This butterfly photo by Cullman County Master Gardener Ellen Hall was selected for the popular, national magazine, Birds and Blooms, for publication in September 2018.
CULLMAN – Come join this beautiful, orange butterfly (Gulf Fritillary) in the purple asters (aster x frikartii) at the Cullman County Master Gardeners Demo Garden on Thursday, Nov. 8 from 10 a.m.-noon for a free open-to-all, Alabama Autumn planting demonstration.
Starting at 10 a.m., Cullman County Extension Coordinator, Tony Glover, will suggest ideal plantings for fall in our part of north Alabama and local master gardeners will demonstrate gardening tips for readying gardens for late-fall and winter.
Cullman County Master Gardeners love to share their enthusiasm for gardening and the skills they’ve learned in the master gardener program. Garden photography and cooking with Cullman-grown garden produce are also talents this lively group celebrates.
At the Nov. 8 garden demo, all can savor the Cullman-grown flavors of Alabama Autumn Planting Cake, created by Cullman County Master Gardeners Donnie Douthit and John Lynch. (recipe first shared here by The Cullman Tribune). This original coffee cake highlights Cullman-grown autumn apples, sweet potatoes, pecans, eggs and local honey.
CULLMAN COUNTY MASTER GARDENER AUTUMN PLANTING DEMO
- Where: Master Gardeners Demo Garden (First Avenue and Sixth Street SE, near Busy Bee Café)
- When: Thursday, Nov. 8 from 10 a.m.-noon
- Cake Tasting: 11 a.m.
- FREE and OPEN-TO-ALL
- Reservations for Non-Master Gardeners: 256- 737-9386
- 2019 Cullman County Master Gardener Classes begin in January; call number above for details
*ALABAMA AUTUMN PLANTING CAKE—original recipe by Donnie Douthit and John Lynch
INGREDIENTS
Combine in a mixing bowl and set aside:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
¾ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
Cream together in a large bowl:
½ cup butter (room temperature)
¼ cup white, granulated sugar
¼ cup brown sugar
Add in:
½ cup unsweetened applesauce
1 diced apple in small pieces (half-peeled/half with peel)
½ cup vanilla yogurt
¾ cup sour cream
¾ cup honey
¾ cup dark raisins
1 ¼ cup cooked, mashed sweet potatoes
3 eggs room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup pecan pieces
Mix the dry ingredients with the cream mixture. Mix by hand; the batter will be somewhat thick. This will keep the heavier pieces from settling to the bottom during baking. Spray a bundt pan or two loaf pans. Pour the combined mixture into baking pan(s). Bake for one hour at 350 degrees. Your cake should be golden brown. Test with a toothpick which should come out without batter on pick. Cool on a wire rack. Enjoy!! If you want to frost your ALABAMA AUTUMN PLANTING CAKE; mix together and drizzle on cake: 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour, ½ cup brown sugar, 2 Tablespoons melted butter, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Sprinkle some pecan pieces on top of the frosting. HAPPY, DELICIOUS, ALABAMA AUTUMN!
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