Blog

Belgian chef Pierre Gilissen's background included working at the British and Dutch embassies in Washington, DC where he cooked for such notables as Queen Elizabeth, Princess Diana and former President George H. W. Bush. In 2000, he and his wife, Susan, opened Belgique in a quaint Victorian carriage house where they made and sold authentic Belgian chocolates and exquisite European desserts that were as delicious as they were resplendent. Belgique’s Salon de Thè was the matching Victorian house next door where you could enjoy a memory-of-a-lifetime European cuisine. Sadly, Belgique closed when Pierre was enticed back to the British Embassy in D.C. At least we can still enjoy his Chicons au Gratin with this recipe!

Alice Waters, Chef/owner
Chez Panisse
Berkeley, California

China Aster Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/8”
Row Spacing:12”-18”
Plant Spacing:10”-12”
Days to Germination:10-14 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

Callistephus chinensis. Asters 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 lukewarm water. Use individual peat pots or seed starting cells to avoid root disturbance. 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 before transplanting 10" to 12" apart. To encourage branching, pinch back the young plants. Keep area mulched to conserve moisture. Plant Asters in a different spot each year, and water only at ground l

Direct-Sow Basics

Chinese Broccoli Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”-1/2”
Row Spacing:12”-24”
Seed Spacing:1”-2”
Days to Germination:5-10 days
Germination Temperature:70°-75°F

A bit frost tolerant, Kaillaan Chinese Broccoli is grown for its edible flowering stalk. It grows best in cool temperatures. Direct sow 1⁄4" to 1⁄2" deep in rich, well-draining soil in mid to late summer for late summer and fall harvest. Amend the soil as necessary with organic fertilizer, compost and/or well-rotted manure. Keep the soil evenly moist, shading the seed bed until sprouts emerge. Once 2" to 4" tall (about 3 weeks after emergence), thin the seedlings to 4" to 6" apart. This is a heavy feeder, fertilize as needed. Mulch to deter weeds and retain ground moisture. For the best flavor, harvest young with thin stalks before the white flower buds have opened. Cut individual stems 6" to 8" l

Chinese Lantern Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/8”
Seed Spacing:2”-3”
Plant Spacing:24”
Days to Germination: 20-25 days
Germination Temperature:70°-75°F

Physalis alkekengi var. franchetti. Direct-sow outside after the last spring frost date. Prepare a bed in full to partial sunlight with well-draining soil. Sow seeds on top of soil, leaving the seeds uncovered but pressed firmly onto the soil surface, as light aids germination. Chinese Lanterns may also be started indoors 8 to 10 weeks before transplanting out after the threat of frost has passed. Provide even moisture, strong light and air circulation. Harden off the seedlings by gradually acclimating them outside for a week to 10 days before transplanting out. Hardy to zone 3, this perennial can be invasive: plant it in a dedicated spot or grow it in containers. This Tomatillo relative is prized for its bright orange pods that are wonderful in fall b

Chives 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 mois

John Scheepers
Bantam, CT
This salad dressing is lighter than most and more zingy than other ranch salad dressing recipes. We also use it on sandwiches, instead of mayonnaise or butter, to which we add ribbons of cucumber cut with a cheese slicer, thin wedges of avocado and alfalfa bean sprouts in addition to sliced meats and cheese.

John Scheepers
Bantam, CT

There's nothing like Greek Tzatziki Sauce with rich, spicy foods. I also use it as a sandwich spread, a dip and a sauce to accompany Healthy Blooming Onions. Over the years, I've come to make this version that incorporates Cilantro rather than Dill, and more finely diced Cucumber than usual. Until Greek yogurt became so widely available, I used to make my own version from regular yogurt. If you don't want to do this, simply use store-bought Greek plain yogurt.

Climbing Snapdragons Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”
Seed Spacing:1/2”
Plant Spacing:12”
Days to Germination:14-21 days
Germination Temperature:60°-70°F

Asarina scandens. This delicate-looking little vine scrambles up to 8 feet in one season, cloaked in arrowhead-shaped leaves and cascading, 1½-inch long, tubular flowers from summer to fall. Climbing Snapdragon Vine prefers full sun and moist, well-draining soil. Direct-sow after all danger of frost has passed, just barely covering the seeds with soil, or sow seeds indoors 10-12 weeks earlier. To avoid root disturbance and tangled vines, sow seeds in individual pots. Cover seeds with just a fine layer of sand or vermiculite and then cover with clear plastic wrap. Uncover when seedlings appear in 1 to 2 weeks and thin to the strongest 1-2 seedlings per pot. Harden off the seedlings by slowly introducing them to the outdoors over the span of a we

Coleus Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:0”
Seed Spacing:1”-2”
Plant Spacing:8”-12”
Days to Germination:10-15 days
Germination Temperature:60°-70°F

Coleus blumei. Prized for their exotic and colorful foliage, Coleus should be started indoors at least 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting outside after all danger of frost has passed. Sow seeds on top of the soil mix, leaving the seeds uncovered but pressed firmly onto the soil surface, as light is needed for germination. Provide even, lukewarm moisture and strong light during germination. Prepare a garden bed in dappled sunlight or shade, with rich, welldraining soil. Harden the plants off by gradually acclimating them to outside conditions over 1 to 2 weeks. Thin or carefully transplant the seedlings into the garden, planting them 8" to 12" apart. To encourage branching, pinch back the young plants once 8" tall, and flowers as they form. All the rage i

Columbine Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/8”
Seed Spacing:6”-8”
Plant Spacing:12”-18”
Days to Germination:21-25 days
Germination Temperature:70°-75°F

Aqueligia caerulea. Columbine should be direct sown outside after the threat of frost has passed. Or, as you plant fall flower bulbs, direct sow it for spring germination. Prepare a garden bed in full to partial sunlight with rich, well-draining soil. Sow seeds on top of soil, leaving the seeds uncovered but pressed firmly onto the soil surface, as light aids germination. It may also be started indoors 8 to 10 weeks before transplanting out after the threat of spring frost has passed. Use individual 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 before transplanting out. Adored by hummingbirds, it may bloom the first y