Starting seeds at home can be a wonderful experience. You have thumbed through catalogs, spun racks with seed packets at local nurseries, and have narrowed down your selections. Now with seeds in hand, you are ready to start them indoors. You have soil, lighting, and a place set aside for them, but now you wonder […]
Gardening
Potatoes to Plate: How Research Makes a Difference
In this day and age, our potato choices abound. Stroll through the produce department of grocery stores or wander from vendor table to vendor table at farmers’ markets to check out the options. Gone are the days where a single variety dominated shopper’s baskets. Now you can choose from russet potatoes, red potatoes, yellow potatoes, […]
Seeds: The Difference Between Heirloom and Organic
In the world of seeds descriptions abound. Cool season. Warm season. Drought tolerant. GMO-free. Sustainable. But what does it all mean? Do you really know what you are buying? Two words in particular are frequently used. They are: organic and heirloom. But before you place that order, do you know the difference? When it comes […]
How to Build a Cold Frame at Home
Cold frames. They are the workhorse of my garden. Every year, they are pulled into service, both in the early spring and then again in the fall. They alone, allow us to extend our growing season from late February – November (and sometimes into December) which is pretty darn good for living in USDA hardiness […]
Preserving Oregano for Marvelous Meals
As an avid gardener and home cook, herbs will always have a place in my garden. Origanum vulgare, otherwise known as oregano, has been in my garden for over 20 years and that spot is well deserved. In fact, it planted just a few feet from the patio so it is at arm’s reach when […]
How to Harvest Horseradish
I love this time of year. The air is cool, the earth is damp, and there are still a few edibles in the garden. Early fall means that it is time to harvest one of my favorite vegetables. Yes, it is horseradish season! Horseradish (Amoracia rusticana) is a perennial that is in the Brassicaceae family. […]