Raising Chickens and Urban Gardening
Every spring, chive plants burst into bloom with cheerful purple pom-pom flowers that most gardeners simply admire and then deadhead. But those beautiful blossoms are more than ornamental—they’re delicious. With a mild onion flavor and stunning color, chive blossoms transform ordinary butter into something special. Spread it on warm bread, melt it over grilled vegetables, toss it with roasted potatoes,…
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It’s nearly June, and that means two things to me—it’s birthday month (yay!), and my cherished peonies are in bloom. I love growing peonies almost as much as I love growing tomatoes. Peonies are gardening royalty for their heady fragrance and dramatic bloom size. Yet, their blooms are fleeting, which may explain why some gardeners (me) become emotionally attached to…
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It’s a dilemma in the produce aisle. You want to eat clean and healthy—you know you should. And here you are, wondering: Should I buy organic? Does it really matter? When it comes to pesticide residues on produce, eating organic does make a difference. Organically grown fruits and vegetables have far fewer pesticide inputs than those conventionally grown. But what…
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Ahh, spring. It’s 75°, and the sun is shining with not a cloud in the sky. We’re just about at the last average frost date, and suddenly every gardener in town is eyeing their tomatoes and reaching for a trowel. Not. So. Fast. There’s a hard reality for our region: Warm air does NOT equal warm soil. Many gardeners fall…
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