Page 21 - Blog

The Totally Corn Cookbook
by Helene Siegel and Karen Gillingham
Published by Celestial Arts
Produced by Becker & Mayer! available at Penguin Random House
The series of Totally Cookbooks unlocks the breadth of recipes available for corn, garlic, potatoes, strawberries, carrots, chile peppers, eggplant, tomatoes (and other key ingredients like chocolate, shrimp or mushrooms). Perfect for corn-loving kitchen gardeners in a summer gift basket, The Totally Corn Cookbook has really wonderful recipes to make the most out of the peak of the corn harvest.

Lovage Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”-1/2”
Row Spacing:12”-18”
Seed Spacing:3”-6”
Plant Spacing: 12”

Herbs may be either direct-sown outdoors after the threat of frost has passed, or started indoors for transplanting or container gardening. Herbs require moderately rich, well-draining soil with at least 5 hours of bright sunlight. To start indoors: sow lightly in sterilized seed mix, lightly moisten and cover with plastic wrap until germination takes place. Do not water again until sprouts emerge. Remove plastic wrap once sprouted. Transplant outdoors when the threat of frost has passed. Some perennials like Lavender, Catnip or Savory prefer to be started indoors. Others such as Chives, Sage or Fennel prefer to be direct-sown outside once the soil has warmed. Most herbs dislike chemicals or over-fertilization. Feed lightly with kelp or fish emulsion once seedlings are well established. Keep lightly moist: never wet. Pinch back the plants to avoid flowering and to encourage

Love in a Puff Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/2”
Seed Spacing:2”-3”
Plant Spacing:10”-12”
Days to Germination:10-20 days
Germination Temperature:70°-75°F

Cardiospermum halicacabum. Easily grown, the Balloon Vine should be direct-sown outside after the threat of spring frost has passed. Prepare a bed in full to partial sunlight with well-draining soil at the base of a trellis. Love-in-a-Puff may also be started indoors 8 to 10 weeks before transplanting out after the threat of spring frost has passed. Provide even moisture, strong sunlight and good air circulation. Harden off the seedlings by gradually acclimating them outside for a week to 10 days before transplanting out. This lovely climbing annual has delicate sprays of tiny white flowers that mature into pale green lanterns and dry to the color of straw. Inside are two to three black seeds with prominent white hearts. It can readily self-sow (may get pesty) in zones to 8 to 10. Summer flowering. Height: 8' to 10'.

Love Lies Bleeding Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:3/8”
Seed Spacing:2”-3”
Plant Spacing:6”-18”
Days to Germination: 3-10 days
Germination Temperature:60°-80°F

Amaranthus caudatus. Heat-loving, it can be direct-sown outdoors after all danger of frost has passed in warmer areas. In colder areas, it may be started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting out after the threat of frost has passed. Sow seeds in good seed-starting medium with even moisture, strong light and good ventilation. Prepare bed in full sunlight with rich, well-draining soil. Harden off the seedlings by gradually acclimating them to outside conditions for 1 to 2 weeks before transplanting out. When plants are 4" to 8" tall, thin or transplant 6" to 18" apart. Love Lies Bleeding has verdant green foliage and luminous fuchsia-garnet flowers composed on long rope-like stems that appear like thick, cascading dreadlocks. Prized in Victorian gardens, this old-fashioned drama queen puts on a big show. Summer flowering.

Lupine Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”
Seed Spacing:4”-6”
Plant Spacing:12”-15”
Days to Germination:20-25 days
Germination Temperature:55°-70°F

Lupinus polyphyllus. Lupines should be direct sown outside after the threat of frost has passed. Prepare a bed in full to partial sunlight with rich, well-draining soil and protection from wind. Soak the seed for 24 hours in tepid water prior to sowing. It may also be started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting out after the threat of spring frost has passed. Use peat pots or seed starting cells to avoid root disturbance. Provide even moisture and strong light. Harden off the seedlings by gradually acclimating them outside over 1 to 2 weeks. When the seedlings are 2" tall, thin or transplant to 12" to 15" apart. Seedlings may vary in growth or vigor depending on color. Water regularly and mulch to keep roots cool and retain moisture. Lupines will bloom the second season. Spring to early summer flowering. Height: 36" to 48".

