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- July 14, 2020
- John Scheepers
Bantam, Connecticut
An easy recipe that is very versatile! -
- July 14, 2020
- John Scheepers
Bantam, Connecticut
This is the best turkey that I've ever made. -
- July 14, 2020
- John Scheepers
Bantam, Connecticut
When Eggplant is at its best in late summer, there is nothing more satisfying than the nesting ritual of making Oven-Baked Eggplant to freeze for use over the winter. It is so much more healthy to bake Eggplant rather than fry it, plus it keeps your house and your clothes from smelling like fried Eggplant and it doesn't involve any messy stovetop clean up. This recipe is for one Eggplant, we usually prepare many Eggplants this way. -
- August 13, 2020Direct-Sow Basics
Pak choi Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth: ¼”-1/2"
Row Spacing: 12”
Seed Spacing:2”-3”
Days to Germination: 5-10 days
Germination Temperature: 70°-75°F
Our versatile, easy and popular Asian Greens thrive in cool temperatures, tolerating mild frost. Sow when the danger of heavy frost has passed. Asian Greens appreciate soil with a moderate amount of organic matter dug in. Keep the soil evenly moist for a mild, sweet taste. When growing individuals, thin them to 8" to 10" apart. For ‘baby leaf’ harvesting, lightly broadcast seed, sprinkle with soil and water lightly. As the plants grow to about 3" tall, give them a “haircut” for salads and stir-fries. Feed regularly to enjoy one or two more cuttings from the initial sowing. In cool summer areas, seed at 10 to 14 day intervals, ensuring a steady harvest of fresh, vitamin-rich greens. Hot weather causes hot and/or bitter flavor and bolting. Your last sowing may be toward the end of summer for fall harvest. Protect with -
- July 14, 2020
- John Scheepers
Bantam, CT
This is one of those recipes that is as good from your own frozen corn as it is from just picked-and-cooked corn. It is delicious on a hot summer night as it is on a cold winter’s evening. We like to serve it with Asparagus Rafts followed by a light dessert, like Buttermilk Panne Cotta and orange liquor-macerated strawberries.
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- July 14, 2020
If you are lucky enough to find incredibly fresh diver scallops and you want to prepare them in a special but simple way, this recipe is for you. Scallops are the star of the dinner, but the shallot enriched Beurre Blanc Sauce adds a special light flavor that puts the scallops over the top. We served it with rice pilaf and freshly steamed haricot verts followed by a light salad of butterhead lettuce, arugula, heirloom tomatoes and dried wild blueberries with a Maple Shallot Dressing (and Creme Caramel).
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- August 13, 2020Paprika Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”
Row Spacing:18”-24”
Plant Spacing:18”
Days to Germination: 8-18 days
Germination Temperature:70°-85°F
Start Peppers 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring frost date in your area. Sow 3 to 5 seeds per individual pot of starter mix or singly in peat pots. Provide light, even moisture and ventilation. Bottom warmth hastens germination. Seedlings prefer 70° to 85°F during the day with slightly cooler temperatures at night. Individually transplant the strongest seedlings to 4" pots and fertilize weekly. Do not allow seedlings to become root-bound. Amend a well-draining, sunny site with organic fertilizer, compost and/or well-rotted manure. When night temperatures are reliably above 55°F, expose the Pepper plants to sun gradually over 1 week, then transplant. Water well and fertilize as needed with manure tea, kelp or fish emulsion. Mulch soil around Peppers if soil dries out too quickly. Harvest carefully, using a sharp blade, leaving 1⁄2" of -
- August 13, 2020Parsley Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”-1/2”
Row Spacing:12”
Seed Spacing:1”
Days to Germination: 14-25 days
Germination Temperature:45°-75°F
