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Garden Fun for Kids in New Orleans
Can't let my recent visit to the Big Easy go by without reporting about two really fun places for kids (both young and old)--if you live there--don't miss these gardens. If you are a visitor or wannabe, put these on your must do list.
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Longue Vue Gardens in New Orleans
Recently had a taste of the sweet, sunny South--left Maryland in 23-degree weather and arrived in New Orleans to 60 degrees with leaves still on the trees and many plants in bloom. Headed for a favorite garden spot to visit: Longue Vue Gardens. Enjoy the sunshine in the gardens even if it is cold where you are!
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Holiday Decorations to Attract Birds in Winter
Homemade holiday decorations are a delicious way to attract wild birds to your garden this winter.
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How to Grow an Indoor Rosemary Topiary
Rosemary is an evergreen herb that has a long association to Christmas and the holiday season. Here’s how to create an easy tabletop decoration made with this fragrant member of the mint family.
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Make your own Calendula Salve
Today is the last day of November (already!)--it's that time of year where we need to think about holiday gifts--and what better than a useful, homemade gift? Calendula salve is easy to make once your calendula petals have infused in oil and it makes a wonderful herbal salve. As a gardener, I use it regularly, however it is great for chapped lips, hands and dry skin and it is gentle enough to be used in preparations for babies. Give a gift that will be appreciated and used--this one is thoughtful, homemade and healing!
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Baker Creek Grows Like the Seeds it Sells
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds is celebrating its 22nd annual catalog of selling rare seeds to home gardeners. The company may have grown, but it still has that down-home family feeling.
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Awesome Easy Cranberry-Orange Relish
Cranberries are a staple of the Thanksgiving table. I am not one to appreciate a quivery, jelly-like mass. I go for the gusto--texture, flavor and freshness. This is the best cranberry relish that I have ever eaten--has three simple seasonal ingredients-- and it takes just 5 minutes to make!
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Thankful for Sage, the Herb for Thanksgiving
If you haven't decided on a dressing recipe for your Thanksgiving dinner--this is what I'm making this Thursday--it is a bit different from the norm and downright tasty! Fresh herbs make all the difference--and sage is the featured herb!
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Plant Some Fun this Weekend
Why not use this Thanksgiving holiday to plant a gardening seed? You can help sprout young gardeners with these easy indoor gardening projects.
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5 Ways to Veg Out for Thanksgiving
It’s time to give thanks for vegetables! Here are five simple ways to give vegetables a special place at the Thanksgiving table.
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Hoecakes are Better than Cornbread!
Many folks have asked me to share this recipe, which Tina Marie Wilcox and I prepared at the Herb Harvest Fall Festival. They are great hot off the griddle. Quite honestly, I like them better than cornbread--they are fun to eat--and they travel well and are less crumbly than cornbread. You can make them large or small depending upon what you are doing with them They make a killer grilled cheese sandwich with a slice of onion and/or tomato!
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Infused Vinegar is a Simple Garden Gift
November ushers in the season of giving. From giving thanks to giving gifts, vegetable gardeners can use their fruits, vegetables and herbs to create something simply delicious.
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Harvest Season Celebrations and Events
The end of October-beginning of November brings about the close and celebration of the harvest season as well as a few seasonal celebrations. October 31 is All Hallow's Eve or Halloween,and it is the beginning of Samhein in Ireland and Day of the Dead in Mexico and other Latin American countries.
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Gardener’s Guide to Winter Squash
Pumpkins may be popular this time of year, but there’s a wide wonderful world of winter squashes waiting for you. Here’s a helpful guide on which squashes to choose and how to use.
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International Herb Association Conference 2018
This year's IHA conference in Mountain View, Arkansas, was full of memorable moments--from seeing dear old friends, field trip to Missouri and Baker Creek and Sweetwater Land Trust, fun and educational programs from a variety of speakers, great vendors--to the annual awards banquet and auction and time in the Heritage Herb Garden (even in the rain).
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Citrus Hop Bitters
Nearly everyone who tastes these bitters, asks for the recipe. So I am sharing it here so you can make your own--they are easy to make and store for years (if they last that long). This recipe is published in Hops, Herb of the Year 2018 by the International Herb Association.
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Botanical Brews at the U.S. National Arboretum
Catching up on some recent events--one that was new and fun was the Botanical Brews evening at the USNA--what a setting for a party! Last spring, they erected wonderful bamboo hop trellises at the entrance to the herb garden to support the hop vines. the hops were green and hung with strobiles, which was the perfect backdrop to our HSA educational table complete with tastings of Citrus Hop Bitters as guests strolled through the gardens sampling local craft beer.
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From Paprika Seeds to Paprikash
2 commentsIt’s satisfying to have an idea in January, start seeds in March and help a plant flourish. It’s even more satisfying to turn that fruit into a dish for a special fall dinner.
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Freezer Tips for Fresh Produce
Instead of canning, here are some easy methods for freezing some of your end-of-the season fruits and vegetables. A few minutes spent freezing now, means garden-fresh meals in the middle of winter.
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Eight Great Tomatoes from 2018
What were the top tomatoes in your vegetable garden this season? Here are the eight great varieties that made this summer especially tomatoey for me.
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