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- July 14, 2020
There is nothing that I like more than to savor the goodness of homegrown vegetables and herbs through winter’s cold, dark months. Like serving my own pesto bubbling atop warm goat cheese with crackers. Or sneaking into the freezer for my choice of herbed butters. Or serving my Pumpkin Créme Caramel on Thanksgiving.
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- August 13, 2020Pumpkin Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1”
Row Spacing:5’
Hill Spacing:5’-6’
Days to Germination: 5-10 days
Germination Temperature: 65°-75°F
Pumpkins need space to ramble, as well as a hot growing site in full sunlight. They may be started outdoors shortly after the last frost. Direct-sow 3 to 5 seeds per hill, then thin to the 2 strongest seedlings. To start seedlings indoors, sow singly in pots 3 to 4 weeks before transplant date. Provide seedlings with good ventilation, strong light and even moisture. Transplant outdoors after the last frost date. Enrich soil with organic fertilizer, compost and/or well rotted manure. Cover seedlings with cloches if it gets cool, water regularly and feed as needed with kelp or fish emulsion. (Powdery mildew on leaves won’t affect the pumpkins.) Harvest when mature with a sharp knife, leaving 2" of stem at the top. To cure Pumpkins, if there is no danger of frost, leave outdoors in the sun for 10 days or place in a warm, dry room for 5 to 7 days. -
- July 14, 2020
- Thanksgiving feels empty and sad without our Puréed Rutabaga Clouds. It's a family tradition that goes way back. The ingredients are not measured exactly, but by taste and consistency.
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- July 14, 2020
The simple truth is that the Dutch men in our family always disliked both the smell of Turnips cooking on the stove and the taste~they said that back in Holland, Turnips had been considered pig, and not human, food. But this recipe for Puréed Turnip Clouds changed the mind and taste buds of at least one of our Dutch men. He still doesn’t like the smell of them cooking, but he admits that he likes to eat them. Success.
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- August 13, 2020Purple Bell Vine Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:0”
Seed Spacing:6”-8”
Plant Spacing:10”-12”
Days to Germination:10-45 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F
Rhodochiton atrosanguineum. Start transplants indoors 12 to 16 weeks before setting out after all threat of frost has passed. Sow seeds on top of sterile starter mix, leaving uncovered but pressed firmly onto the soil surface, as light aids germination. Provide even moisture: cover flats or pots with plastic wrap until seedlings emerge, then discard plastic. Pamper with 65°-75°F temperatures, good air circulation, strong light and even moisture. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them into larger, deeper pots for mature root systems. After all danger of frost has passed, harden them off by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors over 7 to 10 days. Transplant out 10" to 12" apart into a well-draining, rich, moist garden bed in full to partial sunlight. Summer flowering. Height: 8' to 10'.
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- August 13, 2020Purslane Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”
Seed Spacing:3”
Plant Spacing:6”-8”
Days to Germination:7-10 days
Germination Temperature:70°-90°F
Portulaca oleracea. You may have heard that you can eat the weedy Purslane in your garden. You can! It's incredibly nutritious (high in vitamin A, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids and more), and can be used as a substitute for Spinach in so many ways, both raw and lightly cooked. It's wonderful in tossed salads. Not lucky enough to have this tasty weed in your garden? Grow it from seed! Purslane loves baking sun and lean soil. Direct-sow seeds ¼” deep and 3” apart well after the last frost date when the soil is reliably warm. Thin seedlings to 6 to 8 inches apart. Water regularly until established, after which Purslane is quite drought-tolerant. Harvest sprigs throughout the season when young and tender and cool them quickly. Purslane will store well in the fridge for about a week. -
- August 13, 2020Queen Anne’s Lace Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/8”-1/4”
Seed Spacing:1”-2”
Plant Spacing:12”
Days to Germination:7-14 days
Germination Temperature:65°-70°F
