There are times the culinary world impacts my horticulture world. Such was the case years ago while dining at an up and coming sushi restaurant in Chicago. For an appetizer, Shishito peppers were listed. I had never heard of them before. Sure, I was familiar with many varieties of bell peppers as well as the […]
10 Growing Tips for Yellow Squash
This time of year, gardening is in high gear. In between pulling weeds and watering plants, harvesting is happening. Gazing down into the basket, one particular plant is producing like crazy… the humble yellow squash. Each day, it seems as though I am plucking more of them than any other vegetable. Now the squash family […]
35 Pasta Sauce Hacks
Pasta is a big deal in our family. Not only is it something that we enjoy eating, but it is something we enjoying cooking and sharing with others. And as much as I love pasta, in all honesty, I view it as a vehicle for the pasta sauce. Around here, sauce is red, luscious, and […]
Slugs! Beer is a Solution
Gardening is wonderfully unpredictable. Each year, it is different. We move things around in the garden. We grow different crops. Summer may be hotter than years past. Or perhaps Mother Nature has opened up the heavens and sent down rain by the buckets. If it is the latter, I know that there will be one […]
A Day in the Life of an Urban Homesteader
Homesteading is an adventure. It can provide a sense of fulfillment and be a source of pride. On a homestead you may find the following: animals (for food), vegetable gardens, fruit trees and/or shrubs, compost system, assorted outbuildings to contain/protect tools/equipment, as well as someone who has some skills that are often associated with days […]
Strawberry Milkshake
Strawberries are the quintessential taste of summer. And when I think of strawberries, I think of childhood. Hot summer nights. Riding in the pickup truck to town. Dusty roads. Windows rolled down. T-shirt with cut-off jean shorts. And the local mom-n-pop restaurant that stayed open late on summer evenings. Orders were placed for cold treats […]