Direct-sow Parsley outside as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring. Or, raise as transplants 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost. Sow thinly in pots of fine starter mix. Speed the germination process by soaking the seed for 24 hours in warm water before planting. To maintain humidity, secure a plastic bag over the pot, but make sure you remove it the minute the seed starts to germinate. Parsley is easy to grow, once it begins to germinate. Mark rows well or you may lose track of the little Parsley seedlings among exploding spring weeds! Parsley prefers moderately rich soil amended with compost and/or well-rotted manure. Accustom seedlings gradually to the outdoors, planting out when the danger of frost has passed. Feed as needed with liquid organic fertilizer. Parsley tolerates some shade and can survive light frost. Harvest by -
- August 13, 2020Parsley Root Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”-1/2”
Plant Spacing:4”-5”
Seed Spacing:1”
Days to Germination:14-25 days
Germination Temperature:45°-75°F
Also known as Dutch, Hamburg or Turnip- Rooted Parsley, Parsley Root should be direct-sown in fine, loose, deeply dug soil in full sunlight as soon as the ground can be worked in the spring (or later, through early summer for late fall harvest). To promote germination, soak the seed for 24 hours in tepid water prior to sowing. Sow thickly but evenly. Cover well, tamp down firmly and keep the seedbed evenly moist until the seed germinates. Mark rows well to distinguish the seedlings from spring weeds. Once the seedlings are 2" tall, thin to 4" apart. If necessary, feed with liquid organic fertilizer. Before the ground freezes, harvest by carefully loosening the soil with a fork and gently pulling out the smooth, pale, carrot-size roots while holding the base of the greens. It is traditionally used in soups, stews and hearty cassoulets. -
- August 13, 2020Parsnip Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth: ½”-3/4”
Row Spacing:4”-5”
Seed Spacing:1”
Days to Germination: 14-21 days
Germination Temperature: 45°-85°F
Parsnips can be slow to germinate. Use fresh seed, since it does not have a long shelf life. Soak the seed in water for 24 hours, then sow directly into a well-draining, deeply dug bed, in full sun or light shade as soon as the ground can be worked in the spring. Sow thickly but evenly. Cover well, tamp down firmly and keep evenly moist until the seed germinates. Once the seedlings are 2" tall, thin to 4" apart. To prevent the Parsnips from forking, do not add extra organic matter to the soil. Keep the bed well-weeded. Allow Parsnips to be kissed by the frost to develop a sweet, nutty flavor. Harvest anytime after the first hard frost and store in a cool place. You may also leave them in the garden to be harvested as needed or overwintered for an early spring treat. After harvest, twist off the leaves since they draw water from the -
- July 14, 2020
Most gardeners knew Leslie as the Garden Q&A columnist of the New York Times and lead author of The New York Times 1000 Gardening Questions and Answers (Workman Publishing, available at your local bookstore or www.amazon.com). She entered the garden through the kitchen, as a professional chef in search of the finest raw materials. This recipe, from her second cookbook, The Modern Country Cook, is typical: easy, rich, delicious and pretty. Sadly, Leslie Land passed away in 2013. We miss her insight, exuberance and passion.
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- August 13, 2020Pea Shoots Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/8”
Seed Spacing:1/4”
Days to Germination:5-10 days
Germination Temperature:60°-70°F
Shoot Shelf Life:1-2 weeks
Unlike most sprouts, Pea Shoots are grown in shallow flats of soil in bright sunlight. When the stems are 4 to 10 inches tall with small leaves and tendrils, munch on them raw, toss them into salads, lightly sauté them or make Pea Shoot Pesto for a wonderfully fresh, sweet and delicate Pea flavor! To speed germination, soak the dried Peas in lots of water for 24 hours before sowing. The peas will swell and double in size. Fill a shallow tray or flat with moist all-purpose potting mix up to about an inch below the rim of the container. Avoid any potting medium that contains chicken or cow manure, as it can harbor harmful bacteria. Drain the Peas and spread them across the surface of the soil, with the Peas about 1⁄4" apart. Press the Peas into the soil surface gently to ensure good contact between the Peas and the soil. Water
