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Fresh rosemary for the holidays: 25 recipes to grab your tastebuds

Alison Kerr — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 14:54:35 +0000

Rosemary by Muffet

“…there are some things I know for certain: always throw spilt salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for luck, and fall in love whenever you can.” – Sally Owens, Practical Magic.

Fresh rosemary is a pungent, flavorful, robust herb which works for every kind of food from soups to desserts.

If you’ve never tried fresh rosemary, you are in for a treat. And if you’ve never grown rosemary in your garden plan to plant it in 2011. You’ll want to!

Scared of herbs?

For years I thought herbs like rosemary were only for artists. Yes, artists, not gardeners or cooks! The herb growers in my life grew gardens fit to photograph and spent their days between studio and kitchen. They studied Monet, had home interiors worth putting in magazines, and weren’t afraid of long, complicated recipes with fresh home-grown herbs, like rosemary.

Herbs are for you too!

Unlike the artists in my family, I was more interested in growing carrots and potatoes and reproducing the simple, everyday cooking of my grandmother. I thought there was no place for herbs in my life, except for parsley, of course, which was good for simple soup.

Actually, I had fears of growing herbs, fears which were totally unfounded, as it turned out. Early in 2010 I became friends with Katie Tallo through A-List Blogger Club. Katie wanted to grow herbs and asked me for advice. How could I say I was afraid to try? And once I was growing rosemary I came to really love the flavor.

Starting with rosemary

Among the foods enhanced by rosemary are beans, chickpeas, and lentils – appetizers combining rosemary with pulses work well.

This simple chickpea and rosemary soup from Oprah has just seven ingredients (eight if you count salt).
Even simpler is the rosemary frittata with four ingredients from Jules Clancy. I’ve tried this one and it makes a very simple, quick, yummy meal.
Add the flavor or rosemary without the texture by making rosemary flavored olive oil. White bean and rosemary bruschetta from My Barbarian Table teaches you how to make rosemary olive oil. It’s a little more complicated and takes more time to prepare, but you will have leftover oil to use for other recipes.
You’ll need a food processor for these crisp herb mushrooms from Nigel Slater – made from garlic, breadcrumbs, rosemary, and parsley.

Rosemary side dishes

Rosemary enhances the flavor of potatoes, sweet potatoes, bread, pasta, and rice. Add rosemary to you side dishes and serve with ham, chicken, pork, or lamb.

For a traditional holiday meat, potatoes, and veg meal accompaniment try Emeril’s roasted rosemary potatoes.
Add zest to a casual family or friends dinner with simple rosemary biscuits from the Relish blog.
The holidays can leave your energy and your enthusiasm for cooking drained. You might even be left with a bare pantry once the feast is over. Try Jules when the cupboard is bare pasta – simple, quick, and tasty, like all of Jules recipes.
I did a lot of searching to find an easy rosemary bread to try – no-knead rosemary and thyme ciabatta from the Daily Chef blog.

Meat and fish main dishes

Rosemary, traditionally associated with lemon and chicken, is a great flavor combination for a variety of meats, fish, and vegetarian main dishes.

Jules amazing glazed ham is served up with a dose of good advice on how to avoid the biggest holiday cooking pitfall, as well as with a taste of rosemary. Don’t worry that she’s talking about Thanksgiving, her advice applies equally for Christmas and any other holiday.
Rachael Ray’s rosemary chicken with garlic and lemon is a classic suitable for all but the fanciest of meals; full of zest for your tastebuds too!
Orange rosemary salad from the Vegan Joy blog is my choice for a tasty vegan rosemary meal and would be great for any of my southern friends, and those down under who don’t crave warm, filling food for the holidays.
Squash is inexpensive and easy to prepare. Try this roast squash with lentils and goat cheese from The Sunday Times, UK. Simple and filling.
There’s something very warming and welcoming about pie. Try this savory, vegetarian (easy to adapt to vegan) root vegetable and mushroom pie with rosemary biscuit topping from the bon appetit magazine website.
One pot dinners like this rosemary pork chop skillet, which includes squash, from Better Homes and Gardens are great fillers on days when your want to gather family around the table without being formal.
And for a formal, but simple, meal nothing beats salmon – fired up rosemary salmon from Paula Deen.

