HOLIDAY 2004

NEW POINSETTIAS!
Every year, Ashcombe trials new and unusual varieties of poinsettias.  Overall performance and customer preference make or break these new poinsettias.  This year we are excited to offer 6 new ones.  Look for these exciting cultivars coming this Holiday season.

SHIMMER PINK  Pink bracts randomly splashed with cream speckles and dark green leaves.

JOKER  Compact, deep red bracts with splashes of white.

MERLOT  Rich, dark burgundy.

TWISTER RED  Similar to the curly 'Winter Rose' variety but more compact.

ELEGANCE WHITE  The truest white poinsettia available so far.

EUROGLORY RED  Large, dark red bracts on strong, sturdy plants.

Check out our other unique varieties with variegated green leaves, mottled, marbled and speckled bracts, ruffled, and yes...purple!  (But don't fear, we still have lots of regular red poinsettias!)
 

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MAKING FOLIAGE FANTASTIC!

As winter approaches, gardeners dread the cool temperatures and dark nights that put their flower beds to bed for the winter.  But winter is still a great time to get your hands dirty.  Now you can focus on your house plants that took second stage all spring and summer to more colorful and needy annuals and perennials.  Many house plants survive a little neglect, but now is a great time to give them some TLC for the long months ahead.

Are your house plants overgrown or leggy?  Maybe it's time for a pruning or haircut to tame it's wild limbs.  Don't throw away your trimmings -- root the cutting in water or moist soil and start a new plant or give the piece to a neighbor.  Many people discard their leggy plants and keep only the cuttings, thus minimizing the space needed for a larger plant.

Your house plant would also appreciate new soil.  winter is a great time to re-pot.  Very little growth occurs over the winter and plants will be ready to grow into their new soil immediately in the spring.  Our house plant experts recommend using the very next size pot when re-potting.  Therefore, if you are re-potting a 6" pot, move up to an 8" pot at the very most.  We suggest using any type of pot that has a hole in the bottom for water drainage.  We also prefer Ashcombe's Master Mix potting soil.  Afraid of the dirty mess?  Transplant inside a large b ox or cut open a trash bag and lay it our on the floor and roll it up and throw it away when finished.

Plant Shine is a great product that can rejuvenate your old grungy plant.  Simply spray on the leaves, allow to dry, and wipe off.  Presto-shiny, glossy leaves!

Foliage plants don't need much fertilizer over the winter, but if it's something you've neglected to do all year, now may be a good time to catch up.  An all-purpose fertilizer like Miracle-Gro works great and comes in many forms for your convenience.  Liquid, powder, spikes and tablets accommodate any gardeners needs.

Worried about killing your plant if you try to re-pot it?  Have not fear, Ashcombe is here!  We offer a re-potting service year round.  You can bring in your plant, an empty pot, or purchase one here and we can help you - or show you - how to successfully re-pot your plant.  There's no appointment necessary and you can come in any time during normal business hours.

Maybe you have a few empty corners to fill, would like to spruce up your home for holiday guests, or decorate the holiday table.  WE HAVE WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR!!!  We stock hundreds of foliage and flowering plants in all shapes and sizes.  Beautiful blooming Cyclamen, Poinsettias, Christmas Cactus, African Violets and Kalanchoes add bright and cherry color to dark days.  Fragrant herbs, Jasmine and Gardenias fill the stale winter air with heavenly scents.  Unusual ferns, luscious hanging baskets and brightly variegated foliage is what you'll find in our greenhouse.  We also boast a knowledgeable staff and care sheets to make your indoor gardening a success.

So Gardeners!  Don't pack away your gloves and pruners yet, it's time to get growing inside!

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FUN ASHCOMBE FACT....
DID YOU KNOW?????
Ashcombe grows enough tomato plants to yield in excess of 1 million pounds of fruit!!!!!??

