GARDENINGBYCUISINE

AnOrganic-FoodLover’sGuidetoSustainableLiving

GARDENINGBYCUISINE

PattiMorenoTHEGARDENGIRL

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©2013byPattiMoreno

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Thisbookisdedicatedtomyfamilyfortheirloveandsupport,andforeatingalltheirveggies.

CONTENTS

Introduction HowtoUseThisBook

PARTI

CuisineGardeningBasics

One HowDoesYourGardenGrow?

Two ControllingCommonGardenPests&Diseases

Three StartingYourCuisineGardenFromSeed

Four Measure Twice, CutOnce: BuildingYourCuisineGarden

PARTII

CuisineGardenPlans

Five HerbPestoGarden

Six AsianStir-Fry&SaladGarden

Seven ShakerMedicinalHerbGarden

Eight VeganRawGarden

Nine MediterraneanVegetableGarden

Ten OnePotato,TwoPotato,ThreePotatoGarden

Eleven Berry,BerryGoodGarden

Twelve ThreeSistersNativeAmericanGarden

Thirteen MamaMiaBest-EverMarinaraSauceGarden

Fourteen Latin-CaribbeanSofritoGarden AbouttheAuthor&CompanionVideos Acknowledgements

MetricConversionChart Index

INTRODUCTION

Itallbeganinagarden…Howdid I get into growingmyown food? It started 70 pounds ago.That’showmuchIgainedduringmypregnancy in the1990s. Iwasdesperate to feellikemyselfagain,andthat’swhatledmeintothegarden.

I am probably the least likely person to become a gardening and sustainable-livingexpert.IwasraisedintheconcretejungleofNewYorkCityinthe1970sand1980s.Iwascluelessaboutplantsandnature—I’dneverevenownedapet.Unlike the generations before me—the baby boomers whose parents andgrandparents had planted Victory Gardens to win the war—I had no tangibleconnectiontofood.AsaGenerationXer,mymemoriesofchildhoodmealsgoback to eateries like Mickey D’s and classic, packaged comfort food likeStouffer’sMacandCheese.

Aftergraduating,Imarriedmycollegesweetheart,andwesoonmovedintoourfirst house, a humble multi-level brownstone in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Iremembertellingmyhusband,afterwesawthe“forsale”sign,“Ifithasfloors,let’sbuyit!”Well,itdidhavefloors,andsoweboughtit.Thehousealsocamewitha4,000-square-footlot.Irememberlookingatit,withitsfive-foot-tallcity

weeds, and feeling proud that we were landowners! I didn’t know anythingaboutgardening,butIknewI’dneedashovelandstarteddigging.BeforelongIdiscoveredwhatmanyurbangardenerssoonfindout:thestuffIthoughtwassoilinmycitylotwasreallybricks,stones,andbrokenglass.Icouldshovelonlyaninchdownbeforeajarringshockblockedmyway.IbegantosorteverythingIfound,includingstacksofwholebricksandpartialbricks,brownstone,puddingstone,andallmannerofurbanrubble.

Atthatpoint,mygardeningexperienceconsistedoflearninghowtouseapickaxanddigging,whichalsogavemeagreatfull-bodyworkout.Slowly,thepoundsbegantodisappear.

Myhorticulturalbreakthroughcameaboutwhen Imanagednot tokilla setofdwarf apple trees. They survived the winter and suddenly started blossomingearlythefollowingspring.Lowandbehold, thatsummerIhadfruit!Thetreesproducedwonderfulapplesandplums,whichIsharedeagerlywitheveryone—and theywereabighit. Itwasacompleteeurekamoment forme:“Ican takethistinyurbanlotandgrowmyowndelicious,organicfood?!”FromthenonIwashooked.

For the next decade, I continued to evolve as a gardener, as I built on eachsuccessandbeganexperimentingwithdifferentgardeningtechniques.Inanewhome, in thesameneighborhood,butwithmuchmore land, Iwasable to takemy vegetable gardening experiments to the next level and put everything I’dlearnedtotheultimatetest:feedingmyfamilyproducethatcameonlyfromthebackyardforanentiregrowingseason.Ivideotapedthewholeprocess,madethevideos available online, and produced aDVD series to sharewhat I’d learnedandtoinspirepeopletolivemoresustainably.

Since70percentoftheworld’spopulationwillbelivingincitieswithinthenexttwentyyears,accordingtothePopulationReferenceBureau,itiscrucialthatweallmake itapriority to livesustainably inoureveryday lives.Anyonecangetstarted on the road to sustainable living by using organicmethods tomanage

waste control and other natural processes, by conserving energy, recycling,planting trees, and creatingmore natural landscapes. Last but not least, livingsustainablymeanseatinglocallygrownfood.Oneofthebestwaystodothatisto “garden by cuisine.” If enough of us can grow a portion of our own food(including the ingredients to enjoy the cuisines we love best), this effort willhavearealeffect,notonlyonthehealthandwell-beingofourfamilies,butalsoonourneighborhoods,communities,andtheworld.

HOWTOUSETHISBOOKInGardeningbyCuisine,Iwanttobringmygardentoyou,toletyoutwistjuicytomatoes off the vine and serve them at your dinner table. If you are new togardeningforthekitchentable,you’llfindgreatprojectshere,includingstep-by-stepinstructions.Youmaygetyourfingernailsdirty,butyou’llalsogetplentyof tasty kitchen treats for your family to enjoy in no time. If you’ve beengrowingyourownfoodforyearsandwanttolearnafewtrickstosavetimeandenergy—sothatyou’llactuallyhavethetimetoenjoyyourgarden—thisbookisforyoutoo.

COMPANIONVIDEOS

Stillhavequestions?

VisitmywebsiteatGardenGirlTV.comwhereI’vepostedfreeinstructionalvideostohelpyouonyourwaytobecomingaCuisine

Gardener.(SeeCompanionVideosforachapterbychapterlistofvideos.)InthemIexplainsomeofthetrickierpartsofhomegardening,withthe

helpofmygardening-expertfriends(includingmydaughter).

Part I covers thebasics of cuisine gardening.Growingyour own food isn’trocketscience,andyoudon’tneedadegree inbotanytogrowhealthyorganicvegetablesforpennies.Here,you’ll learnallaboutbuildingraisedbeds,whereyou’llbegrowingyourfood,includingplansforbuildinga4’x4’raisedbedand4’x8’ raised bed. Tomaximize the space you have, youmaywant to build ahoophouseandatrellis,aswellasotheradd-onsforyourraisedbed.

In Part II, you’ll find plans for cuisine gardens, growing instructions, andrecipes to takeyou through theentiregrowingseason.You’llenjoy traditionaldishes from around the world—including Italy, Asia, the Americas, and theCaribbean—allwithafresh,contemporarytwist.Eachraisedbed,however,can

giveyousomuchmorethanjustonemeal.Asyourvegetablesgrow,you’llbeable to use them individually, or combined with other veggies, to provide anassortmentof classic, fresh, andorganicdishes foryour family. I’ll also showyouhowtousetraditionalvarietiesofvegetablesthatgrowwellinsmallspaces(andtastedelicious).Inshort,you’lllearneverythingyouneedtoknowtomakegrowing your own food a reality. You can be a successful organic gardenerusingwhatyoulearninthisbook.Toboostyourconfidence,youcanalsoviewcompanionvideosonlineatmywebsite,GardenGirlTV.com.

IfIcandoit,youcantoo!

PartI

CUISINEGARDENING

BASICS

Soyouwanttogrowyourownfood.Congratulations!Welcometothehealthyworldofgardeningbycuisine.Beginners,don’tworry,I’mgoingtotalkyouthroughitandberightbyyoursideonyourjourneytoself-sufficiencyandfoodsecurity.Tobeahappycuisinegardener,youneedtomanagenaturalprocesses,soit’simportanttoknowthebasicsofwhatmakesasuccessfulfoodgarden.Onceyou

understandthenaturalprocessesthatcomeintoplaywhenyouaregrowingyourownfoodandhavelearnedthebasicsofcuisine

gardening,itwillbetimetobuildyourownraisedbedsandplantyourcuisinegardens.

CHAPTERONE

HOWDOESYOURGARDENGROW?

Gardens need three things to be productive: plenty of sunlight, nutrient-richsoil,andwater.Withoutjustoneofthesethings,allyouhaveislittlemorethanadirty weed patch. With all three elements, you have the beginning of asuccessful, healthy, andproductive cuisine garden. It’s just amatter of simplescience and patient observation.Once you understandwhat’s going on behindthescenes,you’llbeabletocreateandmaintaintheidealgrowingconditionsforallkindsofdeliciousgardenvegetables.

SUNLIGHTOursunisthemostimportantgiveroflifeonEarth.Sincethebeginningoftime,thesunhasbeenanobjectthatwe’vefeared,praised,andevenworshipped.Thesun provides light and warmth, and sunlight is an essential component ofphotosynthesis, the process throughwhich plants convert energy from the sunintosugarsthattheplantthenusestogrow.Someplantsrequirelittlesunlighttogrow,andothers requirenotonlya fulldayofsunlightbutalsomanydaysofsunlightandwarmthinarowinordertogrow.Cuisinegardensrequirefullsunandwarmweather,whichmeansatleastsixtoeighthoursofdirectsunlightperday.Pickingasunnyspotforyourgardeniskeytogrowingplantssuccessfully.

There are areas around your home thatwill receivemore light than othersduringthesummer(thepeakofthegrowingseason),whileotherareasmaybeinfullshade.Theplacethatusuallyreceivesthemostsunlightisthesouth-facingsideofyourhome.Mostofusworkduringthedaylighthoursandmaynotevenknow where the sun shines the longest as it follows its path across the skythroughout the day. In the afternoon, for example, trees might obstruct aperfectlygood south-facing spot that looks sunnywhenyou leave forwork in

themorning,leavingyoubefuddledlateronwhenyourtomatoesandpeppersdopoorly.Shadowsmightevenoccurintermittentlyinthecityorinanareawherebuildingsareclosetogetherandblockoutthesun.Beforeyoumakeadecisionabout where to plant your cuisine gardens, pick several spots that you havedeterminedgetplentyofsunlight.

SUNEXPOSURE&HOURSOFSUNLIGHTPERDAY

Fullsun 6ormorehoursofsunlightperday

Partialsun/partialshade

3–6hoursofsunlightperday

Fullshade Fewerthan3hoursofsunlightperday

TestingYourSunlightToaccuratelydeterminethesunlightaroundyourhome,youcanuseanumberof low-costproducts.Oneofmyfavorites is theSunstick®,asimple,accuratetestthatyoucanbuyonlineatwww.plumstone.com.TheSunstickusesaphotoemulsion film that “develops” based on how much sunlight it is exposed to.Afteryou’veassembledtheSunstick,positionitinthegroundwhereyouwanttotestthesunlight;placeittherebefore9:00A.M.,andleaveitoutsideforatleasteight hours. Then match the color at the center of the emulsion to the chartprovided in the package—that is the amount of sunlight that area receives.You’llbeabletogrowacuisinegardenwhereveryougeta“fullsun”reading.

WATER

Plantsgrowbestwith rainwater. It’s the right temperature anddoesn’t containchlorine or other chemicals that are sometimes used to treat municipal watersupplies.Besides,MotherNature gives us rain for free.All you have to do iscollectandstoreitforuseinthegardenondayswhenitdoesn’train.Ifyouhavearoofandagutter,youcaninstallarainbarrel.Thisisagreatsystemnomatterhowmanyraisedbedsyouhave.

Cuisine gardens need to be watered deeply two to three times a week,

dependingonrainfall.Anaverageof1inchofrainfallperweekissufficient.Ifthe natural precipitation falls short of that, the garden needs water. Globallythere are water shortages, and water is becoming more expensive to buy, sodevelopingandusingmethodstocollect,store,andconservewaterisoneofthemost important things you can do to create a self-sufficient and sustainablegarden.

Picking&InstallingtheRightRainBarrelThere are a lot of rain barrels on themarket. Here are some reliable tips forpickingarainbarrelthatwillworkforyou:

Research thegoing rate for rainbarrels, thendeterminehowmuchyouarewillingtospend.Itisalsoimportanttoconsiderwhatwilllookgoodnexttoyourhome;youdon’twantyourrainbarreltobeaneyesore.

Buythelargestrainbarrelyoucanaffordsothatthecollectedwaterwilllasta long time, even through a drought. If possible, purchase one at your localgardencenterornon-profitbuilding-materialsresourcecenter.Lookforabarrelthatusesrecycledmaterials.Installingyourownrainbarrelcanbeintimidating,butanyonecando it.Rainbarrelsworkbestwithahose forhandwateringorfillingupawateringcan.Thebestplacetoinstallarainbarrelisatadownspoutattachedtothegutterclosesttoyourgarden.

Makesurethebarrelislevel,andplaceitasfarabovethegroundaspossible;thatwayyouwillhavegoodgravitationalpressureforthehose.Aneasywaytodo this is to place the rain barrel on a large flat paver and then elevate it oncinderblocks.

Youwill thenneed to installadownspoutdiverter todirect thewater fromthe downspout into the barrel. Once the barrel is full, an automatic overflowcontroldirectsthewaterbacktothedownspout.

Youcanthenattachahosetotherainbarrelandwateryourcuisinegardeneffortlessly.

If you’re a really ambitious sustainable gardener, you can attach multiplerainbarrelsinachain,andhavelotsofwatertouseforyourcuisinegardenandlandscapeplants.

Asurprisinglylargeamountofrainwatercanbecollectedfromtheroof.Youcanget 623gallonsofwater per 1,000 square feet of roof surfaceper inchofrainfall.Withthosenumbers,alightrainmayfillyourrainbarrel,dependingonits size.Use the rainwater often, and try tomake sure that it is empty before

everyrainsothatyoucancontinuetowateryourgardenforfree.

MeasuringRainfallAgreatwaytosavetimeandwateristoknowhowmuchwateryourplantsareactually getting from rainfall in your area. A garden needs at least 1 inch ofwaterperweek inorder togrowwell. Ifyouknowyou’regetting thatamountfrom rainfall, you won’t have to do any additional watering. To find thisinformation, you can of course check the weather online, but reports aren’talwaysaccurateaboutconditionsinyourspecificarea.Tomeasuretherainfallinyourgarden,youcanpurchasearaingaugeormakeoneyourself.

WHATYOUNEED

•One1-gal.jarwithoutalid

•Ruler

HowtoMakeaRainGaugePutthejaroutsideinanopenareainyourgarden.After it rains,usearuler tomeasuretheamountofwater,thenrecordthedateandtheamount.Emptythejarandputitbackinthegarden.Youcanrecordhowmuchwaterisinthejardailyorafter a rain.Totaling theamountof rainfall for sevenconsecutivedayswilltell you howmuch rainfall your garden has received during theweek. If yourgardenhasreceivedat least1 inchofrain inaweek,noadditionalwateringisnecessary; if itgets less than1 inchof rain for theweek,you’llneed towateryourgardendeeply.

WHATYOUNEED

•Outdoorfrost-freespigot

•Dripirrigationkit

•1rollof1-in.mainlinetubing

•Solid¼-in.tubing

•¼-in.drip-linetubing

UsingDripIrrigationDrip irrigation, a system originally developed in desert regions, is far moreefficientthansprayingorusingasprinklersystemtogetwaterwhereyourplantsreallyneed it,at theroots.Thebestpartaboutusingdrip irrigation is thatyoucan use a timer—a convenience that reduces the time you’ll need to spendmaintaining your garden to just minutes a day. Anyone can install a dripirrigationsystem.Itmaysoundtechnicalandcomplicated,butitisn’t.

Thefirstthingyouneedisapressurizedwatersource.Youwillnotbeableto hook your drip irrigation system up to a rain barrel because drip irrigationsystemsrequiremorepressurethangravityprovides.Tousearainbarrelasyoursourceofwaterfordripirrigation,youneedtouseawaterpumptoachievetherightamountofpressure.

INSTALLINGASPIGOT

Tobeefficient,you—or,more likely, aplumber—willneed to install a spigotnearyourgardenthatconnectstoyourwaterpipes.Ifyouliveinaclimatewherethetemperaturefallsbelowfreezing,makesurethatthespigotisfrost-free;thisfeaturewill prevent the spigot fromcracking in thewinter and leaking after athaw.

HOWTOUSEYOURDRIPIRRIGATIONKITOncethespigotisinplace,youwillneedtopurchaseadripirrigationkit.Thekitwillcontainamanifold(thenameofthepiecethatconnectstothespigot),afilter,apressuregauge,andabattery-orsolar-poweredtimer.Youwillalsoneedto purchase a roll of 1-inchmainline tubing, solid¼-inch tubing, and¼-inchdrip-linetubing.

GETTINGYOURDRIPIRRIGATIONSYSTEM

UP&RUNNING1.Setupyourmanifoldandattachittothespigot.

2.Runthe1-inchmainlinetubingallthewayaroundyourgarden.Youwillbe running the drip line off yourmainline tubing, so it’s a good idea toinstall the main line anywhere you think you might need water in thefuture.

3.Oncethelineisrun,youwillneedtocapitoffattheendtokeepwaterfromflowingoutofthemainlinetubing.

4. Pierce a plastic tube connector by pushing the connector into themainlinetubingatthebaseofaraisedbed.

5.Attach theconnector to apieceof solid¼-inch tubing, andextend thetubingupthesideandoverthetopoftheraisedbed.

6.Attachavalvetotheendofthesolidtubing,whichwillallowyoutoturnthewateronandoff.

7.Attachthedriplinetothevalve,andrunitalongsideyourplantsatsoillevel.

8.SecurethelinetothesoilwithU-shapedtie-downs,thenpluguptheendof that drip line, and continue addingmore drip line to the rest of yourgarden.

9.Keep the lengthof eachdrip line less than15 feet longbecausewaterpressureisn’tlikelytobestrongenoughtopushthewaterthroughthedriplineanyfartherthanthat.

10.Visitdripworks.comtopurchaseadripirrigationkit.

The amount of tubingyouneedwill dependon the size of your garden.Yourmainline tubing should be long enough to reach from the spigot around yourentire garden, wherever it needs watering. The solid ¼-inch tubing is usedbetween themain lineand thesurfaceofa raisedgardenbed.Drip-line tubingcomeswithholesthatarespacedatvariousdistances.Thistubingrunsontopofthesoil,nexttotheplants,andwatersthemviatheholes.

WhentoWaterYourPlants

WhentoWaterYourPlantsWateryourplantsintheearlymorning,justaftersunrise,whentemperaturesarecoolest, thus allowing the water to be absorbed into the soil instead ofevaporatinginwarmsunlight.Wateringwhenit’shotoutsideandthesunishighin the sky can actually hurt your plants. Not only will much of the waterevaporateinsteadofreachingtherootsofyourplants,butthewaterdropletscanalsomagnifytheheatofthesunandburntheleaves.

Thetimerfunctiononyourdripirrigationsystemwillcomeinhandy.Withatimer, you don’t need to get up at the crack of dawn towater your vegetablepatchorlieinbedfeelingguiltyaboutnotbeingoutinthegardenwatering.Setyour timer towater your garden at least every other day. Pay attention to theweeklyrainfallinyourareasoyoudon’toverwater.Ifitisarainyweek,turnoffthesystemandrestartitwhenithasstoppedrainingfortwenty-fourhours.

ContainerGardens&DripIrrigationContainergardensareidealfordripirrigationbecausetheydryoutmuchfasterthanraisedbedsandneedtobewateredmoreoften.Payspecialattentiontoyourcontainergardenduringperiodsofdroughtandondayswherethetemperatureishigherthan85degrees.Onthesehotdays,waterearlyinthemorningandintheevening,too.

Nomatterwhatwateringsystemyouuse,check thesoilbetweenrainsandwateringstoseehowitisholdingthemoisture.Here’sareliabletestthatgardenpros use: Stick your finger 2 inches into the soil. If it’s still moist below 2inches,youdon’thavetowater.Ifthesoilisdry(andyourplantsarewilting),addmorewater.

SOILThehealthofyourplantsisdirectlydependentonthehealthofthesoiltheyaregrowing in. Soil is alive with millions of microbes in every spoonful. Soilbiology is a complicated web of life that constantly processes nutrients intoformsthatplantrootscanabsorbinconjunctionwithphotosynthesis.

A good indication of a healthy soil system is the presence of earthworms.Wormsthriveinsoilthatiswellaerated,hasabalancedpH(moreonthisalittlelater),andisrichinnutrients.Asthewormsburrowthroughthesoiltheyleave

small tunnels and pockets where water can flow freely to the roots, enablingthemtodrainproperly.

Anotherindicatorofhealthysoilistexture.Withahandtrowel,digatleast2inches into theground. If the soil in the scoop formsa clump,youhavegoodsoil.If theclumpfallsaparteasilyandcrumbles, thatmeansthesoilcouldusemore organicmatter in the form of compost. If the clump sticks together likeclay, that’salsoan indicator that thesoil requirescompost.Thekey tohealthysoilissupplementingitwithcompost.

CompostCompost is made up of decomposed plant matter and other biodegradablematerialsthatcanbeusedtofeedyourplants.Youcanpurchasecompostbythebagor truckload,ormake it yourself, as I do.Makingyourowncompost is agreatwaytoreduceyourimpactontheenvironment;itcutsdownontheamountofwastethatgoesintoourlandfillsandiseconomicalaswell,sinceitprovidesfree,nutrient-richfoodforyourplants.

There are somany things at your fingertips that you can compost, startingwithkitchenscraps.Insteadof tossingthemintothegarbagecan,keepasmallcoveredpailinthekitchentocollectthescraps.Tossthemintoyourcompostbinwhenthepailisfull.

Ifyouliveinacityorsuburbyouprobablyputoutgrassclippings, leaves,andother general yardwaste, alongwith household andkitchenwaste, on thecurb to be collected by the trash man. This strikes me as a case of wastedresources.Youcouldbeusing thisvaluablecompost tofeed theplants inyourlandscape.Compostalsohelpsretainmoisture in thesoil, savingyou timeandwater.

WHATYOUCAN&CANNOTCOMPOSTWhattocompost:Grassclippings,shreddedleaves,pineneedles,woodashes,sawdust,houseplanttrimmings,hair,shreddedcardboard,shreddednewspaper,woodentoothpicks,papertowels,papernapkins,tissues,coffeegroundsandcoffeefilters,teabagsandgrounds(removemetalstaple),cottonswabs,greeting-cardenvelopes,junkmail,shreddedbrownpaper

bags,cardboardtoilet-paperandpaper-towelrolls,winecorksbrokenintopieces,cardboardeggcartons,cardboardpizzaboxes,andtakeout

containers.

Whatnottocompost:Piecesofwoodorlargetwigs(unlesschippedorbrokenupintosmallpieces),diseasedplants,rocks,gravel,bricks,rubble,coalash,oil,meat,fish,bones,cheeses,cookedorbakedfoods,dairy

products,catordogexcrement,catlitter,humanwaste,disposablediapers,allplastics,andpaperwithawaxorglossonit.

WHATYOUNEED

•One4’×5’rollof½-in.hardwarecloth(acoarseweaveofsteelwire)orchickenwire

HowtoMakeaSimpleCompostBinCompost is basically a huge heap of biodegradable material, and it just isn’tpretty. If you use hardware cloth or chicken wire, however, you can containcompostinanoutdoorbinwhilestillprovidingitwiththeairflowandmoistureneededfor thedecompositionprocess. It’seasyand inexpensive tomakeabin(youcanmakeoneyourselfforabout$25)andstartcompostingatanytimeoftheyear.