Veggies

Whether you like simple cooking or more complex flavor combinations, pull a sprig of fresh rosemary from your plant and add some to your veggies. Here are just a few ideas:

I’ll bet this one smells and tastes delicious (it could even make a simple meal) – rosemary roasted sweet potatoes with parmesan and red onion from Kalyn’s Kitchen.
Orange, onion, and rosemary salad from Eat, Move, Thrive – refreshing and healthy!
Sometimes all you need is something simple – simple rosemary carrots from Taste of Home.
My kids are big fans of parsnips – I usually keep them as a holiday treat. Try these sauteed turnips and parsnips with rosemary from Epicurious. If you’re not keen on turnip, just double up the parsnips.

Sweets, desserts, meal enders

Rosemary has not yet made it into my dessert repertoire. Guess which one of these recipes I can’t resist trying. What about you?

Here’s one blogger who knows how to keep her man happy on their anniversary – molten chocolate rosemary cakes from Savour Fare.
Many recipes call for combining rosemary and lemon. I’ll bet this one is a winner – lemon rosemary cake from Food.com.
For a simple, elegant, and fresh after-dinner treat try orange, rosemary, and wine bowls from Martha Stewart.
Crackers, or oatcakes and cheese make a light meal, or an after-dinner alternative to dessert, European style – try rosemary oatcakes from Girl Interrupted Eating, or extra-healthy sunflower, flax rosemary oatcakes from Pattycake. Try with Irish cheddar. Yum!
While you have the oven on for those oatcakes make some cookies for the kids. And if the kids don’t like rosemary there will be all the more for you! Cornmeal rosemary cookies from Think Inside the Icebox or Rosemary cookies from heaven from Food Loves Writing.
Last, but absolutely not least – rosemary chocolate truffles from Elana’s Pantry.

I hope this rosemary recipes list grabs your tastebuds and helps your holiday cooking to sparkle. Maybe next year you will grow some rosemary. How could you not?

Which recipe appeals to you most? Did I miss your favorite? Do leave a comment.

Kid tip: children have sensitive taste buds and need time to get used to new flavors. Try sweeter rosemary recipes with kids first, such as the lemon rosemary cake. Many of the savory recipes can be easily done with rosemary on only part of the meal.

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Garden gifts for Green Gift Monday

Alison Kerr — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 18:05:04 +0000

“Last year on Cyber Monday consumers spent nearly $890 million dollars online. Imagine the difference we could make if just a fraction of that money was spent on responsible, meaningful holiday gifts.” – Nature Conservancy, 2010.

Gifts are one of the best ways we know to show people we care. Some people shop early and pick out perfect gifts as they come across them. For those of us who haven’t planned ahead though there’s a temptation to get the job done by picking up a good enough gift that’s not exactly Earth friendly. Avoid temptation with these 5 ec0-garden gifts.

Beaver Lodge by finchlake2000

1. Beaver rain gardening

Beavers aren’t just cute they are the ultimate rain gardeners. Most kids know about beavers cutting down trees and building dams; what is less known is the benefits beavers bring. Trees cut by beavers are not gone, they grow back. This is called coppicing.

Coppiced trees open the woodland canopy leading to an increased diversity of plants, insects, and animals. And beaver dams create new wetlands, reducing the risk of flooding and supporting endangered wetland plants and the wildlife which depends on them. Beavers are so useful that the Scots have invested over $1 million to bring them back.

You can adopt a Scottish beaver through the Scottish Wildlife Trust – your gift recipient receives a certificate, fact sheet, stickers, and a giant poster. Combine your Scottish beaver gift with a trip to visit a local beaver dam with your loved one for double the fun.

Garden fresh vegtables by Sbocaj

2. Food-growing freedom

There is no freedom as basic as the freedom to grow your own food to feed your family. While we, in developed nations, may take the freedom to garden for granted, worldwide, seeds, basic gardening tools, and know-how are out of the reach of many. When you give to Heifer International your gift becomes an investment which is passed forward.

