A few days ago, a colleague and I were discussing how bountiful gardens can be when filled with edibles. There’s generally so much food you literally have to give it away. This prompted us to ponder why on earth and how on earth there’s a shortage and scarcity of food.  It simply makes no sense.

Everyone in America should grow some type of edible for themselves and to share with friends or family.  Period.  Everyone.  It would be even more ideal if everyone grew enough food to feed themselves for at least a couple of days throughout the week and even better, throughout the entire week. It’s hard work but it seems we’d all be better off.

Ponder the idea of where we would be as a country if only we took such a small effort toward sustaining our lives. Maybe the need for healthcare wouldn’t be as dire as it seems to be (or at least according to the news) and maybe we’d live a better quality of life.

It’s no wonder, I’m a believer and am doing everything I can each day to provide my family with as many fresh edibles as possible. The goal is ‘food from the garden everyday’! There’s no interest to do away with farmers or grocery stores – just to enrich life with fresher more life sustaining food that feeds and nourishes the body rather than eating and rarely being satisfied.

This image and the image of the plum blossom represent incredible opportunities. The plum blossom is on a tree that came from a community hospital for the handicap where they learned to garden, worked the earth daily, harvested their own food and held fundraiser sales with the plants they’d produced from cuttings and seed.  When their property was sold, they unfortunately had to close their doors but they provided cuttings from their orchard and sold off their remaining gardening plants.

This tree is one of the cuttings from that compound.  It produces some of the juiciest, sweetest, most beautiful plums ever seen or eaten.

The little green sprouts you see in the image above also represents an opportunity. While cleaning a closet, I found these seeds from 2003 and decided I may as well see if they were still viable.  Much to my absolute shock and delightful surprise, they germinated within days of planting.  They are an escarole lettuce which is growing like they couldn’t wait to get sprouting!

So just think, if everyone planted an old packet of seed and transplanted a branch from a tree each and every year – how much additional food could they generate for themselves? It’s worth a thought and if I can do it anyone can do it.

Three years in a row I ordered seed potatoes and three years in a row I didn’t really know what in the world to do with them since I didn’t have ground space to properly grow them.  It always seemed something was growing in the area I intended to place the potatoes and as a result they grew in a bag or in a small pot.  Part of my challenge was that the company I ordered from required an order of several pounds per variety and I was interested in multiple varieties.  Since the company happens to be a vendor whom I rely on regularly and order from them throughout the year, I just decided to order the minimum and then provide the excess potatoes to garden friends.  Well, they seemed really happy with their production while I ended up with what amounted to baby toes for potatoes each year.  It was my fault as I didn’t plant them properly or even in an timely manner and ended up with peanut sized potatoes.

This year, I decided to order from Ronniger’s which allowed me to order in much smaller quantities – perfect for a kitchen garden.  Again, I love the company I normally deal with but what an incredible difference and a huge benefit in ordering from companies who specialize in a particular item – like potatoes and onions.  The service was outstanding and incredibly helpful. It was such an immense pleasure in dealing with this company that I was almost sorry I hadn’t taken the time to order sooner.  The person I had the pleasure of speaking with actually made me feel like I’d been a long time customer. What a treasure and how incredibly unusual!

When the order arrived that proved to be another pleasant surprise as the packaging was exceptional and the information packet on how to grow potatoes which was contained within the package was extremely timely.  I really needed a quick lesson in how best to grow potatoes since I’ve not done it well to this point.  They included a great ‘quick guide’ which provided details on how to:

Pre-Sprout Potatoes (known as Chitting across the pond)

Soil Preparation

Planting

Hilling

Mulching

Weeding

Watering

Fertilizing

Pest Control

I’ve also been reading up on resourceful ways to grow potatoes (for those of us with limited space) and I read an article in Australia where someone noted she grows potatoes in laundry baskets each year.  This gave me the idea to take some of the giant pots from some of the fruit trees I’ve planted to use as growing receptacles  for my potatoes.

Undoubtedly, my standard supplier, which basically supplies farming essentials, probably assumes their customers know what to do with the purchases they make otherwise they would make such purchases.  In the majority of their orders, they’re probably absolutely correct.  It just so happens the instructions from Ronniger’s will definitely come in handy for us as we were absolutely clueless.