MAKINGASIMPLECOMPOSTBIN

1.Unrollthehardwarecloth(orchickenwire),savingthewirethatcomeswithit.

2. Connect the ends of the hardware cloth using the enclosedwire tomake acylinder.

3.Placethewirecylinderwhereyouwanttodoyourcomposting.

4. Fill thewire cylinderwith grass clippings, leaves, and anything else that is

compostable (see box above). The key tomaking good compost quickly is tobreakthebiodegradablematerialintosmallpiecesasyouputitintothebin.(It’sthesameconceptaschewingyourfoodwellforproperdigestion.)Continuetoadd material to the cylinder until it is full. As time goes by, the waste willcompactfartherandfartherdowninthecylinder.

5.Yourcompostneedswater,soduringperiodsofdrought,wateritthoroughly.

6. Continue to fill your compost cylinder until winter. Then let it sit untilspringtime. Make sure it contains a balance of brown matter—that is, suchcarbon-richmaterial as dried leaves, paper products, andwood clippings, etc.,along with such green matter (nitrogen-rich materials) as grass clippings andkitchen scraps. This mixture will help your compost heat up and decomposeefficiently.

7.Inlatespring,liftthewirecylinderfromthecompostpileandplaceitnearby—whereveryouwanttocontinuemakingcompost.Thegoodstuffthatyouwanttouseinyourgardenwillbetowardthebottomofthecompactedpile.Peelofflayersofmaterialthatisnotfullycompostedwithashovelordiggingforkandputitbackintotherepositionedcylinder.

8.Collect therichcompostfromthebottomof thepileanduse it tofeedyourgarden.Whenplantingnewplants,addahandfulofcompostperseedling.

9.Inthespring,usecompostas“topdressing”foralreadyestablishedplants.Atthe start of the growing season, mix it into the garden soil as a nutrient-richorganicfertilizer.

Ifyouhavealargeyard,youcanmakeabiggerwirebinusinga25’×4’rollofhardwarecloth(orchickenwire).You’llneedtousemetaltie-downstokeepitinplaceasyoufillit..

HowtoMakeaWormBinAworm bin is the perfectmicro-scale composting solution for anyonewith asmallpatioorbalconygarden.Italsoworkswellforcondoassociations,whichcan have regulations against the use of outdoor compost bins. In awormbin,wormcastings(orworm“poo”)makeaterrificnaturalfertilizer.Asthewormsmultiply,youcanalsoaddthemtoyourgardensoil.

WHATYOUNEED

•1plasticstoragecontainer(asolidcolor,notclear)

•2lids(onethatfitstightontop,plusalargeroneforthecontainertositin)

•Screwgunwith¼-in.drillbit

•Newspaper

•Redwigglerworms(purchasetheseonlineoratagardencenter)

•Cocofiber

•Squirtorspraybottlewithwater

•Kitchenscraps

•Cardboard

•Gardensoil

Tomakeawormbin,you’llneedanopaqueplasticcontainer.Buyonewithalid,butyou’llalsoneedasecondlid(largerthanthetopone)touseunderthecontainer,foranyfluidthatseepsoutoftheholesyou’llmakeinthebottom.

A properly aerated and balanced bin won’t stink. If your bin gets smelly,however, it simply needs more carbon-rich “brown”material, such as leaves,hay,ordogfur,andless“green”material,suchaskitchenscrapsandthelike.

Inidealconditions,apowerfulwormbincandigesthalfitsweighteverydayinkitchenandotherhouseholdscraps.So,forexample,ifyouhave5poundsofworms in your bin, theywill process 5 pounds ofwaste every two days. Themorewormsinyourbin,themoretheycanconsumeandturnintopotentwormcastings.

1.Using the screw gun,make ten¼-inch drainage holes in the bottomof theplasticcontainer.

2.Makesixormore¼-inchholesaroundthesidesofthecontainer,1inchfromthetop,foraircirculation.

3.Placeonelidunderthecontainertocollectliquid,andlinetheinsidebottomofthecontainerwithapieceofcardboardtokeepthewormsandwastein.(Anyliquidwillseepthroughthecardboardanddrainoutthebottomofthecontainer,tobecapturedbythelidunderneaththecontainer.)

4.Fillthecontainerwithshreddednewspaper.

5.Coverthenewspaperwithdecompressedwetcocofiber.

6. Addwater, little by little, with a spray bottle tomoisten the contents. Thenewspapershouldbemoist,notdrenched.

7. Add 1 pound of red wiggler worms. (Other types of earthworms will notsurviveinthewormbin.)Onepoundofredwigglerswillconsumehalfapoundofwasteperday.

8.Addacupofkitchenscrapstothebinandcoverit.

9.Addkitchenscrapsandotherhouseholdwastetothebineveryday(see“Whattocompost”and“Whatnottocompost”).

10.Usetheliquidthatcollectsinthelidunderneaththebintofeedyourplants.Mix two parts water with one part worm juice to keep the moisture level inbalanceandwateryourplantswithit.

11.Everytimeyouaddkitchenscrapstothebinalsoadddryshreddedpaperorcardboard.Ifthebinistoowet,you’llseethewormsatthetopofthebinwhenyouremovethelid;toaddressthisproblemadddryshreddedpaperorcardboardtothebinandmoistenit.

12.Redwigglersmultiply quickly, doubling in numbers (not inweight but innumbers) every twomonths.As theymultiply, addmorekitchen scraps to thebinorrelocatesomeofthewormsoutsideinyourcuisinegarden.

13. After three months, stop adding scraps to the worm bin, and wait untilpracticallyeverythinghasbeenconsumed(butmakesurethecontentsofthebinremainmoist).Emptythebinontoasmalltarpandseparatethewormcastingsfromtheworms,ascoopatatime.Youcanthenputthecastingsdirectlyonthesoilaroundtheplantsinyourgarden.

14.Movetheredwigglersbackintothewormbinandstartthecycleagain.

CocoFiberThissustainable,renewableresource,ismadefromcoconutfibersandcanbeusedinthegardenasamediuminwhichtostartseeds.Cocofibermakesaperfectbottomlayerforyourwormbin;youcanalsouseitasagreatadditiontoyourraised-bedgardenforgooddrainage.Ilovecocofiberbecauseitcomesinlightweight,compressedpackagesthe

sizeofbricks.Tousethefiber,soakthebricksinwater.Onebrickcanexpandto2cubicfeetofgrowingmaterial—thesameamountinwhich

gardensoilispackagedandsoldatretailgardensupplycenters.

WHATYOUNEED

•2cupsoffreshcompostorwormcastings

•One5-gal.bucketfilledwithwater

•Aquariumaeratororlargestickformixing

•Acoarselywovencloth,suchasburlap,tomakethe“teabag”

•Wateringcan

FeedingYourCuisineGardenwithCompostTeaEvenifyoucancreateonlyasmallamountofcompostorwormcastings,youcanmakeitgoareallylongwayby“brewing”abatchofnutritioustea.

1. To brew the tea,wrap 2 cups of compost orworm castings in the piece ofburlaporotherstrongcloth.Securetheteabagwitharubberbandandsoakitina5-gallonbucketofwater.

2. Oxygenate the water in the bucket by pumping in air, using an aquariumaerator, or by mixing the water at regular intervals over a three-hour period.With aeration, the beneficial bacteria in the tea bagwill startmultiplying likecrazy.

3.Withawateringcan,usethetea—rightaway—tofeedyourplantsandinfusetiredsoilwithashotofpowerfulfertilizer.

4. For great results, repeat this treatment once a week when watering yourcontainergarden.

CLIMATE

Itcanbe tricky to figureout thebest timeof theyearand thenumberofdays

available forgrowingplants inyourarea,unlessyouknow thehardiness zoneyoulivein.Yourzoneisdeterminedbytheaveragerangeoflowtemperaturesinyour area and the kind of plants thatwill survive those low temperatures andgrow again the following spring. Hardiness zones, determined by the UnitedStates Department of Agriculture (USDA), were standardized in 1960. ThecontinentalUnitedStates comprises zones ranging fromZone 2, the country’snorthernmost and coldest climate, to Zone 10, the southernmost and warmestclimate.

HowtoFindYourHardinessZoneOn the Hardiness Zones and Growing Seasons chart determine your zone byfindingthelocalitynearesttoyou.Hardinesszonesvaryfromstatetostateandfromonegeographicalregion toanother.Onceyouknowyourhardinesszone,refer to theAverageLast(Spring)andFirst (Fall)FrostDateschart (below)tofindyourfrostdates.

Sticking with plants that work well in your zone will ensure maximumgrowingsuccess.Forexample,manyfruittrees,includingpeartrees,godormantin the winter and need a certain number of cold days (low temperatures) tocontinuetoproducefruiteveryyearthroughouttheirlifetime.

DeterminingFrostDatesTheAverageLast (Spring)andFirst (Fall)FrostDateschart shows frostdatesandtheaveragenumberofdaysinthegrowingseasonforeachhardinesszone.Thisinformationisimportantbecauseitdetermineswhenyoucanstartplantingagardenandwhenthegrowingseasonends.Ifyoudon’tseeyourcitylistedinthe Hardiness Zones and Growing Seasons chart consult the USDA map atplanthardiness.ars.usda.gov to findyourhardiness zone, then refer to the chartbelowtofindyourfrostdates.

AVERAGELAST(SPRING)&FIRST(FALL)FROSTDATES

HARDINESSZONES&GROWINGSEASONS

CHAPTERTWO

CONTROLLINGCOMMONGARDENPESTS&DISEASES

Nogardenisevercompletelyfreeofthepestsanddiseasesthatarisefromyearto year—that’s just nature. Long spells of rain, for example, can have adisastrous impact on your garden. Slugs love moisture and can easily do anumberonleafygreensafteranextendedrain.Arainyspellcanalsobeidealforfungalandbacterialdiseases that candecimateyourplants.A fewyearsback,aftertwenty-onedaysofcontinuousrainintheNortheast,nearlyallthetomatoplants contracted a fungal disease and the first crop was wiped out. In thischapterI’llexplainhowtokeepyourgardenhealthyandwhattolookforsothatyou’llbequickonthedrawwhengardenpestsandotherthreatscrossyourpath.

THEHEALTHYGARDENThebestwaytodefendyourgardenandkeepithealthyis tofeedandwateritwell, treatproblemsas theyarise,androtateyourplantings.Keepinmindthatproblemsoccurwhenconditionsareidealfornicheorganismstoinfiltrateyourgarden.

PlantRotationCrop rotation is one of the oldest andmost successfulways to keep a gardenhealthy.Whenyougrowthesameplantsinthesameplaceyearafteryear,pestsandfungihaveaguaranteedfoodsource.Insectscanlaymillionsofeggsinthefall, andwhen theyhatch anddevelop in the spring, their favorite food—yourgarden—will be right there for them. If you rotate the plants in your garden,however,hungrybugswillhavetoventureoutandfindtheirpreferredsourceof

food.Keep themguessing!A fungal disease can be hard to eradicate and canremaininthesoilfromyeartoyear,andifyoukeepgivingitaperfecthabitatitwillquicklydestroyyourgarden.

Croprotationalsokeepssoilfrombecomingdepletedofnutrients.Corn,forexample,sucksnitrogenoutofthesoil.Ifcornisgrownforseveralyearsinthesamespot, the soilwillbecomevoidofnitrogenand ready toblowaway inacloudofdust.Beans,however,takenitrogenfromtheairandfixitintothesoilthroughtheirroots.Alternatingcornandbeanshelpskeepsoilhealthy.

HealthySoilYouarewhatyoueat—thatistrueforbothpeopleandplants,andit’swhysoilqualityandtheuseofcompostaresoimportant.Plants,worms,andmicrobesallfeedonorganicmaterialinthesoil.Whenyouaddorganicmattertoyourgardenoften,youareprovidingfoodfortheorganismsthatconvertorganicmatterintothebasicelementsthatplantscanabsorbanduseforgrowth.Usingcompostasamulchortopdressinghelpssoilretainmoistureandprovidesthenecessaryfoodsourceforwormsandbeneficialmicrobes todotheir job.Organicallyrichsoilimproves the taste of everythingyougrow.Factory tomatoes,which are fed adietofprocessedpetrolchemicals,arenearly tastelesscompared toanorganicheirloomtomatofreshfromthegarden.

CompanionPlantingThisbookisdedicatedtocompanionplanting,notonlybecauseoftheobviousculinarydelightstoberealized,butalsobecausemanyplantsthrivewhentheyare plantedwith companions that attract beneficial insects andward off pests.Forexample,weknowthattomatoesandbasiltasteamazingwhenthey’reeatentogether,buttheyalsobenefitfromeachotherwhentheyareplantedtogetherinthegardenbykeepingawayaphids.Youcanrelaxasyoureadon,secureintheknowledge that the plans for the cuisine gardens in this book incorporate theprinciples of companion planting and group plants together in beneficialcombinations.

Disease-ResistantSeedsBeforeyoubuyanyseedpackageforyourgarden,firstreadthelabeltobesurethevarietyyouarebuyingisdisease-resistant.Mostseedpackagesgivespecifics

aboutavariety’sresistancetocommondiseases,anditonlymakessensetotrythehardyvarieties first.Remember, gardenerswhodevelopheirloomvarietiesarenotsavingseedsfromsicklyplants,onlythehealthiestones.Forgenerations,naturalselectionhasguidedpassionategardenersas theydevelopvarieties thataregreat-tastingandresistanttocommonmaladiesaswell.Forthebestresults,checkoutheirloomseedcatalogsandtryvarietiesthathavebeendevelopedfortheclimateyouliveinandthesoilconditionsinyourgarden.

RegularCheckupsDon’tforgettheobvious:Checkyourplantsregularly.Removeanydamagedordiseasedpartofaplantanddiscardit(donotcompostit).Afungaldisease,suchas powdery mildew, should be treated with a fungicide right away before itoverwhelms the garden. If such a disease is not treated immediately, there isnothingyoucandoonceit takesovertheplantorthesoil.Removeanyweedsthataregrowinginyourgardenbecausetheycompeteforwaterandnutrientsinthe soil. They also provide shelter for harmful garden insects and a breedinggroundfordiseases.

BENEFICIALINSECTSAttractingbeneficial insects to your garden is a natural result of gardeningbycuisine,which involvesgrowingadiversityofplants.Ahealthypopulationofbeneficial insectswill keepyourgarden inbalance.Asyougrowyour cuisinegardens, look for good bugs such as honeybees, spiders, and ladybugs,whosepresencekeepawaybadbugslikeaphids,slugs,andcaterpillars.Ifyourplantshave insect damage, you may need to deputize some beneficial insects andintroducethemintoyourgarden.

Ladybugs. These are the first “good bugs” that should be released in yourgarden. Ladybugs and their pupae feed on destructive aphids, consumingthousandsof themduring their life span.Beaware thatmanyants feedon thenectarofaphidsandwillgotowarwithladybugstodefendthem.

Green lacewings.The adult lacewing feedsonnectar andpollenproducedbyplants, but the larvae feed on aphids and nearly all soft-bodied pests such ascaterpillars and inchworms.Green lacewings consumenearly200pestsduringtheir15-to20-daylarvalstage.

Groundbeetles.Therearelotsofdifferenttypesofgroundbeetlesthatdon’tflyandthat insteadstayinthesoil,feedingonsnails,caterpillars,slugs,andotherbadguysthatliveinthedirt.Youcanspotgroundbeetlesbytheirblackshinybodies.Don’tgostompin’ontheseguys.

Beneficialnematodes.Thesetiny(microscopic),worm-likeorganismsdotheirmagicbelowthesoilline,eliminatingmorethantwohundredspecies,includingJapanese beetles, cucumber beetles, and other bad actors like grubs. You caneasilyintroducenematodesintoyourgardensoil;theyarecompletelybenignintheir effects on people, plants, and earthworms in your garden. But use themonlywhenyouhaveaproblem;theydon’thaveapreventiveeffect.

Parasiticwasps.These tinywaspsspend theirnine-day-long livesseekingout

theeggcasingsofpestsinwhichtolaytheirownegg.Thewaspeggconsumesthepesteggasitdevelopsintoatinywasp,andthecyclecontinues.

Honeybees.Thesebeneficial insectsarekeytopollinatingtheflowersonyourvegetableplantstohelpproduceanabundantharvest.Honeybeesflyfromplantto plant, collecting nectar and pollen from the flowers. During this feedingprocess they leave behind pollen that results in the formation of fruit. I wasblownawaywhenIlearnedthat30percentoftheworld’sfoodcropsneedbeestoproducevariouskindsoffruit—allmelons,pumpkinsandsquash,cucumbers,andmanymore.Otherplants,suchasgrains,whoseseedsareproducedfromtheflowerwithout pollination, don’t rely on bees for reproduction, but any plantsthat produce a fruit that contains seeds, such as apple and pear trees, aredependentonbees.

Currently,thepopulationofbeesinNorthAmericaisatanall-timelow;in2006,beekeeperssawalargenumberofbeesleavetheirhives,nevertoreturn.This exodus is calledColonyCollapseDisorder.No one is quite surewhy orhowithappened,althoughalotofresearchisbeingconductedtofindoutwhatthecauseswere.Todomypart, Ikeepahive inmygarden, though it takesawhileforahivetobecomeestablishedandstartproducinghoney.

Spiders.Allspidersareabenefittoyourgardenbecausetheirwebstrapallsortsof harmful insects that they like to eat. As far as I’m concerned spiders arewelcomeinmycuisinegardens.

Formoreinformationon beneficial insects and garden pests, visit VegetableIPM (http://vegipm.tamu.edu), a website from Texas A&M Universitythathaslotsofimagesofcommonplantpests.Youcanpurchasebeneficial

insectsonlineandhavethemshippedtoyoufromavarietyofcompanies.Youcanalsobuy themfromyour localnurserygardencenterorbigboxstore.Youcanalsotrythefollowing:

ArbicoOrganicswww.arbico-organics.com

BuglogicalControlSystemswww.buglogical.com

GardeningZonewww.gardeningzone.com

UNWELCOMEGARDENINSECTSIfyourdeputies—thegoodinsectsinyourgarden—can’tkeeppestsout,donotfear.There’salotyoucandotogetridofthem(GardenPestsandNaturalandOrganic Remedies chart). Here are some common garden criminals you mayencounter:

Aphids.Thesetinygreeninsectsfeedonyourplantsingroups.Theycanblendinwithyourplants,socheckthemcarefully.Luckily,ladybugs,lacewings,andparasiticwasps all feed on aphids; be sure to enlist these beneficial insects inyour war on predatory bugs. Aphids can do a great deal of damage to yourplants,soyouneedtotreatthemrightaway.Youcanalsosaybye-byetothesedreadful insects with a few applications of homemade insecticidal soap(COMMONGARDENDISEASES&REMEDIES).

Beetles.Thedamagefromthesereallybadguyscanbedevastating—overnight!Whatmakesthemsodangerousasagroupistheirappetiteforawidevarietyofgarden plants. For example, the potato beetle, which has a black-stripedexoskeleton,likespotatoplants.IridescentblackandbrownJapanesebeetles,ontheotherhand,loveyourgrapeplants.Theaptlynamedcucumberbeetlelovestheplantit’snamedfor,aswellasyourpumpkinsandmelons;thesenastybugsareyellowwitheitherblackstripesorblackspots.

Slugsandsnails.Thesecreaturesarereallycommon,unfortunately,andyoucan

seetheirpathofdestruction(largeholes)ontheleavesofyourplants.They’reeasytolocateandcapture,however,whenit’smoistinthegardenorjustafterarainstorm. Just check the underside of damaged leaves, pick off any slugs orsnails,droptheminabowlofsoapywaterwheretheywilldieandtosstheminthegarbage.Therewillprobablybemoreslugsorsnailsinyourgardenthanyoucanactuallysee,sotryoneoftheremediesinthecharttogetridofallofthem.

GARDENPESTS&NATURAL&ORGANICREMEDIES

GARDENPEST BENEFICIALORGANISM

ORGANICORNATURALTYREATMENT*

Aphids(tiny,greenorblack,soft-bodiedinsects)

Ladybugs,greenlacewings;companionplantingwithmarigolds

Homemadeinsecticidalsoap,neemoiltreatment

Caterpillars,cabbageworms,andtomatohornworms(long,soft-bodiedinsects,withmultiplelegs,thatcomeinmanycolorsandsizes)

Greenlacewings,caterpillarparasites(Trichogramma);companionplantingwithnasturtiums

Bt,neemoiltreatment

Beneficialnematodes

Earwigsandgnats(haveahardexoskeletonwithantennaandpincers)

BeneficialnematodesTrapincastoroilorusehomemadeinsecticidalsoap

Mealybugs(looksimilartoaphidsbuthavewoollier“hair”)

Ladybugs,greenlacewings Homemadeinsecticidalsoap

PotatobeetlesandJapanesebeetles(abouthalfaninchlong,withmetallicexoskeletonsandbrownwings)

Ladybugs Beneficialinsects

Slugsandsnails.(Slugsaresoft-bodiedblobswithantennae;snailslookverysimilartoslugs,buthaveashell)

Beneficialnematodes Trapandremoveslugsmanually,traptheminbeer,ortreatthemwithDEorcrushedeggshells

Spidermites(tinypeststhatcanbeseenonlywithamicroscopeormagnifyinglens,thoughit’seasytoseetheirdestructiononplantleaves)

Greenlacewings,beneficialnematodes

Homemadeinsecticidalsoap

Whiteflies(tiny,white,wingedinsectsfoundontheundersideofleaves)

Greenlacewings Homemadeinsecticidalsoap

*SeeothernaturalremediesonORGANICNATURALPESTICIDES

Spider mites. Because these pests are microscopic, you won’t see the mitesthemselves, only the destruction they cause in the form of yellow-streakedpatchesonplantleaves.Removetheaffectedleavesanddiscardthem.Treattheaffected plant right away. (See the chart on the facing page for treatmentmethods.)

Caterpillarsandworms.Thesecreatures are anuisance in thegarden,wherethey attack a multitude of plants. Caterpillars and worms grow at lightningspeed, so they have to eat a lot. If you see moths in your garden, you havecaterpillars somewhere.Beneficial insects shouldbalanceout theproblem,butyoucantryafewnaturaltreatments.(Seethechartonthefacingpage.)

ORGANICNATURALPESTICIDESAnimal barriers. Gardens sometimes attract animals—squirrels, raccoons,birds, rabbits, skunks, even deer. Putting up a physical barrier, such as 1-inchwiremesh,willdeterwildlifelikesquirrelsandbirds.Ifyouhaveahoophouse,you can put netting over it; rainwater will be able to get in and unwelcomecritterswillbekeptout.Don’tworryaboutputtingupbarriersrightawayunlessyouknowthatwildliferegularlypassesthroughyourarea.

Animalrepellents.Youcanalsousechemicalrepellentstokeepanimalsoutofyourgarden.Thesecanbepurchasedonlineandatyourlocalgardencenter,butyou need to know exactly what animal has become a nuisance before youpurchase a repellant.Make sure that any repellent youbuycanbe safelyusedaroundvegetables,andbesuretofollowthemanufacturer’sinstructions.