A garden basket gift from Heifer International includes chickens, trees, and bees. Alternatively, you could support your local, non-profit community garden with a donation. Then, while you are at it, gift your friend of family member their own set of seeds, basic gardening tools and know-how and help them get started with the fun, healthy hobby of gardening.

Rainforest by Robboguy

3. Rainforest products

The rainforest has been called the lungs of the Earth. It’s no news that the rainforest is under ever-increasing threat. While indigenous people have been sustainably farming and harvesting from the rainforest for generations the sad truth is there is money to be made from cutting down the rainforest.

You and I can address rainforest threats by supporting projects which fund rainforest preservation. Do you know where your coffee comes from? Coffee can be shade-grown or plantation grown. Family farmers who grow shade-grown coffee support the rainforest while adhering to organic and fair trade principles.

Give a gift of rainforest preservation with a donation to the Nature Conservancy – adopt an acre of Costa Rican rainforest. Then support sustainable rainforest farming with a gift of Audubon Shade Grown Coffee or fairtrade chocolate covered brazil nuts.

Farmers' market by empracht

4. Farmers are gardeners

Small-scale organic, sustainable farmers are really large-scale gardeners. Their growing methods have more in common with the way you grow veggies in your own back yard than they do with large-scale farmers who depend on tractors, combine harvesters, satellite technology, chemical fertilizers, and government subsidies to maximize their corn and wheat harvest.

When you give a gift grown locally and sustainably you are giving twice.

Find your local farmers’ market and seek out healthy gifts. For a larger investment you can gift a CSA (community supported agriculture) membership to your friend or family member. Find farmers markets and CSA schemes at Local Harvest.

Vintage jewelry by Sherry's Rose Cottage

5. Thoughtful art

Art is arguably what makes us human. Local artisans use sustainably grown woods, natural materials, scraps, and discarded items and make them into something beautiful. You can feel good giving recycled, vintage, and fair trade items as gifts. Respect artisans who respect the Earth.

Find artisan crafts on Ebay, Etsy, from local Amish and Mennonite communities, and at craft fairs and church sales. You may even find some great garden art.

I hope my top picks for Green Gift Monday will give you plenty of alternative gifts for the people you care about. Many can even be ordered from the comfort of home, saving you time and mileage.

Kid tip: kids are attracted to the things they see. Help kids pick out Earth friendly gifts by showing them nature and gardening all year long.

Download your copy of Simple Sprouts ebook here (it's Free).

Are we secretly scared of nature?

Alison Kerr — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:01:20 +0000

McDowell Sonoran Preserve by Dru Bloomfield

Nature, red in tooth and claw. – Alfred Lord Tennyson

I’m driving down Metcalf Avenue. A sign catches my attention:

Deer Creek Preserve.

Ah, nature! Perhaps I should stop off to enjoy it.

Nature names no nature

Don’t let names fool you -

South Creek, Fieldstone, Shadow Brook, Tallgrass Creek, Forest Creek, Heatherwood, Silver Crest, Sandstone Creek, The Woods of Cherry Creek, Valley View, and Deer Creek Preserve

- all of these are new developments in Overland Park, a rapidly growing, relatively new city in the Kansas City suburbs.

Nature sells

Clearly nature sells. But if we love nature enough to be attracted by her names why are we drawn to her in name alone? With so many development names evoking scenic creeks, how come developers are not preserving, restoring, and creating natural creeks within these developments? Is anyone actually planting native tall grasses at Tallgrass Creek? Where are the native plants and the birds, bugs, and critters they support in all of this love of nature?

When you get to thinking, it makes no sense. It surely got me wondering – is the human desire to pave over and plant neat clumps of exotic plants and shrubs driven by ignorance, convenience, marketing, or something more insidious? Could we be secretly scared of nature?

What do you think? What reason do your friends and neighbors give for having non-nature gardens?

