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- July 14, 2020
- Vegetarian Fast and Fancy
by Renny Darling
Celebrating the rich diversity of vegetables and aromatic herbs, this cookbook provides recipes that are quick and easy. The basic premise is to create delicious, healthy meals with minimum effort and in the least amount of time. This easy soup is refreshing and full of summery flavor. Royal House Publishing (available at www.amazon.com) -
- July 14, 2020
Our favorite restaurant in the Netherlands is Restaurant De Moerbei in Warmond (near Lisse) where our Dutch colleagues have treated us to the most amazing evenings of chef wizardry, magical tastes and happy conversation. We always take an appreciative yet fleeting look at the menu, glance around at one another, and make a unanimous decision to go with the chef’s tasting menu. Each surprise course transforms me into a child opening the most wanted present on the best birthday ever.
This May, we were lucky enough to be there again. It is such a warm, inviting space with charming staff who didn’t mind that I took photos of each magnificent offering. My first weekend back home, I did my best to replicate their Cucumber Ginger Gazpacho festooned by miniature orbs of cucumber-ribboned goat cheese around a little island of tuna tartare topped with fried shrimp. I hope that you find my version of their inspiring verdant gazpacho as smooth and spice-silky as I found theirs. (While I tackled the
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- August 13, 2020Cucumber Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth: 1"
Row Spacing: 6”
Seed Spacing: 4”
Days to Germination: 5-10 days
Germination Temperature: 60°-70°F
Cucumbers thrive in heat. Start transplants indoors 4 weeks before the soil is at least 60°F (the last expected frost date), planting 3 seeds per 4" pot or 1 seed per peat pot in sterile starter mix. Provide heat, light, ventilation and good drainage. At the seedling stage, Cucumbers are vulnerable so keep soil lightly moist but not wet. When third true leaf is expanding, transplant out carefully. Cucumbers may be direct-sown 1 to 2 weeks after the danger of frost has passed to a sunny, well-draining spot: sow 6 seeds per hill; then thin to the strongest 3 plants. Cukes need regular watering and prefer a rich garden bed; fertilize prior to planting and again as needed. Support with large tomato cages, stakes or netting. Harvest cukes when small, well before they set seed. ‘Cornichon’ varieties should be harvested when they are the size of -
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- August 13, 2020Cutting Ageratum Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:0”
Seed Spacing:8”-10”
Plant Spacing:12”-18”
Days to Germination: 7-14 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F
Ageratum houstonianum, the Floss Flower. Cutting Ageratum should be started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting out after all danger of frost has passed. Sow seeds on top of soil mix, leaving the seeds uncovered but pressed firmly onto the soil surface, as light aids germination. Provide even moisture, strong light and luke warm water. Prepare a garden bed in full to partial sunlight with rich, well-draining soil. Harden off the seedlings by gradually acclimating them outside over 1 to 2 weeks. Carefully transplant them 8" to 12" apart. To encourage branching, pinch back the young plants at 8" tall. Keep them well-watered. Water at soil level only. For the best vase life, cut them once the fuzzy central flower cluster has opened and the side buds are showing pink color. Summer flowering.
Our Pollinators are in Peril
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- August 13, 2020Cutting Celery Seed Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/8”-1/4”
Row Spacing:24”-30”
Plant Spacing:6”-12”
Days to Germination:7-21 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F
A bit finicky, Afina Cutting Celery is relatively easy to grow once the seedlings are established. Raise as transplants, sowing 10 to 12 weeks before the last frost. Soak the seed overnight and sow shallowly since light aids its germination. Provide 65°-75°F temperatures, strong light, good air circulation and moist soil until the seedlings emerge. Afina Cutting Celery is a heavy drinker and feeder: amend the bed as necessary with organic fertilizer, compost and/or well-rotted manure. After all danger of frost has passed, harden them off by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors over 7 to 10 days. Water regularly. Keep the plants carefully weeded but do not cultivate deeply because they have shallow root systems. Harvest the fine green leaves and hollow stalks at anytime. The crop can withstand light frosts if covered. -
- July 14, 2020
- My father’s love of sweet American corn was legendary. He could eat six ears of corn at a sitting. This was quite something since he scoffed at corn-eating Americans when he first arrived here from Holland after the war. In those days, the only corn in Holland was feed corn for pigs and cattle. Years ago, my father fell in love with a fabulous corn pudding made by my mother who was given the now-lost recipe by a UConn friend. I created ‘Dad’s Favorite Corn Pudding’ recipe~it comes pretty close to what he craved.
