Swiss chard is one of the easiest vegetables to grow. Here in Austin, it thrives almost year-round and is the last of the leafy greens to die when the summer kicks in in full force. The rainbow and red varieties are also highly ornamental and are ideal for edible landscapes. Still, some people don’t quite know how to use it in the kitchen! With all More
The last of the garden cauliflowers was on the menu last night. Because I picked it a bit late, it was not a pretty white head but a scraggly thing with light green stems. Who cares what it looks like, I thought – it is still a cauliflower. So I decided to use it in an inexpensive, nutritious and delicious classic of Mexican home cooking More
Spring sprung in the garden early this year, thanks to an incredibly mild winter and all the glorious rain we’ve enjoyed lately in Central Texas. Things are looking good – with a few minor setbacks. This weekend we plant tomatoes, peppers and eggplant- a bit late because of SXSW.
Austin weather…what can we say? One day it’s 75 degrees and sunny, the next it’s snowing. The plants are so confused, and gardeners start getting spring fevered a bit too early. Last weekend at the Natural Gardener I saw people buying tomato seedlings! Me, I am patient. My tomatoes never go in the ground until at least St. Patrick’s Day. But Valentine’s Day is another More
Yesterday was the first day of the Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year and Spring Festival. I have enjoyed cooking special foods for this holiday for the last couple of years, and this year I was more excited to cook last night’s fortuitous dinner even more than before. 2012 is the Year of the Dragon, my sign, considered the most powerful and More