October 30, 2007 at 7:47 pm (Crafting, Culinary, Garden Joys, Herbal Homekeeping, Herbal: Fall)
Gardener’s Inspiration: Fall Table Décor and Displays
Table Décor Ideas for the Season We Just Love:
Serve dip or herbed spread in a small, hollowed out pumpkin, with crudités and whole wheat crackers, from a rustic serving tray.
Ladle your pumpkin soup from a clean, hollowed out larger pumpkin!
Feature a seasonal flower arrangement in a hollowed out pumpkin, or place setting-sized arrangements in hollowed out mini-pumpkins or gourds.
October 26, 2007 at 6:27 pm (Culinary, Garden Gifts, Herbal: Fall, Weather)
Although in the latter portion of the year, fall has always seemed to be a time of renewal to me. It is a time of starting anew — a new school year, a new project, completion of the summer’s many responsibilities and chores, or looking ahead to a busy, new fall schedule.
Fall also seems to be a festive time of the year to me. The weather generally cools a bit initially, the days turn golden, and the colorful leaves make for a bright, happy time to celebrate!
Fall brings with it many traditions we anticipate and share…
Two Family Favorite Fall Recipes:
***Hot Spiced Cider***
Warm 1 gallon of fresh apple cider in a large pot, over medium heat.
Thinly slice 1 orange and 1 lemon, and add slices to the warming cider.
Add 6 broken cinnamon sticks and a handful of whole cloves in the pot.
Cover, reducing heat to low. Simmer, allowing flavors to blend about 20-30 minutes.
Serve in pretty mugs. (Aromatherapy in a mug — and in the kitchen!)
***Roasted Pumpkin Seeds***
Cut a lid out of your chosen pumpkin. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and stringy pulp.
Rinse the seeds, removing the strings and pulp from them. Soak them for about 30 minutes in 2 cups of water with 1 teaspoon of salt added.
Remove the seeds from the salty solution and let them dry on clean papertowels.
Spread a single layer of pumpkin seeds on an oiled baking sheet. Sprinkle them with garlic salt, onion salt and chili pepper — or your favorite blend!
Bake 10-15 minutes in a 350-degreeF oven, until the seeds begin to lightly brown. Stir the seeds occasionally throughout the baking time.
October 22, 2007 at 5:57 pm (Garden Joys, Gardening, Herbal: Fall)
Garlic (Allium sativum) is a hardy perennial member of the onion family.
The fall, just prior to the first frost is the time we plant garlic in our gardens. No special items need to be ordered to enjoy yummy garlicky results next season!
Prepare soil with compost and organic matter, so that it is fertile and frisable (loose texture).
Simply plant the larger garlic cloves (located on the outside of a garlic bulb you buy at the store, farm stand or membership warehouse), with the pointed end turned upward; set them at a depth of one-half to one inch deep, allowing 18 to 30 inches between the rows.
Once planted, make sure the soil remains evenly moist.
The bulbs may be harvested when the tops begin to dry. In our garden, this is in the spring.
October 18, 2007 at 5:41 pm (Children in the Garden, Garden Joys, Garden Lessons, Herbal: Fall)
We love corn mazes! A visit to one in your area is sure to offer family fun, adventure and amply provide some wonder-full family memories!
Read about our a-maizing adventures and more about corn mazes
October 14, 2007 at 4:28 pm (Garden Lessons, Gardening, Gardening Terms, Herbal: Fall, Herbal: Summer, Wonder of Growing)
Gardener’s Glossary – Layering:
A method of propagation, by which a shoot is induced to root while still attached to the parent plant. The basic form is self-layering, which occurs naturally in some plants.
Note: Plants that may be successfully propagated in this way include (but not limited to): lavender, rosemary, and sage.
Source: The American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Gardening, DK Publishing, New York, New York, 1993.
October 11, 2007 at 5:30 pm (Garden Joys, Gardening, Herbal: Fall, Weather)
The frost is very nearly on the pumpkin, here-! This makes us wonder `what kind of winter?!’ (Many have actually seen snow, so you can relate, in wonder!)
Speaking of frost, why not plant a container of cool season plants for fall decor?
It’s interesting to mix them up a bit! Some plant selection ideas: Kale (Brassica oleracea L.), Mustard Greens (Florida Broadleaf), Collard Greens (Vates), Swiss Chard (Fordhook Giant ), and add a few cold or frost-tolerant pansies for color!
Ornamental Cabbage (Brassica oleraca), also known as ornamental or flowering kale, add good color to the fall garden or to containers. The leaves can serve as a garnish or edible underlay on salad platters!
How about a pot of Houseleek, Hen and Chicks (Sempervivum spp.)?
….whatever you do plant, be sure not to plant in a clay container, as they tend to break in the cold weather, and you’ll have a mess.
Still, busy in the Herbal Treasures Garden… and lots to share with you!
October 7, 2007 at 5:10 pm (Conservation, Garden Lessons, Garden Project, Gardening, Herbal: Summer, Weather)
Drought-proofing your garden before the imposed need arises is a long-term step in sustainability that protects your investment of time and money in its design and establishment.
We experienced a major drought in our area this season! During our 14 years of living here, we have had droughts, but the southeast was hit so hard this year, the effect was further intensified. For the first time, watering restrictions were mandated in our area.
Fortunately, along with a major garden redesign early in the season, the majority of the plants added to our gardens this year were hardy perennials carefully selected to handle the heat and less watering-intensive. We didn’t know there would be a drought, but planned a sustainable garden design.
This is an important factor to keep in mind when designing or establishing a garden.
Also — remember that watering continues through the fall, as well.
Here are a series of articles on how to adapt your garden over the longterm to the normal, recurrent fluctuations in moisture through rain or snow, from Brooklyn Botanic Garden
October 3, 2007 at 4:51 pm (Conservation, Herbal: Fall)
Are you enjoying the changes of the season where you are? Oh, we are! I hope you are, too! The leaves in the surrounding wooded area, are hinting of the new season to come, with a changing hue. I must say, I delight even with the seasonal arrangement of the moment we have to celebrate this season – blushing mangoes, ripe avocadoes, fragrant, golden pineapple and red bananas! I realized as I was arranging – luscious, warm fall colors!
Further north from here, the leaves are making a colorful change – exciting! However, should you be heading to the Blue Ridge to enjoy our scenery, you may also see a phenomena. Unfortunately, the Southern Pine Beetle has struck our forests, and in addition to the lovely leaf colors, you will notice some dead cedars in the woodlands. (I’m so sorry!) Learn more about this devastating insect
Herbal Treasures 