Kid tip: ignorance is a driver of fear. Grow your love of nature by visiting with her in your garden and learning her ways together.

Download your copy of Simple Sprouts ebook here (it's Free).

Five reasons to visit your local garden center in November

Alison Kerr — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 18:11:39 +0000

Textured holiday swag by Muffett

“Some gardeners never truly leave the garden.” – Alison Kerr, 2010

Some gardeners are seasonal, dreaming of sun-kissed tomatoes, and fresh, crunchy peppers, long, warm summer days and breakfast on the patio.

Some of us grow into a different kind of gardener.

Gardening can get inside your soul, until part of you is always there, in the garden, feeling the leaves stir, the ground water freeze to crystals, and tree roots growing, even in the dark of winter. I’ve become that kind of gardener.

In November there’s less for me to do in the garden, but no less garden thoughts, so I visit my local garden center.

The garden center in winter

Even for new gardeners, or summer gardeners, there are plenty of reasons to visit your local garden center in November – I’m assuming here you’re not a southern hemisphere gardener buying up tomatoes and peppers for your summer garden (correct me if I’m wrong).

I visited a nearby garden center the other day, here’s what I found:

Fall and winter themed decor – your local garden center is a great place to find fall and winter themed indoor décor and tasteful gifts for friends, neighbors, and family members – think natural-styled garlands and wreaths, table centerpieces, indoor fountains, and statuary. Practical gifts you might pick up include gift certificates and composters. While you’re there, make a holiday wish list for the tools and accessories you’d love to have for your own garden.
Houseplants at your local garden center receive better care than those you’ll find in chain stores and groceries – there’s less risk you’ll soon have a dead plant on your hands! Ask for help with picking out something ideal for your situation – staff members are typically knowledgeable, unrushed at this time of year, and happy to share what they know. My garden center has a wide range of houseplant sizes with prices ranging from under $5 to over $100. Be sure to ask for winter care instructions before taking your plant home – many houseplants don’t grow much in winter and require different care.
Spring bulbs can be planted right up until the ground freezes. The ideal planting date may have passed, but there’s still time (I’ve tried it in previous years and I got flowers, if somewhat later). My local garden center has a bewildering array of spring-flowering tulips, daffodils, hyacinths etc on display in a dizzying array of colors. While I prefer native spring flowers, I can’t resist yellow daffodils or red tulips.
Potted shrubs and trees can also be planted in late fall until the ground freezes, though they may not do as well as they would in spring. Be sure to water them whenever the ground is dry, but not frozen. Ask your local garden center for planting instructions. Also, ask for reduced prices this late in the season, especially if you are purchasing several.
It’s a good time of year to start feeding garden birds, if you haven’t already. You’ll get the best selection of food and feeders at your local wild bird supply store, but if there isn’t one near you, or you’re already heading to the garden center, most garden centers have a range of feeders. Look for Droll Yankee feeders, which are very robust and made in the USA, or other feeders with metal ports (squirrels chew through plastic). I’ve also noticed an increasing range of feeders made from recycled material on sale, which are worth considering. Black oil sunflower is recommended as a top seed to bring in birds. If you already have a sunflower feeder consider adding a second, or get yourself a suet basket. Suet baskets are inexpensive and will attract woodpeckers and nuthatches. My third choice is a niger/thistle feeder.

Most garden centers are peaceful, relaxing places to visit at this time of year – a respite from the bustle of the pre-holiday season. It feels good to support a local business. Be sure to call ahead or check the website of your local garden center for opening hours though as they’ll most likely have reduced hours at this time of year.

Do you visit your local garden center in winter? What thoughts do you have to add?

Kid tip: some garden centers even have model trains on display, which is fun for the kids. A winter garden center visit is a good conversation starter about the seasons and their effect on plants and animals. Let your child have a wish list too – they may see something tempting during your visit. A wish list is a great tool to prevent impulse buying.

Download your copy of Simple Sprouts ebook here (it's Free).