Shade

Direct-Sow Basics

Mache Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/8”-1/4”
Row Spacing:12”-18”
Seed Spacing:2””
Days to Germination: 5-14 days
Germination Temperature:45°-70°F

Salad Greens yield the tastiest and most tender leaves when grown quickly in cool weather. Sow directly as soon as the soil may be worked in the spring and/or in the fall, about 6 weeks before the first fall frost. Follow the spacing on the chart above or broadcast seed in a well-dug bed in moderately fertile soil amended with compost and/or well-rotted manure. A light sprinkling of soil over the seed is sufficient, tamp down lightly and water well. For larger plants, thin seedlings to 10" to 12" apart. To harvest in the “cut and come again” method, you don’t need to thin them out. Just give them a haircut when they are 3" to 4" tall. Weed scrupulously and keep soil evenly moist. Feed with kelp or fish emulsion. Make successive sowings at 2 week intervals until hot summer weather sets in for a steady crop. Hot weather

Line a small casserole with aluminum foil, then roast several washed, unpeeled beets of uniform size, wrapped in foil, with the casserole's lid firmly on. Roast the beets slowly, at about 300 F. The length of time necessary will depend on the size of the beets, but it should take a good part of the day. The goal is to have the beets become very soft and caramelized inside. Peel them while still warm and slice about a half-inch thick. Toss in a dressing of three parts olive oil to one part balsamic vinegar. Serve on a bed of mache with the little rosettes left whole, either on individual plates or on a single platter. Drizzle any extra dressing over the greens.

Maltese Cross Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/16”
Seed Spacing:2”-3”
Plant Spacing:12”-15”
Days to Germination:21-25 days
Germination Temperature:70°-75°F

Lychnis chalcedonica. Butterflies, hummingbirds, and gardeners all love this old-fashioned, easy-to grow, deer-resistant perennial. Its bright scarlet orange flowers, borne in dense clusters atop tall stems, positively glow in full-sun plantings. Sow seeds indoors in spring, 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost. Barely cover the seeds with soil, since they require light to germinate, and then keep them moist until germination. Harden off the seedlings by slowly introducing them to the outdoors over the span of a week, and then transplant up to 15" apart after all danger of frost has passed. Maltese Cross prefers consistently moist soil once transplanted outdoors. It’s an excellent cut flower, and cutting and deadheading will prolong its bloom period. Perennial. Summer flowering. Height: 2' to 3'.When the blooms begins to fade,

Hold the Pickle
Bantam, Connecticut

This magnificent creation is but one of his exquisite soups that accompanied unique sandwich-extravaganzas.

Hold the Pickle
Bantam, CT
Another delicious creation from Manfred, this amazing vegetarian extravaganza will inspire you to grow as much spinach as you can squeeze into your garden. Make sure to try his exquisite Cream of Artichoke Soup recipe too!

John Scheepers
Bantam, CT


This salad dressing is remarkably good and as sweet as you might imagine.

Marigold Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”
Seed Spacing:2”-3”
Plant Spacing:8”-12”
Days to Germination:5-7 days
Germination Temperature:70°-80°F

Tagetes. Easy to grow in full sunlight, Marigolds can be direct-sown into the garden in well-draining, loamy soil after the last frost date. Plant 1⁄4" deep and keep well-watered until the seedlings emerge, about 7 days after sowing. Or, start indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost date by sowing the seeds in a good seedstarting medium. Provide even moisture, strong light and good ventilation until the plants are large enough to handle. Prior to transplanting, acclimate the seedlings by gradually exposing them to outside conditions over 1 to 2 weeks. Thin or transplant seedlings 8" to 12" apart in the garden. Water moderately. A good cutting and edible flower, Marigolds are also good in containers or window boxes. Summer/fall flowering.

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