Some store-bought repellents, such as hot-pepper spray (also known ascapsaicin spray), can be very effective in deterringmost mammals. A simplehomemadebrewofthepepperyrepellentcanbeconcoctedbychoppingupafewblazinghotpeppersandboilingthem.You’llknowthemixtureisreadytosprayin the garden when a taste of it is hot enough to burn your taste buds. Yourplantswillneedafewtreatmentsbeforeyour localfurryfriendsareconvincedthatyourgardentastesfunnyandthey’dbettergosomewhereelsefordinner.

BUYITONLINE

Hereareacoupleofplaceswhereyoucanbuyanimalrepellentsthataresafeforyourvegetablegarden:

LiquidFencewww.liquidfence.com/natural-animal-repellents.html

Bobbex,Inc.www.bobbex.com

Bt(Bacillusthuringiensis).Thisbiologicalinsecticideisactuallylivingbacteriathat will kill many garden pests before they become a problem, from gypsymothsandcaterpillarstotomatohornworms.Itisalsoasafesolutionforkillingmosquito larvae inponds.ApplyBtas soonasyoupurchase it, andcheck therecommendedstoragerequirementsandshelflife.Btisagreatoptionbecauseitiscompletelysafe forusearoundplants,animals,andmanybeneficial insects.YoucanpurchaseBtsprayorpowderonlineoratyourlocalgardencenter.ThebesttimeofdaytoapplyBtisintheeveningoronanovercastday,sincestrongsunlightwillkillBtbeforeithasachancetobeeffective.Btisn’taninstantfix,however,sinceittakestimetoinfectandkillgardenpests.BesuretofollowtheinstructionsonthepackagewhenapplyingBt.

Diatomaceous earth (DE). For out-of-control infestations of any commoninsect pest, youmay need to take drasticmeasures, but you don’t have to gonuclear.Youcanhandle theproblemorganicallybyusingdiatomaceousearth,also known as DE, which comes in a fine powder composed of microscopicfossilized, hard-shelled algae. DE is perfectly safe for animal and humanconsumption (it’s non-toxic), but use amaskover your nose andmouthwhenyouareapplying this finepowder inyourgarden tokeep thedustoutofyourlungs.YoucanorderDEonlineorfinditatyourlocalgardencenter.BeforeyouapplyDEitisimportanttowaterdownyourgarden,includingtheleavesoftheplants,becausethewaterwillhelpthedusttoadheretotheleaves.Then,usingahand duster (a simple dust applicator that you can buy at your local gardenstore),coat thevegetablegardenwith theDE.Don’tapplyDEif it isgoing torainwithintwenty-fourhours.Re-applyDEafterthenextrainuntilallthepests

aregone.Alwaysreadandfollowtheinstructionsonthepackage.

Eggshells and beer. Slugs are common garden pests that can attack a largenumberofplants.Theyaremostactive in thespring,when it’smoist,andcaneatuptheleavesofyourplantsovernight.Ifyouseeholesintheleavesofyourvegetableplants,slugsmightbetheculprits.Whenyounoticetheholes,inspectthe leaves for slugs and pick them off and discard them. (I feed them tomychickensorthefishinmypond.)Youcanalsogetridofyourslugproblemwithbeer.Pourasmuchbeerasyoucanspareintoasmallbowlandburythebowlsothatitsrimisatgroundlevel.Theslugswillbeattractedtothebeeranddrownin it. One bowl per raised bed is fine. You can also get rid of slugs usingeggshells. Simply crunch the shells into small bits and place themon the soilaroundtheperimeterofyourraisedbeds.Slugswon’tlikethewaytheyfeelandwillretreatfromthearea.

Insecticidalsoap.Inanempty,clean,1-literspraybottle,combine1teaspoonofvegetableoiland1teaspoonofdishwashingliquidsoappercupofwater.Spraythemixtureliberallyonanyplantaffectedbyagardenpest,thoroughlycoatingthe leavesandstems.Wait anhourand then rinseoff theplantswithwater toremovethemixtureandanydeadinsects.Repeatthistreatmentthreetimesperweekuntiltheproblemiscontrolled.

Neemoil.Native to India, theneemisanevergreen treewhose fruitand treesproduceabrightred,strong-smellingoil.Youcanbuyneemoilonlineoratthegarden center. It’s safe for humans andmammals, and eliminates all kinds ofharmfulgardenpests includingaphids,mites,beetles,moth larvae,caterpillars,locusts,andnematodes.

Caution:Neemoilisnon-toxic,butshouldnotbeconsumedbywomenwhoarepregnantorplantobecomepregnant.

COMMONGARDENDISEASES&REMEDIESGarden diseases fall under a few categories: fungal, bacterial, and viral.Preventioniskeytokeepingthesediseasesoutofthegarden,andasyoualreadyknow, prevention of problems is an integral part of gardening. One basicmeasure is to rotate your crops, varyingwhere you put plants in your gardenfrom year to year (see Plant Rotation). Despite your best efforts, however,

insects,weeds,andtransplantsfromothergardenscanbringdiseasesintoyourgarden. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do when you spot a gardendiseaseotherthanremovetheaffectedplant.

BUYITONLINE

Manycompaniessellfungicides.Hereareafew.

Bonidewww.bonide.com

SaferBrandwww.saferbrand.com

NatriabyBayerAdvancedwww.bayeradvanced.com/natria

CommonVegetableDiseases&WhatTheyLookLikeThere’smore information on diseases in Part II (I give a list of diseases andremedies for each of the plants in every cuisine garden), but here’s a briefintroductiontosomeofthemostcommondiseasessoyou’llknowwhattolookfor:

Powdery mildew. The leaves of your snap beans, cantaloupe, cucumber,pumpkin,andsquashwillhaveawhite,powdery-lookingdustonthem.Onceaplant has powdery mildew it’s only a matter of time before it dies. Prune asmany affected leaves as you can, and spray the leaves of your plant with anorganicgarden fungicide (see the sectionNaturalFungicides andBactericides,below).

Leaf blight. Lower leaves turn yellow, then brown, and die as the leaf blightspreadstootherleavesoftheplant.Affectssnapbeans,corn,eggplants,peppers,potatoes,tomatoes.

Leaf spot. Brown to black spots on the leaves. Affects cantaloupes, kale,mustard,cucumbers,peppers,watermelons.

Stemblight.The stemsnear the soilyellowanddie,killing theplant.Affectscantaloupes,cucumbers,pumpkins,watermelons.

Wilt. Leaves start shriveling up and die off, killing the plant. Affectscantaloupes,corn,cucumbers,tomatoes,watermelons.

Fruit rot.Brown spots formon fruit before it is ripe andharvestable.Affectseggplants,peppers,squash,tomatoes.

NaturalFungicides&BactericidesNatural fungicidesandbactericides,suchasneemoilandcopper,helppreventandkeepgardendiseasesatbay.Thesecomeintheformofpowders,granules,andfoliar(leaf)sprays,whichareusedtopreventleafspots,rusts,mildews,andfruitrot.Youcanuseanyoftheseremedieseitherbeforeadiseasehitsoratthefirstsignofdisease.Remember,onceagardendiseasetakesholdofyourplant,thereisnothingyoucando;theplantshouldberemovedfromthegardensothatitdoesn’tspreaddiseasetootherplants.

DISEASECONTROLACTIONPLAN1.Lookatyourplantsthoroughlyandoften.IliketodoitwhenIwaterandwhenIharvest.

2.Alongwith a bowl or basket inwhich to gather the bounty fromyourcuisinegarden,takealonganemptycontainertocollectweeds.It’sgoodtogetridofweedsassoonasyouseethembecausetheycanharbordiseasesthatdamagethehealthofyourvegetableplants.

3.Whileyou’reinthegarden,askyourself:Dotheplantslookhealthyandgreen,andaretheygrowing?

4. Remove any dead or yellowing leaves and branches because they can

attractpestsanddiseases.

5.IfyounoticeanyofthediseaseslistedonCommonVegetableDiseases&WhatTheyLookLike,removetheleavesandaffectedbranches.Donotput theminyourcompostbin,however,becausediseasescanliedormantincompostandpopupagaininyourgardenwhentheconditionsfortheirgrowthareright.

6.Ifyoucanidentifyaplantdisease,treatitrightaway.

7. If there is no remedy for a particular plant disease, youmay have tosufferthroughitandharvestwhatyoucan,orremovetheentireplantfromyourgarden.There’salwaysnextyear…

CHAPTERTHREE

STARTINGYOURCUISINEGARDENFROMSEED

Whenyoubegingardeningbycuisine,youwillstartmostofyourplantsfromseed, right in the bed. However, many summer vegetables, like tomatoes,eggplants,andpeppers,needtobeplantedinthegardenfromseedlings(youngplants), so that there isenough time for them tomatureand foryou toget themaximumnumberofvegetablesfromthem.Plants that requirea longgrowingperiod—like tomatoes and many other summertime vegetables—are the onesyouwanttostartindoorsinthewintertime.Ofcourse,youmayopttopurchaseseedlings fromyour local garden center, but by startingyourownplants fromseedindoorsyoucanreducetheamountofmoneyyouspendonyourgardentojustpenniesperplant.Youcanalsogetajumponthegrowingseason.

Garden centers carry a large variety of vegetable seedlings, but they areunlikelytocarry theorganicorheirloomvarietiesI like togrowinmycuisinegardens.Heirloomseedsaregeneticallydiverse,areslightlyhardertogrow,andtendtohavealowergerminationratethanotherhybridseedsonthemarket,butthedeliciousvegetablestheyproducesimplycan’tbefoundingrocerystores.

Organicvegetableseedlingscanbereallypricy,rangingfrom$5to$10perplantatmostnurseriesandgardencenters.Ontheotherhand,organicvegetableseedscost,onaverage,$3to$5perpacket,which,dependingonthetypeofseedyouarebuying,containsbetween10and1,000seeds.Thesavingsareclear,butwhatismostimportanttomeisbeingabletoactivelygardenwhenthesnowisstillontheground.

CHOOSINGTHERIGHTSEEDSIliveinNewEngland,soIstartseedsindoorseveryyearbeginninginFebruary.

I’ve started thousands of plants usingmany differentmethods. Every spring Isell or give away the excess seedlings tomy friends and neighbors because Irarelyendupusingalloftheplantsformyowngarden.Thesaleshelpmeearnbackthecostofstartingthegarden.Tobreakevenonotherexpenses,Ialsosell(andoftengiveaway)someofmyproducetofriendsandneighbors.Sharingmygarden with the community has been a great way to meet my neighbors andbuildnewfriendships.

Ialsobuyplantseveryyearfromlocalnurseriesandgardencentersandevenonline.ButpurchasingalltheplantsIneedeveryyearwouldcostthousandsofdollars,soItendtolimitmypurchasestovarietiesofvegetablesthatIwanttotryforthefirsttime.IfIliketheresults,Ipurchasetheseedsandstarttheplantsmyself the next year. Startingwith the right seeds is very important.Here aresometipstostartyourcuisinegardenrightfromtheverybeginning:

•Purchaseseedsfromanheirloomseedbank.•Chooseorganicseeds.•Pickseedsforplantsthatwillgrowwellinyourregion.•Orderyourseedsasearlyasyoucanbecausetheyselloutfast.

HEIRLOOM&ORGANICMAIL-ORDERSEEDS&SEEDLINGS

BakerCreekHeirloomSeedCompany(seeds)

www.rareseeds.com

BotanicalInterests(seeds)www.botanicalinterests.com

SeedsofChange(seedsandplants)

www.seedsofchange.com

SeedSaversExchange(seedsandplants)

www.seedsavers.org

SouthernExposureSeedExchange(seeds)

www.southernexposure.com

StarkBro’sNurseriesandOrchardCo.(fruittrees,shrubs,androotcrops)

www.starkbros.com

SustainableSeedCo.(seeds)www.sustainableseedco.com

SweetCornOrganicNursery(seedsandplants)

www.sweetcornorganicnursery.com

SEED-STARTINGMETHODSHerearesomeofmyfavoriteseed-startingmethods.Theyrequireabitofextraeffortbutarebothcosteffectiveandeasy,andpayoff.

WHATYOUNEED

•Grow-lightfixture

•Timerforthelight

•Daylight-balancedfluorescentbulbsforplants

•Lightstand

•Heatmat

•Minigreenhouse(hothouse)withdomeandtray

•Growingpellets

•Seeds

MakeYourOwnHothouseA hothouse is a great way to start seeds indoors. It’s a versatile system thatincludesasourceoflight,aheatmat,andaclearplasticdome.

Complete kits are available online or at gardening centers. The kit mayincludethegrowingmediumfortheseedlingsintheformofgrowingpellets—

cocofiberorpeatmosscompressed into flatdisks.Whenyouuse thissystem,youwanttoplantseedsthatgerminateatroughlythesametimeandaresimilartypes of plants.You can also start growing vegetable plants together, such astomatoesandeggplants,when theyhavesimilargermination timesandgrowthpatterns.Once the seedsgerminate and theplantsoutgrow thedome,youwillneedtoreplacethedomewithabiggerone.

Mini greenhouses come in different sizes. The one that’s best for youdependsonhowmuchyouwanttospend,howmuchroomyouhave,andhowmanyseedlingsyouwanttostart.

The grow light you use should be as long as your hothouse so that everyplant receives the same amount of light.Aheatmat regulates the temperatureinsidethehothouse,keepingitwarmenoughfortheseedstogerminate.

Ifyoubuyakitthathasallormostoftheitemslistedhere,itwillcomewithdetailed instructions for setting it up. You can also view the video on mywebsite:GardenGirlTV.com.

DIRECTIONS1.Selectyourseeds.

2.Setupyourgrowlightandminigreenhousekit.

3.Pourwarmwaterintothegreenhousetraywiththegrowingpellets.I liketouse pellets made out of coco fiber because it is a sustainable, renewableresource.Also, the coco fiber used in this application is a by-product of othermanufacturingprocessesthatmakeentrymats,hangingbasketinserts,andotherhouseholdandgardeningitems.

4.Thepelletswillexpandasthewaterisabsorbed.Pouroffanyexcesswater.

5.Toplantseeds,placeatleasttwoseedsintothecenterofeachgrowingpellet.Thiswillensurethatatleastoneseedwillgerminateandbecomeaviableplant.Ifbothseedssprout,youcaneitherdiscardoneorallowbothseedlingstogrowup to 4 inches tall, and then divide the seedlings before transplanting them inindividualcontainersorintoyourgardenbed.

6. Once all the pellets are planted, place the mini greenhouse dome over theseededgrowingpellets.

7.Placetheheatmatandgreenhouseunderthelightstandandadjustthegrow

lightsothatitisdirectlyaboveandalmostflushwiththedome.

8.Plugtheheatmatintoanelectricaloutlet.Useatimertoregulatehowlongthelightwill remain on. Plug the timer into an electrical outlet and then plug thelight into the timer. Set the timer to turn the light on from6:00A.M. to 6:00P.M.

9. The dome will help keep the environment around the seeds warm and theseedsmoist.

10. The heat mat provides heat through the bottom of the greenhouse that istrappedby thedome,keeping themini greenhousewarm.Themoisture in thedomewarmsandevaporatesintotheair.Thismoistairthencondensesatthetopof the dome and drips down onto the seedlings, keeping themini greenhouseenvironmentmoistforuptoaweek.

11.Checkthegreenhousedaily.Makesurethelightisworkingproperlyandthepelletsaremoist.Waterasnecessary.

12.Topreventrootrotonceyourseedsstarttogerminate,propopenthedomebyleaningitonitssideduringtheday;closeitatnight.Thiswilldissipatesomeofthemoisture,preventingyourseedlingsfromrotting.Wateronlyasnecessary.

13. Once the plants are too big for the dome, remove it. Now you’ll need towatertheplantsmorefrequently.

14.Adjusttheheightofthelightastheplantsgrow,keepingit1inchabovetheplants.Ifthelightisfartheraway,theplantswillgrowtowardthelight,makingthemtallerbutweaker.

15.Oncetheseedlingsare4inchestall,youcantransplantthemintocontainersfilledwithorganicpotting soil.There’snoneed to spendmoneybuying smallpots—youcanmakethemyourselfoutofnewspaper

16.Placethetransplantedseedlingsnearabright,sunnywindowandwaterthemregularly.Ifyouarenotstartingmoreseeds,youcanalsoleavethemunderthelightandontheheatmat.

17.Aweek before the seedlings can be safely planted outside, you’ll need to“harden”themtoacclimatizethemtotheoutdoors.Theyoungplantshavebeensowarmandprotectedinside,it’sashocktothemifyoujustplantthemoutsidewithoutgettingthemusedtonewtemperature,wind,andsunlightconditions.Tohardenyourseedlings,placethemoutsideforanhouronthefirstday,thenbring

thembackinside.Thenextday,increasetheamountoftimetheyspendoutsideto a solid eight hours. Your young plants are now hardened and ready to beplantedinthegarden.

REUSEIT!

Youcanstartseedsincontainersmadeofdifferentthingsfoundrightinyourhome.

Coffeecans,metalandplastic(pokeholesinthebottomfordrainage)

Newspaperpots

Plastictakeoutcontainers

Plasticwaterbottles(withthetopcutoffanddrainageholespunchedintothebottom)

WHATYOUNEED

•Cardboardcoresfromtoilet-paperorpaper-towelrolls

•Largetray

•Cocofiberorseed-startingmedium

•Seeds

•Water

UsingToilet-PaperRollsforSeedlingsThecardboardcoresoftoilet-paperorpaper-towelrollsarecost-effective,easy-

to-usematerialswhen you’re starting seeds, and using them is a greatway tokeeptheserecyclablematerialsoutofourlandfills.OnceIstartedsavingtoilet-paperrolls, I realizedhowmuchtoiletpapermyhouseholduses.Asaresult, Idon’tknow ifwe’veactuallycutdownon thenumberof rollsweuse,butwehave switched over to using toilet paper with a high post-consumer wastecontent.

DIRECTIONS1.Cutthecoresofthetoilet-paper/paper-towelrolls inhalves/quarterstomaketubularcardboardplantersabout2incheshigh.

2. Place the planters on a tray and fill them halfwaywith coco fiber or otherseed-startingmedium.

3.Waterandrefilltherollswiththeseed-startingmediumtothetopoftherolls.

4.Sow2seedsperplanterandwateragain.

5.Placethetraynearasunnywindoworunderagrowlight.

6.Keeptheplantersmoistuntiltheseedsgerminate.

7. To prevent root rot, water the seedlings only every other day or whennecessary.

8.Hardentheseedlingsasdescribed.

WHATYOUNEED

•Astackofoldnewspapers

•Painter’stape(madeofpaperandusedtotapewallsbeforepainting)

•14-or16-oz.canorjar

•Scissors

•Water

•Tray

HowtoUseNewspaperPotsforSeedlings

Onceyour seedlings are4 to6 inches tall, you’ll need to transplant them to alarger container until it’s time to plant them in the garden. Instead of buyingpots, you canmake your own using newspaper. Later you can even plant theseedlingsinyourgarden,newspaperpotandall.Thisisaquick,easyprojecttodowithyourkids.

DIRECTIONS1. Fold a sheet of newspaper lengthwise into a strip approximately 2½ incheswide.

2.Rollthenewspaperstriparoundthecanorjar,andtapeittogetherusingthepapertape.

3.Slide thenewspaperstripaboutan inchoff thebottomof thecanor jarandfolditintomakethebottomofthepot.Tapeittogether.

4.Pullthecanorjaroutofthenewspaperpotyoujustmadeandfillthepotwithorganicpottingsoil.

5.Transplantseedlingsintothenewspaperpot.

6. Grow your seedlings in the newspaper pot and “harden” them (see UsingToilet-PaperRolls forSeedlings)when it is time toplant.Whenyouplant theseedlings, remove the newspaper pot, or just open the bottom and plant thewholethingintheground,newspaperandall.

WHATTOPLANTINLATEFALL•Onionsandchives,celery,peas,beans

•Leafygreens,includinglettuces,Asiangreens,spinach,kale,andchard

•Herbslikeoregano,parsley,arugula,mint,sage,sorrel,andthyme

•Marigolds

SowingSeedsinLateFallAlotofgardeningcanbedoneinthelatefall,whenmanygardenersareoutsidepruning,rakingleaves,andputtingtheirgardenstorest.Infact,fall isanidealtime to get a jump start on planting next year’s crop by winter-sowing your

seeds.Here’show:Justafterthefirstfallfrost,beforethegroundisfrozen,andonceyou’veputyourcuisinegardentorest for theseason,youcansowearly-springlettuce,herb,andvegetableseedsrightwhereyouwantthemtogrowinyourgardennextyear.There’snoneedtowatertheseedsorcoverthemwithahoop house (more on this in the following chapters). The seeds will simplysproutinthespringwhenthetemperatureandmoisturearejustright.

WHATYOUNEED

•Anysmall,used,shallowhouseholdcontainerwithaclearcover(forexample,atakeoutcontainer)

•Compost,cocofiber,orotherseed-startingmedium

•Seeds

InLateWinter,StartSeedsinFlatsYou don’t have to grow seedlings indoors. In late winter, you can start themoutsideinflatsatanytimebeforetheaveragelastspringfrost(seethetableforthisdateinyourarea),thentransplanttheseedlingstothegardenoncethey’reatleast4incheslong.Nohardeningisnecessary.

DIRECTIONS

1.Pokedrainageholesinthebottomofthecontainer.

2.Make1-inchslitsintheclearcontainercoverforairflow.

3.Fillthebottomwiththeseed-startingmediumyou’vechosen,andmoistenitwithwater.

4.Sowtheseedsinthecontainerandcoverit.

5.Setthecontaineroutsideinfullsun.Theseedswillgerminateinthespring.

6. Once the seedlings outgrow the covered container, remove the cover andallowtheplantstogrowatleast4inchestall,wateringthemasnecessary.

7.Whentheplantsare4inchestall,transplantthemtothegarden.

WHATYOUNEED

WHATYOUNEED

•1or2tbsp.flour

•Water

•Rolloftoiletpaper

•Seedpacket(s)

•Smallkid’spaintbrushes

•Scissors

•Ruler

Making&PlantingSeedTapeYoucanbuyvarious typesof seed tape, but it’s really easy tomakeyourself.Seedtapeisaneffectivewaytoprepareseedsforplanting,andmakingitisafunprojecttodooverthewinterwithyourkids.

Seed tapeworksbestwithvegetable seeds that are small andhave a closespacing requirement, like radishes, carrots, lettuces, and herbs. Seed tape isn’tnecessaryforsunflowers,corn,andbeansbecausethoseseedsarelargeenoughforyoutoeasilyplantwiththeappropriatespacing.

DIRECTIONS1. To make the paste you’ll use to attach the seeds to the tape, use yourpaintbrush tomixequalparts flourandwater inacup.Makesure thepaste isthick enough to be sticky, not runny. It should stick to the paintbrushwithoutdripping.

2.You canmake your seed tape as long or as short as you like.Break off asmany4-inchtoilet-papersheetsasyouneed.Cutthestripoftoiletpaperinhalf.

3.Read the instructionsonyourseedpacket to findoutwhat theseedspacingrequirementsare.

4.Layastripofseedtapenexttoaruler.Withapaintbrush,placeadotofpasteatthecorrectintervalsalongthelengthofthestrip.

5.Place2seedsoneachpastedot.

6.Foldeachseededstripinhalflengthwise,sothateachseedissafewithinthefoldedtoiletpaper.Pressthestripdownsothatthepasteholdsthetwosidesofthepapertogether.Labeleachstripsoyouknowwhichseedtapesarewhich.

