Plant Delights has a nice selection!

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February 6, 2013 · 11:50 PM

Sour Cream Pound Cake

Pound cake is right up there with banana bread as my favorite thing to bake.

Historically, the recipe is a pound of butter, a pound of flour, a pound of sugar, and a pound of eggs. They are generally baked in a bundt mold or a loaf pan.

The addition of lemon juice or lime juice or any other flavor can change the flavor and its very acceptable to top it with fruits or sauces.

Sour Cream Pound Cake

1 cup softened butter

3 cups sugar

6 eggs

3 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1) Cream butter, gradually beat in the sugar until light and fluffy, about 5-7 minutes. Add eggs one at a time and beat well after each. In another bowl combine flour, baking soda and salt. Add to the butter and egg mixture. Add vanilla and sour cream and beat on low until just mixed.

Pour into prepared pan. Bake at 325f for about 75 to 85 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

You can top it with a simple glaze:

1.5 cups confectioners sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 to 4 teaspoons milk or lemon juice depending on the flavor you want.

Adapted from: http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Sour-Cream-Pound-Cake

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February 4, 2013 · 2:20 PM

More Gus than you ever wanted to see!

You know I love me some Gus photos! I haven’t figured out how to post pictures so that when you click on them they automatically enlarge so here is Gus in large view!