I planted my first seeds a week ago Monday (May 6th) so I figured I’d better post something, along with some gardening plans. I had three rows of garden last season, along with countless containers. This season, I’m planning on the three rows, and a few containers. In the row that grew tomatoes last season, [...]
Posts Tagged ‘sustainability’
Boycott Florida’s Tomato
Previously, I wrote about a fascinating new study I read on NPR.com. The gist of the research claims organic tomatoes are stressed from natural pests, so they produce more nutrients. The NPR article also included quoted disputes by Harry Klee, a tomato researcher from the University of Florida. When I noticed he was from UFL, [...]
Organic Tomatoes Are Stressed, But More Nutritious
Yesterday, I read a fascinating article at NPR. There is a new study suggests that organic farms grew tomatoes that were 40% smaller (than conventional), BUT were actually significantly higher in vitamin C, sugar and lycopene. Their reasoning is because organically farmed tomatoes are “stressed-out” more than conventional due to less pesticides. The organic plants [...]
Organic Bugs Me
Yeah, sometimes eating organic gives you a surprise or two. This afternoon, I was cutting off bits of the farmers market celeriac and plop, out fell a small (dead) worm. SURPRISE! GASP! EEK! I tossed it in the trash, but then I also noticed another teenie one on the counter that was slightly wiggling. Tossed [...]
Winter Farmers Market at Mahoney’s Garden Center
I finally made it to the winter farmers market at Mahoney’s Garden Center in Winchester today. It was awesome; I was very happy I ventured out in the cold! There were 3 farms, selling lots of vegetables! Per usual, I initially walked around the floor, checking out the offerings, and I decided to buy a [...]
Kickstarter Home Aquaponics Self Cleaning Fish Tank
Thanks to Eating Rules, I found this cool project on Kickstarter, so I kicked in a couple of bucks. It’s a wonderful idea, using fish waste water to fertilize the plants! I love that they want to manufacturer in US, and they really seem to care about the quality of the product. I know I’ve [...]
Gardening Diary: Canning & Preserving the Harvest
Wow, this year, surprisingly I found that I really enjoy the craft of canning! It’s a lot of work, but once you get 2 or 3 batches under your belt, there’s confidence and organization that makes the process a little bit easier. The rewards will outweigh the work! There was a lot that I was [...]
Gardening Diary: True Vine Ripened Tomatoes
Having a garden really opens your eyes to how produce naturally grows, and it’s a lot different than what’s found at the store. Grocery stores offer “vine-ripened” tomatoes, but as I recently learned, even those are not truly ripened while attached to the tomato plant. The branch is cut, but the tomatoes are still attached [...]
Gardening Diary: Preserving Tomatoes by Freezing, Oven Drying & Canning
My garden will never produce as many tomatoes as I’d like…even though I’m getting full bowlfuls every couple of days, it is never enough! Tomatoes are the perfect food. I adore them! I’d love to someday grow enough tomatoes so I’d never have to purchase another can/carton of commercial tomatoes again, but that is not [...]