7.Oncethepastedries,rollorfolduptheseedtapesandkeeptheminacool,dryplaceuntilplantingtime.Whenit’stimetoplant,laytheseedtapeinrowsinyourplantingbeds.Lightlycovereachseed tapewithsoil, justenough tohidethe tape, and then water it thoroughly. When the seeds germinate, they willalreadybeperfectlyspaced.Thetoiletpaperwilldegradeinoneseason.

GARDENINGBYCUISINEACTIONPLAN

1.Determinethebestlocationforyourgardeninasunnyspotthatreceivessixtoeighthoursofsunlightperdayandisclosetothehouse.

2. Figure out howmany raised beds you need orwant to grow and howmanyraisedbedsyoucanfitinthedesignatedarea.

3.Decidewhichcuisinegardensyouwanttogrow.Orderseeds,seedlings,andotherplants.

4.Startanyseedsyouneedindoorsoverthewinter.

5. Determine how youwill water your garden.Add an outdoor spigot ifnecessaryand/orrainbarrels.Considerpurchasingadripirrigationkitforalow-maintenance,water-efficientsystem.

6.Startacompostbin.

7. Make sure you have all of the necessary building materials andgardeningtools.Buildyourraisedbedsand,ifyouwant,ahoophouse(seeChapterFourforinstructions).

8. Use a hoop house or flats to jump-start your garden until average

nighttime temperatures are in the 60s. Fill the bedswith amixture of 50percenttopsoiland50percentcompost.

9. Plant the garden according to the cuisine garden plans, starting withcool-weathercropsandthensummercrops,asweatherdictates.

10.Keepseedsmoistuntiltheygerminate,thenwaterdeeplytwoorthreetimesperweek.

11.Oncetheseedlingsare4inchestall,weed,mulch,andwaterthem.

12. Throughout the growing season,weed andwater plants as necessary.Inspect plants often and thoroughly for pests and signs of disease andeliminate them right away (see Chapter Two for more on controllingcommongardenpestsanddiseases.

13. Harvest organic vegetables and herbs frequently so your plants willcontinuetoproduce.

14.Inlatesummer,replantcool-weathercropsforafallharvest.

15.Continueharvestingthebountyfromyourcuisinegardensthroughthefirst frost or longer. Extend the growing season by placing hoop housesoveryourcuisinegardenswhennighttimetemperaturesaverage50degreesbeforetheaveragefirstfrostdate.

16.Beforetheaveragefirstfrostdate,harvestthelastofthesummercropsandcanorfreezethemforlateruse.Removeandstoreadd-onsorsupportstructuresforusenextspring.

CHAPTERFOUR

MEASURETWICE,CUTONCE:BUILDINGYOURCUISINEGARDEN

Building a raised bed doesn’t have to be a costly, weeklong constructionproject—youcanbuilda4’×8’raisedbedinlessthantwohoursforlessthan$70.Yoursuper-efficientcuisine-gardenbedsshouldlastbetweenfivetosevenyears.Thewholepropositioniseasy,fast,andinexpensive.

For my raised beds I use dimensional pine lumber available at building-supplycenters,butyoucanalsousecedar,whichwill last longerbut ismuchmoreexpensive.Aftermakingraisedbedsoutofallsortsof things,I’vefoundthat dimensional lumber, which is used to build houses, works best. I don’trecommend using pressure-treated wood, however, because the chemicalpreservativesusedinpressuretreatmentcanbeharmful.

Therearesomanyways tobuild raisedbeds.Theplans in thischapteraredesignedsothatyoucanmakearaisedbedallbyyourself,butit’smuchmorefuntobuildaraisedbedwithfamily,friends,andneighbors.

BEFOREYOUBUILDYOURRAISEDBEDSTraditional gardening involves planting vegetables in large plots that requirehoursofworkforasuccessfulharvest.Yourraisedbeds,ontheotherhand,willtakeonlyminutesadaytomaintain.

Becauseyourgardenisoffthegroundandelevatedbyaboutafoot,it’seasyto maintain year after year, without the backbreaking effort of maintainingtraditionalplots(mostofwhichareonly6incheshigh).Allyouhavetoworryaboutisthesoilinyourraisedbeds,makingcuisinegardeningsuper-efficient.

Ina4’×4’raisedbedyouhave16squarefeetofspacetogrowallkindsofvegetables. If you extend that bed to 4’ × 8’, you’ve doubled the amount of

vegetablesyoucangrow,butyouhaven’tdoubledtheamountoftimeormoneyyou will spend maintaining it.Weeding your garden will take just minutes aweekbecauseyourvegetableswillbeplantedclosetogether,leavinglessroomforweedstogrow.

Althoughbuildingmaterials like concrete blocks or stone are available forbuilding raised garden beds, the best option is wood, since lumber is usuallyreadily available. Although lumber will eventually rot, the advantages of itsrelativelylowpriceandsimpleassemblyfaroutweighthelongevityfactor.

Great raisedbedkits are available commercially, but it’s less expensive tobuildoneyourself, even ifyouhave tobuyall the tools.Trustmewhen I sayyoucanbuildyourownforabouthalf theprice,even ifyouhavenopreviousconstructionexperience.

The best part of gardening by cuisine is that you can enjoy a continuousharvestthroughoutthegrowingseason.Whenyou“stagger-plant”yourgarden,youcanenjoyleafygreensforlunchandfresh,steamedveggiesfordinner.Eachof the 4’ × 4’ garden beds you build and plant can be assigned to a familymember—infact,everyone inyourfamilycangrowhisorherfavoritecuisinegarden.

Gettingyourfamilyto“buyin”isreallyimportanttoyouroverallsuccessingardening.Asaresult, theywillenjoythefoodtheygrowthatmuchmoreandtheywillbemorewillingtohelpoutbecausetheyarepersonallyinvested.

Onceyougetthehangofgardeningbycuisine—say,inyoursecondorthirdseason—you can expand the number of cuisine gardens you plant andexperimentwithnewones.

CHOOSINGTHERIGHTSPOTFORYOURCUISINEGARDENLocate your garden in a sunny spot near your home, preferably close to yourkitchen door. It should receive at least six to eight hours of sunlight per day.Onceyou’vechosenyourspot,measurethearea,drawitoutongraphpaper,andfigureouthowmany4’×4’and/or4’×8’raisedbedsyoucanfitinthearea,leavingatleast18inchesbetweenthebeds.Stickingwithmeasurementsthatareamultipleof4 feetwilleliminatewasting lumberandsaveyoumoney.Whenyoubuywoodatabuilding-materialsupplycenter,thestandardlengthis8feet,

whichhelps.Usingraisedbedsthatarethesamesizewillstandardizeandstreamlineyour

garden; the beds literally become the design building blocks you will planaround. The accessories you create, like hoop houses, planting grids, andtrellises,willfitallthebedsandbeinterchangeablebetweenthem.

PREPARINGTHESOILTo prepare the area for your raised beds, first remove any debris and pull upanythingthatmaybegrowingthere.Laydownatleasta2-inch-thicklayerof¾-inchgravel.Ifyoulike,beforeyoulaydownthegravel,youcanfirstlaydownathick layer of newspaper as an additional weed block under the gravel. Thisnewspaper layer isn’t necessary, but the gravel is. The gravel provides properdrainage,killsmostgrassorweeds,andmakesiteasytolevelthearea.Properdrainage also keeps the raised bed intact much longer than if it were sittingdirectlyonthesoil.

MAKINGYOURRAISEDBEDS

Peoplebuild raisedgardensoutof all sortsof things, from recycled lumber tooldtires.

I like using simple SPF (spruce, pine, fir) dimensional (building-grade)lumberbecauseitisreadilyavailable.Thethickerthelumberyouuse,thelongeryour raised bedwill last.A raised bedmade of 2-inch-thick dimensional pinelumberwill lastbetweenfiveandsevenyears,which is theaverage timemostpeople live in their homes.When you purchase lumber,most retailers offer afreecuttingservice,whicheliminatesastepandmakesiteasytotransport,eveninacompactcar.

I don’t recommend using recycledwood because you can’t be sure it hasnever been in contact with toxic fluids like paint, oils, or gasoline. Nor do Irecommendusingpressure-treatedlumber,becausearsenicwasusedinthepastto pressure-treatwood.Although it is not legal now to use toxic chemicals toprocesswood intended for residential use, beware of using recycled pressure-treatedwood. Ifyouhave themeans,compositewood isagreatoption,and itlastsalifetime.

Thesearethebasicbuildingandgardeningtoolsyou'llneed:•Smallelectrichanddrillandscrewbits•Manualscrewdriverwithinterchangeablebits•Hammer•Rubbermallet•Metalclippers•Smallhandsaw•Pliers•Shovel•Diggingfork•Handtrowel

BUILDINGA4'×8'FRAMEFORARAISEDBEDThis chart shows everythingyou’ll need to build a 4' × 8' raisedbed for yourcuisinegarden:

ITEM DESCRIPTION AVERAGEPRICE

Hardwarecloth* One4'×8'pieceof19-gaugewireclothwitha½mesh

$68.00

wireclothwitha½mesh

Deckscrews 1-lb.boxof3½”rust-proofscrews

$9.37

Dimensionallumber 3lengthsof2”×10”×8'wood(spruce,pine,fir,orcedar)

$23.34

Galvanizedmetalscrewandwasherset

Twelve2”-long,¼”screws,andtwelve1”washers

$10.00

*You’ll have to buy a 25' roll of hardware cloth.You’ll use thewhole roll tomakethree4'×8'raisedgardenbedsorsix4'×4'beds.Withanyleftoverclothyoucaneasilymakeacompostbin(seeinstructionsonHowtoMakeaSimpleCompostBin).

WHATYOUNEED•Wood,screws,washers,andhardwarecloth

•Electricscrewgunwitha¼-in.by2-in.drillbitandascrewdriverset•Safetygoggles

•Gloves

•Metalsnips

FinishedMeasurements•4ft.×8¼ft.×9½in.

1.Cutoneofthe8-footlengthsoflumberintotwo4-foot-longpieces.

2.Measure¾ inches fromtheendofeachof the two4-footpiecesof lumber,anddrawaverticallineonthewoodwithapencil.Thisiswhereyouwillpre-drillholesinordertoassemblethefoursidesoftheframe.

3.Next,markwhereyouwillpre-drillthe3holesalongthelineyou’vedrawn.Drawonedot1inchfromthetopoftheline,onedotinthemiddle,andonedot1inchfromthebottomoftheline.

4.Usinga¼-inchdrillbit,pre-drillthreeholeswhereyou’vemarkedthem.

5.Assembleaboxfromthelumberwiththedeckscrews.Lineupthepre-drilledholesonthe4-footpiecesoflumberwiththeendsofthe8-footpiecesoflumber,andattachthepiecesusingthe4-inchdeckscrews.

ATTACHINGHARDWARECLOTH1. This stepmight be overkill, but I’ve found it helpful to keep animals fromburrowingundertheraisedbedanddestroyingmyplants.

2.Oncethefour-sidedframeofthebedisassembled,rolloutthehardwarecloth,positioningitevenlyacrossthesidesoftheframetocreatethebottomorflooroftheframe.

3.Attachthehardwareclothwiththe2-inchgalvanizedmetalscrewsand2-inchwashers,oneoneachcornerandtwointhemiddleofeachboard,foratotalof12screws.

4.Trimawayanyextrahardwarecloth.

5.Fliptheframeright(open)sideupandplaceitwhereyouwanttogrowyourgarden.

WHATYOUNEED

•Six12in.-longpiecesof2-in.×4-in.wood

•Twelve4-in.deckscrews

FinishedMeasurements

•4ft.×8¼ft.×19in.

ADDINGASECONDTIERTOYOUR4'×8'RAISEDBEDMakingyourraisedbedhigherbyaddingadditionaltiersisagreatwaytomakeitmoreaccessibletoanyonewhoisnotabletobendovereasily.

1.Toaddanothertiertoyourraisedbed,allyouneedtodoisassembleanotherframe(withoutattachinghardwarecloth),asdirectedabove.

2.Positionthelowertieroftheraisedbed(thatis,theframewithhardwareclothattached to the bottom) where you want to grow the garden, then place thesecondtierontopofit.

3. Place one piece of 2-inch × 4-inch wood vertically in each corner andvertically in thecenterofeach8-foot side, flushwith thebottomof the raisedbed.

4.Attachthetopandbottomtiersbyscrewingtwoscrewsintothe2-inch×4-inchpiecesofwoodatanangleinlinewiththetoptierandoneinlinewiththebottomtier.Basically,you’regoingtosecurethetwotiersbyusingthepiecesof2-inch×4-inchwoodasbracesbetweenthetwotiers.Thescrewsneedtogoinatanangleforalonger-lasting,tighterfit.Also,puttingthescrewsinatanangleensuresthattheywon’tgoallthewaythroughthewoodandouttheotherside.

WHATYOUNEED

ForOneTier•11cubicft.oftopsoil

•11cubicft.ofcompost

ForTwoTiers•22cubicft.oftopsoil

•22cubicft.ofcompost

FILLINGYOUR4'×8'RAISEDBEDSWITHSOILTofillasingle-tierraisedbedyou’llneed8inchesofsoil,leavingenoughroomintheframetoadda1-inch-thicklayerofmulch.Altogether,youwillneed22cubicfeetofsoiltofillit8incheshigh.You’llneed44cubicfeetofsoilforatwo-tierbed.

In cuisine gardening, you have a chance to start out with the perfect soilmixture.IaskedmyfriendMarkHighland,asoilscientistandownerofOrganic

MechanicsPottingSoil, tochime inon thebest soilmixture forgrowingyourown food in raised beds. Here’s what he had to say: “When I talk to peopleabout raisedbeds, I recommenda50/50blendof topsoil andcompost. If theydon’thaveaccesstotopsoil(eithernotransportationornofunds),theycertainlycan gowith less topsoil, but I always recommend at least 25 percent topsoil.Why? There is a synergy between sand, silt, clay, and the organic matter incompostthatleadstomorenutrientsandwater-retentivegardens.”

Toachievetheidealsoilmixtureforasingle-tier4’×8’raisedbed,you’llneed11cubic feetof topsoil and11cubic feetof compost.Fill thebeda little at atimewiththetopsoilandcompost,mixingittogetherasyougo.Ifyou’vebuilttwotiershigh,doubletheamountofsoilandcompostto22cubicfeetoftopsoiland22cubicfeetofcompost.

Afterfillingthebedwiththesoilmixture,waterit thoroughly.Nowyou’rereadytoplant.

Ifyouarebuildingabedofdifferentdimensionsandwant tocalculate thecubicfeetofsoilyouwillneed,multiplythelengthinfeettimesthewidthinfeettimestheheightinfeetofyourraisedbed(makesureallofthesemeasurementsare in feet).Becauseof the thicknessof theboardsand theextra inchorsoofmulchat the topof thebed, the formulawillyield slightlymoresoil thanyouneed.

WHATYOUNEED

•3woodlaths1in.×¼in.×8ft.

•7woodlaths1in.×¼in.×45in.

•Electricdrillanddrillbitset

•24screwsandwingnuts

•Handsaworelectricsaw

•2clamps

•Pencil

•Measuringtape

FinishedMeasurements•Ontheinside,most4'×8'raisedbedsmeasure8ft.longand45in.wide.

•Ontheinside,most4'×8'raisedbedsmeasure8ft.longand45in.wide.

MAKINGANEASYPLANTINGGRIDFORA4'×8'RAISEDBEDConstructed from long, thin pieces of wood, a planting grid helps you spaceplants correctly in your raised beds so that you can maximize their growingspace.Istronglysuggestyoumakeagridforeachofyourcuisinegardens—oryoucansimplymakeonegridandmoveitfrombedtobedasyouplanteachofthem.Aplantinggridshouldfitinsidearaisedbedandrestonthesoil.

Plantinggridsareeasytomakeusinglathsthatareabout1inchwide,¼inchthick, and 8 feet long.Make sure you measure the inside of your raised bedbefore you make a cut, and adjust the measurements provided belowaccordingly.

1.Clampthethree8-footwoodlathstogether,makingsuretheyareflush.

2.Usingameasuringtapeandapencil,markthewoodat1-footintervals.Thereshouldbesevenmarksonthewood.

3.Witha -inchdrillbit,drillaholethrougheachofthepencilmarksonthethreewoodlaths.

4.Clampthreeoftheshorter(45-inch)lathstogether,makingsuretheyareflushtoeachother.Measureandmarkthetoppieceofwoodinthecenter,22½inchesfromtheend.Thenmeasureandmarkthetoppiece1foottotherightandleftofthecentermark.

5.Drill holes through the clamped pieces at each of the pencilmarks. Clamptogethertheremainingfourshorterlathsandrepeatthemeasuring,markinganddrillingprocess.

6.Lay the long lathson thegroundabout12 inchesapart, then lay theshorterpiecesoflathacrossthemat1-footintervals,liningupthedrillholes.

7.Placescrewsinthedrillholesandsecurethelathswithwingnuts.Tightenthewingnutsjustenoughforthelathstoslideandcollapseeasily.Placethegridontopofthesoilintheraisedbed.Becausetheseplantinggridsareattachedwithscrews andwing nuts, they are easily collapsed and take up little spacewhenstored.

MAKINGAHOOPHOUSEFORA4'×8'BEDAhoop house creates amicroclimate around your plants, keeping themwarmandmoist and growing. In the early, cooler days of spring, a hoop house canhelpjump-startyourgardenandextendthegrowingseasonintothewinter,evenaftertheaveragefirstfallfrost.Inhotclimates,secureashadeclothtothehoophousetogiveplantsextraprotectionfromthesun.

WHATYOUNEED

•One8-ft.lengthof½-in.PVCpipe

•Five6-ft.lengthsof½-in.PVCpipe

•Drilland¼-in.×1½-in.drillbit

•¼-in.×1½-in.screwsand¼-in.wingnuts

•Handsaw

•9-ft.×12-ft.pieceof3-mil-thickplasticsheeting

1.Drillaholethroughthemiddleofeach6-footpieceofPVCpipe.

2.Drilla¼-inchhole,1inchfromeachendofthe8-footpieceofpipe.Drillaholeinthemiddleofthepipe(at4feet),anddrillanotherhole2feetfromthecenterholeoneithersideofthepipe.

3.Now attach one shorter piece of pipe at every hole along the long piece ofpipe,usingthescrewsandwingnuts.ThelongpieceofPVCpipewillformthecenterridgeofthehoophouse;itshouldrestontopoftheshorterpiecesofpipe.

4.GentlybendtheshorterpiecesofPVCpipeandstickthemintothesoilontheinsideoftheraisedbed.

5.Covertheframeyou’vejustbuiltwiththickplasticsheetingandsecureit totheframe.

BUILDINGA4'×4'FRAMEFORARAISEDBEDYoucanbuilda4’×4’raisedbedinlessthantwohoursforabout$50.Here'severythingyou'llneedandwhatitwillcost.

WHATYOUNEED

WHATYOUNEED

•Electricscrewgunwithdrillbitandscrewdriverset

•Safetygoggles

•Gloves

•Metalsnips

FinishedMeasurements•4ft.×4¼ft.×9½in.

ITEM DESCRIPTION AVERAGEPRICE

Hardwarecloth* One4'×4'pieceof19-gaugewireclothwitha½”mesh

$18.00

Deckscrews 1-lb.boxof3½”-long,rust-proofscrews

$9.37

Dimensionallumber 4lengthsof2”×10”×4'wood(spruce,pine,fir,orcedar)

$15.56

Screwandwasherset Eight2”-longscrews $10.00

*Youmayhavetobuya25-footrollofhardwarecloth.You’llusethewholerolltomake three4'×8' raisedgardenbedsor six4'×4'beds.Withany leftovercloth you can easilymake a compost bin (see instructions onHow toMake aSimpleCompostBin).

1.Measure¾inchesfromtheendofeachof two4-footpiecesof lumber,anddrawaverticallineonthewoodwithapencil.Thisiswhereyouwillpre-drillholesinordertoassemblethefoursidesoftheframe.

2.Next,markwhereyouwillpre-drillthe3holesalongthelineyou’vedrawn.Drawonedot1inchfromthetopoftheline,onedotinthemiddle,andonedot

1inchfromthebottomoftheline.

3.Usinga¼-inchdrillbit,pre-drillthethreeholesyoumarked.

4.Assembleaboxfromthelumberwiththedeckscrews.Lineupthepre-drilledholesonthefirst two4-footpiecesoflumberwiththeendsoftheother4-footpiecesoflumber,andattachthepiecesusingthe4-inch-longdeckscrews.

ATTACHINGHARDWARECLOTH1. This stepmight be overkill, but I’ve found it helpful to keep animals fromburrowingundertheraisedbedanddestroyingmyplants.

2.Oncethefour-sidedframeofthebedisassembled,rolloutthehardwarecloth,positioning it evenly across the sides of the frame to create the bottomof theframe.

3.Attachthehardwareclothwiththe2-inchwashersandscrewstoeachcornerofthewoodenbedandtothemiddleofeachboard.

4.Trimawayanyextrahardwarecloth.

5.Flip thebed right (open)sideupandplace itwhereyouwant togrowyourgarden.

ADDINGASECONDTIERTOA4'×4'RAISEDBEDMaking your raised bed higher by adding an additional tier is a greatway tomake itmoreaccessible toanyonewho isnotable tobendovereasily. Ifyouwant a higher raised bed, build another bed—without attaching the hardwarecloth—andfollowthesedirections:

WHATYOUNEED•Four12-in.-longpiecesof2-in.×4-in.wood

•8deckscrews

FinishedMeasurements•4ft.×4¼ft.×19in.

1.Toaddanothertiertoyourraisedbed,allyouneedtodoisassembleanotherframe(withoutattachinghardwarecloth).

2.Positionthelowertieroftheraisedbed(thatis,theframewithhardwareclothattached to the bottom) where you want to grow the garden, then place thesecondtierontopofit.

3. Place one piece of 2-inch × 4-inch wood vertically in each corner andvertically in thecenterofeach8-foot side, flushwith thebottomof the raisedbed.

4.Attachthetopandbottomtiersbyscrewingtwoscrewsintothe2-inch×4-inchpiecesofwoodatanangleinlinewiththetoptierandoneinlinewiththebottomtier.Basically,you’regoingtosecurethetwotiesbyusingthe2-inch×4-inchpiecesofwoodasbracesbetweenthetwotiers.Thescrewsneedtogoinatanangleforalonger-lasting,tighterfit.Also,puttingthescrewsinatanangleensuresthattheywon’tgoallthewaythroughthewoodandouttheotherside.

FILLINGYOUR4'×4'RAISEDBEDSWITHSOIL

FILLINGYOUR4'×4'RAISEDBEDSWITHSOILTofillasingle-tierraisedbedyou’llneed8inchesofsoil,leavingenoughroomintheframetoadda1-inch-thicklayerofmulch.Altogether,youwillneed10cubicfeetof topsoilandcompost tofill it8 incheshigh.You’llneed20cubicfeetoftopsoilandcompostforatwo-tierbed.

WHATYOUNEED

ForOneTier•5cubicft.oftopsoil

•5cubicft.ofcompost

ForTwoTier•5cubicft.oftopsoil

•5cubicft.ofcompost

Formoreonthecompositionofthesoilmixtureandhowtocalculatecubicfeetforraisedbedsofdifferentdimensions,seethesection“FillingYour4'×8'RaisedBedwithSoil”

MAKINGAPLANTINGGRIDFOR4'×4'RAISEDBED

WHATYOUNEED

•6piecesofwoodlath1in.×¼in.×48in.

