Egg-cellent Decorating Tips & Tricks

I know what you're thinking... everything you need for decorating your eggs is available in that little kit you buy at the store. While this may be true, there is also some great decorating tricks and tools available right in your own home. So in case you've forgotten to pick up your kit, or are just wanting to be more resourceful, this blog posting is for you.

First, you must prepare your eggs for the decorating process. This is most effectively done by hard-cooking your eggs. Follow these steps to ensure your eggs are cooked appropriately.

1. Place eggs in one layer in a saucepan and add water to at least an inch above the eggs. It is very important that the eggs are not stacked on top of one another, as heaping them increases the likelihood of cracking.

2. Cover the saucepan and heat just to boiling and then turn off and remove from heat. Eggs that are over-cooked are more susceptible to cracking and tend to form a harmless, but unattractive green ring around the egg's yolk.

3. Keep the eggs in the covered saucepan for 15 minutes for large eggs (a few minutes less for smaller eggs, a few minutes more for larger eggs).

4. Place the eggs in ice water or run under cold water until the eggs are completely cooled.

One of my family's tradition was to remove the contents of our eggs, so my mother could keep the eggs we decorated. It's a bit gooey, but the kids think it's fun and it is a nice keepsake even if they only stay in one piece through summer.

To empty out the eggs, simply do the following:

1. Insert a needle in the larger end of a raw egg. Carefully move the needle around until the hole is about a quarter inch across.

2. Then insert the needle in the opposite end of the egg. This hole does not need to be as large as the other one. Make sure the needle is inserted deep into the egg so that the yolk breaks.

3. Using your mouth, blow into the smaller hole so that the egg yolk and whites come out of the larger hole. Make sure to do this over a bowl to catch all the insides.

4. Once the egg is empty, run the eggshell under the faucet, shaking and rinsing it to make sure the inside of the egg is cleaned out.

Make-Your-Own Egg Dye

Combine 1/2 to 1 Tbsp. of food coloring with 2 tsp. of vinegar. Simply combine food coloring to create different colors. Remember, the longer the egg sits in the dye, the darker the color of the egg.

Egg Designs

The wax used to make crayons is actually resistant to dyes. Use a white crayon to decorate or write on undyed eggs. Once the eggs are dyed, the artwork or writing will show through on the dyed egg. This is a great way to write names on your eggs.

To create a striped effect on eggs, simply wrap rubber bands around the eggs before you dip them in the dye. Wait until dry and then remove the rubber bands. Simply use a small paint brush and food coloring or acrylic paint to color over the white stripes.

Take a household sponge and cut it into pieces. Dip the pieces into food coloring or acrylic paint. Apply the sponge to the egg's surface for a spotty, spongy design.

A Twist on the Traditional Egg Hunt

An Eckert team member mentioned that her dad use to not only hide eggs, but also her Easter basket! I asked around and no one else had done this, but I thought what a fun twist. It'd be a great way to add an extra element, and could even it out if you have younger and older kids. Maybe only hide the older kids' baskets to give the tots a head start!

It's Time to Repot Your Plants!

Houseplants are one of the best ways to bring the outdoors inside and is a great way to decorate your home. Now that the days are getting longer, you houseplants will start sprouting new growth. This is the ideal time to repot, before the new growing season begins. Repotting your plant is a simple process that will result in happier, more vigorous plants.

Does your plant need to be repotted? Here are some questions to ask yourself that will help you find the answer:

• Is the plant too big for its pot?
• Does the plant need to be watered constantly?
• Are roots growing on the surface of the soil?
• Are roots coming out of the holes in the pot?
• Is there white, crusty salt build-up on the surface of the soil?
• Is it all roots and no soil in the pot?
• Is the overall health of the plant poor?

First, you'll need to decide what size of pot to use. As a general rule of thumb, use a pot that is no more than 2 inches bigger than the one the plant is currently in. For example, if the plant is in a 4" pot, then go no bigger than a 6" pot. Always make sure the pot you have selected has a drain hole in the bottom.

Now that you have chosen your new pot, you will need fresh potting soil, a pair of scissors, and gravel or a coffee filter. Line the bottom of the new pot with the gravel or coffee filter to keep the soil from washing out of the drain holes. Pick up your plant and gently tip it out of its pot and carefully remove as much soil as possible from around the roots. Examine the roots and cut off any roots that are black or mushy. Ruffle the good roots to promote new root growth. If the roots are growing in a circular patter, creating a root ball, then make 3 or 4 vertical cuts through the roots and gently pull them apart. Fill about 1/3 of the new pot with potting soil, then place the plant and fill the remaining area with potting soil. The goal is to have the newly potted plant sit in the new container at the same level it was in the previous container, with new soil around and beneath the roots. Tamp soil down, water thoroughly and let drain. Don't be surprised if the plant wilts a little, as repotting can shock them a bit. Just let it be and the plant should rebound quickly and reward you with vigorous new growth!