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- August 13, 2020Dahlia Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”
Seed Spacing:6”-8”
Plant Spacing:18”-20”
Days to Germination:5-10 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F
Dahlia variabilis. Dahlias are best started indoors 4 to 6 weeks before transplanting outside after all danger of frost has passed. Sow seeds in good seed-starting medium at 70°F with even moisture, strong light and good ventilation. Prepare bed in full to partial sunlight with rich, well-draining soil. Harden off the seedlings by gradually acclimating them to outside conditions for 1 to 2 weeks prior to transplanting outside. Dahlias are moisture-loving plants. Mulch to conserve moisture, water consistently and fertilize as necessary. When the first frost kills the stems and leaves, dig up the tubers and store them in slightly dampened peat moss at 45° to 55°F over the winter. Good cutting flowers, The Collarette Mixture includes white, red, scarlet and yellow Dahlias. Summer flowering. Height: 30" to 39".
Our Pollinators are in Peril -
- August 13, 2020Direct-Sow Basics
Dandelion 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
Dandelion greens are easily grown in cool weather. Sow seed directly in the garden as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring. When the Dandelion plants grow to about 2" tall, thin them to about 10" to 12" apart. A second crop may be sown in late summer or early fall. Grow Dandelion plants quickly, with plenty of moisture for the most pleasing taste. They will bolt (go to seed) and taste a bit unpleasant in hot weather. Amend the soil with moderate amounts of compost and a sprinkling of organic fertilizer. To harvest, cut off the whole plant at the soil level when ready! No longer an esoteric green, Dandelion greens reinvigorate traditional recipes with renewed zest and crunch. Pair Dandelion greens with Spinach, Mesclun, Arugula or Chicory in fresh salads. Or sauté them for no more than a minute in olive -
- August 13, 2020Datura Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/8”-1/4”
Seed Spacing:3”-4”
Plant Spacing:36”
Days to Germination:21-42 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F
Datura metel. Start transplants indoors 10 to 12 weeks before setting out at least 2 weeks after the last frost date. To assist germination, soak the seeds for 24 hours in lukewarm water. Plant seeds in sterile starter mix. Cover with plastic wrap until sprouts emerge, then discard plastic. Pamper with 65°-75°F temperatures, good air circulation and even moisture. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them into larger, deeper pots for full root system development. Two weeks after all danger of frost has passed (minimum 55°F overnight), harden them off by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors over 7 to 10 days. Transplant out 36" apart to a well-draining, rich, moist garden bed in full to partial sunlight. Water regularly. Feed as needed with manure tea, kelp or fish emulsion. Poisonous, it should not be ingested. -
- July 14, 2020One visit from a deer to an avid plant lover's beloved garden can turn a sworn pacifist into a raging maniac begging for a shotgun. It's amazing how much damage can be done in just one night! Rather than let your violent tendencies get the best of you, it's best to take a deep, calming breath and start adjusting your plant palette to include more deer-resistant options.
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- August 13, 2020Delphinium Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/2”
Seed Spacing:1”
Plant Spacing:8”-12”
Days to Germination:14-18 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F
Delphinium elatum. Delphinium tolerates cold weather and prefers to be direct-sown outdoors as soon as the soil can be worked. Sow 1⁄2" deep in well-draining, loamy soil with full sun. Firm soil well, since they require darkness for optimal germination. Keep uniformly moist until the seedlings emerge, about 2 weeks after sowing. If you must start indoors and transplant out, sow in the early spring in a good seed-starting medium at about 65° to 75°F. Provide even moisture, strong light and good ventilation until they are 3" tall. Prior to transplanting, acclimate the seedlings by gradually exposing them to outside conditions for 1 to 2 weeks. Thin or transplant 8" to 12" apart in the garden. Weed carefully and keep well-watered until established. Their elegant flower spires may require staking or support. Summer flowering. Height: 24"
