What's Growin' On Archives - Page 104 of 134

Tomato Tasting Party – Everybody Wins!

We have a tradition with a longtime friend in which we gather together, bringing our best tomatoes each season, to share in the bounty of the summer harvest. We slice them with care and taste each variety to determine our favorites. There is olive oil and salt, a little basil, and very good bread on hand. Each time we've done a tasting we have come away with a new favorite. This year was no exception.

We gathered in the garden with our contributions and began with show and tell. My husband and ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:August 17, 2011
Post category:What's Growin' On
Post comments:2 Comments

Mar Vista’s Bounty Hunter: Almond Joys

The latest post of fabulous finds at the Mar Vista Farmers' Market is ready for your viewing pleasure. Find out the skinny on Fat Uncle Farms blistered almonds:

Going Nuts for Fat Uncle Farms
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Post author:Christy
Post published:August 16, 2011
Post category:What's Growin' On
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Culver City Garden Show Review

This past Saturday I wandered through the 58th Annual Culver City Garden Show. I had never been there before, and what a fun time it was. Gardenerds abounded with booths selling plants and plant-related items. Master Gardeners were present to answer gardening questions. The California Native Plant Society was on hand to talk about native plants and plant care. But my favorite part, of course, was the vegetable and fruit display.

There were contests for the best fruits and most obscure vegetables. This table below featured ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:August 10, 2011
Post category:What's Growin' On
Post comments:1 Comment

Solar Flax Chips

We're constantly trying to replicate store-bought treats in the Gardenerd kitchen, and this week we successfully tackled raw flax chips/crackers. We did it all in the solar food dryer too - so the entire experiment was carbon neutral!

If you are looking for a substitute for potato chips or any other salty snack, you've got to try these flax chips. They are nutritious and delicious - it's hard to eat just one. Here's how we did it:

The Recipe - ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:August 9, 2011
Post category:What's Growin' On
Post comments:1 Comment

Eclectic Meal Choices in Mar Vista

The weekly Farmers' Market wrap up is available for your perusal on the Gardenerd Blog. You'll get hungry just reading about all the options you have:

In the Market for a Meal?
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Post author:Christy
Post published:August 8, 2011
Post category:What's Growin' On
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Harvesting Triticale (and other grains)

August means harvest time, and even in a small garden there's plenty of work to do to bring garden treasures in for the season. Harvesting grains can be a bit time consuming, but it is particularly satisfying when the process is over. After all the chaff is removed, you have a finished product that can be used to make cereals, breads, pie crusts, and other baked goods through winter.

We grew triticale this spring and just harvested it this week. Now it's time to prepare it for the ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:August 3, 2011
Post category:Blog What's Growin' On
Post comments:4 Comments

Melons and Tomatoes – Flavors of Summer

Check out the latest post from Mar Vista's Bounty Hunter. Get some great ideas for no-cook recipes for melons and tomatoes:

Savor the Fruits of Summer with Melons and Tomatoes
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Post author:Christy
Post published:August 1, 2011
Post category:What's Growin' On
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Cucumbers Become Mom Jo’s Dill Pickles

Last week's Tip of the Week podcast introduced you to my mother's delicious dill pickle recipe. This week we tried our hands at making them with home grown Lemon Cucumbers. Tension mounted at the thought of doing it for the first time without Mom there to guide, but a few phone calls along the way made it easy.

We started with freshly picked Lemon Cucumbers (and an Early Russian straggler). We soaked them over night in cold water.
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Post author:Christy
Post published:July 28, 2011
Post category:What's Growin' On
Post comments:2 Comments

Seed Saving for Celery

Celery is an umbel, a member of the Umbellifera family, which has flowers that are shaped like umbrellas. Umbels are famous for attracting parasitic wasps and other beneficial insects that combat aphids in the garden.

Last fall, we tested out some Tall Utah Celery seed from Hometown Seeds in the garden, and found that it did really well. We harvested individual stalks all season long and then let the rest go to seed to attract beneficial insects and provide habitat. Boy did it! It is now 6 ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:July 27, 2011
Post category:What's Growin' On
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Summer is Pesto Time

The latest post from Mar Vista's Bounty Hunter is here to give you ideas about pesto. Make it yourself, or buy it pre-fab - you'll be smiling either way:

Pesto: A Basil-Based Delight
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Post author:Christy
Post published:July 25, 2011
Post category:What's Growin' On
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