Tips Archives - Page 9 of 15

Taming of the Asparagus

I'm a little bit of a late bloomer. Or maybe it's just that I get used to looking at - or stepping over - something that's in my way and then I don't do anything about it for a long time. It's kind of like that pile of laundry in the middle of the room. It doesn't go away, but you start to ignore it - so it really isn't there any more, right?

This was the case with the wild patch of asparagus in the raised beds. We're at the end of our second year, which means that ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:August 26, 2009
Post category:What's Growin' On
Post comments:4 Comments

Eggplant Parmigiana – Under the Tuscan Sun Style

I'll admit it. I've never made eggplant parmigiana. I ate it growing up; as a picky eater it was probably the only way I'd ever eat eggplant. So leave it to a gardenerd to grow eggplant and not know what to do with the finished result. Until now.

I've been hoarding a copy of Frances Mayes Bringing Tuscany Home for a few years now, just waiting for the perfect moment to strike, when I felt confident enough to try making what I thought would be a daunting recipe. The torn piece of paper marking the page was nearly withered ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:August 20, 2009
Post category:What's Growin' On
Post comments:1 Comment

Gardenerd.com on LA Times.com Today

Just caught sight of a post on the LA Times Blog in the Home Section about our upcoming Fall Garden Planning Workshop. Check it out here:

Fall Garden Planning Workshop on LA Times.com

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Post author:Christy
Post published:August 19, 2009
Post category:What's Growin' On
Post comments:0 Comments

Pumpkins on the Early Side

Believe it or not, our pumpkins have finished up already this year. Now we're baking up the best pumpkin bread around with them.

Post author:Christy
Post published:August 13, 2009
Post category:What's Growin' On
Post comments:7 Comments

Home Made Mozzarella

Since the garden is pretty much doing its own thing these days, we tend for focus more on the bounty of the harvest than the growing of plants (which is just as exciting anyway).

Post author:Christy
Post published:July 22, 2009
Post category:Blog What's Growin' On
Post comments:0 Comments

What’s Working…and Not Working

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…

Post author:Christy
Post published:July 14, 2009
Post category:What's Growin' On
Post comments:0 Comments

First Summer Harvest

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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Post author:Christy
Post published:July 8, 2009
Post category:What's Growin' On
Post comments:0 Comments

Zucchini Anyone?

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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Post author:Christy
Post published:July 7, 2009
Post category:What's Growin' On
Post comments:4 Comments

Huntington Revisited

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 ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:June 25, 2009
Post category:What's Growin' On
Post comments:1 Comment

Squash Bonanza

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 ...

Post author:Christy
Post published:June 12, 2009
Post category:What's Growin' On
Post comments:1 Comment