Some of my favorite things about summer time gardens are fresh home grown tomatoes. There's nothing like that taste. It's fresh and sweet and just plain delicious. Since the flavor of the tomato itself is wonderful, I don't like to cover them up with a lot of spices or cook them. Rather, I prefer them in a fresh tomato salad, mixed with fresh basil from my garden and some feta -- just sprinkled with a bit of balsamic vinegar. Fresh Tomato … [Read more...]
How to Quick Dry Herbs in an Oven
I shook the last flakes from my oregano jar into my spaghetti sauce last night. I started to add it to my grocery list and I had one of those 'aha' moments. I’ve got a bunch of oregano growing outside this summer. Why not dry some to refill my spice jar? I’ve never bothered to dry anything from my herb garden. It seems a little silly that I’ve never tried, but the thought of air-drying herbs in my house where two dogs (and all of their fur!) … [Read more...]
Pineapple Sage – A New Favorite in My Garden
I attended our local garden show last year and was thrilled to find they had some great butterfly and hummingbird plants for sale. One of the plants I purchased was pineapple sage (Salvia elegans). First, I have to say I’m in love with all salvias. They grow really well and are so popular with hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. And did I mention they are beautiful? That’s the perfect combination for my garden. This past summer it was a … [Read more...]
Bringing Herbs Indoors for Winter Cooking
Having fresh herbs to add to your cooking in the winter is a great boon – you just can’t beat that fresh flavor. Now is the time to plan so that you can enjoy the flavor throughout the winter. Depending on where you live, some of your herbs will survive outdoors even in winter. My herb beds are partially protected by a tree, so they have been known to overwinter just fine, especially in milder winters. But just to be safe, it’s a good idea to … [Read more...]