Daucus carota. This Carrot relative is the red form of the white roadside Queen Anne’s Lace we all love in midsummer. Its fine-textured foliage is topped with lacy, flat-topped blooms up to 5" wide that open white and transition to pink and eventually to a deep shade of plum-cabernet. The flowers are long-lasting in bouquets, while in the garden they blend gorgeously with their neighbors. Dara prefers full sun and moist, well-draining soil, though it is drought tolerant once established. Direct-sow after all danger of frost has passed, just barely covering the seeds with soil, or sow seeds indoors in individual pots 4-6 weeks earlier, hardening off the seedlings by slowly introducing them to the outdoors over the span of a week before carefully transplanting them out into the garden. Thin or transplant to 12" apart. Summer -
- August 13, 2020Direct-Sow Basics
Radicchio Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/8”-1/4”
Row Spacing:12”-18”
Plant Spacing:10”-12”
Days to Germination:5-12 days
Germination Temperature:45°-60°F
Radicchio is easily grown in cool weather. Sow directly in the garden as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring. But Radicchio can also be started as transplants 5 to 8 weeks before setting out. Sow thinly using sterilized seed starter mix, cover lightly and water. Provide light, moderate warmth and good ventilation. Radicchio can be grown in the “cut and come again” method, broadcast seed and water lightly. When the leaves are 3" to 6" tall, harvest with scissors. A second crop may be sown in late summer to early fall. Grow Radicchio quickly with plenty of moisture for the most pleasing taste. They will bolt (go to seed) and taste a bit unpleasant in hot weather. Radicchio dislikes added nitrogen as it causes bolting. Amend the soil with moderate amounts of compost and a sprinkling of organic fertilizer. -
- July 14, 2020
- Terra Restaurant
1345 Railroad Ave
St. Helena, California 94574
(707)963-8931
Terra
Terra: Cooking from the Heart of Napa Valley
by Hiro Sone and Lissa Doumani
PenguinrandomhouseHoused in a century-old fieldstone foundry in St. Helena, CA, Terra ignited the transformation of Napa Valley into the culinary Mecca it is today. Reinvigorate your recipe repertoire with 175 of their favorites in this highly regarded cookbook. Or, call (707) 963-8931 for reservations and a romantic, elegant dinner in a stone-walled dining room. Tip: “...radicchio can have a bitter flavor. Before you use it, taste a leaf. If you want to reduce the bitterness you can soak it for up to 30 minutes in cold water. Any leftover salad can be sautéed (in its dressing) and served as a side dish with meat or game”.
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- July 14, 2020
Chez Panisse
Berkeley, California
Because this salad is so simple, its success depends on the quality of its three main ingredients.
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- August 13, 2020Radish Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”
Row Spacing:8”
Seed Spacing:1/2”-3/4”
Days to Germination: 3-7 days
Germination Temperature: 45°-85°F
After the danger of hard frost has passed, direct sow Radish seed in moderately fertile, well-draining soil in full sunlight. If necessary, amend the soil lightly with organic fertilizer, compost and/or well rotted manure: Overly rich soil may result in too much top growth and not enough Radish. They prefer sunny, cool weather. Direct-sow 1⁄4" deep in rows about 8" apart, tamp down and water lightly. The key to growing crisp, mild Radishes is to keep them well-watered and thinned to 1" to 2" apart once they are 2" tall. Radish thinnings may be tossed into salads~tops and all. Harvest Radishes when they are small and tender for the mildest flavor and most crispy texture. Pull each Radish gently out of the soil. Direct-sow every 7 to 14 days for a steady supply throughout the summer.
Kids and Radishes
Radishes are often suggested as a crop -
- July 14, 2020
Jack Staub
Hortulus Farm Nursery & Gardens
Wrightstown, Pennsylvania
Jack Staub, renowned horticulturist, chef and garden author, has helped to popularize the ancient art of kitchen gardening in the US. Hortulus Farm, the 100-acre, 18th century farmstead he gardens with Renny Reynolds, well-known garden and event designer, has been called "one of Pennsylvania's secret treasures". For garden tours or information on Hortulus Farm Nursery's garden plants and rare tropicals, standards and topiaries, call (215) 598-0550.This unusual relish highlights the multi-colored stems of this leafy green, which is also known as Kaleidoscopic or Bright Lights or Rainbow Chard.
