The Commercial Appeal (2007-Current)

What's Blooming

Joe-Pye weed Botanical Name: Eupatorium maculatum 'Gateway'

Back-to-School Time Means Time to Look for Bargains

It is back-to-school time - is that the sound of mothers cheering? Of course we've all loved having our little darlings home for the summer, but it is nice to get back into a routine. That's what Mom used to say, although now Great Finds suspects "getting back into a routine" was code for "I finally have a quiet house and time to myself again."

Chicken, Eggplant Can Still Be Tasty Without Breading

I had some people over last weekend to swim, and I figured they had driven all this way, so why not feed them some dinner. All I had in the fridge was some chicken breasts and a couple of eggplants from the farmers market. My husband came into the house smelling of fresh basil from snapping the buds and that's when I decided on Chicken and Eggplant Parmesan.

Garden Calendar

Garden Calendar Saturday : Seminar: Butterfly Festival: 10 a.m. at Trees by Touliatos, 2020 E. Brooks Road. Join Cammie Caterpillar and her butterflies for a butterfly show and tell, plus she will have butterfly kits for sale. Free to the public. For information and reservations, call 346-8065.

Excess Nitrogen, Shade Can Cause Poor Fruit Set

Q: I have several tomato plants that are not setting fruits. Some are at least 5 feet tall and have only one tomato. The blooms just dry up. I tried using bloom set, but that didn't work. What is the problem? - Drury Crawley, Collierville

Home & Design Calendar

Home & Design Calendar Today through Sept. 25: WE Consignment Shop: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Woman's Exchange, 88 Racine. Fine antiques, furniture, art, rugs, china and flatware. Call 327-5681.

People / Lefevre Upset Over 'Twilight' Slight

Bryce Dallas Howard is taking over as the villainous vampire Victoria in the third "Twilight" movie, and the actress who has played the part in the first two films says she was "stunned" and "hurt deeply" by the switch. Rachelle Lefevre says she was unaware that Summit Entertainment had chosen someone else to play her part in "Eclipse." Summit announced Howard as her replacement late Tuesday, saying Lefevre had scheduling conflicts that would make her unable to participate in the production.

Animal Control in the Garden -- Critters - Beloved Pets As Well As Wild Visitors - Can Wreak Havoc On Carefully Tended Lawn

Many gardeners provide housing, feeding stations, bathing facilities and plants to attract animals into their yards. These beloved creatures include butterflies, birds, dragonflies and bees.

Child's Play -- Special Garden Provides a Place for Youthful Exuberance and Curiosity to Blossom

In My Big Backyard, the Memphis Botanic Garden's new children's garden, youngsters can climb as high as a tree, tunnel under the soil like a worm and play in a cooling mist, accompanied by the sounds of thunder. The fun begins at 11 a.m. Saturday when the $5.8 million project spanning 2 1/2 acres opens. Admission is free until noon opening day.