Tony's Tips

Looking for the perfect pumpkin to bring home from Russo’s? As Tony Russo from Russo’s in Watertown, Massachusetts, sees it, “They don’t have to be perfect!” The assortment of shapes and textures reveals a character and charm that comes with locally-grown produce. The important qualities to look for in a pumpkin are a big handle, a rich orange color, and a thick outer layer. You can feel confident that these pumpkins will last a long time due to the way they’re grown and the newer variety of seed. This type shouldn’t be used for cooking (the Sugar Pumpkins are better suited) but the seeds are perfect for roasting once the insides are scooped out.

It’s the beginning of the melon season in Southern California and Arizona, and as Tony Russo from Russo’s in Watertown, Massachusetts, predicts, “it’s going to be a great year, the melons are really sweet.” In the outdoor melon department, there is a wide variety: Crenshaw melons, Orange-Fleshed honeydews, Hami melons, and more types of cantaloupes and honeydews. “They’re spectacular this season,” Tony says, “the prices are good and the product is excellent!” These fruits mature beautifully due to excellent planting and growing conditions before reaching Russo’s.

Today we take a look at the Mariachi Chile peppers. As Tony Russo from Russo’s in Watertown, Massachusetts, puts it, “If you want a patio of nice hot peppers, this would be a good choice!” These are above-ground patio planters. Many of these plants already have Mariachi peppers, so you can impress your neighbors with your green thumb!

In the plant department, we look at the beautiful coleus. “The varieties are spectacular,” Tony Russo from Russo’s in Watertown, Massachusetts, remarks, and they’re just now generating more interest. The different leaf structures and sizes make this plant special. These new varieties have increased this plant’s popularity, especially because it’s easy to plant and grow. Coleus offers fantastic summer and fall colors and combines nicely with vine plants such as potato vine.

 

You don’t want to miss out on the beautiful colors of spring pansies! “Now through Easter, these will be the most popular flowers,” says Tony Russo from Russo’s in Watertown, Massachusetts. These can go into the ground and couple well with our Coast of Maine potting soil. Russo's pansies are so hardy, “You can walk on them!” (though it's not recommended…). 

 

According to Tony Russo from Russo’s in Watertown, Massachusetts, “tomatoes and bananas should never see the inside of a refrigerator.” If your bananas are past ripe, use them for banana bread. If these fruits are kept at too low of a temperature, they’ll lose their flavor. Squash can be stored in the fridge at moderate temperatures.