Secrets of the City

I guess I was country before country was cool…

The CSAs and local organic farmers and ranchers were out in force at the Living Green Expo this weekend. A fun time. Had some great bison chili there.

Saw a couple there wearing Bachmann t-shirts and anti-tax stickers at Expo — likely they were on there way to Jason Lewis rally in State Capitol.

I planted my salad garden last Tuesday and the first little leaves of Arugula started peaking out of the soil on Saturday. I have about 15 feet of Arugula, 10 feet of spring mix, 15 feet of spicy spring mix and 10 feet of radishes. In a separate bed I have 8 snow pea plants that looks like they will start sprouting today!

I’ll plant the real garden around memorial day. Tomato, beans, peppers, herbs. I normally spend about $20 at the farmers market and get everything I need for the year.

You should never plant tomatos in the ground before the lilacs bloom. Even if they don’t freeze out they won’t really grow much until the weather is that warm.

Oh and buy a tiller if you are serious. It saves your back and time each spring. I have a little one that works perfect for most spaces and it fits in the trunk of the car.

I don’t have much of a backyard at the new place … at least not enough room that gets sunshine most of the day. At the old place, though, I’d plant peas, green beans, broccoli and brussels sprouts. Also had a few raspberry and blueberries bushes growing around the rock garden. It is true: Gardening is very therapeutic.

And there’s nothing more fun than walking out and picking your side dishes fresh from the garden! (Oh, well, I can think of a few other things that are MORE fun but picking fresh veggies is in the Top 10.)

This year, in containers, I’m going to try tomatoes, basil, cilantro, and mint. I’ve done tomatoes and mint before with some success. The squirels like tomatoes, and so does the dog, so I have a hard time getting any for me. I think I’ll do the basil and cilantro in the dining room.

You can’t go wrong with anything in the mint family, kc! (look for the square stems). They are rather invasive garden thugs, but they smell nice.

I have some catmint. Meyow.

We have no gardening space at our place, but we have a comunidad garden plot and plan to grow some veggies. We’re thinking tomatoes, cukes and beans.. nothing too extravagant.

We used to have a community spot in south Mpls. People used to steal from those gardens. Probably still do. Always thought that was really lowdown.

I have almost no area with full sun, but in the small area that gets okay good sun, I grow herbs. It varies each year, but basil and sage for sure. I have room for about 10 plants. Last autumn I lopped off the sage plant right before the first frost, dried it, and used it in my Thanksgiving stuffing. It was great!

Oh and mint? Stuff grows like mad. I liberally rip it out and make tea.

I’m excited to help my grandma plant cucumbers and tomatoes. I dislike both vegetables but I like my grandma.

kc, if you’re going to do herbs indoors, I recommend you get a mini-greenhouse, otherwise they’ll dry out and die within a week.

Bixby, you don’t even like cucumber and tomato salad? NOM!

Wait a minute…

I like cucumbers AND tomotoes AND Bixby’s grandma.

I’m heading over to Bixby’s grandma’s house to supervise Bix and said g-ma with planting.

I pass on fresh tomatoes, unless it’s soup or they’re well=hidden in chili. It’s a texture thing; also won’t eat French dip sandwiches or any of a number of other “soggy” foods.

On the other cucumbers ….

Here’s a Japanese preparation of cucumber salad: http://www.straitscafe.com/recipes/207.htm

You can also use the same ingredients to prepared vinegared carrots.