Hello, and welcome to the March edition of Food Gardening Magazine. It's still chilly here at Food Gardening Network headquarters, but the days are definitely longer, and soon I'll be able to dig into the garden. Some of you may already have soil warm enough to plant early spring vegetables. With the first day of…
Food Gardening Magazine • March 2024
Food Gardening with Amanda
Growing my own herbs for natural remedies has been a transformative journey for me, one that I stumbled upon pretty unexpectedly. It all began a few years ago when I was dealing with persistent headaches and occasional digestive discomfort. I had tried over-the-counter medications, but they only provided temporary relief, and I was searching for… READ MORE
In March, most of us are just beginning to think about starting seeds after scouring seed catalogues for months and eagerly awaiting exactly this moment. Depending on where you live, it might be time to start seeds, or time to plant them directly in the ground. READ MORE
As a more “earthy” gardener who digs with her hands and often goes barefoot in the garden, I have to admit that until now, I’ve always gone the do-it-yourself route for starting seeds indoors. In the beginning, I would always buy grown seedlings from the incredible farmers co-op down the road from me, but once I started growing my own, they were always planted in everything from eggshells to egg cartons, to BPA-free plastic bottle bottoms. READ MORE
"Don't ever let a recipe tell you how much garlic to put in. You measure that with your heart." If you've ever seen this saying and completely understood what it meant, then you're in the right place. READ MORE
Chamomile tea is a popular bedtime beverage with a reputation for being a natural sleep aid. Chamomile even makes a cameo appearance in The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Peter Rabbit’s mother gives him a soothing cup of chamomile tea when he comes home after a close call in Mr. McGregor’s garden. There are primarily two species… READ MORE
With temperatures on the rise and the sweet scent of spring in the air, it's time to embrace the outdoors with open arms. Feast your eyes on the 2024 Spring Garden Planning Calendar Kit, a delightful offering for all garden enthusiasts. Within, you'll find four printable calendar pages for March, April, May, and June, ready… READ MORE
Dive into the healing wonders of your backyard with the Master Gardener's Book of Home-Grown Home Remedies—a special edition gardening guide featuring 57 incredible plants that could become your very own medicine cabinet. Picture your garden as a treasure trove of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers, each holding the key to countless health benefits. Discover… READ MORE
When I read Sheila Allen's article, "The Woman in Black" it felt like a perfect fit for our issue on home remedies. In her story, we experience what it's like to be a child in the 1950s coming across a woman who creates her own salves and tinctures from her garden. Thankfully, it wasn't the… READ MORE
Featured Kits
With temperatures on the rise and the sweet scent of spring in the air, it's time to embrace the outdoors with open arms. Feast your eyes on the 2024 Spring Garden Planning Calendar Kit, a delightful offering for all garden enthusiasts. Within, you'll find four printable calendar pages for March, April, May, and June, ready… READ MORE
Gardening Guide Close-Ups
Broccoli growing season is one of my favorite vegetable seasons. It doesn't hurt that so many other delicious veggies are in season with broccoli. But broccoli itself is one of my favorites, although you might laugh when you find out why. READ MORE
One of the many things I love about beets is the excuse they give me to grow some tasty beet companion plants. To be clear, I'm happy to have a garden full of beets just because I love beets. But like tomatoes, which offer a great excuse to plant more basil, beets and several other plants work especially well together. READ MORE
Rosemary is relatively easy to grow, having few demands and few disease or pest problems. It has a pungent flavor and a pine-like scent that's popular in many culinary traditions. And once you know how to dry fresh rosemary, you can take advantage of this aromatic herb any time of the year. READ MORE
Featured Recipes
I love shortbread cookies. They’re among the simplest cookies to make and they’re so satisfying. I love the warm, homey smell of the cookies while baking and the delicious texture when the cookies are finally cool. That's also why I especially love Lavender Shortbread Cookies. Because shortbread cookies… READ MORE
Some savory dishes call out for a bit of sweetness. This five-ingredient main dish is one of them—and it’s so easy. The raspberry-balsamic sauce not only adds flavor, but the color also enhances the presentation, taking a simple chicken dish to the next level. … READ MORE
Lemon Garlic Shrimp with Peas and Artichokes sounds like a mouthful — a mouthful of heaven! Don’t be intimidated by the recipe’s long name because this marvelous dish doesn’t take that long to prepare. You’re going to need quite a few ingredients to make this meal, so it’s best to set them all down before… READ MORE
If you want to ensure that everyone is a part of the clean plate club this fall, these mashed potatoes are a must. And best of all, your slow cooker does most of the work for you! READ MORE
People tend to think of salads as mostly composed of fresh, crunchy, and brightly colored greens. You might see some tomato reds here and there, maybe the subtle off-whites of cheese, and the occasional black olives that lend a dash of personality. Did you know that there’s a whole range of flavors and ingredients that… READ MORE