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Peach Pie

We just got 10 pounds of local peaches. This recipe turned out great. It is a keeper! Peach Pie Double piecrust (store-bought or homemade - this is the one I use ) 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup brown sugar 5 cups sliced peaches (peeled) 3 tablespoons cornstarch 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon butter 2-3 teaspoons lemon juice 1 egg (whisked) (to be used for brushing the crust before baking) Prepare pie crusts. Preheat oven to 400. Combine the two sugars in a bowl. Add the peaches and toss. Cover and let stand for about 1 hour. Drain the peaches and reserve the juice. In a medium saucepan, combine the cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Over low heat, slowly add the reserved peach juice and stir constantly, about 2 minutes, until the mixture thickens. Remove from the heat and add the butter and lemon juice. Stir until the butter has melted. Pour into the crust and top with the second crust. Brush the top with egg wash and make small slits with a sharp ...
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The Ultimate Wildlife Habitat Garden - a book review


The Ultimate Wildlife Habitat Garden
by Stacy Tornio
Timber Press, 2024

This colorful guide is a good introduction for beginning gardeners who want to attract wildlife. The focus is on four major groups - birds, butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. There is also an additional chapter on "Other Wildlife" which offers brief notes on attracting dragonflies, spiders, amphibians, reptiles, earthworms, etc. It even mentions squirrels and rabbits, but my question is - who would want these in the garden?!!

Each section begins with profiles of the major players with a description, photo and list of statistical information such as physical characteristics, nesting habits, diet and range. This is followed by a section of plants that are beneficial. The plants include trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals.


A section titled "Show Me How to Plan a Garden" features five or six plants with an illustration to use in whatever type of garden you are making (shade, drought-tolerant, songbird, hummingbird, etc.). 



A final FAQ section answers questions about native plants, organic gardening and problems one might encounter.

The book is well illustrated with beautiful photographs and drawings. I would recommend the book as a gift for someone just starting out with gardening or for someone who wants to identify birds or butterflies. I'm not sure I would use the word "Ultimate" in the title as the information on both plants and birds is quite minimal, but it is a good starting point.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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