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COME SEE WHAT'S NEW IN OUR GOURMET AREA!
LaTourangelle is an artisan producer of California gourmet oils.  Hazelnut, Grapeseed, Almond, and Walnut.

These flavorful oils are perfect for salads, paste, grilled meats, baking or just on it's own with bread.
WALNUT OIL  Rich source of omega 3 - since the oil is not refined, it has a very high level of nature anti-oxident and essential fatty acids.

HAZELNUT OIL  This oil is best when drizzled on salads, baked into cakes or with breads.  With pasta, potatoes and beans, it serves as a substitute for butter.  Great with fish.

ALMOND OIL  Rich in Vitamin E, B & P almond oil contains high levels of monounsaturated fatty acid (like olive oil) but it usually also has a decent amount of hinoleic fatty acid.  Use as a substitue for olive oil in any dish.

GRAPESEED OIL  The high smoke point of this oil makes it a chef's favorite for low-grease frying.  It has a light nutty flavor that can be substituted for butter or canola oil.
 

Holiday Treats Using LaTourangelle

ROASTED WALNUT OIL CARROT CAKE
2 cups sugar
1 and 1/2 cups of La Tourangelle roasted walnut oil
4 eggs
3 cups grated carrots
2 cups plain flour
2 Tbsp. baking powder
2 Tbsp. Cinnamon
1 Tbsp. salt
1 cup dark raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Grease one 13" x 9" pan.  Mix sugar, oil/butter and eggs.  Add carrots and mix well.  Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.  Add dry ingredients to wet.  Mix.  Add raisins and nuts to batter.  Gently add mixture to pan.  Bake for 40 to 45 minutes at 350°F.

ROASTED HAZELNUT PESTO
1 cup hazelnuts toasted lightly and skinned
2 cups packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
2 large garlic cloves
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup LaTourangelle roasted hazelnut oil
freshly ground black pepper

In a food processor, blend together pesto ingredients with pepper and salt to taste until smooth.

ROASTED WALNUT OIL CAESAR SALAD
2 white anchovy fillets
4 tsp. minced garlic
1 lemon
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 egg yolks
8 oz. LaTourangelle roasted walnut oil
6 oz. grated Parmesan cheese
half bunch of fresh parsley finely chopped
croutons
hearts of Romaine
salt and pepper

Combine anchovies, garlic, fresh lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce and egg yolks into food processor or blender.  Slowly add walnut oil until emulsified, followed by half the allotted Parmesan and parsley.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Put one heart of Romaine on serving plate.  Drizzle with dressing and top with remaining Parmesan, parsley and croutons.

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SWEETLY SPICED BUTTERNUT SQUASH
Temptingly sweet with a hint of pepper, this vegetable dish is for anyone who thinks they don't love squash.  Serves 6-8.

Ingredients:
2 lbs. butternut squash, split, seeds removed and baked until tender
2 large white potatoes, peeled and diced
1 jar Stonewall Kitchen Red Pepper Jelly (13 oz.)
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
1.  When squash is soft, peel and mash in a large bowl until smooth.
2.  Boil potato cubes in salted water until very soft when pierced with a knife.
3.  Drain potatoes and add to squash along with Red Pepper Jelly, salt and pepper.
4.  Mash by hand until almost smooth, or use an electric mixer.  Add butter if desired and serve.
5.  For a decorative presentation, use a pastry bag fitted with a fluted tip and pipe into swirled mounds or onto individual plates.

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We have also added a new line of homestyle foods called  "House of Webster."  We love these homestyle pickles, relishes, butters and preserves and feel that they nicely compliment our existing line of products from Stonewall Kitchen, Kitchen Kettle & Sara's Kitchen.  House of Webster has been in business since 1934 and is out of Arkansas.  Print out the coupon below for a taste of something great!
 
 

CHECK OUT OUR NEW LARGER FROZEN FOOD CASE!  Plan your meals with us in mind!  We have a huge selection of home made quiches, soups, frozen pies and more!