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…
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.
...
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...
...
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 ...
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 ...
Gardenerd just joined Technorati, which collects, highlights and distributes online global conversations.
Technorati Profile ...
About 7 years ago, I took a day trip up to Gilroy for the World Famous Garlic Festival. My goal was to learn how to braid garlic. I came away from the event with the skill set to sally forth in the garlic braiding department forever more (along with some serious garlic breath). Each year, in order to keep the pile of garlic that I harvest (and cure for about 6 weeks) from cluttering up my counter tops, I braid the year's harvest and hang it in the kitchen for easy access.
This year, I decided to ...
It appears that the zucchini and Bennings Green Tint patty pan squash have officially kicked into high gear - and it's not even summer yet! This is a crucial time - when one needs to visit the garden every day, lest there be a monster squash discovered after a few days away from the garden. So far, so good. We're catching the summer squash early and picking them young. Now to find recipes...
I have a favorite recipe for zucchini, but you
might want to save it for when your sick of zucchini, because when
you're done with this ...
This weekend was the Grand Opening of a property that I've been working on for a year - Marrakesh House. Along with the garden, the home's green design elements were featured on Green LA Girl last week, in promotion of the event. Check out the article and photos.
Green LA Girl Blog - Marrakesh House
...