While several varieties were purchased this year from Ronnigers, I’ll probably increase my purchases with them next year since I’m so incredibly happy with my order. Ronniger’s comes highly recommended after my initial purchase and I’ll look forward to adding them to my vendor resource list.  Since the potatoes they sent were absolutely beautiful, I expect my harvest to be the same.  If not, I’ll have no one to blame but myself as they’ve placed all the essential elements in my hands and it’s for me to muck it up!

Rarely do I take the time to recount the various edibles we plant so today seems like a great day to change all of that.

I have the most wonderful neighbors who are as enthusiastic about gardening as I.  They not only share their harvest bounty but are always sharing their plants. Hope I’m giving them as much joy as they’re giving me.

While cleaning up the garden my neighbors were dividing and spacing out their strawberries and graciously offered me the 60 or so plants they planned to dump in the compost. Wish I had a picture of these beauties but they were the best looking plants I’ve ever seen – even those I’ve personally purchased.  It just so happens a couple of weeks ago I’d purchased several bare root plants already so I already had a bed full of strawberries but of course I couldn’t resist and promptly planted them.

Although they didn’t know the variety name, they were quick to describe the size, fragrance and sweet taste and noted how much they loved them.  So, I can’t wait to see how they do.

60 plants were a bit much to put in one spot so they’re all over the garden.

The roots on the plants were thick and incredibly hardy and the leaves were a lusciously rich, dark green. Some even had fruit while just about all of them had flowers.  Such an incredibly delightful gift.

They also gave me a bunch of chives to plant in the garden. They smelled absolutely delicious.  Planted them among the strawberries.

I would like to know how many people currently have a kitchen garden or are planning to make a garden where they grow edibles?

Have you heard about this initiative from the Obama Administration to connect local consumers with local farmers for the health of the nation and the economic health of local farmers?

Sounds like a grand plan and here’s a recommendation for those who are in a city that’s so large that the farmers are too far for you to personally connect, grow your own vegetables and fruits. You’ll be thrilled with the results. And of course, support your local farmers whenever you can.

Sources:

Obama Foodorama Blog

USDA:  Every Family Needs a Farmer Campaign

When the Golden Sweet Pea packet arrived in the mail last year, they were among the first on the list of seeds to plant. After they germinated, we went through a bit of a heat wave and they ended up melting, well, withering is probably the more appropriate term. There were so many other things being planted that I never got around to starting another batch until December ’09.

I can’t wait to taste them once they actually produce as they sound delectable. The lemon yellow pods are produced on an emerald green backdrop of leaves. Pods come after lovely purple flowers which are said to originally come from India.

If the squirrels don’t get to them first, our first meal will be enjoyed in a delicious red romaine salad with sliced red onions and slightly blanched Golden peas served with a garlic-parmesan vinaigrette dressing.

Oh, how sinful that I’m planning the meal before the plants are ready for harvest.  Shameful, indeed.

Sources:
Seed Savers Exchange
Real Seeds 

Now, certain items like zucchini and tomatoes simply must be the exception…there’s not enough zucchini bread or pasta sauce in the world for us to be able to eat all that’s produced. We had more than 60 tomato plants in one season…which means we’d have to open a tomato sauce factory in order to keep up.

Now, I’m a bit spoiled and probably a tad unreasonable in my assumptions because I have celery growing out of just about every crevice of my garden from plants which have reseeded themselves.  It just so happens, however, it was dark one evening when I needed celery and I wouldn’t be able to go out and cut celery for the dinner I planned to make. So, while at Trader Joe’s, it seemed like a brilliant idea to get a bag while there.

I could tell from the bags of carrots I picked up, which were a bit on the hairy side, that I needed to make the selection of celery very carefully. It was bagged which made it a bit more difficult to determine how fresh it was but it seemed just fine. At least it seemed fine until I opened the bag.

Have you ever grown celery? Fresh celery is simply unbelieveable.  The freshness is unmistakable as one bite is incredibly strong and rich in flavor.  The dark green stalks grow like trees in the garden and are crisp, crunchy and intense from top to bottom.  So, it was nothing short of a total shock to open this bag and find brown rot on both the tops and the bottom. In retrospect, someone should have taken a photo of my face. I could feel my mouth gaping and my brows frowning. It was simply shocking.  Did I note how shocking it was?

