I LOVE LEEKS. They bring a unique, onion-y flavor to soups, stews and risottos. I find them devastatingly-delicious when braised in chicken stock and vermouth. Fortunately these Alliums are very easy grow. To achieve a white, or "blanched" stalk, I plant the seedlings this way: Read more » Vegetables
How I Plant and Grow Leeks
May 1, 2013
I LOVE LEEKS. They bring a unique, onion-y flavor to soups, stews and risottos. I find them devastatingly-delicious when braised in chicken stock and vermouth. Fortunately these Alliums are very easy grow. To achieve a white, or "blanched" stalk, I plant the seedlings this way: Read more » Your Late-Summer Veggie Report
August 27, 2012
HOW ARE YOUR VEGGIES COMING ALONG? Any troubles to report? My own kitchen garden, above, is at the "better pick me now" stage. Here's what I'm pulling, picking, or snipping as the summer of 2012 draws to a close: Read more » How I Ripen Tomatoes Indoors
August 16, 2012
AS AN INSURANCE POLICY against damaging insects, curious chipmunks, blights, and severe weather, I pick most of my tomatoes at their mature, but still-green or mostly-green stage. These unripe tomatoes are blemish-free. Furthermore, they are only too happy to develop their delicious flavor and vibrant color indoors. The following ripening-procedure has never failed me: Read more » How I Freeze Broccoli
July 28, 2012
I LOVE BROCCOLI SO MUCH that I make two sowings of it each year, one in early May and another in mid-July. The spring crop, which always seems to be the better of the two, is the one I store for winter use. Here are the directions for freezing this fiber-rich, nutrient-dense Brassica oleracea: Read more » How I Freeze Kale & Other Greens
July 5, 2012
SUMMER GREENS FOR WINTER MEALS? You bet. I've enjoyed creamed beet- and turnip-tops as a Thanksgiving side-dish, and this gorgeous Green Quiche for Christmas brunch. Kale (that's the heirloom Red Russian variety above), has topped many plates of pasta here on snowy evenings. Of course, these fireside feasts are only possible because I preserve my greens at the peak of their perfection: Read more » How’s Your Veggie Patch Coming Along?
June 18, 2012
HOW ARE YOUR VEGGIES COMING ALONG? Any troubles to report? My own kitchen garden, above, is at the "in-between" stage. This means the cool-season lettuce has retired, but the beans, broccoli and tomatoes are just starting their careers. My "farm report," followed (I hope) by yours: Read more » De-Suckering My Tomatoes
May 23, 2012
WHY do I remove the side-shoots, or "suckers," from my tomato vines? Because they burden the plants with excess foliage. Too much lushness promotes the shady, wet conditions that lead to fungal diseases. Furthermore, plants with too many stems produce small-size fruit. For healthy plants and large, high-quality tomatoes, those suckers ought to go: Read more » 