If you are still unsure how to repot your houseplants or just don't want the mess, bring them to the Garden Center and we will repot your plant for FREE if you bring in a larger pot or purchase one from us. FREE soil, FREE repotting and the mess stays with us! Offer expires April 11, 2010.

Happy Gardening!

What's That Going to Be?

Now that our expansion project is starting to take shape we have found that our customers have a lot of questions, so we of course want to give you the answers:

So what is that going to be?

That my friends, is our soon-to-be new Country Store we've been talking about. This new facility will boast expanded retail space for local produce, locally raised beef and pork in a fresh meat shop, specialty foods, an expanded bakery and a 1200 square foot cooking and workshop classroom.

When will the new store open?

The new store will celebrate its grand opening in early July.

What's going to happen where the old store is?

Some of the building will be demolished, but the majority of it will stay intact and will be renovated to expand our Country Restaurant by 180 seats, doubling our current seating capacity. This renovation will bring our expansion project to its conclusion in September 2010.

Now for the most asked question of all...

What's happening with the white house on the property?

That is Aunt Juanita's house which now sits vacant. We will unfortunately be losing this house due to some changes required by the Illinois Department of Transportation. Due to traffic patterns and safety precautions, IDOT has requested we move our entrance further away from the traffic light at the intersection of Greenmount Road and Highway 15. It is an unfortunate loss, but we recognize that safety has to be our top priority.

While we will miss Aunt Juanita's house and cherish all the family memories made there, the Eckert family continues to make investments into what we call the "House on the Hill". The house is considered the original Eckert family home on Turkey Hill and has been in existence over 100 years. Fourteen years ago, the St. Clair County Historical Society cited the home has a historical landmark. We will continue the tradition of upkeep, maintenance and renovation to ensure this part of the Eckert heritage remains standing for another 100 years and hopefully many more.

Warm Memories with Cold Crop Vegetables

Is it too early? This is the question I seem to ask myself every year at this time. Can I plant anything? Can I mow the grass? Am I wasting my time? These are the follow up questions and the answers depend on you as much as they do on the weather. I love to garden and find few things more rewarding than gardening. My boys are starting to get old enough to realize that it's time to "work in the yard." Luke, my six year old, loves to ride on the mower the first time every year with Dad, but Kaden my three year old, already got out his wheelbarrow and rake on his own and started to clean up the garden. How cool is that! Without so much as a word, my three old son is excited about gardening!

I remember my own childhood like it was yesterday, picking the sweet rewards of my first garden with my Grandpa. You might assume that it might of been the first tomato or first green bean, but it was actually lettuce. It was with my Grandpa that I learned a successful garden does not have to start with Mother's Day or Memorial Day. Cold crops vegetables do well before the beautiful days of May or the sun of July.

Have you ever tasted homegrown broccoli or the light, fresh taste of baby greens grown in your own backyard? Some of the most amazing food in the world is of the simplest form, no sauces or preservatives... who knew brussels sprouts could be sweet? Don't get me wrong, I do love sweet corn or the anxiously awaited first tomato from the garden. But it feels like you have a secret or a great prize when you are harvesting your first lettuce out of your own garden by the middle of April.

To start a cold crop, you need to have a well drained spot that gets as much sun as possible this time of year. Now, you will need to select which cold crops you are going to grow. The best performing cold crops in this geographic region includes broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, lettuce, cabbage, collards, kohlrabi and kale. Cold crops need very fertile soil, so I suggest starting with compost, like cotton blossom or an organic humus mix. Another thing worth mentioning is that cold crops like lettuce or kohlrabi don't have to planted in the ground, but can also make up your first container planter for your front porch or patio.

Luckily, you don't usually have to worry about bugs or even fungus with cold crops, since it is typically still cool and cloudy this time of year. You will have to worry about the squirrels and bunnies though, because they love eating cold crops as much as we do. I personally feel like this is a small price to pay, knowing that my boys will soon be eating their vegetables without a fight and even asking for more.

I love to garden, but I love my boys even more. It is amazing to make those lasting memories with them around a little plant, in a little garden, just as I did with my Grandpa so long ago.

Happy Growing,

Jerry Hearn, Garden Center Manager