•Electricdrillanddrillbitset

•Screwsandwingnuts

•Handsaworelectricsaw

•Clamps

•Pencil

•Measuringtape

FinishedMeasurements•Theinsidemeasurementofa4'×4'raisedbedis48in.longby45in.wide.onp.57.

1.Seetheopeningparagraphsof“MakinganEasyPlantingGrid…”

2.Clampthethree48-inchpiecesofwoodtogether,makingsuretheyareflush.

3.Usingthemeasuringtapeandpencil,markthewoodat1-footintervals.Thereshouldbethreemarksonthewood.

4.Witha -inchdrillbit,drillaholethroughthethreepiecesofwoodatevery1-footmark.

5. Clamp three of the shorter (45-inch) pieces ofwood together,making suretheyareflush,andplaceamarkcenteredonthewoodat22½inches.Thenmark1footfromthecenteroneitherside.

6.Drillholesthroughthepiecesofwoodatthemarks.

7.Laythreeofthepiecesofwoodonthegroundabout9inchesapart,thenlaytheshorterpiecesacrossthemat1-footintervals,liningupthedrillholes.

8. Place the screws in the drill holes and secure the lathswith thewing nuts.Tightenthewingnuts.Becausetheseplantinggridsareattachedwithscrewsandwingnuts,thegridcanbeeasilycollapsedandtakeuplittlespacewhenstored.

9.Whenyouarereadytoplant,placethegridontopofthesoilinaraisedbed.

MAKINGAHOOPHOUSEFORA4'×4'RAISEDBED

WHATYOUNEED

•Two6-ft.lengthsof½-in.PVCtubing

•Drillanddrillbit

•Screwsandwingnuts

•Handsaw

•9-ft.×12-ft.pieceof3-mil-thickplasticsheetingcutdownto9ft.×9ft.

1.See“MakingaHoopHouse…”

2.DrillaholethroughthemiddleofeachpieceofPVCtubing.

3.Connectthetwopieceswithascrewandwingnut.

4.GentlybendthePVCasyouinsertthefourendsofthetubingintothesoilontheinsideoftheraisedbed.

5.Coverthehoopframewithplasticsheetingandsecureittothetubing.

BUILDINGATRELLISA trellis is a structure that supports climbing plants such as cucumbers andmelons, or plants that need support as they grow and produce fruit (such astomatoes). The trellises I make out of scrap wood and welded wire for mygarden can also be used to espalier fruit trees, a technique that keeps themsupported,compact,andproductive.

WHATYOUNEED

•Two2-in.×2-in.×8-ft.stripsofwood

•One4-ft.×25-ft.rollof14-gaugeweldedwire,2-in.×4-in.mesh

•Six¼-in.×3-in.galvanizedscrewsand1-in.-widewashers

•Six¼-in.×3-in.galvanizedscrews

1.Cutthemeshsothatit’s4feetwideand6feettall.

2.Usingthewashersandscrews,attachthemeshflushwiththeendofthestripsofwood,leaving2feetofwoodalongthebottom.

3.Screwthetrellistotheoutsideoftheraisedbedwithatleastthreegalvanized

screwsperstripofwood.

BUILDINGAWINDOWBOXThis is an easyproject tomakeoutofwood, and it canbe assembledusing afinishnailer,atypeofnailgunthatispoweredbyanaircompressororabatteryand a gas cartridge. You can purchase or rent a finish nailer from your localhardwarestore.

WHATYOUNEED

•Threepiecesof4-ft.×1-in.×8-in.pine

•Twopiecesof9½-in.×1-in.×8-in.pine

•Finishnailerandfinishnails

•Drilland¼-in.drillbit

•4to6deckscrews

•4to6masonryscrews(ifyourhomehasbrickouterwalls)

•One4-ft.pieceof2in.×4in.wood

FinishedMeasurements•49½in.×9½in.×8in.

SoilMixture•¾cu.ft.oftopsoiland¾cu.ft.ofcompostforatotalof1½cu.ft.

You can use thiswindowbox to plant a container version ofmany of thecuisinegardensinPartII.

1.Drilleight¼-inchholesinthemiddleofoneofthe4-foot×1-inch×8-inchpiecesofwoodfordrainage.Thiswillbethebottompieceofthewindowbox.

2.Laythebottompieceflatonaworksurface.

3. Line up the other two 4-foot pieces of wood (the front boards and backboards)flushwiththeoutsideedgeofthebottompiece(notontopofthewood).Attach thewoodwith the finishnailer along theoutside edgeof the front andbackpiecessothatthey’resecure.Thenattachthesmallersidepiecesbylayingthemflushwiththebottompiecesofwoodandthefrontandbackpieces.Securethemwiththefinishnailer.

4.Attach a 4-foot piece of 2-inch× 4-inchwood, centered under thewindowwhere you want to put the window box, using decking screws (for woodenwalls)ormasonryscrews(forbrickwalls).

5.Centerthewindowboxflushtothepieceof2-inch×4-inchwoodunderyourwindow,anduseatleast4deckscrewstoattachittothewallthroughthebackboardof thewindowboxand the2-inch×4-inchpieceyou’vefastened to thewallofthehouse.

6.Nowpreparethewindowboxforplantingbyfillingthebottominchwith¾-inchgravel.

7.Addaninchoforganicpottingsoil.

8.Waterthetransplantswellandspaceeachplant,evenlyinthewindowbox.

9.Addsoilaroundtheplantsandfillthewindowboxwithsoil,leaving1inchofspacefromthetopofthewindowbox.

10.Adda1-inchlayerofmulchontopofthesoilandagainwaterthoroughly.

CUISINEGARDENSIGNS&PLANTMARKERSUntil you can identify all of the plants in your garden by sight, you’ll needgardenandplantsigns—thefinishingtouchtoyourgarden.Youcanmakethesehandy signs from scraps ofwood; if you’d like a cleaner look, purchase newwood from your local lumberyard or building supply store. For amore rusticlook,tryusingreclaimedwood.

WHATYOUNEED

•One5-in.×18-in.pieceofwoodofanythicknessyoulike

•SharpiePermanentMarker(forthinnerlinesandlessbleedingchooseultra-finepoint)•Pencil

•Ruler

•Four3-in.screwsforeachsign

MakingGardenSigns1.First,makeadrawingordesignorwritewordsinpencilonthewood.Usearulerorastenciltoguideyou,ifneedbe.

2.Traceyourdrawing,design,orwordswithamarker.Tokeepthemarkerfrombleedingintothewood,donotapplyalotofpressure.

3.Usethescrewstoattachthesigntothesideofyourraisedbed.

WHATYOUNEED

•14-in.-longwoodenshims

•SharpiePermanentMarker(forthinnerlinesandlessbleedingchooseultra-finepoint)•Pencil

•Ruler

MakingPlantMarkers1.Makeadrawingordesignorwritewordsinpencilonthewood.Ifyouneedit,usearulertoguideyou.Beascreativeasyoulike.Iffreehanddrawingisnotyourthing,useastencil.

2.Traceyourdrawing, design, orwordswith themarker.Tokeep themarkerfrombleedingintothewood,donotapplyalotofpressure.

3.Sticktheplantmarkerinthesoilnexttotheplantinyourgarden.

PartII

CUISINEGARDENPLANS

Nowthatyou’vebuiltyourraisedbedsandlearnedthebasicsofvegetablegardening,it’stimefortherealfun—gardeningbycuisine.Growingyourownhealthy,organicfoodisaboutto

becomeareality.You’llsoonbeafull-fledgedgardengourmet!

CHAPTERFIVE

HERBPESTOGARDEN

An essential part of cooking delicious food from your garden is the taste offreshherbs,andluckyforus,theyareeasytogrow.Ifyou’renewtogardeningandhavenoideawheretostart,thisisthecuisinegardenforyou.

Herbs are like culinary magic, capable of being processed into lots ofdifferentpestocombinations,whichyoucanthenaddtopastaanduseinbreadsorwithmeatandfishasflavorings.Althoughtraditionallyassociatedwithbasil,pestocanbemadewithmanydifferentherbs,sodon’tbesurprisednot tofindbasil in thispestogarden. (SeeChapterThirteenformoreonbasilandhowtogrow it.) The herbs in this bed are great formore than just pesto.One ofmyfavoriteusesforfreshherbsistoinfusethemincocktails.Thesedeliciousdrinksareveryrefreshingonawarmsummerafternoon.

Herbscanbefrozenordriedandstoredforuptoayear,tobeusedlaterinmyriadways.Pollinatorsandotherbeneficial insects love their flowers,andascompanion plants, herbs keep aphids and other bad bugs out of your garden.Herbsareveryhardy;oncethey’reestablished,it’shardtokillthem.

USESOFCULINARYHERBS

Herbscanbeused,freshordried,asseasoningforfish,poultry,beef,orvegetables.

Freshherbscanbeaddedtosalads.

Herbpestoscanbemadeandstoredforuseassaladdressingsandonpastas,grains,orvegetables.

Herbscanbeinfusedincocktailsoraddedtowaterasflavorings.

THECULINARYHERBGARDENAlltheculinaryherbsinthisgardenarehardyperennials,soyou’llonlyneedtoplantthemonce.Youcanstartabedforanherbgardenfromseedatanytimeoftheyear,but it’sbest tostartno later thaneightweeksbefore theaveragefirstfallfrostdateinordertogivetheseedstimetogerminatebeforewinter.

Onceyoustartanherbgarden,you’llbeabletodigupsomeplantseveryfallandrepot themtogrowindoorsover thewinteror tosharewithothers.At thepeak of the growing season and beyond, you will be able to harvest savorytidbitseverydayandproducepoundsofherbsforjustpennies.

Herbs are generally tastiest before they flower, but, if you let your plantsflower, they’ll attract beneficial insects that will pollinate the rest of yourveggies’ flowers.Also,onceyou’ve letyourherbs flowerandgo to seed,youcan collect the seeds and plant them next year, or simply do nothing and theplantswillself-sow.

Themoreyouharvestoffthetopsofyourplants,thelongeritwilltakethemto flower—and the longer you’ll be able to enjoy them at the peak of theirperfectionasingredientsinavarietyoffreshandcookeddishes.

Inthischapteryou’lldiscoverhowtogrowandpreserveseveralvarietiesofherbsthatwillprovideyouwithfreshgardenflavorstoenjoynotonlythisyearbutinthemonthstocome.

WhattoPlantIn this garden you’ll plant Chives, Parsley, Mint, Oregano, Sage, Arugula,Thyme,SorrelDifficultylevelEasyZonesAllSunlightPartialshadetofullsunEarliest planting date Four weeks before the average last spring frost dateGardenAdd-ons

Hoop house Protect your plants with a hoop house (seeMAKINGAHOOPHOUSEFORA4'×8'BED)untilaveragenighttimetemperaturesareinthe50s

ifyouliveinzones3–8(seethehardinesszoneschart).

GROWINGCULINARYPERENNIALHERBS

Youcan start yourherbgarden fromseedsor transplants, beginning fourweeks before the average last spring frost date. Sow seeds or transplantherbsaccordingtothegardenplan,andcoverthemwithahoophouseuntilaveragenighttimetemperaturesreach50degrees.

1. If you are startingyour plants from seed, keep the soilmoist until theseedsgerminate,thenallowthesoiltodryoutbetweenwaterings.Oncetheherb plants are 4 inches high, you should water, weed, and then mulchthem.

2. If you’re starting your garden from transplants, plant the herbs,mulchthemrightaway,andcoverthemwithahoophouseuntilaveragenighttimetemperaturesreach50degrees.

3.Ifyouarestartingyourherbgardenwhennighttimetemperaturesareinthe60sorhigher, there’snoneed touseahoophouse.Keepseedsmoistuntil theygerminate, thenwater plants as deeply as needed, allowing thesoiltodrybetweenwaterings.

4.Whensummertemperaturesare90degreesandabove,youwillneedtowateryourplantseverymorning.

GrowingTips•Whensummertemperaturesare90degreesandabove,youwillneedtowatereverymorningandmaybeintheeveningtoo.

• Be careful not to wet the leaves of the plants when watering, to preventdiseases.Be careful not towet the leavesof theherbswhenwatering them to

preventthemfrombeingburnedbythesun.

• Few garden pests or diseases affect culinary herbs. Consequently, aromaticherbsareusedascompanionplantstovegetablesinordertodetergardenpests.Infact,aromaticherbsareusedinmanyorganicinsecticidalsprays.

•Harvestherbsregularlybycuttingoffthetopsoftheplants.Thiswillkeeptheplantgrowingandprevent it from flowering too early.Herbs tastebest beforetheyflower.

•Enrichthesoilinyourgardenbedswithcompostbeforereplanting.

• Use fresh herbs for homemade meals throughout the growing season, orpreserve them by drying or freezing them (see HOW TO DRY HERBS:OREGANO,SAGE).

•Assoonasaveragenighttimetemperaturesfallintothe50s,putahoophouseonyourherbgardentoextendthefallharvest.

Whatisanherb?Asusedbybotanists,thetermherbreferstoanedibleplantthatdiesattheendofthegrowingseasonwithoutdevelopingwoodytissue;theseplantsproduceseedsandcanbeannuals,biennials,or

perennials.

Thewordherbisalsowidelyusedtodescribeaplantorplantpart—flower,leaf,bark,stem,orroot—thatisvaluedforitsmedicinal,savory,or

aromaticproperties.

Herbswerefirstusedincookingasawaytokeepmeatfromspoilingandtocoverupthestrongsmellandflavorofthemeatwhenitbegantogobad.IntheMiddleAges,monkscultivatedherbgardensformedicinaluses.Butthelastingimpactofherbsoncookinghasbeenforseasoningandflavoring

food.ItisastonishinghoweffectivelyadishcanbetransformedfromItaliantoAsianwiththechangeofasingleherb.

WINDOWBOX&RAISED-BEDGARDENPLANS

AWindowBoxGardenForinstructionsonbuildingawindowbox.Togetyourgardenstarted,pickfourherbsthatyouwillusethemostfromtheoptionslistedunder“PlantsYouNeed”andplantthemwiththeappropriatespacing.Chooseseedlingsin4-inchpots.

PLANTSYOUNEED

Chivesseed16per1sq.ft.

Parsleyseed4per1sq.ft.

Mintseedling1per4sq.ft.

Oreganoseedling1per4sq.ft.

Sageseedling1per4sq.ft.

Arugulaseed9per1sq.ft

Thymeseedorseedling1per4sq.ft.

Sorrelseed9per1sq.ft.

HOWTOGROWHERBSINAWINDOWBOX1.Prepareawindowboxforplantingbyfillingthebottominchoftheboxwith¾-inchgravel.

2.Add1inchoforganicpottingsoil.

3.Remove theplants from thepots and space themout evenly in thewindowbox.

4.Looselypacksoilaroundtheplantsandwaterthoroughly.

5.Add a layer ofmulch to the topof the soil and again thoroughlywater theplants.

MAINTENANCETIPS•Watercontainerplantsdaily,ascontainerscandryoutquickly.

•Fertilizeonceaweekwithaliquidfertilizerorcomposttea.

•Addcompost,asamulch,onceamonth.

Raised-BedGardenPlansTheherbsI’veincludedinthesebedsarethego-toherbsformanydishes.Usingfreshhomegrownherbsmakesanymealatreat—andyoujustcan’tgetthesameexplosivetasteorvibrantcolorontheplatefromstore-boughtherbs.

CHIVES

Membersoftheonionfamily,chivesareperennialplantsandveryeasytogrow.You’ll use this herb in your cooking more than you may think. Chives areamongthehardiestofallherbs.

Seedtotable77–80daysSpacingforseeds16persquarefootSpacingfortransplantsOne4-to6-inchpotpersquarefootNativetoEuropeandAsia

Patti’sPicksGarlicChives (Allium tuberosum)Thiscold-hardyvarietyhasa stronggarlicflavor;theediblewhiteflowersarescentedandalsotastelikegarlic.Height9–12inchesInbloomSummer

CommonChives(Alliumschoenoprasum)Usedinmanydishes,thistraditionalvariety(withpurpleflowers)isalsocold-hardyandhasasweetonionflavor.Height12–18inchesInbloomSpring

PARSLEY

This cool-weather, hardy perennial can last well into winter. Parsley’s strongflavorishighlightedwhenit’sfinelychoppedandusedasthefinishingtouchonpastadishesandintaboulehsalad.Seedtotable84–90daysSpacingforseeds4persquarefootSpacing for transplants One 4-to 6-inch pot per square foot Native toMediterranean

Patti’sPickGiantofItalyParsley(Petroselinumcrispumvar.neapolitanum)This is thetastiest, largest, and most prolific of the heirloom parsleys—and it’s easy to

grow.Height18–24inchesInbloomSummer

MINT

Thisperennialherbrelatedtooregano,basil,andsageisveryfast-growingandadapts to different growing conditions.Mint is an invasive herb thatwill takeoveryourbedifitisnotdividedeveryyear.Seedtotable56–70daysSpacingforseedsApinchofseedsinthecenterofa4-square-footplotSpacingfor transplantsOne4-to6-inchcontainerofmintper4 square feetNative toEuropeandAsia

Patti’sPickSpearmint (Mentha spicata) When a recipe calls for mint, it usually meansspearmint.Thisclassicmintvariety isperfect foraslewof recipes, frommeatmarinadestoicecreamtotea.It’susedinTurkishandGreekcuisinesaswellasinIndianandMexicandishes.Height12–18inchesInbloomSummer–fall

OREGANO

Aprolificgrower,thisperennialmemberofthemintfamilyhasastrongflavorandisusedinmanyItalianandMediterraneanrecipes.Ifitisallowedtoflower,oreganoisapopularherbwithbumblebees.Seedtotable56–70daysSpacingforseedsApinchofseedsinthecenterofa4-square-footplotSpacingfor transplants One 4-to 6-inch container per 4 square feet Native toMediterranean

Patti’sPickOregano(Origanumvulgare)ThistraditionalherbflavorsmanyItalianrecipes,including tomatomarinara. It can also be usedmedicinally for its antioxidantandanti-microbialproperties.Oreganohasbeenusedforthousandsofyearsaspalliativeforstomachandrespiratoryailments,andforsorethroat,amongmanyotherailments.Height18–24inchesInbloomSummer–fall

SAGE

Whendriedandpowdered,sageisakeyingredientinpoultryrubsandstuffing,usually for chicken or turkey, and can be used with other birds as well. Amemberofthemintfamily,sagehasbeenusedasaculinaryherbformorethan5,000years.It isthehighest-yieldingherbinyourcontainergardenandaddsa

greattouchtoaflowerbouquet.Seedtotable80–85daysSpacingforseedsApinchofseedsinthecenterofa4-square-footplotSpacingfor transplants One 4-to 6-inch container per 4 square feet Native toMediterranean

Patti’sPickBroadleaforCommonSage(Salviaofficinalis)Inthespring,theleavesofthisplantareagray-green.Height.24–36inchesInbloomSpring–earlysummer

ARUGULA

Arugulaiseasytogrow;ifit’sallowedtogotoseed,itwillself-sowandcomebackyearafteryear.Ilovemakingpesto,greensalads,andpastasaladswiththispeppery-tastingherb.Seedtotable.21–30daysSpacingforseeds.9persquarefootSpacing for transplants One 4-to 6-inch pot per 4 square feet Native toMediterraneanarea,fromMoroccoandPortugaltoTurkeyPatti’sPicks

Wild Rocket (aka Roquette;Eruca vesicaria sativa) A small, spicy varietyusedforseasoning.

SylvettaArugula(Rucolaselvatica)Alarge-leaf,spicyheirloomvarietythat’sperfectforsalads.

Apollo Arugula (Eruca sativa) A large-leaf, spicy Italian heirloom varietythat’salsogreatinsalads.

Height12–18inchesInbloomLatespring

THYME

Abeautiful, tastyherbthatgrowsmuchlikeoregano,thymeisaslow-growingperennial,butit’s themostessentialherbinthegardenforseasoningmeatandpoultry.Seedtotable90–180daysSpacingforseedsApinchofseedsinthecenterofa4-square-footplotSpacingfor transplants One 4-to 6-inch container per 4 square feet Native toMediterraneanregion,andcannowbefoundwhereverthewintersaremild.

Patti’sPickEnglish Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) A common component for bouquet garniandherbesdeProvence,thistraditionalvarietyhasbeenusedformillennia.Itisoftenusedtoflavorlamb,tomatoes,andeggs.Height12–18inchesInbloomMid-spring

SORREL

Theleast-knownherbintheUnitedStates,sorrelisacool-seasonperennialthatiseasytogrowandversatileinthekitchen.Harvestsorrelassoonastheleavesare2incheslong.Caution:Sorrelcanbetoxicifeateninlargequantitiesduetotheoxalicacidcontentandshouldbeusedsparingly.Seedtotable70–80daysSpacingforseeds9persquarefootSpacingfortransplantsOne4-to6-inchpotpersquarefootNativetoEurope

Patti’sPickGarden Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) Traditionally, this perennial herb has beenusedinFrenchandotherEuropeancuisines.Height18–24inchesInbloomLatesummer–earlyfall

PRESERVINGCULINARYHERBSTosaveherbsforlateruse,youcandryorevenfreezethem

HOWTODRYHERBS:OREGANO,SAGE

1.Harvest freshherbs in the lateafternoonandplace them inbunches inbrownpaperbags.

2.Storethebagsinacooldarkplace.

3.Checktheherbsaftertwoweeksandremoveanymoldyherbs.

4.Puttheherbsbackinthebagandstoretheminadarkplacefortwomoreweeksoruntil theyaredry.Youcanalsouse adehydrator (anappliancethat removes moisture from food in order to preserve it) to dry herbsovernight.

5.Withtheleavesonthestem,storeherbsinairtightglassjars.

6.Whenyou’rereadytousethem,pickleavesoffthestemsandcrushtheleavesasneededtoreleasetheflavorsandaromas.

HOWTOFREEZEFRESHHERBS:CHIVES,ARUGULA,PARSLEY,MINT,&SORREL

1.Afterharvestingtheherbs,picktheleavesoffthestems.

2.Placefreshherbleavesinice-cubetrays—asmanyasyoucanfit—thencovertheherbswithhotwaterandputthetraysinthefreezer.

3.Youcanalsomakeanherbpasteusinga foodprocessor.Thenput thepasteintheice-cubetrays,two-thirdsofthewayfull,andfreeze.

4.Once the ice cubes are frozen, put them into freezer-safeZiploc bags.Thenlabelandputthecubesbackintothefreezer;theywillkeepforuptoayear.

5.Whenyouwanttocookwiththeherbs,there’snoneedtodefrostthem.Simplypopthefrozenherbcuberightintothepot.

6. For day-to-day use, cover dried herbs with 1 inch of water in a jar.Tightenthelidandstorethejarinthefridge.

RECIPESFORHERBMIXES

Seasoning&MarinadesMix equal parts ofmincedoregano, parsley, and sage (fresh or dried).Usetheseherbs fresh in saladdressingsandmeatmarinades.Thismix isdelicioussprinkledonhotgarlicbread.

For seasoning beef, combine equal parts of minced parsley, thyme, andoreganowithminced onion, crushed garlic, and enougholive oil tomake apaste,andplacetheingredientsinamixer.Addredwinevinegarandpepper,andmix.Allowthebeeftositinthemarinadeforatleastfourhours.

