This season has been an interesting one. I've had luck this year with plants I've tried (and failed) to grow for the past 11 years. At the same time, I've had trouble this year with plants that do well consistently year after year.  I thought I'd report my findings for those who might be experiencing the same thing. What's Working: Watermelon - I think the last time I got watermelon to set fruit was about 9 years ago. That hasn't…
The resession has hit paydirt and is taking Smith and Hawken with it. You can take advantage of the sad news as they liquidate.
Even though we've been harvesting squash for awhile now (see "Zucchini Anyone?"), it doesn't really feel like a summer harvest until the tomatoes start showing up. This week, it's official! They're red and ready to start pickin' at the Gardenerd test garden.
Although, to say that they're red would be discriminatory. These heirloom tomatoes are ripening in nearly every color of the rainbow. Red is almost passe with all the delectable heirloom options out there.
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Often when people leave for vacation, they experience a pleasant surprise of a thriving garden when they return (as long as it's being watered while they're gone). My clients often report that just a week away produces a huge growth spurt in their gardens. I've had this experience myself.
Recently though, I'd like to say that I went away on vacation, but the truth is I just got lazy and didn't check in on the zucchini for a few days. Oops...
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Enjoy your 4th of July with food from your garden. Get a recipe for chard frittata on the Gardenerd Blog.
In a rush to find a main dish to serve impromptu family dinner guests, I tried a new recipe the other night from one of my favorite cookbooks - Vegetarian Fast Food, by Rose Elliot. Time and time again this woman comes to my rescue with ideas for my excessive supply of whatever vegetable I have on hand at the time. Everything in this particular cookbook promises to be prepared in 30 minutes or less. My kind of meal!
Since the chard is still going strong from a year ago, we have a plentiful supply almost all ...
Keep an eye on your produce and all that comes with it. This website gives you guidelines and "need to know" information.
As a guilty pleasure, or let's say...a business expense, I renewed my long-lost membership to the Huntington Library and Gardens this spring. I haven't been in years (since gas prices went up - it's a bit of a drive to get there from where I live). In fact, I hadn't been back since the Huntington opened their Chinese and Children's' Gardens. I was really looking forward to seeing the "new to me" installations, and sauntering through the rose garden and other old stomping grounds.
Let me tell you, it didn't disappoint. My first stop was the Shakespeare Garden, which ...
A question came in this week:
"I have some lovely modest artichokes on one plant that I planted this
spring. I can't decide if I should cut 'em and eat 'em, or let them go
to flower! I'm not sure what would be best for the future life of the
plant... and what is the life cycle of the artichoke, anyway? What do I
need to do to keep it healthy and happy in my garden, year after year?
Thanks. I love the being a gardenerd!! Liza"
Well, those are all good questions, Liza. Artichokes can be intimidating, I think, ...