The 2025 All-America Selections (AAS) winners include outstanding vegetable and flower varieties chosen for their superior garden performance through trials across North America. Here are some highlights:
Flowers:
Zinnia Zydeco Fire – A fiery orange zinnia with large, disease-resistant blooms. Blooming with large flowers up to frost. A little larger than other zinnias of this type.
Dianthus Capitan Magnifica – Praised for heat tolerance and long-lasting pink blooms. Cut back after blooming for another burst of blooms.
Marigold Mango Tango – A bright orange and yellow marigold ideal for containers. A bi-colored red and yellow flower on compact plants.
Snapdragon DoubleShot Yellow Red Heart F1 – A snapdragon with striking red and yellow flowers, performs well in diverse climates. Holds well during the hot summer. Also has a candy-like aroma.
5. Petunia Shake Rasberry – Blooms of raspberry swirled with lemon-lime colors. Compact growth makes them a good selection for containers.
For more details on these varieties and others, you can visit the All-America Selections website.
Several effective methods can make your house smell clean. Regular cleaning is fundamental. Vacuuming and dusting regularly will remove dust and dirt that can harbor odors. Ensure you wash bedding and linens frequently, including bed sheets, pillowcases, and cushion covers. Additionally, taking out the trash regularly prevents bad smells from accumulating. Don’t forget to deep clean carpets and rugs periodically, as they can trap odors over time.
Natural air fresheners are a great way to maintain a fresh-smelling home. Opening windows to let in fresh air can help ventilate and remove stale odors. House plants not only improve air quality but also add a fresh scent to your home. Using essential oils in a diffuser, such as lavender, eucalyptus, or citrus, can provide a natural and pleasant fragrance.
Baking soda and vinegar are excellent for neutralizing odors. Placing bowls of baking soda around the house can absorb unpleasant smells. You can also sprinkle baking soda on carpets before vacuuming to freshen them up. Boiling a mixture of water and vinegar on the stove can help eliminate strong odors in the kitchen.
Homemade air fresheners are another effective option. Simmering pots with water, lemon slices, cinnamon sticks, and herbs like rosemary or mint can create a fresh aroma throughout your home. Mixing water with a few drops of essential oil and a tablespoon of baking soda in a spray bottle makes for a great homemade air freshener.
Regular maintenance of appliances is crucial. Clean your refrigerator, dishwasher, washing machine, and oven regularly, as these can be sources of bad odors. If you have pets, keeping their areas clean by washing pet beds and litter boxes frequently is essential.
For additional odor control, use activated charcoal, which is highly effective at absorbing odors. Scented candles and wax melts can provide a quick and lasting fragrance boost. Consider using an air purifier to help remove odors and improve indoor air quality.
By combining these methods, you can ensure your home smells fresh and clean, creating a pleasant environment for you and your guests.
Storing liquid garden chemicals properly is crucial for safety, preserving their effectiveness, and protecting the environment. Ideally, this should be a cool, dry, and well-ventilated space, such as a shed, garage, or outdoor storage cabinet. Avoid areas exposed to direct sunlight, heat sources, or extreme temperatures. Additionally, ensure the storage area is secure, out of reach of children and pets, and, if possible, use a locked cabinet for added safety. Do not allow them to freeze. This will break the suspension of particles and depending on what the chemical is, may make them inert.
Always store chemicals in their original containers. These are specifically designed to prevent leaks and spills while maintaining the integrity of the product. Transferring chemicals to other containers, particularly food containers, can lead to dangerous accidents and confusion. Ensure lids and seals are tightly closed after each use to prevent spills, evaporation, or contamination.
Do not allow them to freeze. This will break the suspension of particles and depending on what the chemical is, may make them inert. Store these in areas where the temperature remains stable and above freezing. Regularly check the expiration dates on your garden chemicals and dispose of any expired or unused products following your local hazardous waste disposal guidelines.
Do not remove labels. For instance, there are different types of Malathion which have different rates of usage. Most chemicals, kept properly, can be used for several years.
Proper storage of dry garden granules, such as fertilizers, pesticides, and soil amendments, is essential to maintain their effectiveness, ensure safety, and prevent contamination. Start by choosing an appropriate storage location. Granular products should be kept in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and moisture. Humidity and water can cause granules to clump, dissolve, or lose their potency. A shed, garage, or similar space works well, but ensure it is away from areas accessible to children and pets. If possible, use a locked storage cabinet for added security.
Always store granular products like grub control in their original packaging. These containers are designed to protect the contents from environmental factors and provide critical information, such as usage instructions, precautions, and expiration dates.
Keep granular products off the floor to prevent moisture damage and consider placing them on shelves or inside bins. Group similar products together, such as fertilizers, weed killers, and pest control granules, but avoid storing incompatible materials close to one another. For example, keep chemicals away from soil amendments.
Regularly check the condition of stored granules and their containers. Discard any products that show signs of contamination, clumping, or have surpassed their expiration date, following your local hazardous waste disposal guidelines.
By taking these precautions, you can ensure the safety and effectiveness of your dry or liquid garden chemicals while minimizing potential hazards to yourself, your family, and the environment.
