Food Gardening Network

Growing food, fun & more

July 2024

At The Gate

July brings the peak of Summer, a time when the days are long, and the warmth of the sun is at its most intense. As we move past the Summer solstice and delve deeper into the season, the Northern Hemisphere continues to bask in extended daylight, with Earth maintaining its tilt toward the sun.  READ MORE right arrow

Club Notes

Mango Magic: A Sweet Adventure on Nevis

Ahoy there, mateys! Let me regale ye with a tale of our recent escapade to the delightful shores of Nevis, where the mangoes are as plentiful as the sunshine and the adventures are as wild as the monkeys swinging through the trees. Me hearty Gail and I dropped anchor off the coast of this Caribbean gem, eager to explore the birthplace of none other than Alexander Hamilton himself.  READ MORE right arrow
Fall garden

Thinking Ahead: Planning Your Late Summer and Fall Garden

I've always found joy in the rhythms of the seasons. While some may think gardening is a summer affair, those in the know understand that the fun doesn’t stop when the temperatures start to cool. In fact, July is the perfect time to start planning your next move for late summer and a fall garden.  READ MORE right arrow

The World’s Most Expensive … Crocus

The next potential big crop for Vermont, says the front page of our local newspaper, is saffron. The saffron story shared the headlines with the school lunch program, the Little League scores, and a debate over a new fire engine purchase, which shows the sort of comforting, low-level news we get up here just south of the Canadian border.  READ MORE right arrow

Hey! Who Threw Tomatoes at My Car??!!!

First, I am pleased to announce that I have planted my peas earlier this year than ever before and certainly earlier than anyone in my native Pennsylvania would consider even remotely sane. As always, this is not my fault.  READ MORE right arrow

Boys, Poinsettias, and Tomatoes

My poinsettia is cheerily blooming at last, its tissue-paper white and red contrasting nicely with the green June grass. So what if it’s 80° in the shade, and there are geraniums (also red and white) in full bloom next to it?  READ MORE right arrow

Peas Don’t Like Me

Peas don't like me. I mean it. It's not my fault. I like them. There's nothing more symbolic of early-summer gar­dening success than grazing along a row of twining pea vines, pulling open a fat, round pod, and popping those fresh green pearls of flavor into your mouth. No sir, I like garden peas just fine.  READ MORE right arrow

Blueberries and the Bear

Read by Matilda Longbottom   Listen Now: adore blueberries. Not only are they packed with antioxidants, but they are also incredibly delicious. Whether in yogurt, cereal, plain, or baked into treats, they always hit the spot. It seemed like a great idea to get my own blueberry bushes to enjoy fresh, wonderful…  READ MORE right arrow

PLANTS WE LOVE

Sow Berry, Sow Good: A Straw-berry Sweet Symphony

Howdy there, fellow garden enthusiasts and potential strawberry savants! Remember me? That friendly farmer who once tempted your taste buds with the promise of homemade strawberry ice cream? Well, guess who's back with another berrylicious proposal for your green-thumb consideration!  READ MORE right arrow

Hot Peppers: Spice Up Your Life with a Texas Twang

Howdy, y'all! If you're fixin' to add some kick to your cuisine, you've moseyed on over to the right place. Here in the Lone Star State, we take our flavors seriously, and there's no better way to spice things up than with some good ol' hot peppers.  READ MORE right arrow

Shakespeare and Roses

Ah, the timeless allure of Shakespeare and the delicate beauty of roses—truly a match made in literary heaven! As a fervent admirer of both the Bard and the blooming wonders of nature, delving into the intersection of William Shakespeare and roses feels like strolling through a fragrant garden of literary delights.  READ MORE right arrow

STORIES FROM THE GARDEN

My First Tomato

Summer is my favorite season. I love the thick air and the stillness of the heat. I prefer wide-open windows, frames with flowing curtains, and ceiling fans to A/C, which I ultimately and begrudgingly drag-out every year sometime around the end of July.  READ MORE right arrow

Garden Yoga

There are countless websites and videos showcasing yoga for gardeners, each with a unique approach. However, if you're seeking a laid-back routine that doesn't demand perfection, you're in the right place. Here, I present some delightful moves you can practice, mostly from the comfort of your garden chair, savoring your morning coffee.  READ MORE right arrow

Beetle Mania

As June fades into its final days, I reluctantly bid farewell to my lush garden in North Carolina before I embark on a journey up North. My pole beans are scaling their lattice of strings, and the zinnias are erupting in a riot of colors.   READ MORE right arrow

