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The 2024 Garden Year

January 19, 2024 January Our year started with snow, ice and frigid temperatures in mid-January. Our temperatures stayed below freezing for almost a week. I think it was the most consistent cold that we've experienced since moving here. Fortunately, it was a dry snow so there wasn't too much damage. Once again, we almost lost the azara and I'm afraid there would have been some breakage if I had not kept knocking the ice off. February 14, 2024 February In past years, it seems that inclement weather seems to hit around Michael's birthday in mid-February. After the January snow and ice, this month was actually quite tame. Nothing exciting to report - mostly birdwatching . Early flowers like hellebores, cyclamen and crocus begin to bloom in mid month. March 3, 2024 March I got into a walking routine which I'm happy to report I am continuing this year. You get to the point where you feel guilty if you miss a day. I do miss days occasionally but I'm learning that ...

Book review and give-away - "The Speedy Garden"

Congratulations to Eve on winning the book! Stay tuned for more contests in the future.

We all know that most gardening requires some patience - especially vegetable gardening. But wait one minute, here is a new book that offers crops that are ready to eat in a few days, weeks and even hours. Food journalists Mark Diacono and Lia Leendertz profile these tasty delights, show you how to grow them and provide recipes.

Beginning with "Soaks and Sprouts," the authors describe the best techniques for sprouting seeds in sprouting bags or trays. Pumpkin seeds, almonds, sunflowers, radish, mustard and clover sprouts are just a few that are profiled with tips on storing them and using them in recipes. 

Micro greens include coriander, fennel, basil, and other leafy greens that can be grown in trays in as little as seven days and are ready for salads and flavorings for other foods. Edible flowers are also covered - nasturtium, daylily, chives, marigolds, and lavender. 

A chapter on "cut and come again salad leaves" demonstrates a method of growing greens in containers and harvesting the leaves so that the plants will sprout again. "Quick Harvest Vegetables" covers carrots, turnips, radishes and other fast growing crops.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. I am always excited to learn something new about plants and gardening. I just read the other post about root cuttings and found it interesting. I am crossing my fingers and toes and hopefully I will win!

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  2. Hi Phil,
    As an ancient gardener, I remember the admonishment of George Burns, who said "I'm so old, I don't even buy my bananas green." So this seems like a good book for me! Best to you,
    Shenandoah
    shenandoah@hushmail.com
    http://gardenaginginplace.com

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  3. Looks like a fun book! I'm in!

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  4. I can never have enough gardening books or cookbooks. Plus, I'm going to be giving edible gardening a more serious try this season... I'm in!

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  5. Whooo Hoooo! Can't wait to get it! I'm gearing up for lots of veggies this year!

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