The Orange County Master Gardeners say you'll need to use a watchful eye to get the perfect pepper from your garden this summer. Some peppers will turn red if left on the plant. Red peppers will be sweeter and higher in beta carotene. Even jalapeños, which are traditionally harvested green, will mature to tasty red peppers.
The Master Gardeners also warn that the dry conditions we've been experiencing make starting fall crops like lettuce and collards difficult. Make sure the seedbed is moist before seeding. Water frequently so the germinating seed doesn't dry out. You can apply a small amount of compost or straw over the soil to help keep the seeds moist. Contact a Master Gardener at cmgardeners@gmail.com; or call 245-2061 in Hillsborough; 962-0522 in Chapel Hill.
Beautify your deck, save a park
Thompson's Water Seal is offering a chance for you to beautify your deck and protect and preserve national parks at the same time.
Through Oct. 4, Thompson's Water Seal will donate $1 from the sale of certain individual products to the National Parks Foundation.
You can also go to the Thompson's Water Seal website ( www.thompsonswater seal.com ) and click on "Donate Now." One dollar will be given to the Park Foundation, up to $25,000. Thompson's will also donate $25,000 worth of products for use in the parks, for a total donation of $100,000 this year. You can find rebate forms in stores or download them at the website.
While there, enter the company's VIP sweepstakes for your chance to win a trip to the national park of your choice, along with airfare, hotel, car and spending money.
Plant a backyard medicine chest
Enjoy a guided tour through a world of useful medicinal plants, shade gardens and soil building from 10 a.m. to noon on Aug. 7 at the N.C. Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill. Sarah Vroom will lead a workshop for gardeners on native medicinal and other plants that will be perfect choices for fall plantings. You'll learn about plants such as the underappreciated giant Solomon's seal and pawpaw, as well as how you can enhance your soil to grow tasty snacks right from your yard.
The workshop will also cover potent medicinal plants such as elderberries. Class fee is $25; $20 for NCBG members. Advance registration is required by visiting ncbg.unc.edu/pages/26/
Bust up some clutter
In "Cut the Clutter and Stow the Stuff," author Lori Baird suggests having a supply of rubber bands in various sizes as you clean out kitchen drawers. "They're great for corralling items such as pens, pencils, candles, chopsticks, skewers, iced-tea spoons - you name it. Then place the various bundles in a cutlery tray to keep them from rolling around inside the drawer."
See an artful garden
The Biltmore Estate in Asheville will be ablaze with color Aug. 20 through Sept. 12 as more than 100,000 plants blanket the estate's South Terrace. The annual Flower Carpet display takes its shape and color from a set of 1880s stained glass windows designed by artist John La Farge. The windows are part of owner George Vanderbilt's extensive art collection. To mimic the design, plants have been chosen to glow in shades of red, orange, blue and yellow throughout the 14,400 square foot design. You can tailor your visit by reserving a picnic option or visiting at night for soft lighting, sunset views and live jazz. For additional information, call 800-411-3812 or visit www.biltmore.com.
