Here's the latest in a series of columns I'm writing for the North Coast Journal. The column is called The Drunken Botanist; my book of the same title will be out next year. A friend of mine has been on a grueling book tour to promote her new novel. One night in early December, after [...]
Read more in: Drink This, Garden Rant Cocktail HourA new study shows that the predator-prey relationship can affect the flow of carbon through an ecosystem. This previously unmeasured influence on the. […]
When it comes to honey bees, more mates is better. A new study shows that genetic diversity is key to survival in honey bee colonies -- meaning a colo. […]
Researchers evaluating the biomass potential of woody crops, are taking a closer look at the black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), which showed a highe. […]
This winter, I bought two dozen eggs. I'm generally content to just do without as my hens go through their winter moult, but there were a couple of times when I just needed eggs for something or other, so off I went to try to pick up something...
Read more in: Eat ThisThat would be me! Potatoes are just about my favorite crop. They are famous for yielding the most food in the smallest possible space, why is one explanation for why the land-poor 19th century Irish became so dependent on them. They are very forgiving, producing early, late, everywhere in between....
Read more in: Eat ThisHere's one way to go about making a city more self-sufficient, food-wise: Start with just one crop. Once you get that one right, move on to the next one. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Friends of the Urban Forest is doing just that: They are mapping every Meyer...
Read more in: Drink This, Eat ThisI was in New York on Sunday, and some friends invited me to an event sponsored by the picky eater offshoots of Occupy Wall Street, Occupy Big Food and the Food Justice committee of Occupy Wall Street. The event included a farmers' rally in an East Village community garden and...
Read more in: Eat This, Ministry of ControversyRest in peace Of all the amazing plants in my garden–'Scheherezade' lilies 8 feet tall, 'Big Smile' tulips the size and shape of a dinosaur's egg, 'Russelliana' roses that explode into phosphorescent magenta blooms in June–there is only one that causes gasps of astonishment…and that is my peach trees....
Read more in: Eat ThisPhoto by kc kratt. Up until now, on Thanksgivings when I cook, I’ve been satisfied with small fresh turkeys that didn’t seem to be injected with anything weird. I was never one to sign up for the expensive “organic” birds through the local food co-op. In my view, the...
Read more in: Eat ThisHere’s another in my ongoing series of “Drunken Botanist” cocktail articles for the North Coast Journal, loosely based on my forthcoming book of the same name. Forgive the Humboldt references, which are, of course, of interest only to people in Humboldt. Seems like everyone in these parts has an...
Read more in: Drink This, Garden Rant Cocktail HourThis time last year, I made a little homemade grenadine during pomegranate season. We had a party shortly after that in which we mixed up Pink Lady cocktails according to this recipe in Imbibe magazine. The drinks were a hit–and although we hadn’t been using grenadine around the house...
Read more in: Drink This, Garden Rant Cocktail HourI really enjoyed my visit to Cornell Plantations this week, particularly the herb garden, which was still looking good after several hard frosts. Even in the relatively chilly November air, I was overpowered by scent as I passed one of the 17 theme beds. This was clearly the "tussie...
Read more in: Books, Eat ThisAs long as we're talking about booze today, here's a strange and marvelous thing: the people at Hendrick's Gin are injecting their usual madcap absurdity into London Cocktail Week, an event it pains me greatly to miss. Anyway, they've created an Umbrella Emporium to pay tribute to the cocktail...
Read more in: But is it Art?, Garden Rant Cocktail HourThis is another in a series I'm writing for the North Coast Journal based on my book in progress, The Drunken Botanist. (Your intrepid reporter at the Cassissium. Notice the pen and notebook. This is work. Really.) After a week spent touring distilleries in France, Scott and I had...
Read more in: Drink This, Garden Rant Cocktail HourWhat we took for a centerpiece at a recent al fresco lunch* turned out to be an appetizer—baby carrots, tiny radishes, and micro-greens planted in an edible “dirt” made out of dried malt and chocolate. It was granular and only slightly sweet, not at all like the crushed cookie...
Read more in: Eat ThisThis is the latest in a series I'm writing for the North Coast Journal loosely based on my next book, The Drunken Botanist, due out in 2013. Read earlier cocktail-ish posts here. Bess assisting with my photo shoot. It is almost too late to write this column–almost. ...
Read more in: Drink This, Garden Rant Cocktail HourThroughout the summer I've been reporting on the grafted tomatoes, called Mighty Matos, that Log House Plants sent me to try out. Go here to see the earlier posts. As I've said before, it is hardly fair to send a tomato to my house and expect it to live. ...
Read more in: Eat ThisApparently, in some parts of the country, farmers markets have expanded so much that they've run out of customers to sell to, and they're finding it hard to command the premium price they'd grown accustomed to. This poses a problem for those of us who would like to see...
Read more in: Eat This, Ministry of ControversyPhoto by Vic Stewart, taken with his weird old Rollei. This is another in a series of columns I'm writing for the North Coast Journal loosely related to my next book, The Drunken Botanist. “Is it all right?” asks the tasting room bartender Chris, looking down quizzically at...
Read more in: Drink ThisAs I reported last month, I'm testing a few varieties of grated tomatoes from Log House Plants. I'm very excited about the possibility of Super Yields! Stronger! Faster! Fights Off Disease and Pests! as promised in the literature about these plants. To say that my climate is a challenge...
Read more in: Eat ThisMore evidence that food-growing is hot? DC’s first-ever tour of vegetable gardens, sponsored by a local food website. First up, the only “farm” in town - Common Good City Farm, featured right here when Prince Charles visited this summer. I loved the private backyard garden of photo editor Eva...
Read more in: Eat ThisFirst, go out and get the best fruit you can find. Ripe, juicy, almost past-their-prime peaches and nectarines would be a good start. Watermelons or cantaloupes should also be very high on the list. Strawberries will work, but a firmer fruit like a mango might not. You want more...
Read more in: Drink This, Garden Rant Cocktail Hour
Commented on A Stump Story { Thanks Emily, that's cool. I re-learned something the vikings were onto. } – Jun 18, 11:00 PM
Commented on Plants we Love to Hate { I like many of the flowers listed such as hyacinth, coneflower, lambs ears, and geraniums. I like most sweet blooming flowers/bulbs. I appreciate anyone who... } – Jun 18, 10:56 PM
Commented on Red on red { It's Blaze. } – Jun 18, 9:47 PM
Commented on Plants we Love to Hate { I love bearded iris the way I love the organdy ruffles on one summer blouse - not everywhere in the garden, not for everyday wear... } – Jun 18, 7:37 PM Commented on Red on red { Who cares . . . you had me at "light fragrance;" I like rose scent but some of the really heavily-scented ones can smell like... } – Jun 18, 7:33 PMWe are:
perfect
magazine
gardens.
Gardening
our
asses
off.
Having a
hell of a lot
of fun.
