Magenta spreen, a worthy spring green
Magenta spreen (Chenopodium giganteum) is a delicious spring vegetable readily available from my garden. It is a close relative (same genus) of lamb’s…
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Earth Day: get a jump on spring planting
My neighbour disapproves of me gardening before the end of May. He doesn’t say so directly, but makes sidelong references to inevitable cold…
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Cosmonaut Volkov a superb heirloom tomato
The first Cosmonaut Volkov tomato ripened in time for us to take to the cottage on Thursday, and we came home Saturday to…
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The vole that ate my potatoes
This morning while digging the last potatoes from the garden, I disturbed this vole. At first sight, it darted from a clod of…
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Tomatoes at the heart of summer; four varieties reviewed
It’s such a pleasure to go outside each morning at 8 a.m, still tottering on sleep legs. My brain starts opening like a…
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In praise of potatoes
Potatoes may not be the most charismatic vegetables, but for some reason I love growing them. It’s partly because groundhogs show no interest,…
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The sweet spot, tomato’s first blush
In the past 24 hours, two things appeared in the garden: the first nasturtium flower grown from seed, and the first blush on…
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Summer food celebration
We are having my daughters and a few friends over for dinner Saturday. Danny and I are marking our 10th anniversary (the actual…
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Plants or seeds? Gardening philosophy
These “Midnight Lightning” zucchini seedlings had germinated in my garden by June 1 from seeds planted 10 days earlier. With reliable watering, fertile…
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Spring planting
I planted the garden today. This is the earliest I have ever planted tomatoes. It is a risk because chilly weather is expected…
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