Growing Plants from Seed: Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
Karen Parsley is a biennial native to the Mediterranean area where it grows wild from Sardinia east to Lebanon. It is usually grown as an annual by those who just want…
Shakspeare’s Garden: Myrtle
Common myrtle (Myrtus communis) is an evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean area. It grows up to fifteen feet high but takes well to shearing and so is often kept…
Book Review: The Spice and Herb Bible
As more and more people become interested in the diverse foods available around the world the need for a knowledge of spices and herbs becomes more important. Ian Hemphill’s book,…
Book Review: Kitchen Garden Estate
With the renewed interest in ‘growing our own”and self-sufficiency the methods of the past offer many valuable lessons. Helen Gammack’s book, Kitchen Garden Estates, traces gardening practices from ancient and…
Plant Profile: Opium Poppy (Papaver somniferum)
A native of Greece and western Asia, the opium poppy is the oldest poppy in cultivation, dating back to ancient Sumerian times, 4000 BC. The ancient Minoans, 2000-1450 BC, made…
Book Review: The Art of Simple Food
Based on the assumption that high quality ingredients can be cooked simply to produce extraordinary food, Alice Waters’ book, The Art of Simple Food, introduces a unique way of cooking.…
Book Review: Incredible Vegetables from Self-Watering Pots
The thought of fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and corn from the garden appeals to most gardeners but only some have the garden space to grow their own vegetables. Lack of space…
Book Review: The Art of Simple Food II
If you are tired of traditional cookbooks try Alice Waters’ book, The Art of Simple Food II. Waters is a well known chef in Berkeley, California who has a special…
Book Review: The Drunken Botanist
Whether you have an interest in botany or alcoholic beverages there is something in The Drunken Botanist book to enjoy. As the author, Amy Stewart, states “Every great drink starts…
Six Purple-Flowered Plants that Attract Hummingbirds and Butterflies
A garden a flutter with butterflies sipping nectar from the flowers on a sunny day is a beautiful sight. A visit of a hummingbird to the garden is a treat.…