Easy indoor plants for new gardeners

Alison Kerr — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 17:41:20 +0000

Zebrina by Tamara Burross

“You don’t have a brown thumb, you just have a green thumb waiting to appear.” – Alison Kerr, 2010

Now that I’ve moved my herbs indoors I’m itching to try my hand at more indoor gardening.

I’m the klutz of indoor gardening

My mom used to grow wonderful indoor plants. My sister has always been good with them too. I’ve always been good at killing them.

It’s true, I’m death to houseplants, easy or not. Mom used to give me any plant she thought ugly but couldn’t bear to throw out.

Within a few weeks, or months, or years even, any plant I’d been given would die. “Ah, too bad!” Mom would say when she noticed the plant had finally succumbed. I think she was secretly smiling.

Selecting easy indoor plants

So, if you’ve never managed to successfully grow an indoor plant you’re not alone. I’ve been doing some research and soon I’ll be going shopping. My selection criteria for an easy indoor plant are pretty tough:

Must be listed somewhere as easy.
Must be able to survive low light – experience with my indoor lettuce growing has shown that there’s less light in the house, even at windows, than most of us think.
Must be safe for pets – one of my cats loves to chew on anything green and I don’t want to cause a vet visit.

Easy, low light, non-toxic plants

Given my tough selection criteria, I’ve come up with this short list of plants:

Aspidistra – cast iron plant
Chamaedorea elegans – parlor palm

A little disappointing, isn’t it? I’m also considering trying Chlorophytum comosum spider plant and Tradescantia fluminensis or Zebrina pendula, both known as wandering jew, as hanging plants next to a window. These are considered easy to grow and non-toxic houseplants.

Houseplant benefits – give it a go!

Houseplants provide a range of benefits, from beautifying our homes, to cleaning air and producing oxygen. I’m willing to give houseplant growing another try. I miss my mom and her plants – it would be nice to have some of the ones she enjoyed around. What about you, will you give indoor plants a try?

Your houseplant selection criteria may be different from mine. Here are some good resources: Choosing Houseplants, Plant Care Guide.

Kid tip: teach children never to eat non-food plants. Both spider plant and wandering jew are easy to grow if you get a piece from a friend: spider plants grow babies which can be rooted in water and wandering jew cuttings are easy to root in a jar of water.

Download your copy of Simple Sprouts ebook here (it's Free).

How to grow herbs indoors

Alison Kerr — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 14:01:11 +0000

Rosemary plant by Melissa Sanders

“Herbs are nature’s healthy seasoning.” – Alison Kerr, 2010

As winter looms in the north it’s time to move herb growing indoors.

After my recent lack of success with growing indoor lettuce, I’m eager to learn how to grow herbs indoors without experimenting.

Which herbs can be grown indoors?

Better Homes and Gardens recommend the following herbs for indoor growing: oregano, chives, mint, rosemary, and thyme.

PennState Horticulture has the following to say, “Herbs that can tolerate indirect sunlight include mint, bay, rosemary, and thyme. Lemon balm and tarragon will even grow well in very low light conditions.”

List of herbs

Here is the list of herbs for indoor growing. There may be others, but these are the ones I came across in my research:

oregano – good
mint – good
rosemary – good
thyme – good
bay – good
chives – good – requires a dormant period
lemon balm – best – tolerates low light
tarragon – best – tolerates low light
basil – bad – requires too much light
parsley – bad – requires too much light
sage – bad – I’m not clear on why

Moving herbs indoors

If you have outdoor herbs you may want to move some of them indoors for the winter so that you can continue to enjoy them. Leaves can also be frozen or dried for use later (more on that below).

I have the following herbs in my garden and outdoor herb containers: oregano, mint, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, sage, lemon balm, basil, and parsley. I’ll be moving several indoors.

Tips on herb growing and more

Here are some useful websites which teach herb growing indoors, outdoors, and preserving the herb harvest.

