A Gardener's Notebook

• Upcycled Tea Time for the Birds – July 26, 2010

Click to enlarge

In the midst of the daytime hustle and bustle of Bath, just a few steps from Bath Abbey and its busy square, lies Abbey Green, overarched by this large tree. It was a cool and quite respite in the city, and would be well duplicated in any garden. It is a lovely open, yet enclosed space that remains cool in the summer and provides a quiet place to sit and ponder

Gurney’s Seed and Nursery and Spring Hill Nurseries is continuing their photo contests started last month. “For the remaining photo contests, the companies have decided to raise the stakes, giving away two $100 Gift Certificates for each contest; one for each brand.”

You need to be a fan of the Gurney’s or Spring Hill Nurseries Facebook page to enter the contest.

Here are the upcoming topics and closing dates:

August:

Topic: Rainy Day Photos
Dates: August 9th, 2010 – August 16th, 2010

September:

Topic: Kids in the Garden
Dates: September 6th, 2010 – September 13th, 2010

October:

Topic: Pumpkin Carvings
Dates: October 18th, 2010 – October 27th, 2010

November:

Topic: Birds of a Feather (Bird Photos)
Dates: November 15th, 2010 – November 22nd, 2010

December:

Topic: Christmas Decorations
Dates: December 8th, 2010 – December 15th, 2010

January:

Topic: Winter Wonderland
Dates: January 10th, 2011 – January 17th, 2011

** See the end of this post for information on winning a copy of Melissa’s Everyday Cooking with Organic Produce by Cathy Thomas

Whenever I am talking with people about New Media, the largest reason I give them for producing podcasts or YouTube videos is that they help introduce and educate their potential customers about products and services. Little did I know that when I received this book from the publisher, it would prove to be pursuing the same idea, just in book form.

Melissa’s Everyday Cooking with Organic Produce gives Melissa’s/World Variety Produce, Inc. a platform to spread the word about organic produce while also providing some excellent information and recipes where this produce can be used.

This book goes far beyond a traditional marketing piece, though, and that is also to its benefit and the company’s. Filled with excellent photographs and great information “Cooking with Organic Produce” starts with an overview of what it means to be “organic.” There are large discussions happening in the US Government about this topic, so it is nice to have a good definition as it stands now. Next comes a lovely chart showing the “seasons” of each organic produce from apples to turnips. This then sets up the remainder of the book.

Arranged alphabetically, each different produce is detailed including season, recommended varieties, availability, buying and storing information and then, one of the best features of the book, 4 excellent recipes using this particular item.

The alphabetical arrangement of the book also allows for easy use as a reference and a cookbook. You can turn immediately to whatever section interests you most. That said, I found myself flipping through a random, taking in this fact and this recipe as the mood struck me.

Be aware that this is not a strictly vegetarian cookbook. Recipes include bacon guacamole, nuthouse chicken with roasted bananas and pork chops with apples. In those cases, though, they also include vegetarian-only alternatives.

Melissa’s Everyday Cooking with Organic Produce is a book that is both pretty and useful. If you are looking for ways to include more produce in your cooking, hopefully organic produce, then this is an excellent place to start.

Amazon Link: Melissa’s Everyday Cooking with Organic Produce by Cathy Thomas

** Comment to win my review copy of Review: Melissa’s Everyday Cooking with Organic Produce by Cathy Thomas

Leave a comment with a link to your favorite produce recipe on this post by July 31, 2010 and I will randomly choose one person to receive the book. One comment/entry only please.

• I've Got It Made in the Shade – July 20, 2010

I repurposed a large mirror from a bathroom remodeling project years ago, but the unique shape of this mirror takes the concept of garden expansion to an entirely different level.

MAKE: Blog via Cleverly-shaped mirror opens a door in any wall.

Daisie at Disney Hall, originally uploaded by dewelch.

While strolling around before a concert last night, I found this lovely patch of daisies in the garden of the Disney Hall in downtown LA.

Foxglove in Kensington Gardens, originally uploaded by dewelch.

A shot from our recent trip to the UK. The white foxglove was growing in Kensington Gardens immediately adjacent to Kensington Palace. The palace ground are undergoing a large renovation at the moment.

Update: I have renamed this. I couldn’t think of “foxglove” when I posted this and had the name all wrong. I meant Foxglove from the very start. Oh well.

Nasturiums have sprouted!, originally uploaded by dewelch.

Almost to the time listed on the seed package I see that most of the nasturtiums I planted have sprouted. A quick count shows around 80-90% germination.

It is good to see them come up. I can only imagine what they will look like when we return from our 10 day trip to the UK. We have friends housesitting while we are gone, so I will instruct them to pay special attention to this area.

One thing I am looking to do is grab some audio and video with allotment gardeners in the UK. I hear so much about allotments and the various reasons people garden there and I want to take some time to talk with them and get their thoughts and advice.

I am scanning the maps and satellite pictures of the UK cities we are visiting and think I have found several allotments. Now I just need to take the time to go there and see what is happening. If you have any advice on places I might visit, please pass along a note in the comments.