The Gen Y Gardener?
According to a recent talk I attended, there have been 7 million new gardeners entering our ranks this year. In a few years, Generation Y (people born between 1977 and 2000) will comprise 47% of the work force. (We are somewhere much lower than that now. I can’t find my notes.) If you listen to the mainstream media, we are portrayed as entitled, philanthropic, in want of instant gratification, constantly asking “Why?” skeptical of authority, …
What Does it Take to be an Organic Gardener?
Some may dive into organic gardening with great expectations, and a feeling of pride at the choice they are making. However, when the reality of what it takes to be an organic gardener sets in, expectations become disappointments, and commitment to the choice may begin to fade.
For example, in many regions of the country, this has been an exceptionally cool and wet summer. If this is the first time that an individual has tried organic …
Brewing the Perfect Cup of Tea
Tea, the second most popular beverage, after water, has a horticultural connection. In fact, if you want, you can grow a tea plant on your patio. Black, green, white and oolong tea comes from the plant Camellia sinensis. Tea leaves are just that: the young leaves from the tips of the branches of this plant. Each type of tea mentioned above is dried and prepared differently, resulting in a different nutrient …
Book Review: The Omnivore’s Dilemma
I’ve been reading and reading and reading this summer, into fall. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. Food Matters, by Mark Bittman. In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan. I finally got to the big one: …
Create a Backyard Habitat-Make a Haven For Feathered and Furry Friends
If you live in a city or suburban area, the idea of creating a backyard habitat for birds and other wildlife is a responsible thing to do. As residential areas grow, and woodlands are lost, there are fewer places for birds and animals to take up residence, forage for food, and to retreat to in response to dangerous predators. It is not a difficult task, does not use many resources that you do not already …
How To Grow Green Tea in Your Garden
Nature’s Fat-Burning Herb
When you buy tea in the store, you can’t be completely sure of the quality of its production and packaging. Was it grown fully organically? How far was it shipped before it arrived at your local store? Packaging waste is another concern for the eco-conscious tea-drinker. And let’s not forget the expense of buying tea at the store, an unnecessary expense in these strained economic times.
Growing your own tea is a rewarding project …
Organic Gardening Interview: Penni Shelton
If you grow your own vegetables, you can eat them in whatever form you would most enjoy. Anyone thinking about growing and eating vegetables for health purposes – more than casual nutrition – has probably come into contact with information about the “Raw food movement” or “Living Food Movement.”
There are various schools of thought about whether you should cook your vegetables, or eat them raw. The people who eat only raw food do not heat …
Book Review: Gardening Nude
Shawna Coronado grew up in Kokomo, Indiana, a small community in the heart of the breadbasket (farm country), of the United States. Her family was anything but normal, her parents had an unconventional marriage, and her father passed away when she was just 13 years old. Her grandparents’ farm became a place of solace. She wandered around in nature, not really doing anything constructive, other than mowing …
Spotlight on Cilantro – A Spice and Medicinal Remedy All In One
Is it cilantro or coriander? It’s both, and the names are often completely inter-changeable. The plant is a member of the carrot family, and frequently the leaves of this herb are called cilantro while the seeds are referred to as the spice coriander. Cilantro grows wild in southeastern Europe. It has also been cultivated for thousands of years in India, where it is known as dhania, in Egypt and right through to China. It was …
Basil: Powerhouse of Flavor, Nutrition and Healing
Organic sweet basil – seeds available at ParkseedBasil has been cultivated in India and Asia for over 5,000 years. Revered for its flavor and healing qualities, it is a traditional herb in Mediterranean, Italian and Thai dishes. Its name comes from the Greek word for king, and it reflects the reverence attributed to …