How to grow herbs indoors in winter from Better Homes and Gardens – a three page guide which includes instructions for potting up nursery bought herbs and also information on moving herbs indoors.
A video on moving rosemary indoors, again from Better Homes and Gardens.
Indoor herb growing leaflet from Penn State (link takes you straight to the pdf download).
A herb garden calendar – spring, summer, and fall herb growing for cool and warm climates.
Growing herbs in hot climates – fall is the main planting season for hot climates, including Arizona. Visit the Arizona Herb Association for good southern herb growing advice.
For my friends in Australia and New Zealand, I’m learning about your gardening climate. Here’s one good article on subtropical herb growing in Brisbane. You can find a vegetable and herb calendar for your region at Gardenate.com (covers Australia, NZ, USA and UK climates).
How to dry herbs provides a brief explanation of the various methods of drying herbs, or you can freeze herbs for later use (you’ll want them for holiday turkey, for roasting with vegetables, and for winter soups).

Herbs are one of the simplest things you can grow, provided you have the right light conditions. Don’t be tempted to try your favorite herb indoors if it needs direct sun; maybe you’ll discover a new favorite!

Have you tried growing herbs indoors? Which herb is your favorite for cooking?

Kid tip: herbs are very strong for children’s sensitive taste buds. Both mint and chives are easy to grow and have more familiar flavor – kids enjoy growing and picking them. Try offering herbs as a garnish rather than cooking them into a dish.

Download your copy of Simple Sprouts ebook here (it's Free).

Simple Sweet Potato Combinations

Alison Kerr — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 14:26:07 +0000

sweet potatoes roasting by ironchefbelara

Your fall garden can provide both sweet potatoes and simple taste combinations to go perfectly with them when cooking.

The sweet taste and slightly dry flavor of sweet potatoes can benefit from tangy, and spicy partnering. Try these simple sweet potato flavor combinations.

Onion family

Onions, green onions, leeks, garlic, and green garlic all have great flavor to combine with sweet potatoes in cooking. And the onion family is easy to grow.

If you don’t have some in your garden already, fall is the time to plant garlic for next year.

Tomato family

Tomatoes, green tomatoes, and tomatillos add some zest to sweet potato casseroles and soups. As the weather cools and tomatoes refuse to ripen this is a great way to use them up.

Herbs

Some herbs go better with sweet potatoes than others. Both rosemary and cilantro have just the right kind of tang. Rosemary can be roasted with sweet potatoes and cilantro is great as a tangy soup garnish.

If you don’t have sweet potatoes and their simple accompaniments in your garden this year, visit your farmers’ market while dreaming of growing them.

Kid tip: most kids prefer single flavors. When cooking for varied tastes, make your life easier by garnishing rather than cooking all the flavors together. Green onion, green garlic, and cilantro make good garnishes.

Download your copy of Simple Sprouts ebook here (it's Free).

12 Ways to Get Your Greens

Alison Kerr — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 13:44:58 +0000

Greens in My Garden 04/10

Are you growing your own green vegetables? What about meeting the challenge of eating your daily quota?

Most of us don’t grow enough for 100% of our vegetable needs. We simply don’t have the garden capacity or know how (yet). Eating locally grown vegetables, no matter the source, can inspire and inform your green gardening.

12 Ways to Go Green and Local

Fortunately there’s plenty of choice when it comes to getting hold of locally grown green vegetables to munch on. I’ve tried a number of routes, including the garden ones (of course). What about you? Below are twelve ways I know of getting local greens. I’d be interested to hear of any other ways to add to the list.

3 Ways to Grow at Home

Experienced gardeners, and adventurous sorts, will want to grow as much as they can at home. What could be better than having fresh greens just a step away? Get digging and learning and involve the whole family.

In your own back garden – whether you use containers, raised beds, or plant into the ground, this is a great way to get at least some of your greens.
Garden coaching – when you are new to gardening you might need the boost of having someone help you get set up. A growing number of garden coaches across the country are helping homeowners get started by working with them and planting for them.
Indoor growing – indoor container gardens can be used to grow greens, tomatoes (if you have enough light) and herbs. Beans, grasses (some kinds only), and seeds can be sprouted for a fresh, green addition to your diet.