Tomarinatechicken,useequalpartsofparsley,sage,andthyme,witholiveoilandgarlic.

MintPestoMarinadeMakes2½cups

ThispestoaddsaMediterraneantwist,especiallytolambandbeef.

1 cuppackedmintleaves½ cupflat-leafparsleyleaves½ cupmincedchives2 mediumgarliccloves½ teaspoonfinelygratedlemonzestJuiceofhalfalemonorlime4 tablespoonsextra-virginoliveoilSaltandpeppertotaste

Inafoodprocessor,combinethefirstsixingredientsandpulseuntilchopped.Withtheprocessoronlow,addtheoliveoilinaslowstreamandpulseuntilthepestoispaste-like.Seasonwithsaltandpeppertotaste.Mix.Tossthepestowithgoatcheeseandpastatomakeaheartysalad,oruseitasaseasoningforlamborgrilledburgers.

Six-HerbPestoMakes5cups

With this recipe you can use almost every herb in your garden for a fresh,flavorfulpesto.Witheverybiteyou’lltasteavarietyofdifferentherbs.Makeanextrabatchandfreezeitforasummer-freshdishnextwinter.

1 cupfresharugulaleaves1 cupfreshparsleyleaves½ cupfreshmintleaves¼ cupfreshoreganoleaves¼ cupfreshsageleaves½ cupfinelychoppedfreshchives½ cupcoarselychoppedpinenutsJuiceofhalfalemon¼ cupgratedParmesancheese,moretotaste2 clovesgarlic(ormore,ifdesired),sliced½ cupoliveoilormore

Puttheingredientsintoafoodprocessorandpulsewhileaddingoliveoiluntilthemixturehasapaste-likeconsistency.Thisherbpestocanbemadeaheadoftimeand refrigerated forup to twoweeksor frozen forup tosixmonths. It isdelicious as a salad dressing, a dip for vegetables, or a sandwich spread. ToserveSix-HerbPestowithpasta,use3cupsofpestoperpoundofpastaandstirinahalfcupofboilingpastawater.

SimpleFresh-HerbPestoYieldvaries

Useanyoftheculinaryherbsfromyourgardenforthisrecipe.

Mince garlic and add equal parts fresh herbs, pignoli nuts, and gratedParmesan cheese.Chop inmixer and pulse inolive oil until themixture is aloosepaste,thenaddfreshlygroundsaltandpeppertotaste.

SorrelPestoMakes3cups

Thispestoworksbeautifullyincoldpastasaladsandasamarinadeforfish.

2 cupssorrel½ cupparsley4 clovesorganicgarlic1 cupfreshlygratedParmesancheese½ cuppinenutsorwalnuts½ cupoliveoilSaltandpeppertotaste

Mixtheingredientsinablenderuntilsmooth.

Variation.Forpasta seasoning,addcuppastawater to3cups sorrelpesto foreverypoundofpastaandmixtogetherinabowlwhilethepastaishot.

TaboulehSaladFinelychopandmixequalpartsofparsley,garlicchives,andmint.Addfinelychopped tomato, cucumber, and green onion; cracked bulgur wheat(prepared according to package instructions); and lemon juice, olive oil, salt,and pepper to taste. This Middle Eastern salad is served, on the side, with

falafel,hummus,andpitabread.

HerbButterforBroiledFishMixtogether1stickofsoftenedunsaltedorganicbutter,¼cupfinelychoppedparsley, and¼ cup finelyminced chives. Store themixture in the freezer orrefrigerator.Usehalftheherbbutterasamarinadeonapoundofyourchoiceoffish(haddockworkswell),orslatherthefishwiththemixtureafteritcomesoutofthebroiler.Savealittleherbbuttertoserveontheside.

MiniPizzaswithGoatCheese,HerbPesto,&FreshArugulaMakes6minipizzasThis healthy pizza recipe is perfect for an appetizer—and a great way tointroduce kids to different herb flavors.When you serve up thesemini pizzasyou’llfeellikeagardengourmet!

ForthePizzaDough

3½ cupsself-risingflour1 cupofwheatflour

1½ cupshotwater½ cupvegetableoil

Mixall ingredients andwork intoadough.Dustacounterwith flour.Dividethe dough into six equal pieces. Store the dough in the fridge wrapped incellophaneuntilyouarereadytomakethepizzas.

FortheMiniPizzas

2 cupsfresharugula8 oz.goatcheese1 cupherbpesto

Preheatovento450°F

Dust a counter with flour. Using a rolling pin, roll out each piece of doughthinly(nothickerthan¼inch).Placethedoughonapizzabakingpanandbakeinovenfor5minutestopartiallycook.Removethepizzasfromovenandadd1

tablespoon of herb pesto to the center of each one, spreading out the pestoevenly.Addgoatcheese.Putthepizzasbackintheovenandbakefor5minutesor until crusts are brown.Remove thepizzas from theoven and sprinklewithfreshbabyarugula.Serveimmediately.

GardenMojitoMakes1cocktail

The mojito—a popular Cuban drink that has recently made it up north—is agreatsummercocktailtomakeanyeveningbeforedinner.

10 freshspearmintleavesandasprigofmintforgarnish¼ cupsimplesyrupmadewithorganiccanesugar2 oz.seltzerwater2 oz.whiteBacardirum Juiceofonelime Crushedice

Inacocktailshaker,combine10mintleaveswithsugar-canesyrupandmuddlewithawoodenspoon.Addseltzer,rum,limejuice,ice,andshakefor15to30seconds.

In a chilled tumbler, add a sprigofmint and fillwith ice.Pour in contents ofshaker,enjoy,andmakemore.Whenit’sinseason,addastripofsugarcanetothemojito,andsuckonitafteryou’vefinishedthedrink.Delicious.

OrganicHerb-InfusedIceWaterMakes2cups

Kick the bottled water habit by making your own organic, herb-infused icewater.You’llreduceplasticwaste,savemoney,andbehealthier.Thisisazero-caloriedrink.

Brew2ouncesofyour favoriteherbs in2cupsofhotwater for twominutes.Straintheherbs,andlet thewatercoolforat least tenminutes.Storetheherb-infused water in the fridge in a pitcher or pour it right into a reusable waterbottle.

CHAPTERSIX

ASIANSTIR-FRY&SALADGARDEN

ThegreensinthiscuisinegardencomestraightfromthegardensandwoksofSoutheastAsia,and therecipesare inspiredbyoneofmyfavoritesalads fromthearea—ThaiCabbageSalad.Itmakesallmytastebudstingle,andmydesirefor a crunchy dinner is more than satisfied by this simple, carbohydrate-freedish.

NotonlywillyoubeabletogrowalltheingredientsforThaiCabbageSaladinyourowngarden—youcanalsousethesameingredientstomakegreatstir-fries. Just addmeat,poultry,or seafood to thebasic recipe (seeThaiCabbageSalad)andyoucanmakeadifferentAsianmealeverydayoftheweek.Becausesalad greens grow very quickly, you can begin harvesting amixture ofAsiangreens,includingthemightybokchoy,inaboutamonth.Thefirstcropcanbeplantedinaraisedbedfromseedasearlyasfiveweeksbeforetheaveragelast(spring)frostdate(see“DeterminingFrostDates”).Theminimumamountyou’dspend on purchasing seedlings—or the $18 or so you’d shell out for six seedpackets—is far less thanyou’d spendona singlemeal at aThai restaurantondatenight.

AndifyouhavenoexperiencewithmakingAsianfood,thinkofthisgardenandtherecipesinthischapterasanopportunitytoexpandyourculinaryskills.Don’tworry.Nomatterwhatyoudo,youcan’tmakeabadmealwhenyoustartwithingredientsfreshfromthegarden.Getyourchopsticksready,everybody!

THEASIANGARDENI’mcrammingalotintothisgarden,butyou’llseethatalittlegoesalongway.Many of the traditional Asian plants you’ll be growing are perennials insubtropicalandtropicalclimates,soifyouliveinzones9–10youcankeepthemgrowingoutsideallyear long; ifyou live in zone8youcanprotect them inahoop house when there’s a cold snap. For the rest of us they are a seasonal

pleasure.Afteryou’vegottenthehangofgrowinganAsiangardenandstartedtoenjoythefreshtastesofthiscuisine,you’llneverlookattakeoutthesamewayagain,Ipromise.

PLANTSYOUNEED

AsianGreensseed16per1sq.ft.

BunchingOnionsseed16per1sq.ft.

SnowPeasseedorseedling9per1sq.ft.Cucumbersseedorseedling2per1sq.ft.

AsianEggplantseedling1per2sq.ft.HotPeppersseedling1per2sq.ft.

Basilseed4per1sq.ft.

Lemongrassseedling1per4sq.ft.

Cilantro

seed9per1sq.ft.

WhattoPlantIn this garden you’ll plant Asian greens, Bunching onions, Snow peas,Cucumbers, Hot peppers, Asian eggplants, Culinary herbs (Cilantro, Basil,Lemongrass)DifficultylevelEasyZonesAllSunlightFullsunEarliestplantingdateFiveweeksbefore theaverage last spring frostGardenAdd-onsHoophouseIfyouliveinzones3–8,protectyourgardenwithahoophouse(seeMAKING A HOOP HOUSE FOR A 4' × 8' BED and MAKING A HOOPHOUSEFORA4'×4'RAISEDBED)untilaveragenighttimetempsareinthe50s.TrellisYoucangrowcucumbersverticallytomaximizeyourgrowingspaceandproducesuper-straightcucumbers.

CONTAINER&RAISED-BEDGARDENPLANS

ContainerGardenPlan:18-GallonContainerYoudon’tneedtospendafortuneonalargecontainer.Agalvanized18-gallontubcostinglessthan$20willdo,andyou’llbeabletoharvestfromitweekly.

WHATYOUNEED•One18-gal.galvanizedcontainer

•Gravelorfillerforproperdrainage,enoughfora2-in.layeratthebottomofthecontainer•Organicpottingsoil,about2cu.ft.

•Seedsandplants

PREPARINGTHECONTAINER1.Makeat least20drainageholes in thebottomof thecontainerusinga large(¼-inch)nailandahammer.

2. Fill the bottom of the container with a 2-inch layer of ¾-inch gravel or alightersubstitute.

3.Addorganicpottingsoilupto2inchesfromthetopofthecontainerandwaterthoroughly.

WHENTOPLANT1.Sowseedsaccordingtothediagramstartingfiveweeksbeforetheaveragelastspringfrostdate,andcoverwithaminihoophouseuntilnighttimetemperaturesareinthe60s.

2.Planteggplantorhotpeppersstartingfourweeksaftertheaveragelastspringfrostdate.

MAINTENANCETIPS•Containersdryoutquicklyandneedtobewateredalmostdaily.

•Onceaweek,fertilizethesoilinthecontainerwithliquidfertilizerorcomposttea.

•Onceamonth,addathinlayerofcompost(asmulch).

Raised-BedGardenPlansThisisoneofmyfavoriteraisedbedsbecauseit’sreallyeasytoplantandkeepgoing. In fact, the greens and snow peas you start in the early spring can bereplantedinlatesummerforafallharvest.You’llbeeatingAsianveggiesinnotime!

GROWINGASIANPLANTS&HERBS1.StartyourAsiangardenfromseed.

2. First,water your garden soil thoroughly and put your planting grid inplace.

3.Fiveweeksbeforetheaveragelastspringfrostdate,sowAsiangreens,snowpeas,andbunchingonionsaccordingtotheinstructionsgiveninthesectionsthatfollow.Tracingwithyourfinger,divideeachsquarefootintotheappropriatenumberofsmallersquares.

4.Sowapinchofseedsinthecenterofeachnewsquare.Pressseedsgentlyintothesoilandcoverlightly.

5.Coverwithahoophouseuntilaveragenighttimetemperaturesreach50degrees.Keepthesoilmoistuntiltheseedsgerminate,thenallowthesoiltodryoutbetweenwaterings.

6.Inaboutoneweekyourpeasandgreenswillsproutfirst,andyou’llbeable to eat baby greens and pea shoots about four weeks after planting(dependingonclimateconditions).

7. One week after the average last spring frost date, sow cucumber,cilantro, and basil seeds, and plant eggplant, pepper, and lemongrassseedlings.

8. Ifyou’vealreadyeaten thegreensor anythingelse in thegarden,nowwill be a good time to replant them.Keep sowing greens throughout thegrowingseason.

9.Keepthehoophouseonyourplantsuntilnighttimetemperaturesaveragein the 60s; then remove it. Once you remove the hoop house, attach thetrellis to the end of the bed where the cucumbers and snow peas aregrowing.

10.Weed the garden, and add a 1-inch layer ofmulch.Water regularly,allowingthegardentodrybetweenwaterings.

11. Harvest greens, herbs, and veggies often, and replant at any timethroughoutthegrowingseasonforadditionalharvests.

12.Twoweeksbeforetheaveragefirstfallfrostdate,put thehoophousebackoverthegardentoextendyourharvestintothewinter.AsianGreens

ASIANGREENS

Asian greens are simply amix ofAsianmustards such as earlymazuna (alsoknownasmizuna)andavarietyofbraisinggreenssuchasbokchoy,aswellasmichilicabbage.YoucanbuyapacketofseedsthatcontainsavarietyofAsiangreens, or you can make your own mixture, using seeds from your favoritegreens.Theseedswillstayviableforat least threeorfoursowings,dependingontheclimate.Seedtotable21daysSpacingforseeds16persquarefootSpacingfortransplantsOne4-to6-inchpotpersquarefootNativetoAsia

HEALTHBENEFITS

ThenutrientsinAsiangreenshelppreventcertaincancersandrelievestress.Inaddition, these nutrient-dense super-foods contain loads of vitamins A and E,alongwithmineralssuchaszincandmagnesium.Andthey’reagreatsourceofcalcium.

Patti’sPickSiamese Dragon Mix This is a variety of Asian greens that are mixed andgrown together.BabyAsian greens should be eaten freshwhen the leaves arebetween2and4incheslong.Height:8–24inches

PESTS&DISEASESSlugsandsnails,aswellasaphids,beetles,andcaterpillars,will feastonyourgreensunlessyoucheckyourgardenregularlyandget ridof themrightaway.

Diseases such as leaf spot andmildew can affect your greens too, but if youharvestyourcropsoften,diseaseswon’thaveachancetoaffectthem.

HARVESTINGGREENSYou’llbeabletoharvestnutrient-richAsiangreensasearlyasthreeweeksafterplanting,whentheleavesareatleast2inchestallforsaladsandatleast4inchestall forstir-fries.Takeabowlandapairofscissorsout to thegarden;clip thelargest leavesat thesoil lineandplace themin thebowl.Leavetherestof theplantinthegardensoitcancontinuetogrow.

BUNCHINGONIONS

Bunchingonions(alsoknownasscallionsorgreenonions)growinbunchesanddonotformabulb,so theydon’tneedasmuchroominyourgardenas largeronionvarietiesdo.Bunchingonionsare readyforharvestearly in thegrowingseason,whentheirlong,green-and-whitespearsareaboutthelengthandwidthof a number-2 pencil. This is a perfect time to make Scallion Pancakes withGinger & Lemongrass Dipping Sauce (see callion Pancakes with Ginger &Lemongrass Dipping Sauce for the recipe), a family favorite. Growing thesetypesofonionswillbecomeapersonalmissionwhenyouseehoweasytheyaretogrowandhowgreattheyareontheplate.Seedtotable60daysSpacingforseeds16persquarefootSpacingfortransplantsStartthesefromseed.Bunchingonionsarenotreadilyfoundastransplants.

NativetoAsia

Patti’sPickTokyoLongWhite (Alliumfistulosum)Thesegreenonionsare the realdeal.You’llbeharvestingandaddingthemtomanymeals,evenifthey’renotAsiandishes.Height18–24inches

PESTS&DISEASESSomepests,suchasaphids,andsomediseases,suchaswiltandrot,canstrikeyour bunching onions, but these onions are a quick-growing crop, and if youharvestthemregularly,youshouldn’thaveaproblemwithpestsordiseases.

HARVESTINGBUNCHINGONIONSPulloutasmanyonionsasyouneed, rootsandall.Onceyou’veeatenhalfofyourharvest,sowmoreseeds.Keepsowingintothefall.Theseonionsarecold-hardyevergreenplants,sotheywilllastwellintothewinter,withprotection,andbouncebackinearlyspring,evenifthere’ssnowontheground.

SNOWPEAS

Snowpeasareeasytogrow;they’rehighinvitaminCanddietaryfiberandcanbepreparedinavarietyofways.TrytherecipeforMixedAsianGreens&PeaShootswithSoy-GingerVinaigretteandseehoweasyitistobecomeaconvert

totender,sweetpeashoots.Youcanstartplantingthesecold-hardyveggiesfiveweeksbeforethelastfrostdate.Seedtotableshoots:30days;pods:60daysSpacingforseeds9persquarefootSpacingfortransplants9persquarefootNativetoAsia

Patti’sPickOregonSugarPod(Pisumsativum)Theseareacrispy,cool,anddeliciousrawsnack.Heightofvines24–36inches

PESTS&DISEASESDon’tbehorrifiedifyouseelittleholesintheleavesofyoursnowpeaplants—you’re doing things right and practicing organic gardening. Common gardenpestsmaymovein,butyourplantswillbefineifyoustayvigilantandremoveanypestsandbrown,dead,ordiseasedleaves.

HARVESTINGSNOWPEASBeforesnowpeasstarttoflower,whentheplantsareabout8inchestall,youcanharvestpeashoots—about4inchesfromthetopoftheplants—andaddthemtoasaladorstir-fry.AnytimeI’moutsidetendingtothegarden,Ipopoffafewpeashoots for a delicious snack. In no time, these peas start growing little whiteflowers,whicharealsoedible.Justdon’tpicktoomanyofthembecausethat’swherethesnow-peapodforms.Harvestsnowpeaswhenthepodsarethinandyoung.They’redeliciouseatenrawinsalads.Slightly largerpodsaregreatforstir-frying.Trythemateverystageofgrowthtodiscoverthewayyoulikethemmost.

ASIANEGGPLANTS

I love growingAsian eggplants. They’re hard to find in the supermarket, andtheytastesogoodwhenthey’refreshlypickedandaddedtotheeveningmeal.Infact, this is the only type of eggplantmy husbandwill eat, and that’s a hugeendorsement.

Asian eggplants are compact plants, so they growwell in raised beds andsmallspaces.Ifyoucan’tfindplantsforAsianeggplantatyourgardencenter,feel free to substitute other varieties.Asian eggplants are unique-looking, too.They can be small and round or thin and long, and they come in an amazingarrayofcolors.

Eggplantscanbestartedfromseedrightintheraisedbedinclimatesstartinginzone9(orwarmer).Plant2seedspersquarefoot.Thinouttheseedlingsbyremovingallbutthestrongest,healthiest,andlargestseedlings,leavingabout24inchesbetweenplants. Inwarmclimates,youcankeep theplantsgrowing forseveral years, as long as you care for them andMotherNature cooperates. Inzones8 (orcooler),digup someofyoureggplants in the fall,plant them inacontainer,bringthemindoors,andseehowlongyoucangrowthem.Fromseedtotable70–80daysSpacingfortransplants1plantper2squarefeetNativetoIndia

Patti’sPicksPingTung(Solanummelongenavar.esculentum)Theseeasy-to-grow,sweet,andtendereggplantsaregreatforgrillingandaddanexotictwist.

Ichiban Japanese Eggplant (Solanum melongena var. ichiban) This long,purplevarietyiseasytogrowandisprolific,especiallyinwarmerclimateswithlonggrowingsesons.Ichibanisagoodchoiceforcoolerclimatesaswell.

ThaiGreenEggplant(Solanummelongenavar.esculentum)Thisisthesame

eggplanttypeaspingtung,butthefruitisgreen,ratherthanpurple,andithasamilderflavorwheneatenraw,butit is justasdeliciousaspingtungwhenyoucookit.Height24–32inches

PESTS&DISEASESEggplants suffer from the same diseases as other plants in the night-shadefamily, suchas tomatoes, sobewareof thecommongardenpestsanddiseasesthatafflictthem.

HARVESTINGASIANEGGPLANTSHarvestyoungeggplantswhentheyareabout6incheslong.They’redelicious!Yourplantswill generatemore fruit every timeyouharvest, so don’t let youreggplantsstayonthevineuntiltheyrot.

HOTPEPPERS

Hotpeppersgrowbestinsuper-hotclimates,likeNewMexico’s,wherethere’slittle rain, but you can grow great hot peppers almost anywhere. They can behard tostart fromseed,however.Whenyoubuyahotpepperplant fromyourgarden center, make sure a few peppers—or at least multiple flowers—aregrowingonit.Seedtotable90daysSpacingfortransplants1per2squarefeet

NativetoSoutheastAsia

Patti’sPickThaiHotChiliPepper(Capsicumfrutescens)ThisisthetraditionalhotpepperofThaicuisine.Thethinpeppersonthistropicalplantstickstraightupintheair;theystartoffgreen,thenturnredwhenthey’reripeandblazinghot.HeightUpto2feet

PESTS&DISEASES

Beware of all common vegetable garden pests and diseases. Refer to pagesChapterTwotolearnmoreaboutprotectingyourplants.

HARVESTINGHOTPEPPERSWhenthesepeppersaregreentheyareplentyhot,sofeelfreetopruneasmanyasyouneedwithapairofscissors.Allowsometoturnredforthestrongestheattoemerge.Makesure towashyourhandsafterhandlingthesepeppers,andbeespeciallycarefulnottorubyoureyes.Ouch!Keephotpeppersawayfromkids.

CUCUMBERS

Cucumbers are great in Asian dishes. Their crunch and flavor in my ThaiCucumberSaladrecipeisadelight.Cucumbersareverylowincaloriesandhighinnutrientsandwater.You’regoingorganic,sodon’tworry—it’ssafetoeattheskin,whichisalsohighindietaryfiber.Becausecucumbersgrowonvines,youcanplantthemvertically.Justhelpthemgrowupwardbyprovidingatrellis,and

thetendrilswilldotherest.Seedtotable55–60daysSpacingforseedsandtransplants2persquarefootNativetoMediterraneanandsouthAsia

Patti’sPicksThaiGreenCucumber(Cucumissativus)This6-to8-inchpicklingcucumberisgreateatenyoungandfreshinsalads.

Suyo Long Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) This is a funky, bumpy Japanesecucumber.Whentrainedonatrellis,suyolongsgrowsuperstraightandlong(18inchesor longer),andcanfeeda lotofpeople. I lovepickingandeating themwhentheyarebabies,whenthey’reabout12incheslong,butIalwaysletafewcucumbersgrowaslongastheywanttogrowbeforeIharvestthem.Height6+feet

PESTS&DISEASESCommonpestsanddiseases,suchascucumberbeetleorpowderymildew,canaffect cucumbers. (Refer to GARDEN PESTS &NATURAL & ORGANICREMEDIES formore information aboutpests anddiseases.)Treat yourplantsaccordinglyassoonasyounoticepests,andbevigilantinremovinganydeadoryellowedleaves.

HARVESTINGCUCUMBERSUsingapairofkitchenscissors,clipoff thecucumberat thestem.Undercoldrunningwater,removeanysmallspikesonthecucumberbeforepreparingit.Tosavecucumberseeds,letacouplecucumbersgrowuntilthey’reoverripe.Scoopouttheseedsandrinseoffanyremainingcucumberflesh.Placetheseedsonapaperplateandletthemdryinacooldarkplace.StoretheseedsinapaperbagorZiplocbaggieuntilspring.

