Ah, the memories of growing up in the land of abundant fruits and vegetables. It was like living in a produce paradise, with a dash of suburban wisdom from dear old dad. My father’s economic mantras echoed in my ears daily. “I don’t own stock in the electric company,” he’d say, as if it were […]
I had the best tomato plant ever this year. The vine grew tall and strong, and once the plant started producing, it didn’t stop until well beyond when every other summer vegetable had died off. The fruit was absolutely delicious, and it got me thinking about how to store seeds long-term. Nothing against the other […]
Garden gnomes, those small, bearded creatures that have been popping up in gardens for centuries, have quite the storied past. But where did these little guys come from? And why are they so darned popular? It all started back in the 19th century, when a German potter named Phillip Griebel began creating garden gnomes as […]
The holiday season is not the right time to start worrying about “eating right”. At least, it’s not for me! I love pies, cookies, my chocolate advent calendar, stuffing, warm rolls, and all of those other things that are not considered part of a healthy diet. Each year, I say that I will leave healthy […]
There are many reasons to consider growing fruit trees indoors. For me, it all boils down to control. With container fruit trees, like container vegetable gardens, you have total control over watering, pruning, sunlight and location, can make all the difference in a fruit tree’s yield. While it’s certainly possible to grow a fruit tree from seed, you’ll have better luck and a faster yield of fruit by purchasing a seedling.
If you’re new to vegetable gardening, you might see the six-pack of tomato sprouts at your local gardening center and think, “Wow, what a deal!” What you might not realize is just how big tomato plants grow. I’m 5’6,” and my indeterminate tomato plants are usually at least as tall as me.
Because spinach is so easy to grow, I almost always end up with way more than I can eat, no matter how many recipes I have. What to do with all of the extra? Can you freeze spinach? The short answer is, yes, you can. But you can’t just throw your harvest into a freezer bag and forget it. (Well, actually you can, but we’ll get to that in a minute.)
Hello, fellow food enthusiasts! As the leaves in New England start to turn brilliant hues of red and gold, our taste buds are yearning for the comforting flavors of fall. One classic dish that has been a staple on my family’s holiday table is the Pecan Sweet Potato Pie. However, after a few decades in […]
I am a firm believer that we should be thankful year-round and not rely on a specific month or season. That being said, it is a lot easier to think than to do. Life gets busy, mundane daily tasks add up, and we forget to take the time to just be thankful for what we […]
Ah, the Thanksgiving when I discovered Ocean Spray cranberry jelly – it was a revelation that shook the very foundations of our family dinner table traditions. You see, Thanksgiving in our household was a serious affair, and cranberries held a place of honor right alongside the turkey. My father, the self-proclaimed gardening maestro and culinary […]
