A perfect use for your beefsteak tomato: a California BLT Avocado Bacon Lettuce A beefsteak tomato (in this case: a Mortgage Lifter) Mayonaisse Sourdough bread – toasted

Among the garden’s most elegant vines, mandevilla offers stunning trumpet-shape flowers in shades of pink, white, or red. It’s the perfect plant for creating a lush, tropical look. Mandevilla is usually grown as an annual, though it can be overwintered indoors in a bright spot. Note: All parts of this plant are poisonous. First planted in 2014. I relocated the …

When the petals fall away and the leaves dry up, you are left with seed pods. These are from asiatic poppies (Danish Flag poppies). Marie captured this image in 2010.

A gift from Marie’s brother Thomas

The exotic yellow and red blossoms of the gloriosa lily (Gloriosa superba), also known as the glory lily, flame lily and climbing lily, cover the plant’s 3- to 8-foot-tall vine. Native to Africa and Asia, gloriosa lilies are generally available in two colors: the red “Rothschildiana” and yellow “Lutea.” A tender perennial, this tropical vine thrives in the warm summer …

Formerly known as million bells, calibrachoa is an easy to grow, low-maintenance plant that displays masses of bell-shaped, petunia-like blooms from spring until the first light frost. The blooms cover long, cascading branches that make the plant ideal for containers or hanging baskets. Sun-loving calibrachoa reaches heights of 6 to 10 inches and displays a rainbow of bright colors, depending …

Petunias are near fail-proof summer annuals. Plant in the ground, containers, or hanging baskets. For continued blooms, cut back one-third to two-thirds midsummer (August).

Roasting sweet and hot peppers at home is easy. Liven up Mexican dishes, sandwiches, antipasto platters, and salads with sweet, freshly roasted peppers. Starting around the Fourth of July in Sunnyvale (USDA zone 9).

When it comes to ricotta, think beyond fillings and pastas. Ricotta’s mild flavor and high fat content makes it an ideal addition to cakes, creating a perfectly moist and tender crumb. Full-fat supermarket ricotta is your friend here—fancier brands may not have the moisture content you want for this recipe, and using a creamy ricotta is key. Aside from an …