BASIL

Formoreinformationaboutbasil.Seedtotable75–80daysSpacingforseeds4persquarefootSpacingfortransplantsOne4-to6-inchpotpersquarefootNativetoIndiaandSouthernAsia

Patti’sPickThai Basil (Ocimum basilicum) This basil is grown the same way as manyother typesof basils, but its distinctive licorice flavor, particularly in rice stir-fries,makes the taste uniquelyAsian. Thai basil leaves are small and narrow,withpurple-huedstemsandanediblepink-purplebloom.Height24–32inchesInbloomSummer

PESTS&DISEASESNoknown pests or diseases affect these aromatic culinary herbs. In fact, theyactuallyhelpkeepgardenpestsaway.

HARVESTINGTHAIBASILBeforetheherbflowers,clipoffthetopleavesanytimeyouwanttousetheminthekitchen—theherbwillcontinuetogrow.

SAVINGTHESEEDSThebloomsonThaibasilplantsaresopretty(aswellassogoodtoeat) thatI

can’tresistlettingsomeofthemflower.Oncetheflowerheadshaveseeds,allowthemtodrybeforeclippingthem.Separatetheseedsandstoretheminaplasticbaggieorpaperbaginacool,darkplaceuntilspring,orusethemtostartafewindoorherbcontainersforthewinter.

LEMONGRASS

Thistropicalplantgrowsrathervigorouslyinthegardenandneedslotsofroomto grow. You’ll need to start your lemongrass plants from a potted plant,purchased from a nursery, or you can start your own by purchasing intactlemongrassstalksfromanAsianspecialtymarket.Justplacethestalksinabout2 inchesofwater ina jaruntil the rootsareat least2 inches long; this shouldtake about two weeks. Then plant the lemongrass in the garden and water itthoroughly.Lemongrassalsogrowswellincontainers.Makesuretokeepitwellwatered.

Once the plants are established, you’ll be able to harvest lemongrassregularly.IfindthatIconsistentlyharvestlemongrassforteas(hotandiced),aswellassoups,sauces,salads,andstir-fries.You’llwanttousethisherbeveninthewinter for itsmedicinalproperties,whichhelp relievecoldsymptoms. Justdigitoutofyourraisedbedinthefall,replantitinapot,andcontinuetogrowlemongrassinside.Spacing for transplants One 4-to 6-inch pot per 4 square foot Native toSoutheastAsia

Patti’sPickLemongrass (Cymbopogon citrates). This variety of lemongrass is commonlyfoundintheUnitedStates,andyoucanstartyourout-doorplantsfromacutting,

purchased locally, or fromseed inorder to start growingplants indoors in thewinter.Intropicalclimatesyoucanplantthisvarietyonceanditwillcontinuetogrowforseveralyears.Height4–6feet;width:3feetInbloomFall

HARVESTINGLEMONGRASSThebesttimetoharvestlemongrassisrightbeforeyouwanttouseit.Toharvestlemongrass,digaroundthebaseoftheplantandsnaporcutoffanentirestalk,eachofwhichconsistsofmultiplebladesofgrass.Lettheplantcontinuetogrowsothatyoucanharvestmorestalksoflemongrassevery3or4months.Usethebottompartofthestalkinrecipesthatcallforlemongrassandtheentirestalkforbrewingtea(onestalkforeverycupyouwanttomake).

CILANTRO

Cilantro, also known as coriander, is a warm-season culinary herb that isessentialtoAsiancuisine,amongmanyothers.Notonlyaretheleavesusedfortheirintense,unmistakableflavor,buttheseedsspicethingsuptoo.TrycilantroinmyrecipeforrefreshingThaiCucumberSalad.You’llalsofindthatcilantroisreallyeasytostartfromseed.

Here’san interestingfact: I’vemetafewpeoplewhowillnoteatanythingmade with cilantro—something I could never understand until I learned thatsomepeoplearegeneticallypredisposedtonotlikecilantroandarerepulsedbythetaste.Seedtotable55days

Spacingforseeds9persquarefootSpacing for transplants One 4-to 6-inch pot per square foot Native toMediterraneanandSouthernAsia

Patti’sPickCilantro (Coriandrum sativum). The strong-flavored leaves of this classiccilantroareusedinAsian,Mexican,andMiddleEasterncuisine.Savetheseedsfornextyear,orusethemasaspiceinthekitchen.Height18–24inches

RECIPESFORANASIANSTIR-FRY&SALADGARDENI’ve putmy own garden-fresh twists on some traditionalAsian recipes in thischapter.You’llneedafewsimplekitchen toolsand ingredientsbeforeyougetstartedontheselightandhealthytreats.Forstir-fries,you’llwanttouseawok;forsteamingrice,abamboosteamerwilldothejob.You’llalsowanttostockupon low-sodiumsoy sauce,mirin (akindof ricewine), sesame-seedoil, grape-seedoil,andastashoffreshgingerroot.Let’sgetstarted.

ThaiEggplantwithChiliPepper&ThaiBasilServesfour

Ifyoulikespicyfood,youwilllovethisdish—andit’sagreatwaytoshowoffbothyourgardeningskillsandyourculinarychops.

1 tbsp.sesameoil2 Thaihotpeppers3 clovesgarlic,minced3 Thaieggplants(amixofgreenandpurpleeggplants),skinon,sliced

into2-in.irregularpieces1 cupwater2 tbsp.fishsauce(substitutelow-sodiumsoysauceforvegetarian

option)1 tbsp.sugar1 cupThaibasilleaves

1 cupThaibasilleaves3 cupsthinlyslicedAsiangreens

Heat a wok on high and add sesame oil, seeded and sliced hot peppers, andmincedgarlic.Stir.Addeggplantpiecesandstir.Addwater,stir,covertightly,and cook eggplant for about 5 minutes on medium heat. When water hasevaporated,stirinfishsauceandsugar.Turnoffheat.TossThaibasilleavesandAsiangreenswiththeeggplant.Servewithbrownricewhilehot.

MixedAsianGreens&PeaShootswithSoy-GingerVinaigretteServesfourThis is another recipe that delivers big flavors with very little effort orequipment.All you need is a large bowl for the greens and a jar inwhich tomakeandstorethevinaigrette.

FortheSoy-GingerVinaigrette

½ cupgrape-seedoil2 tbsp.sesameoil3 tbsp.mirin2 tbsp.low-sodiumsoysauce1 tsp.gratedfreshginger

3-5 bunchingonions,finelychopped1 tbsp.finelychoppedcilantro

Mix ingredients in a jar, cover, and store in the fridge until you need thevinaigrette.

FortheSalad

3 cupsmixedAsiangreens2 cupsfreshpeashoots Soy-GingerVinaigrette

Combinegreensandpeashootsinalargebowl.Rightbeforeserving,tosswiththe vinaigrette, one tablespoon at a time, to coat the greens to taste. Plateimmediatelyandserve.

ThaiCucumberSalad

Servesfour

This is an excellent salad to share at summer barbecues.Make plenty of thedressingandstoreitinthefridge.Justsliceupthecukesforaquicksaladtogoalongwithdinner.

FISHSAUCE(NAMPLA)

OneofthebasicingredientsofThaicooking,fishsauceisusedasacondimentaswellasamarinadeformeatandfish.

Fishsauceismadefromamixtureoffermentedrawfishandseasalt.

Itcanbepurchasedatmostsupermarketsandspecialtygrocerystores.Vegetarianscansubstitutelow-sodiumsoysauceforfishsauceinmost

recipes.

FortheDressing

1 Thaihotpepper,seededandminced Juiceof1lime4 clovesgarlic,minced3 tbsp.soysauce4 tbsp.fishsauce2 tsp.organicsugar1 tbsp.lemongrass,minced

FortheSalad

2 youngThaigreencucumbersor1youngsuyolongcucumber(makesureseedsarenotfullyformed)

2 greenonions,thinlysliced1 cupcoarselychoppedcilantroleaves

Makethedressingbycombiningalltheingredientsinabowlwithawhiskorsmall fork; then place in the fridge.Using amandolin or kitchen knife, cut a

cucumberintothinstrips(don’tpeelit).Putthestripsinabowl,addtheonionsandcilantro,andmix.Storeinfridgeuntilyou’rereadytoserve.Beforeserving,tosshalfthedressingwiththecucumber.Addmoretotaste.

ScallionPancakeswithGinger&LemongrassDippingSauceServesfour(butI’vebeenknowntoeatawholebatchmyself)Thisdelicious,light,crunchysidedishismessy,butonceyou’vetriedit,you’llneveragainwanttoorderitatarestaurant.FortheGinger&LemongrassDippingSauce

1 tbsp.gratedfreshginger1 scallionstalk,finelychopped1 lemongrassstalk,thinlysliced1 tbsp.low-sodiumsoysauce2 tbsp.sesameoil1 tbsp.ricewinevinegar1 tbsp.sugar1 smallredchili,seededandminced1 tsp.sesameseeds

Placeingredientsinajar,cover,andshake(tomix).

ForthePancakes

2 cupswhiteflour2 cupswater1 cupcoarselychoppedbunchingonions(scallions),marinatedingrape-

seedoil1 cupgrape-seedoil

Makethedoughbymixing the flourandwater inabowl.Coverbowlwithacleandishclothandletitsitonacounterfor30minutes.Workthedoughonafloured surface and break it up into 4–6 equal pieces. Clean the surface, thendrizzlegrape-seedoilonit.Rollouteachpieceofdoughintoathinpancakeandsprinklewithmarinated scallions.Roll eachpancake intoa snakeand shape itlikeasnail’sshell.Wrapeachofthesnail-shapedpiecesinplasticwrapandletthem sit on thekitchen counter for another half hour.Remove eachpiece androll it out on an oiled surface until it’s about 6 inches in diameter. Fry the

pancakesinapanwithgrape-seedoiluntilbothsidesaregoldenbrown.ServeimmediatelywithGinger&LemongrassDippingSauce.

Cucumber&EggplantKimchiMakes10ormoregenerousservings

Ican’thelpsharingthishealthyKoreandishwithyou.Preparationmethodsvaryfromregion toregion inKorea,but thisrecipewillmakeyouafan.Kimchi isthemostpopularfoodeateninKorea,whereanaverageof40poundsperpersonis consumed every winter. And it’s a great way to extend and preserve yourharvest.

Typically kimchi is prepared with fermented Asian cabbage, but you canmake it with cucumbers or eggplants, too. Kimchi is so good for you,particularlyforyourdigestion,becauseofallthegoodbacteriathatareproducedduringthefermentationprocess;theyhelppromotethegrowthofhealthyfloraintheintestines,muchasyogurtandotherprobioticsdo.Youcanservekimchiasasidedishoruseitasfillinginarice-paperwrapforauniqueandhealthyspringroll.

3 Thaicucumbersor1suyolongcucumber3 Thaigreeneggplantsor3Ichibaneggplants,sliced2 cupscabbage(optional)2 tbsp.salt2 tbsp.mincedgarlic1 cupcoarselychoppedbunchingonions1 cupgarlicchives,coarselychoppedinto2-in.pieces(optional)2 tbsp.honeyorsugar½ cupKoreanredchilipowder

Slicethecucumbersandeggplants,leavingtheskinon(remember,it’shealthyfor you). In a large bowl, add the cabbage (if using) to the cucumber andeggplant slices.Sprinklewith salt and toss.Cover thebowl and let it sit for1hour.Add thegarlic,bunchingonions,garlicchives,honeyor sugar, andchilipowder.Wearingkitchengloves,tosstheveggiestocoatthemwell.Spoonthemixtureintoaglassjarandcover.(Setsomeasideforimmediateconsumption,if you like.) Store in a cool, dark place for one or two days to let the kimchiferment.Whenyouseefroth-likebubblesontopofthemixture,thefermentation

processhastakenplace.Popthekimchiintothefridgeforuptothreeweeksandeatup!

ThaiCabbageSalad

Servesfour

ThisrefreshingrecipeputsaspicyAsiantwistonyouraveragesalad.Theflavorisfantastic,andtherolledupcabbageleavesgiveitafunandheartytexture.

FortheThaiVinaigrette

1 tbsp.limejuice1 tbsp.ricewinevinegar1 tbsp.sesameoil1 tbsp.mirin1 tbsp.fishsauce1 Thaihotpepper Salt(totaste)1 tsp.sugar

1 tsp.sugar

Mixlimejuice,ricewinevinegar,sesameoil,mirin,fishsauce,Thaihotpepper,salt,andsugarintoasmallbowl.Stir,thensetaside.

FortheThaiCabbageSalad

1 Chinesecabbage(4-6leaves) MixedAsiangreens Cilantro(totaste) Sliceddark-purpleopalbasil(totaste)¼ cupshreddedcarrots1 thicklyslicedredbellpepper¼ cupthicklyslicedredonions1 sprigchoppedmint

Cut the stems from the Chinese cabbage leaves. Stack three cabbage leaves,thenrolluptheleaves,startingattheroundededge.Slicetherolledleavesinto⅛-inchto¼-inchsections.Placeinsaladbowl,andmixinotherchoppedgreensand vegetables. Add vinaigrette, toss, and it’s ready to serve. If desired, addcrushedpeanutsforextraflavor.

AsianStir-FryServestwo

Stir-fryisaquickandeasywaytogetallofyourfoodgroupsononeplate.Plus,there’salotofroomforcreativity,sotrysomenewmarinadesordifferentmeatstochangethingsup.

AsianBBQmarinade(availableatsupermarketsandspecialtyfoodshops)

2 lbs.beef,cutinto1-to2-in.cubes5 clovesorganicgarlic(ortotaste),peeled

2-3 shallots,peeled1 tbsp.sesameseedoil MixedAsiangreens

ChooseaspicyAsianmarinadeandletthebeefcubessitinitovernight.Placea

wokonthestoveovermediumtohighheat.Coarselychopgarlicandshallots.When ready, add a splash of oil to thewok, then add shallots and garlic. Stiruntilthegarlicbeginstobrown,thenaddthemarinatedbeef.Whilethebeefiscooking, chop Asian greens to a normal size for salads. Stir the beefoccasionally;onceitiscookedtoyourliking,addtheAsiangreens.Placethemontop,thenfoldtheminwiththerestofingredients.Afterthegreenshavehadaminutetocook,removefromthewok,andservealoneoroverriceifdesired.

Cucumber&LemongrassIceWaterMakes4–6cups

Allyouneed for this simpleand refreshingbeverage is aglasspitcher, a longwoodenspoon,andapotforboilingwater.

1 cupcoarselychoppedlemongrass1 cucumber Water Ice

Washandslicethecucumberinto¼-inchrounds.Placethechoppedlemongrassinapotofwaterandallowittoboilfor2minutes.Removefromheatandcool.Placeiceandfreshcucumberslicesinapitcher,thenaddlemongrassandwater,and stirwith awooden spoon.To serve, fill a glasswith ice, add a cucumbersliceortwo,andcoverwithlemongrass-infusedwater.Garnishwithabladeoflemongrass,andenjoy.

CHAPTERSEVEN

SHAKERMEDICINALHERBGARDEN

TheAmericanShakers, a religious sect founded in the 1770s, havemade anenduring mark on our culture, through their high-quality craftsmanship(particularly furniture,which ismuch valued to this day),music, architecture,andagriculture.TheearlyShakersusedthemostcurrentmethodsofthedaytoproduce the best medicinal herbs and highest quality seeds for Americangardens.

Shaker villages, most located in New England, were religious communes;multiplefamilieslivedtogether.KnownthenastheUnitedSocietyofBelieversinChrist’sSecondComing,theywerecalledShakersfortheirreligiousfervor—expressedthrough“shaking”wheneverthespiritmovedthemduringworship.

Thegarden in this chapter is anhomage to theShakers,whose tidy raisedbedsproducedallthefoodandmedicinalherbstheircommunitiesneeded.

Shakersbelievedthatthestateofyourgardenreflectsthestateofyoursoulandthatgardeningisawaytoexercisethespirit.Themessierthegarden,theyfelt,themessierthesoul.TheShakersstroveforexcellence.Fromseedstodriedherbstooilsandointments,theyprovidedremediesthatwereprescribedbythedoctorsoftheday.TodayShakercommunitieshaveallbutdisappeared,mainlybecauseoftheiroppositiontomarriageandrejectionofsexasasin(policiesthatweren’tverysustainableoverthelongrun),buttheirlegacyliveson.

Now,more than twocenturies later,withagrowingmovement inAmericaforeatinglocallysourcedproduce,itisworthrevisitingShakerpractices,asweformnewmodelsforsustainablefoodsourcesandasustainableeconomy.

THEMEDICINALHERBGARDEN

Youwill plant this easy-to-grow perennial garden once and tend it year after

year.Theherbscanbeusedmedicinally,freshordried,inteas,andtheflowerscanbeusedasbouquetsorasafragrantgarnishforformalmeals.Alltheplantsinthisgardenaredroughttolerantandwillsurviveonthenaturalrainfallinmostareas.Inafewyears,theplantscanbedividedandusedtocolonizenewareas,oryoucanrecoupgardeningexpensesbyselling,donating,ortradingtheplants.

PLANTSYOUNEED

Echinaceaseedorseedling1per1sq.ft.

Feverfewseedorseedling1per2sq.ft.

LemonBalmseed1per4sq.ft.

HyssopBlueseed1per1sq.ft.

Yarrowseed1per1sq.ft.

LavendarBergamontseed4per1sq.ft.

WhattoPlantIn thisgarden,you’llplantEchinacea,Feverfew,Lemonbalm,Hyssopblue,

Yarrow,LavenderbergamotDifficultylevelEasyZones4–9SunlightFullsuntopartialsunEarliest planting date Six weeks before the average last spring frost dateMaintainingtheGardenYou’llsoondiscoverthatnoneoftheperennialherbsinyourgardenarepronetodiseaseorattractpests.Infact,whattheydoattractisanarmyofhoneybeesandbumblebees, butterflies, ladybugs, and otherwildlife that are beneficial to thegardenandtheenvironment.Thepresenceoftheseinsectsmeansyouaredoingthings right. This is what organic gardening is all about—a way to join thenaturalworldandbenefitfromallthatnaturehastooffer.

StartingaMedicinalHerbGardenfromSeed,OutsideStartthisbedbydirectlysowingtheseedsoutdoorsinaraisedbed.Sowtheseedsinthefall,startingtwoweeksafterthefirstfrost;fortheherbstogerminate,theyneedaminimumofsixweeksofcoldweather—40degreesorcolder—beforeaperiodofwarmth.Ifyoustarttheseedstooearlyinthefalltheymaybegintogerminateandwon’thaveenoughtimetogrowbeforethecoldkillsthem.

Youcanalsosowtheseeds inearlyspring,startingeightweeksbefore theaverage last frost date. After eight weeks, you can jump-start the process bywatering the garden deeply and covering the raised bedwith a hoop house; itwillcreateamoistenvironmentsoyouwon’thavetowatertheseedsveryoften,butmakesurethatthesoiliskeptmoistuntiltheystarttogerminate.

Youcanalsoletnaturetakeitscourseandallowtheseedstogerminatewhentheclimateisright.Onceyou’vereachedthelastspringfrostdate,keepthesoilmoistuntiltheseedsgerminate,thenwaterdeeplyasneeded.

StartingaMedicinalHerbGardenwithTransplantsIt’salsoeasytogrowmedicinalherbsindoorsandtransplanttheseedlingsoutsideafterthelastspringfrost.Youcanpurchaseseedlingsorstartthemyourselffromseed.Becauseallofthemedicinalherbsinthisgardenarecold-hardy,self-sowingplants,youcanwinter-sowthemincontainersinearlywinterandtheywillgerminateinthespring.(SeeSowingSeedsinLateFallforinstructions.)SavingSeeds

Savingmedicinalherbseedsiseasy.First,allowsomeoftheplanttoflowerbynotharvestingit.Whentheplantflowers,allowtheflowerheadtomatureintoaseed head.Allow the seed heads to dry out on the plants.Once they are dry,carefullypruneofftheseedheadsandplacetheminapaperbag.Takedryseedheadsinsideandseparatetheseedsfromtherestoftheplant.PlacetheseedsinlabeledpaperenvelopesorZiplocbagsandstoretheminadry,cool,darkplaceuntilspring.

GROWINGMEDICINALHERBS

Youcan start thisbed fromseeds,outside,or from transplantspurchasedfrom your local gardening center. Here are few steps to take to keepeverythinginbalancesoyouwon’thavetoworktoohardinthegarden:1.Once theplantsareat least4 incheshigh,water thegardendeeply,weedandmulchtheplants,andwateragain.

2.Prunedeadleavesandbranchesthroughoutthegrowingseason.

3.Waterdeeplywhenthereisadroughtinyourarea.

4.Startinginthefallofthegarden’ssecondyearandeveryfallafterthat,youwillneedtodividetheherbs.Thiswillkeeptheplantsfromgrowingoutofcontrolandcrowdingeachother.

5.Alloftheplantsinyourherbgardenareinvasive,andifthey’reallowedto go to seed and self-sow, you’ll have medicinal herbs growingeverywhere.Harvestherbsregularlyandbeforetheyflowerandgotoseed.

6. If youwould like to save some seeds, allow at least one of each herbplanttoflowerandgotoseed.

CONTAINER&RAISED-BEDGARDENPLANS

WHATYOUNEED

•18-gal.galvanizedcontainer

•Gravelorfillerforproperdrainage

•Organicpottingsoil

•Plants

ContainerGardenPlan:18-gallonContainerAcontainerplantedwithmedicinalherbsisbothbeautifulanduseful.

Plant one of each of the plants shown in “What toPlant”.You’ll love thestunningdisplayofwhite, yellow,blue, andpurple flowers.Clipoff the spentflowerstokeepthebloomscoming.

PREPARINGTHECONTAINER1.Makeatleast20drainageholesinthebottomofthecontainerusinga¼-inchby3-inchnailandahammer.

2. Fill the bottom of the container with a 2-inch layer of ¾-inch gravel or alightersubstitute.

3. Add organic potting soil to fill the container up to 2 inches from the top.Waterthoroughly.Youdon’tneedtoputalltheplantsinyourcontainergardenatonce;youcansomeplantsandstartothersfromseed—orfromplantsyou’vestartedindoors.

STARTINGFROMSEEDINACONTAINERThiscontainergardencanbestartedfromseedasearlyaseightweeksbeforetheaverage last frost date in your area.Use any container you like as long as itscapacityisatleast18gallons.

Afterpreparingthecontainer,sowseedsaccordingtothediagramandgentlypushthemintothesoil.Keepthesoilmoistandwateritwhennecessary.Oncetheseedsgerminate,mulchandwaterasneeded.

STARTINGWITHTRANSPLANTSINACONTAINERWhenthereisnolongerachanceoffrostatanytimeduringthegrowingseason,you can start your container garden with seedlings. Once you start planting,watertheplantsthoroughly,mulch,andwateragain.

MAINTAININGTHECONTAINERGARDENContainergardenstendtodryoutquickly,somakesurethereisadequatewaterfor theplants togrow.Pruneoff anydeadoryellow leaveswheneveryou seethem, and if crowding occurs, divide the herbs. You can leave this containeroutsideallwinter.Inthespring,whenconditionsareright,theplantswillbegintogrowagain.

Medicinalherbsworkwellinawindowboxtoo.Plantthemaccordingtothediagrambelow.

