The new gourmet ‘it’ vegetable for Southern kitchens Story and Photos by Cynthia Wood While on a food and native plant pilgrimage to Austin, Texas, I was offered a small plate of charred, wrinkly green peppers sprinkled with sea salt. The waiter said that the peppers were called shishitos and that they were native to …
Papalo is a bold herb that loves the heat Story and Photography by Cindy Shapton Tired of running out to the garden to get some fresh cilantro for your salsa only to find it has bolted in the heat of summer? You may want to plant papalo (PAH-pa-low) next spring. Referred to as summer cilantro, …
Starting seeds during the cold months Story and Photography by Rebecca Stoner Kirts I first heard about the technique of winter sowing for starting seeds while I was listening to a podcast over a year ago. The hosts were homesteaders from Texas. They had extensive gardens and also sold plants. They propagated most of their …
Story and Photography by A.J. Heinsz-Bailey It’s the end of October, not much is happening in the garden … then you see them. Little orange pumpkin-like fruit hanging on a spectacular small tree dressed in vibrant red and orange leaves. Barely noticed in summer, they’re now the highlight of your yard. The genus name of …
Understanding vegetable crop rotation Story and Photography by A.J. Heinsz-Bailey Crop rotation is truly very important. The productivity and health of even the smallest vegetable garden will benefit from this centuries-old practice. If you’re first thought is, “I’m not a farmer. This doesn’t apply to my small garden,” you would be wrong. One reason to …
Growing plums in your Louisiana landscape Story and Photography by A.J. Heinsz-Bailey In the early 19th century, “plum” meant any desirable treasure, a coveted prize, or the best of a group. Now the word is used as an adjective describing something covetable, like a “plum role” in a movie. Living up to this reputation is not …
Resolving Brussels sprout and red cabbage garden mysteries By Kathryn Fontenot Louisiana fall gardens almost always include cabbage plants. Whether you grow them for nourishment, coleslaw, eggrolls, relish, or salads … or perhaps to throw in St Patrick’s Day Parades, they are generally a staple crop of fall gardens. In general, Louisiana gardeners can grow …
Growing cool-season vegetables in Louisiana A.J. Heinsz-Bailey The heat is almost over and you have exhausted your sizable stack of zucchini recipes. Take a break and start planning your fall garden. Cool nights and short days are on the way. Greens in all of their glory are waiting to put on an edible multicolor display …
Are we thinking about seeds all wrong? By Jeanne Grunert Seeds. Those tiny capsules of genetic wonder, containing all that will become a juicy tomato, a magnificent oak, a beautiful rose, or a mischievous morning glory. Go into any garden center on a spring day and you’ll see racks upon racks of seeds. Frugal gardeners …
When Life Gives You Tomatoes … Story and Photography by Kathleen Hennessy If your end-of-the-season tomato harvest is filling up your counters, it’s time to make sauce. Even if you’re a novice canner, this recipe is very easy and flexible. Best of all, it tastes amazing. You may never go back to store-bought tomato sauce. …
