Usually, this time of year, I am monitoring my garden, watering and looking forward to a June harvest; however, due to breaking a bone in my foot at the end of April, I have been limited on what I can do. My plot garden never was tilled and nothing was planted. Until recently, it was not even mowed. I am grateful I purchased and planted several tomato plants, some herbs, a pepper plant and some lettuce before I injured myself. Doctors told me, I broke a bone attached to two tendons in my foot; resulting in an extra long time of healing. After four weeks of limited mobility, struggling with…
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Worldly Spices and Flavors
As home cooks and gardeners, we know plant growth and agriculture directly relate to geography and climatic conditions. For this reason, herbs and spices directly influence a region’s culinary fare. When creating delicious dishes at home, it is important home chefs familiarize themselves with the different herbs and spices. Through experimentation and practice, you will find yourself developing a feel for seasonings that will enable you to produce more consistently good flavor in your meals. Basic Principals for Herbs and Spices There are some basic guidelines in using spices and culinary flavors. The most important principal is herbs and spices should enhance the natural flavor of food, rather than dominate…
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7 Tips For Spring Edible Gardening
It is almost April 15th and where I call home, it is time to begin my spring edible garden! I kinda get a chuckle, at my expense when it comes to gardening. When I was much younger, in grammar school, my parents had a garden. We grew corn, beans, and a few other vegetables. We had a huge apple tree and prosperous grape vines; so I grew up knowing where food comes from. When I was 10 years old, we moved and no longer had a garden at our house, however, my grandparents still had thriving gardens. They enjoyed all sorts of greens, beans and squash. During my teenage years,…
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7 Types of Basil for Spring Gardening
Used in many Italian dishes or to add springtime freshness to any culinary concoction, basil comes in many varieties, each with their own characteristics. Basil is one of the most fragrant and easiest of all the herbs to grow in your spring garden. Introduced to England in the 16th century, it made its way to America in the 17th century. It flourishes in the warmth of the Mediterranean countries, where it is so successfully combined with sun-ripened tomatoes. The famous, basil pesto, was created in Genoa (northern Italy), usually consisting of crushed garlic, basil, pine nuts, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, blended with olive oil. 7 Types of Basil Plants 1. Genovese …
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Tomatoes: Grocery Store Verses Growing Your Own
Springtime! Time to plant those tomatoes… AND STOP BUYING GROCERY STORE TOMATOES. I am absolutely sick of grocery store tomatoes! The skins are so tough and waxy! To me, they really have no flavor at all. Did you know…. growers are paid by the pound to propagate and deliver tomatoes to grocery store distributors Did you know... the majority of grocery store tomatoes have a genetic mutation called the GLK protein, which actually promotes uniformity, and their bright red color; however, reduces their natural sugars and sweetness Did you know… commercial growers pick tomatoes while they are still green, before they ripen, then spray them with…