A Green Neighborhood

Gardening is a great way to bring people together. Whether you are lacking space in your own garden, or you just relish the company of others who want to grow, here are two community ways to grow greens.

Into the neighborhood – there’s a recent trend to move out of your own back garden and set up gardening relationships with neighbors. If a neighbor has space and you need more room to grow, this option is worth exploring.
Allotments and community gardens – allotments and community gardens are not only a way to get space to grow your own vegetables, they’re a way to build community. Nonprofits, community centers, schools, cities and even employers have been known to provide space for vegetable growing. Find out what is happening near you.

Greens from the Farm

You might have heard of community supported agriculture – it’s one of the ways to get green vegetables direct from the farm. There are four ways that I know of. Kids love to meet farmers and pick out fresh food for the family.

Community supported agriculture (CSA) – with a CSA you purchase a share in the farm for the growing season and in return you receive a weekly bag or box of produce during the growing season.
On the farm – some farms will allow you to visit and pick your own, pick up your CSA box, or simply purchase. This is not as common as you’d think, largely because farmers are often too busy to be around for visitors.
Farm Co-ops – distinct from CSA because a farm co-op combines produce from a number of farms. I’ve been part of a farm co-op and I loved the arrangement: lower deposit than with a CSA; higher variety; weekly choice of items; less liable to crop failure (the farms were spread out enough to remove localized weather problems from the equation).
Farmers markets – your local farmer’s market may have a great selection of seasonal vegetables, provided you get there early. It’s a wonderful place to meet, chat, and learn about growing and growers in your area and the place to get your questions answered.

Three More Ways

Let’s face it, working men and women may just not have the time they’d like to have to shop around for green vegetables. There’s a growing market to cater to busy professionals and serve up local farm veggies for their convenience.

Locally labeled produce – to meet consumer demand grocery stores are beginning to label locally grown food. I’m finding this increasingly at my local Hyvee during the growing season.
In-store farmers markets and co-ops – in the last year I’ve heard of both Hen House and Price Chopper offering opportunities for fresh, local, farm produce within their stores. I’ve not looked into the details, but I’ve seen something beyond the usual produce display advertised in their literature.
Door-to-Door delivery – I recently discovered Door-to-Door Organics who will deliver you a weekly box of organic fruit, vegetables, or both, to your door. Kansas doesn’t grow anything like enough fruit for it’s own population – I’ve been buying my fruit through this service. It’s working well.

How are you getting your greens? Are you happy with what you’re doing? What would you like to do different?

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Download your copy of Simple Sprouts ebook here (it's Free).

Celebrate Earth Day in Your Garden

Alison Kerr — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 13:57:31 +0000

Birth Tree by woodleywonderworks

With today being the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, it seems appropriate for all of us Earthlings to celebrate Earth Day right where we’re at, in our gardens.

Do you already have Earth Day plans? Let’s think on this together a little. Let me know your thoughts too. I’d like to hear what you have to say.

What is Earth Day Anyway?

I’ve been celebrating Earth Day for years, but, until now, I’d never read about the history. Earth Day was conceived with the express purpose of putting the environment on the political agenda.

“…before 1970, a factory could spew black clouds of toxic into the air or dump tons of toxic waste into a nearby stream, and that was perfectly legal. …there was no EPA, no Clean Air Act, no Clean Water Act. There were no legal or regulatory mechanisms to protect our environment.”

Pretty shocking when you think about, huh? 20 million Americans joined the first Earth Day protests in April of 1970 and succeeded in raising the issue enough to authorize the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency by December of 1970.

Let’s Be Thankful and Be Different

I’m all in favor of each of us using Earth Day to plant something, whether that be a pot of herbs, a butterfly plant, or a tree. But many of us already do that a whole lot at this time of year (if you don’t already, go for it, there’s no better day to get started)! I’ve got something different in mind.

