Food Gardening Network

Growing food, fun & more

June 2024

At The Gate

June is so glorious, and we get to enjoy the Summer solstice this month (June 20th this year)—the astronomical beginning of Summer in the Northern Hemisphere, that time when Earth tilts her northern pole toward the sun while spinning daily on her axis and rotating around the sun, much like a gorgeous sunflower tilting its flowery head towards the sun’s rays.  READ MORE right arrow

Club Notes

A Tale of Three Seeds

The sun was just peeking over the horizon as I stepped out into my garden, coffee mug in hand. The crisp morning air filled my lungs as I surveyed the tidy rows of vegetable plants, still heavy with morning dew.  READ MORE right arrow

Hay

First, a moment of truth: we don’t make hay. We have a field, and the farmer up the road cuts it, makes hay out of it and takes it home to feed his cows. It’s the easiest thing we grow, since we do … well, absolutely nothing.   READ MORE right arrow

Saved by the Arugula

Back when I was the editor of Organic Gardening magazine (which was back when there was an Organic Gardening magazine to edit [boo hoo]), many of my editorial columns were a personal “garden report,” which in the hands of a real gardener would have recounted inspiring celebrations ...  READ MORE right arrow

Elisabeth Woodburn

"Why don't you go and see Elisabeth Woodburn?," my husband used to say whenever I needed cheering. When I did, it always worked. She died on this past November 18, and gardeners and garden-book lovers all over the world will mourn her.  READ MORE right arrow

Weather Gossip

What is the number one conversation topic of all gardeners? You know it: weather. We all know what Mark twain said: “Everyone talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.”  READ MORE right arrow

Is June the Perfect Month?

I always say that May is my favorite month. I love the feeling of rebirth and growth that happens in the month of May. June, though, is a very close second. Being from New England, I have always thought of June as the perfect month.  READ MORE right arrow

PLANTS WE LOVE

Ring in the Fun: A Bell Pepper Bonanza

Ah, the bell pepper–that colorful, crunchy, and downright irresistible fruit that's as versatile as it is delicious. From salads to stir-fries, soups to sauces, bell peppers have secured their place in kitchens and gardens worldwide.  READ MORE right arrow

Cucumber Chronicles

Welcome, fellow gardeners and gourmands, to a deep dive into the crunchy, cool world of cucumbers! From their humble origins to their starring roles in Summertime salads and savory pickles, cucumbers have carved out a refreshing niche in American gardening and gastronomy.  READ MORE right arrow

Green Bean Happiness

As far back as I can remember, green beans have been a staple on my plate. It's safe to say that if there's one vegetable I've never turned down, it's the humble green bean.  READ MORE right arrow

STORIES FROM THE GARDEN

Chasing Moonflower Dreams

I embarked on my gardening adventure at the tender age of 19, armed with dreams and a Burpee catalog that magically appeared in my mailbox. Little did I know that my quest for the elusive moonflower would become a tale of patience, persistence, and unexpected joy.  READ MORE right arrow

Tarzan in the Garden

I had what I thought was a normal childhood, much like everyone else. I thought it was completely ordinary to come home from school to our bougainvillea-draped hillside garden where spiny plants like yucca and bird-of-paradise reigned supreme.  READ MORE right arrow

The Language of Front Garden Flowers

Read by Matilda Longbottom   Listen Now: hen we stepped into the world of our first home, a charming 1912 foursquare nestled in the historic district of a quaint town, we never expected the front garden to be fluent in an unwelcoming dialect. With its mature plantings—trees, a rhododendron, climbing roses, azaleas, hostas,…  READ MORE right arrow

Radish Reverie: Cultivating Joy in the Roots of Life

R is for Rooted Tales. Nestled in our backyard, the radish patch began as a remedy for unruly grass. My husband, armed with a shovel and a rented rototiller, transformed the earth into a canvas of possibilities. Radishes, the unexpected stars of the show, thrived, claiming their space with a riot of greenery.  READ MORE right arrow

The Resilient Pears: A Backyard Odyssey

Growing up, our backyard was a battleground of survival, with one constant: the unyielding pear trees. In a garden where Dad's green thumb often turned deadly, these pears stood defiant against storms, blights, and his determined attempts at pruning.  READ MORE right arrow

Dan’s Dance with the Terrible Toad

In the quaint farmhouse I share with Dan, a self-proclaimed city boy with a phobia of anything larger than a small insect, life takes unexpected turns. To truly appreciate the madness that unfolds, one must first grasp Dan's lack of common sense.  READ MORE right arrow

Emily’s Enchanted Garden

In a cozy little cottage nestled on the outskirts of a charming village, there lived a kind and gentle woman named Emily Greenleaf. Her cottage was surrounded by a garden unlike any other, a place of wonder and enchantment, a place where stories came to life.  READ MORE right arrow

Introducing Vegetable Gardening in America

If you're anything like me, you're a proud card-carrying foodie who finds bliss in the soil, joy in the harvest, and delight in sharing the bounty with friends and family. That's why I couldn't wait to dive into our brand-new guidebook, Vegetable Gardening in America.  READ MORE right arrow

GARDEN TO TABLE JOURNEYS

Sangrita and Lalo Tequila Blanco

Once upon a sun-drenched escapade to Cabo San Lucas, my wife Gail and I found ourselves on a cliffside haven, where the Pacific Ocean's salty embrace and the tantalizing aroma of Mexican cuisine filled the air.  READ MORE right arrow
guacamole

Travels with Guacamole

Once upon a time, in the flavorful tapestry of culinary history, there existed a dish that transcended boundaries and captured the hearts of food enthusiasts across the globe—guacamole.  READ MORE right arrow
shrimp ceviche

Shrimp Ceviche Extravaganza

Once upon a time in the early 80s, I found myself as the new kid on the management team at Houston Home & Garden. I was still figuring out where the coffee machine was when the company's Chief Financial Officer, Ken, extended an invitation that would change my culinary world forever.  READ MORE right arrow
mexican lasagna

Tex-Mex Delight: A Tale of Mexican Lasagna

Once upon a time in the heart of Austin, where BBQ and Tex-Mex reign supreme, I found myself at a rehearsal dinner that promised to be just another delightful Texan feast. Little did I know that the evening held a culinary surprise that would dance on my taste buds and leave me craving more.  READ MORE right arrow
flan

A Tex-Mex Flan Adventure

Once upon a time in the vibrant city of Houston, during the early 1980s, I found myself in the delightful position of being the general manager for Houston Home & Garden magazine. The role came with its perks, and one of the most savory ones was the invitation to various restaurant openings and celebrations.  READ MORE right arrow

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