Now again, I grow the stuff freely (and not completely willingly) so I’m extremely spoiled.  But never would I have expected rotten veg from TJs. 

While at a dinner party some years ago, someone tried to put a bug in my ear that one must be careful with Trader Joe’s items as the freshness and quality are not what one might expect and I shewed him away as a casual  nut. Never had I any reason to be concerned until now. Maybe that guy wasn’t as much of a nut as I thought?

Also purchased were a small bag of onions…and I will simply say they were not usable. They were rotting from the core.

Strange, strange, strange.  I do expect more from Trader Joe’s and want to believe this is merely an anomaly.

 In the meantime, I’ll make better provisions to cut the items needed from the garden ahead of time so I won’t have to experience such shock in the future – just in case…

Just had to post about this deal – Peaceful Valley (an organic garden supplier) is providing a discount on gift certificates.  Purchasers receive a $101 gift certificate for the price of $89!

By the way, this is NOT an advertisement.  I just received a notice in my inbox and thought I’d share it with my garden friends.

Don’t recall the name of this beauty but it’s NOT a lemon. It’s actually sweet and tastes almost like a pineapple.

Potted Citrus

I’m doing my very best to keep my temper under control but I really don’t appreciate you eating my big fat fish whom I’ve chosen to give a home for the past 7 months. While I understand your need to feed, I must respectfully request you take your hunger elsewhere.  After purchasing additional fishy family members, we see you’ve come back for more so I’ve given the huntress of the house permission to eat YOU.  I suggest you beware because she’s a darn good hunter and will get up out of the deepest of sleep, in the middle of the night, to do what comes natural. For her, it’s seems to be nothing more than fun.  You, Mr./Mrs. Racoon, will be her next victim. 

In an effort to prevent any further carnage, as I consider myself a humanitarian for all, and truly understand and believe everyone has a right to feed, I’ve erected a make-shift chicken wire cover over the fish pond.  It is my hope this will not only keep you out but will discourage you from returning so it does not become necessary for me to retrieve and discard your limbs after the huntress catches and has her way with you. Please take this as a kind request to keep your claws-a-steppin in a different direction and out of our yard.

Please note, there are plenty of other edibles which we’re more than happy to share with you, if you’re simply hungry. Fruit trees abound and often provide us with far more than we’re able to utilize.  But, we must insist that you do not disrupt the harmony of the living creature family.

Very truly yours, Garden of Edibles Family

Yuck…

I actually found this post while trying to validate the use of kitty litter as a snail repellent.

garden of edibles book of the week selection

Good grief what a wonderful book!  Anyone interested in sustainable living simply must rush out and get this book.  It’s jam-packed with all sorts of interesting facts and creative ideas on living more sustainably. 

The format is refreshing and brilliantly simple.  The photos are beautiful and the information is incredibly timely.  This is my pick of the week in books.  Picked it up yesterday and wasn’t able to put it down the entire evening. 

Here’s a sampling of what’s covered:

Section 1 :: No Need for a Yard:  grow salad leaves in a window box; save energy theeasy way, shop ethically, grow pots of herbs indoors, bathe using pure products, make flavored oils nd vinegars, support local businesses, clean without harsh chemicals; dry your own herbs; check the label; reduce, reuse & recyle; bake bread; choose natural diapers; forage for wild greens; nourish skin naturally; use safer pest controls at home; grow strawberries in a hanging basket’ travel wisely; make and freeze baby foods; choose natural face and body products; campaign!; make fruit and flower cordials; use natural cleaners and polishes; give eco presents; wear and sleep in natural organic fabrics; go green in the playroom; forage for fungi; choose safe products for your children.

And if that wasn’t enough, there are a total of three comprehensive sections dealing with gardening and making healthful choices.  It’s a fantastic read and well worth the money. 

A Slice of Organic Life

Editor in Chief: Sheherazade Goldsmith

Forward:  Alice Waters

Publisher:  DK Publishing