Mmmm, an Earth Day Picnic

Let’s say you’re sitting in your back garden enjoying an Earth Day picnic – you have a sandwich, a glass of water, and some salad. As you slurp down water from your glass it suddenly occurs to you that the water fell down to earth from a cloud. The bread is made of wheat, which came from the earth. The egg in your sandwich came from a chicken which ate bugs, which fed on plants, which grew in the earth…

Thank You Earth

There’s no escaping it, every single thing which makes your garden, and indeed your very life, possible comes from the planet we live on and our wonderfully unique position with the sun powering us and the moon’s influence. It’s in our own best interests to take care of our own corner of the globe, if not the whole planet.

Take a Deep Breath

Breathe in the air in your garden. Drink of the clean, fresh water, dig in the dirt, admire the plants, trees, birds, and critters. Think about how the first Earth Day was a step to protecting our own future. Celebrate Earth Day in your garden. Tell others about how you feel. We have something precious to maintain.

You don’t have to join a crowd and go to a large Earth Day event, though it might not be a bad idea. Just don’t be afraid to let your local politicians know your thoughts on the environment. They can’t listen if you don’t talk.

Do you value clean air, safe water, and fresh food? What are you doing for Earth Day? Have you ever called your senator or representative?

Download your copy of Simple Sprouts ebook here (it's Free).

Kansas City Gardening for Africa

Alison Kerr — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:34:05 +0000

Grant and Paige Shadden - 2005

Grant and Paige Shadden are a sweet, young Kansas City couple who want to grow their own, healthy vegetables, in their own back yard. It sounds unremarkable.

But Grant and Paige know the value and power of organic vegetable gardening and they are doing something unusual. They are gardening in Kansas City for Africa.

Brookside, Kansas City, MO, 2010

I met with Grant and Paige Shadden at their modest Kansas City home, in the area known as Brookside, a part of Kansas City where residents are already known to be supportive of local businesses and organic eating ideals. It’s an area of smaller, less-groomed lawns, and good-sized, if slightly unkempt back yards. And Grant and Paige seem to fit there naturally, except that part of them doesn’t.

Square Foot Gardeners in an Urban Eden

Grant and Paige Shadden with Mel Bartholomew and Square Foot Gardening, 2009

Grant and Paige are Square Foot Gardeners. They didn’t just read the book, they trained at the Square Foot Gardening Foundation in Utah under the tutelage of Mel Bartholomew. And they are full of enthusiasm for fresh food, and growing it.

Grant and Paige are the owners of Urban Eden KC, an eco-focused local Kansas City gardening business. They’re ready to spread the knowledge of square foot gardening through coaching, and they’re also offering eco-friendly lawn care, with a push reel mower and an energy star, electric trimmer and blower. But that’s not all.

Vegetable Gardening For Africa

Grant and Paige have left part of their hearts in Africa, where they were house-parents at a Sierra Leone orphanage during the winter of 2006/2007. As Paige shared with me about one boy, John Sesay, who walked 3 miles to school on a crippled leg with no discernible muscle, her eyes filled with tears. She told me how John was smiling all the way home, because he had been at school and he loved learning so much.

I heard how aid sent to Africa often doesn’t reach the people it’s for. What good is food for undernourished children when it’s siphoned off before it gets to the kids? Yet there is soil in Africa, space around schools and communities where food can be grown, when basic tools, seeds, and know-how are available.

A Vegetable Gardening Mission

Grant and Paige Shadden in Fall

Grant and Paige have made it their mission to take vegetable gardening to Africa. They are planting tomatoes and squash in Kansas City to earn the money to return to Africa.

They are teaching Square Foot Gardening on two continents. And they are changing the world for the people they touch, one raised bed garden at at time.

I leave you with a quote from the blog of Grant and Paige Shadden, “This is what we wish we could do full-time… empower neighborhoods and whole communities to grow their own sustainable gardens and set them up for success!”

How do you share your gardening? Is there something you’d like to do that you’ve not managed yet?

Square Foot Gardening, written by Mel Bartholomew, an engineer turned gardener, is currently (April 2010) ranked #67 in Amazon.com Best Selling Books list. Get all the inspiration you need for your own garden adventures, subscribe to Loving Nature’s Garden by e-mail – don’t miss a thing.

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