Photo by mallydally Cucumbers (Cucumis sativis), affectionately known as “cukes”, come in many forms: bush variety, vines, lemon-shaped, yard-long types, and burpless. If you’ve thumbed through any seed catalogs, you’ll notice that they break them down into the groups such as slicing (for salads and sandwiches), for cooking recipes, and those that are perfect for […]
What is “Good” Garden Soil?
If you want to grow healthy plants, then you’re going to need healthy soil. While many plants have differing needs, most plants like a rich, friable, crumbly soil- one that’s not too sandy and not too heavy with clay. Annual plants, like vegetables, are especially hungry and thirsty plants, so it’s important that your soil […]
The Benefits of Growing Parsley in Your Kitchen Garden
Photo by Swanksalot Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) basically falls into one of two categories; Italian (flat) or French (curly). While they’re both hardy biennials, meaning they flower and go to seed every other year, like many herbs and vegetables, they’re usually grown as annuals. The general feeling among gardeners is that the French curly parsley is […]
Your First Garden: What Are Growing Zones?
Photo by Stevep2008 As a new gardener, one of the first things that you’ll be hearing about are growing zones. People mention them over and over in garden centers, seed catalogs, blogs, and gardening books. But what are they exactly? And how do you use them? The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have outlined […]
How to Make Pesto – Preserving Your Basil Herbs
I love growing basil during the warm growing season as the tender herb lends such a flavor to many dishes in the kitchen. When you aren’t using basil as a home remedy, making pesto and then freezing it is a great way to preserve your basil harvest for use through the winter months! Basic Recipe […]
Nashville Woman Inspires Others to Eat Locally
In Nashville, Tennessee, a local woman is inspiring those around her to eat only local food for the month of August. Mary Crimmins is a local food activist and farmer’s market manager who is hoping to spread the word about eating locally through her blog, Conscious Kitchen, and by issuing the Eat Local Challenge. She […]
Calling in the Bug Love: Attracting Beneficial Insects to the Garden
Calling all bugs! When you’re creating your planting plan in the spring, it’s important to think about both predators and pollinators. Attracting beneficial insects to your garden will mean a healthier and more vibrant garden ecosystem. You’ll have predator insects to eat the invertebrates that eat your garden. You’ll have pollinator insects to help your […]
Pole Beans in the Garden
Pole beans are another type of beans, similar to bush beans in taste, but the growth habit sets them apart. Pole beans are climbing vines and need a support, trellis or fence on which to climb. Planting Pole Beans in the Garden Pole beans usually take longer to mature than bush beans, making them an […]
Assessing Your Garden and Making Plans
Plan for a successful gardening season. What vegetables will you grow this year, and how will you make sure that you get the garden produce that you need?
Garden Planning: How Much Do You Eat?
How much garden produce does your family eat? Plan the spring garden in a few easy steps.
Culinary Herbs as Home Remedies: Basil
I love basil in tomato salad, with olive oil, in tomato and mozzarella sandwiches, in pasta, in pesto and in most foods, but this popular cooking herb also comes with healing properties. Basil gets its name from the Greek word for “king”: basileum. Different varieties of basil grow around the world. Tulsi: Indian Holy Basil […]
Culinary Herbs as Home Remedies: Mint
This spring, I am on a mission to plant a herb garden. The more I read about herbs, the more fascinated I am about the healing properties of so many ordinary herbs, and about how many ways there are to use culinary herbs as herbal home remedies. First in my new series about herbs: mint […]
