What’s Growin’ On

Read more about the article Seed Saving for Celery

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 ...

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Read more about the article Harvesting Delicata and Acorn Squash

Harvesting Delicata and Acorn Squash

Since we planted squash very early this year (in order to get the plants established by the time June Gloom set in) we are already set to harvest some of our winter squash. Our Golden Pippin Acorn squash and most of our Delicata squash plants have withered, leaving behind golden fruits that will store through winter.


With pumpkins, it's easy to know when to harvest - just let the vines turn brown and crispy, then pick your pumpkin. Not all winter squash is that simple. For example, I've ...

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Read more about the article Raita: a Tasty Cucumber Side Dish

Raita: a Tasty Cucumber Side Dish

Low-level panic strikes when the pile of cucumbers from the garden starts to become overwhelming. What to do?  If you've already made "spa water" with cucumber and orange slices in a pitcher of water, and you've been scooping up hummus with sliced cucumbers every day, try an Indian side dish that will help dwindle down your supply.

Cucumber Raita (ra-yee-ta) is an Indian/Pakistani condiment made with yogurt that is usually used to cool the palate when eating spicy foods. It can have its own degree of spice, with mustard seeds or paprika, ...

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Read more about the article Lemon Verbena Ice Cream

Lemon Verbena Ice Cream

Cooking jags strike without warning, and when combined with the innocent act of pruning the lemon verbena plant out front, it makes for a delicious combination. Lemon verbena is one of those romantic herbs that I imagine Victorian women picked as they walked through the garden and rubbed onto their pulse points to carry the fragrance with them all day. It's lemony, but floral.


Lemon Verbena is usually dried and used in tea, but adventurous cooks use it in other dishes with fish, chicken and breads. We at Gardenerd ...

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Read more about the article The Great Sunflower Project
The bees enjoyed the flowers of bolting kale and mustard greens.

The Great Sunflower Project

A few months back, we talked about the Sunflower Project on the Gardenerd Tip of the Week. It's worth repeating, especially since we recently discovered a cool tool on the website that you can use to gauge how many bees are in your area. You can also participate in reporting on bees in  your area.

It's all part of YourGardenShow.com's Citizen Science effort. Check this out:


The Bee-o-Meter - part of the Sunflower Project

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