Celebrating Showgirls

There's a little miracle happening right before a surgery I need. Let me tell you about it. Back in 2019, a dear friend, sharing my passion for all things floral, gave me two amaryllis bulbs for Christmas—one fiery red, the other a soft peach. They arrived like Christmas showgirls, bedazzling the Winter darkness with their spectacular headdresses and sequin-like petals.  READ MORE right arrow

Garden Adventures with Grandma

I couldn't help but grin as both sides of the road burst into a riot of pink and purple flowers. A few years back, construction upheavals threatened the lupines near the Williams' place. But there they were, as resilient as ever.  READ MORE right arrow

Battling Cincinnati Clay

In Cincinnati, gardening is not for the faint of heart; it's a battle against the relentless Cincinnati Clay. The soil, more akin to an ancient adversary than a nurturing environment, tests the mettle of even the most determined gardener.  READ MORE right arrow

YOU DEFINITELY NEED A TRACTOR!

"You need a tractor!" Pam, the X-ray tech at my clinic, sounds like a farmer evangelist whenever she brings up tractors. Her excitement matches my own enthusiasm for the nineteen acres of countryside I recently snagged.  READ MORE right arrow

Hollyhock Memories: Dancing with the Ladies

Like most enthusiastic gardeners, I cherish every aspect of my garden. From selecting and planting each green friend with care to watching them flourish, gardening is my sanctuary. Among all my beloved plants, the old-fashioned hollyhocks hold a special place in my heart.  READ MORE right arrow

Lovage’s Triumph: A Tale of Resilience

It's been an interesting year, to say the least. They say that when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. Well, I found myself in a lemon grove without a juicer. But amidst the challenges, a story of resilience emerged, intertwined with the journey of some rather unexpected garden companions.  READ MORE right arrow

The Little Shopkeeper

Once upon a time in a world of endless possibilities, there lived a child who found joy in the simple pleasures of life. This child, full of wonder and imagination, spent blissful days playing in the garden with loving grandparents.  READ MORE right arrow

Celebrating Stories from the Emerald Isle

Ah, the enchanting tales of Ireland! As I delve into the depths of my family's heritage, I can't help but share one of the most beloved stories from the Emerald Isle. Picture yourself amidst the lush green hills, where every breeze carries whispers of magic and mystery.  READ MORE right arrow

GARDEN TO TABLE JOURNEYS

new england intro featured

Introduction to New England Garden to Table Recipes

Ah, the warmth of summer in New England—a time when the air carries the scent of adventure and the promise of culinary delights. As the executive publisher of the GreenPrints Garden Club, I find myself enveloped in the joy and gratitude that this season brings.  READ MORE right arrow
lobster roll

The Great American Lobster Roll Quest

Once upon a time in the land of perpetual sunshine, a Californian soul embarked on a culinary adventure, seeking the epitome of East Coast bliss—the perfect lobster roll. Born and raised on the West Coast, and having embraced the salty air of New England for almost four decades, the quest for the ultimate lobster roll had become a delicious obsession.  READ MORE right arrow
potato chips

Crafting Your Own Cape Cod Potato Chips

Let me take you on a delightful journey into the world of homemade Cape Cod potato chips. It all started when I moved to New England, and the idea of crafting my own crispy, golden chips became an unexpected adventure in my kitchen.  READ MORE right arrow

New England Native Corn Salad

As a Californian, my culinary journey often revolved around avocados, tacos, and the abundance of fresh produce available year-round. Little did I know that a visit to the charming island of Nantucket would introduce me to a centuries-old New England native dish that would forever change my perception of corn—the delightful and refreshing corn salad.  READ MORE right arrow

Cranberry Waltz: A Summer Slaw Discovery

On a sunny Summer day, the air filled with the salty breeze from Buzzards Bay, my wife Gail and I embarked on our ritual journey back from the Kingman marina, our trunk laden with the treasures of the sea. Lobsters, clams, and the promise of a seafood-powered Sunday feast for both of us and our lucky neighbors.  READ MORE right arrow

Symphony of Summer Sweetness

Once upon a sun-kissed Summer, in our family kitchen, my father, a culinary maestro, unveiled his masterpiece–a dessert that embodied the essence of the season. With fresh strawberries straight from our strawberry patch and a dollop of culinary magic, he crafted a dish that would leave an indelible mark on our taste buds.  READ MORE right arrow

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