Raised-BedGardenPlans

Raised-BedGardenPlansThere’s so much history and tradition associated with medicinal herbs. Veryearlyinhumanhistory,peoplewhowereknowledgeableaboutmedicinalplantswere leaders in their communities.Medicinal herb gardens have always beenpopular,notonly for theirpracticaluses,but for theirbeautyand fragranceaswell.

ECHINACEA(Echinaceapurpurea)

This native perennial, also known as Purple Coneflower, is a glorious gardenplant that grows24 to 36 inches tall, and sometimes even taller. It has a longblooming period, starting in the summertime. Echinacea grows large purpleflowers that look similar to daisies. This drought-tolerant herb is a must in asummertime bouquet. Echinacea flowers attract wildlife like bees, butterflies,andotheressentialgardenpollinators.Height24–36+inchesInbloomSummerthroughfallSeedtotable60–90daysSpacingforseedsandtransplants1persquarefootNativetoNorthAmerica

HARVESTINGECHINACEAFORMAKINGMEDICINALTEASHarvestingFlowers andSeeds Prune flower heads just below the first set ofleavesandallowthemtodrythoroughlyinadehydrator,orspreadtheflowersonatray,coverthemwithpapertowels,andkeepthemoutofsunlight,inadarkplace,until you’re ready touse them.You’ll knowwhen the flowerheads aredrywhentheleavescrumbletothetouch.Storedryflowerheadsinglassjarsinacool,dry,darkplaceforuptooneyear.

Ifyouwanttocollectseeds,leavesomeoftheflowersontheplantandallowthem to go to seed, then prune the flower heads, separate the seeds from theheads,andplacethedryseedsinapaperorZiplocbag.Storethemincool,dry,darkplaceuntilnextspring.

Harvesting Roots You can begin harvesting echinacea roots once the plantshavebeenestablishedinyourgardenfortwotothreeyears.It’seasytoprytherootsoutofthesoilinsingleclump.Digallthewayaroundthebaseoftheplantwith a small hand spade.Gently shakeoff and remove asmuchof the soil aspossiblearoundtherootsandwashthemwithwater,makingsurethehoseisonlowpressure.Thendividetherootclumpandreplantsomeof theechinaceainthegarden.Besuretowaterthesoilthoroughly.Topreservetherootsforlaterplantings,cutthestemsofftheremainingrootclumpandchoptheminto1-inchpieces.Usingadehydrator,drytherootsfor24hoursoruntilthey’rethoroughlydry.

CAUTION:Theinformationinthischapterisnotmeantorimpliedtobeasubstituteforprofessionalmedicaladvice,diagnosis,or treatment,and is forgeneral informationonly.Make sure toconsultadoctorbeforeusingherbs.

MAKINGECHINACEATEA

Tomake echinacea tea, use 1–2 teaspoons of dried or 2–4 teaspoons of freshechinaceaflowers,leaves,stems,orrootspercupofwater.Allowwhateverpartoftheplantyou’reusingtosteepinateapotinboilingwaterfor15–20minutes.Thenstraintheechinaceaandpourtheteaintoacup.Youcansweetenthetea,ifyoulike,withhoney,freshstevialeaves,orrawagavenectar.

FEVERFEW

(Tanacetum[Chrysanthemum]parthenium)

Thisperennialmedicinalherbispartofthechrysanthemumfamily.It’seasytogrow, and once it blooms in spring, it doesn’t stop.You can use the versatileleaves and flowers of this prolific plant to make a healing tea or a fragrantsummertimebouquet.FeverfewhasbeenusedinChinesemedicineformillenniatoreducefeversandhelpwithheadachesanddigestiveailments.

Abushy, popular herb, feverfewwasused as a filler plant in cottage-styleVictorianflowerbedsandgardens.

Feverfewcanbeatyourserviceatanytimethroughoutthegrowingseason.Simply prune off enough flowers and leaves to make tea for immediateconsumption, or harvest more to dry and use later in the winter. During thegrowingseasonyoucanchewonafewleavestorelieveaheadache,orsteep4tablespoonsoffreshfeverfew(leaves,stem,andflower)percupofboilingwaterfor10minutes.Thenstrainanddrinkthetea.

Youcanalsodrytheentireplantanduseittomaketea.Steep2tablespoonsofdriedfeverfewpercupofboilingwaterfor10minutes.Strainanddrinkthe

tea.Height18–24inchesInbloomLatespringthroughfallSeedtotable50-60daysSpacingforseedsandtransplants1per2squarefeetNativetoNorthAmerica

LEMONBALM(Melissaofficinalis)

Ofthemanyherbsinthemintfamily,oneofmyfavoritesislemonbalmbecauseitisfragrant,easytogrow,andmakesadelicioushotoricedteawithalemonytwistbyitselformixedwithmintandotherherbs.Youcanalsoaddcoollemonbalmteatoice-coldlemonadeforaparticularlyrefreshingdrink.

Medicinally, lemon balm helps with insomnia or an upset stomach; itpromoteslongevityandreducesanxiety,andifyoucrushafewfreshleavesandapply them to your skin, it is effective as a mosquito repellent. It also hasantiviralandantibacterialpropertiesandisgreatforanall-natural lipbalm;oilmadefromlemonbalmispopularinaromatherapy.Commercially,lemonbalmisusedintoothpaste.

It’s a great perennial to grow in containers and has many culinary uses,especiallyasaseasoningformeatsandfish.It’salsodeliciousinicecreamandfruitsalads.

Lemon balm is one of my first go-to herbs when it starts growing everyspring. You’ll have plenty of lemon balm in no time. Small flowers growthroughout thestem, rather thanat the top; trim themoftenandyou’ll stillgetplentyofflowersandseedstosaveforlateruse.Heightandwidth18–32inchesby24inchesInbloomSummer–fall

Seedtotable50–60daysSpacingforseeds1per4squarefeetSpacing for transplants One 4–6’ container per 4 square feet Native toSouthernEuropeandtheMediterranean

HYSSOPBLUE(Hyssopusofficinalis)

Thisperennialmedicinalherb isabighelpduring fluseason.Theplantsyieldbeautifulblue,small,edibleflowerspikes thatgrowtoabout2feet tall. I lovethewaytheylookinthegarden.Themedicinalpropertiesofhyssopblue,whenit’susedasatea,includereliefofindigestionandlungcongestion.

Whenitisusedexternally,hyssopblueisthoughttospeedupthehealingofskin ailments because of its antibacterial properties. A member of the mintfamily, hyssopbluemakes a relaxing tea, combinedwith lemonbalm, to helpeaseacoughorcold.Eventhoughitisaperennialplant,you’llneedtore-seedeveryfewyearsforacontinuousharvest.Hyssopblueseedscantakeupto30daystogerminatefromseed,soit’sagoodideatousetransplantsfromalocalnurseryorgardencenter.Height18–24inchesInbloomMidsummerthroughfallSeedtotable90daysSpacingforseeds1persquarefootSpacing for transplants 1 plant per square foot Native to EasternMediterraneanandAsia

YARROW

(Achilleamillefolium)

This medicinal perennial herb is easy to grow and comes in many differentvarieties.Itisadrought-tolerantnativeofNorthAmerica,anditsflowerscomein an amazing array of hues. Yarrow is a fragrant addition to summertimebouquetsanddried-flowerarrangements.Itiseasytostartinyourowngarden,fromeitherseedortransplants,anditwillthriveifyoufrequentlycutoffclustersof10to20tinyflowers.

NativeAmericans used yarrow to helpwith headaches, reduce fevers, andget to sleep. It ismost commonly available with yellow or white flowers; itsfoliagecanvaryfromlime-greentosilverygray,fernlikeleaves.Height18–24inchesInbloomLatespringthroughfallSeedtotable90daysSpacingforseeds1persquarefootSpacingfortransplants1plantpersquarefootNativetoNorthAmerica

LAVENDERBERGAMOT(Monardafistulosa)

This prolificmedicinal herb is a fragrant perennial used for aromatherapy; itscitrus scent is said to soothe the soul.Amemberof themint family, lavenderbergamotcanbeusedinrefreshingsummertimedrinks,sprinkledinsalads,andusedmedicinallyinteastorelieveasorethroat.

Thelovelylavenderleavescanbeusedfreshordriedinteastoeaseawintercold, and the flowers make a beautiful addition to bouquets and other floralarrangements.

Lavenderbergamotisatitsstrongestandtastiest—andit isbesttouseit—before the herb flowers.And itwill flower, as it should be allowed to do, allsummerlong.Height24–36inchesInbloomLatespringthroughfallSeedtotable60daysSpacingforseeds4persquarefootSpacingfortransplants1plantpersquarefootNativetoNorthAmerica

USESFORMEDICINALHERBS

MEDICINALHERB

MEDICINALUSES HOWTOUSE

Echinacea Booststheimmunesystemtopreventthecommoncoldorflu.

Tea

Feverfew Helpsrelievemigrainesaswellasfevers,minorpain,.

Tea

andinflammation.Lemonbalm Greatforsoothingupsetstomachsandasa

mosquitoTeaorPoultice

repellent.Helpsrelieveminorcuts,burns,andmosquitobites.

mosquitobites.Hyssopblue Helpswithdigestionandlungcongestion

associatedwithTeaorPoultice

acoldorcough.Helpstohealskin.Yarrow Helpsreducefevers,headache,andmenstrual

symptoms,TeaorPoultice

andcanbeusedasanastringentandsleepaid.Lavenderbergamot

Helpstosootheasorethroat. Tea

RECIPESFORSHAKERMEDICINALHERBS

FluSeasonReliefTeaMakesabout1cup

Warm tea alwaysmakesme feel better, and this lemon-flavored tea definitelyhitsthespot.

1 tbsp.driedlemonbalmand1tbsp.driedbergamot or2 tbsp.freshlemonbalmand2tbsp.freshbergamot1 cupofwater

Seepdriedorfreshlemonbalminboilingwaterfor10minutes,thenstrainandaddafewdropsoffreshlemonjuice.Sweetentheteawithhoneyorfreshstevialeaves.

MedicinalHerbPoulticesMakesabout¼cupofmedicinalpaste

Herb poultices are a great natural way to help heal minor cuts and skininflammationsandtorelievemosquitoandotherinsectbites.

Collect1cupoffreshleavesfromherbssuchaslemonbalm,hyssopblue,oryarrow.

Usingamortarandpestle,mashtheherbsintoapaste.Spreadthepasteona

bandageor sterilegauzepadandplace iton theaffectedarea.When thepastedriesout,replacethepoultice.

HealingSalves&MoisturizingBalmsMakeseither3or4cupsHere’s a great way to use infused herbs tomake two classic skin treatments.Balmsaremedicinalointmentsthathavetheconsistencyoflipbalmandthatareused to soothe skin irritations such as rashes and burns. Salves are healingointmentsthataremoreliquidinconsistencythanbalms,butjustassoothing.

2 cupsinfusedherboil(seefacingpage)1 cupgratedbeeswax Metalcontainerstostorethesalves

Using a double boiler, warm the infused herb oil. Add the beeswax little bylittle,andstiruntilallofthebeeswaxismelted.Pourintometaljars.Allowthemto cool, then cover. Tomake balm, repeat the process above, using 2 cups ofgratedbeeswax,whichwillmakethesolutionthicker.

InfusedHerbOilMakes6ounces

Agoodway toextract thebenefitsofherbs is to infuse theminoils.Essentialoils are basically a concentrate of the herbs and must be diluted before use.These oils are very strong and are poisonous unless they are diluted. Infusedherboilscanbeusedsafely,however,asasalveoralipbalm,forexample.

8 oz.oliveoil(oralmondoil,ifyoudon’thaveanutallergy)

1 eight-oz.jarFreshherborherbsofyourchoice,enoughtofillthejarCheeseclothonstandbyforlateruseSpoon

Harvestherbswhentheyareattheirmostpotent(beforeflowering)andatthehottest timeof theday.Harvested leavesmust bedry to avoidmold, sodon’tharvestthemifithasrainedinthelast48hoursorifyouwateredthegardenthatmorning.Separatetheleavesfromthestemsandchoptheherbleavescoarsely.Fillthejartothetopwiththeherbs.Fillthejarwitholiveoilandmixitwithaspoon.Coverthejarwithalidandletitsitinawarm,sunnyspotforsixweeks.

Thenstrain themixture intoabowl,usingapieceofcheesecloth.Squeeze theherbs asmuch as you can to release the oil. Place the oil back in the jar, andstoreitinthepantryforsixmonthstoayear.

CHAPTEREIGHT

VEGANRAWGARDEN

Eating fresh, healthy, organic food can cost a lot of money these days, yetmany people are opting for a vegetarian diet because of the health benefits,whichincludeprotectionfromsomechronicdiseases.Othersarechoosingtoeata vegan diet, which is entirely plant-based and cholesterol-free, because itexcludesdairyproducts.Andagrowingnumberofpeoplearemovingtowardadiet that reaps the maximum nutritional benefits from eating raw vegetables,whichlosemuchoftheirnutritionalvaluewhenthey’recooked.

In order to follow through with any of these health-conscious lifestylechoices, you need access to lots of fresh vegetables.The vegan rawgarden iscomposed of all the basic foods that many vegetarians eat daily, and it canprovideanextendedharvestoffreshvegetables—araw-foodie’sdream.

Whetherornotyou’reavegetarian,it’shealthytotakeabreakfromeatingcookedfoodsandmeatat leastonceaweek.Youcanstartbypreparingafewentirelyraw-fooddishesforindividualmealsduringthecourseoftheweekandthenworkyourwayuptoawholedayofrawfood.Growingvegetablesinyourownraisedbedmakesthiseasytodo.

My daughter and I love making salads fresh from the garden. I slice thecucumbers, and she breaks apart the lettuce leaves. Then we mix all theingredientstogetherwithourfavoritevinaigrette.It’sfun,theresultisfresh,andyourkidswillbereadytoeatit.

Iwas first inspired to create avegan raw-vegetablebedwhenmyhusbandwentonastrictsalad-and-meatdietforlunchanddinner.Helost25pounds.Ifyourgoalistoloseweight,there’snobetterwaythantoworkinthegardenandgrowthehealthyfoodyouneedtoeat.

THERAWGREENSGARDEN

You’ll be able to start the vegetables in this chapter from seed, right in thegarden, for less than$20.With itscrisp,colorfulassortmentofvegetablesandlettuces,yourveganrawgardenwill inspiresaladmakingallseasonlong.I’veincludedtheeasiestediblestogrowtohelpmakeeatingahealthydietfeellikesecond nature. This garden plan is also designed to put a rainbow of multi-colored,nutrient-densegreensonyourplate.

Toextendtheharvestinthisgarden,Istaggerit,sowinghalftheseedsrightin the garden starting sixweeks before the average last spring frost date, andthencoveringitwithahoophouse.Fourweekslater,Isowtheotherhalfofthegarden.OnceI’veeatenthefirstcropofharvestablegreens,anothercropisclosebehind, and I keep sowingmore seeds until early summer. In late summer, Irepeattheprocessuntiltheaveragefirstfallfrostdate.It’smyownnever-endingsalad bar…well, almost never-ending.Although every year I try to see howlongIcangrowfoodinthegarden—Ialwayshavefresh,home-grownfoodonmyThanksgivingtable—byChristmas,Ihavetogivein.It’sjusttoosnowyandcoldoutside,andmyhoophousecan’tprovidetheplantswithtemperaturesthatareabovefreezing.

PLANTSYOUNEED

Cucumbersseedorseedling2per1sq.ft.

Celeryseedorseedling4per1sq.ft.

Spinachseed9per1sq.ft.

SwissChardseedorseedling4per1sq.ft.

Kaleseedorseedling4per1sq.ft.

MesclunMixseed16per1sq.ft.

WhattoPlantIn this garden, you’ll plant Cucumbers, Celery, Spinach, Swiss chard,Kale,MesclunmixDifficultylevelEasyZonesAllSunlightFullsunEarliest planting date Sixweeks before the average last spring frostGardenAdd-onsHoophouse If you live in zones 3–8, protect your gardenwith a hoop houseuntil average nighttime temperatures are in the 50s. (SeeMAKINGAHOOPHOUSEFORA4'×8'BEDandMAKINGAHOOPHOUSEFORA4'×4'RAISED BED for more information about hoop houses.)Trellis To find outhowtobuildasimpletrellis,seeBUILDINGATRELLIS.

CONTAINER&RAISED-BEDGARDENPLANS

WHATYOUNEED

•12-in.-diametercontainer

•Gravelorfillerforproperdrainage

•Organicpottingsoil

•Plants

TheSaladBowl:A12-InchContainerGarden

Youcangrowyourownlettuces,evenifyouhavejustabalconyorawindowsillatyourdisposal.Allyouneedisacontainerthatisatleast12inchesindiameter.Thecontainerdoesn’thavetobeverytall;a4-to8-inch-tallcontainerisfineforthisgarden.

PLANTINGTHECONTAINER1.Cover thebottomof thecontainerwitha1-inch layerof¾-inchgraveloralighterfiller.Fillthecontainerwithorganicpottingsoil.Waterthesoil,thensowyourmesclun-salad-greensseeds.Here’show:2.Withyour indexfinger,marklinesdividingthesoilinto16squares.

3.Placeapinchofsaladseedsinthecenterofeachsquareandlightlypresstheseeds into the soil. Don’t press them into the soil too deeply.Mesclun-salad-greensseedsandmostlettuceseedsneedtobeplantedonly⅛inchdeep.

4.Sinceyou’vealreadywatered thesoil,you’reall set.Withina fewdays theseeds will start to sprout, and within a few weeks you’ll be harvesting freshgreens.

CONTAINERGARDENMAINTENANCE1.Placethecontainerbyasunnywindow,oroutsideonabalconyorpatiothatwillreceiveaminimumof6–8hoursofdirectsunlightperday.

2.Makesureyoukeepthesoilmoistuntil theseedsstart tosprout, thenallowthesurfaceofthesoiltodryoutbetweenwaterings.

3.When the lettuce leaves are about 2 inches long, you can begin harvestingthem.

4.A12-inchcontainergardencanprovideenoughgreensforonepersontoeatfrom two to three times a week for up to three weeks. Plant one 12-inchcontainerperpersoninyourhouseholdandyou’llhaveplentyofsaladgreenstogoaround.

5.Onceyourunoutoflettuceyoucanre-seedthecontainer.

Raised-BedGardenPlansFeelfreetousethisplanasaguide.Ifyoudon’tlikesomeoftherecommendedvegetables,plantmoreoftheonesyoudolike.Plantinglotsofdifferentthingsinaraised-bedgardenkeepsyourmealsinteresting.

GROWINGAVEGANGARDEN

1.Start thisbedasearlyassixweeksbeforetheaveragelastspringfrost.Waterthesoilbeforesowingtheseeds.

2.Forastaggeredharvest,firstsowhalfthebed;fourweekslater,sowtheotherhalf.

3. Use a hoop house over the garden bed until average nighttimetemperaturesareinthe50s.Makesureseedsaremoistuntiltheygerminate,andwaterandweedasnecessary.

4. Once the celery, cucumbers, Swiss chard, and kale are 4 inches tall,weedandmulcharoundtheplants.

5.Harvestbabygreenswhen theyare2 inches tall.Removedead leaves,andweedandwaterregularly.Oncesummerarrivesandyourlettucesandspinachhavestartedtobolt(beguntoflower),pullouttheplantsandleavetheareaunplanteduntillatesummer.Thenre-seedhalfthearea.

6.Inthefall,twoweeksbeforethefirstfallfrostdate,sowthelastofyourlettucesor spinach, remove the cucumbervines and trellis, and cover thegardenbedwithahoophouse.Waterandweedasnecessary.

7. Harvest greens intowinter until temperatures are no longer favorable.Note thatmany cold-weather cropswill continue to grow as long as theground isn’t frozen and the microclimate (the temperature immediatelyaround the plants) doesn’t fall below the 50s at night. People living inzones 8 and 9 (see the hardiness zones chart) can keep plants growingthroughthecoldestwinterdayswithahoophouse.

CUCUMBERS

I’vegrownmorethanfourteenkindsofcukesovertheyears.Cucumbersgrowsoabundantly inmygarden that the familyandI take themforgrantedat thispoint.Cukesareagreatveggietotryifyou’rejustbeginningtogarden,andtheycanbeusedinsomanyways.

Forafallharvestofthesewonderfulveggies,plantanewcropinmid-tolatesummer.

Farm-grown cucumber vines grow along the ground and require a lot ofspace.Youcanmaximizethespaceyouhavebyweavingyourcucumbervinesthrough a trellis, where they’ll grow vertically. You’ll notice the tendrilsstretching out to coil around the trellis, attaching the vines to the wire andhelpingtosupportthevinewhenit’sheavywithcukes.Asthefruitformsfromthe plant’s yellow edible flowers, gravity will kick in and you’ll have super-straightcucumbers.Seedtotable50daysSpacingforseedsandtransplants2persquarefootNativetoMediterraneanandsouthAsia

Patti’sPickMarketmore 76 (Cucumis sativus) This is the classicAmerican cucumber, agreat cool-weather variety, and perfect for salads and pickles. The vines areprolific,andthecucumbersgrowto8inchesorlonger.HeightVinecangrowto12feetormore

PESTS&DISEASESYoucankeepcommonpestsanddiseasesatbaybyweedingandremovinganyyellowordeadleaves,andtreatingpestinfestationsordiseasesrightaway.

HARVESTINGCUCUMBERSCucumbersareprolificgrowers,andyou’llbeabletostartpickingthemrightoffthevineasearlyas50daysafterplantingifyou’vestartedfromseed—soonerifyouplant seedlings.Eachplantwillyieldabout10cucumberspervineoverafive-week period before the vine’s yield starts to slow down.Harvesting yourcucumbers right before you eat them lets you enjoy all of their nutritionalbenefits.

SAVINGCUCUMBERSEEDSAllowatleastonecucumberpervinetoripenpastthepointwhereyou’deatit

before salvaging the seeds. You’ll know the cucumber is ready for seedharvestingwhenithaslostitsgreencolorandisturningyellowtowhite.

1.Pickthecucumberandsliceitdownthemiddle.Scoopouttheseeds,separatethemfromtheflesh,andrinse themwithwateruntilall theflesh isgonefromtheseeds.

2.Spreadouttheseedsonapaperplate,apapertowel,orapaperbag,andallowthemtodryinacooldarkplace.

3.Oncetheseedsaredry,puttheminanenvelopeoraplasticbaggieandstoretheminacooldarkplace.

CELERY

I love growing celery because it makes me feel like I’m an accomplishedgardener,andit’sacoolandcrunchytreatinsalads.Celeryisnutritiousandhighinwatercontent,fiber,andcalcium.It’salsoconsideredanegative-caloriefood,basedontheenergyittakestochewit.Munchaway!Seed to table Leaves: 60 days; young stalks: 90 days; full stalks: 120 daysSpacingforseedsandtransplants4persquarefootNativetoEgyptandtheMediterranean

Patti’sPickRedCelery(Apiumgraviolens)Thisuniqueceleryishardtofindinthegrocerystoreor at a farmstand,butyoucanpurchase the seedsonline and start themyourself.Usingredceleryisagreatwaytoaddbothgreatflavorandbeautiful

colortoyourmeals.Height18–24inches

PESTS&DISEASESYoucankeepcommonpestsanddiseasesatbaybyweedingandremovinganyyellowordeadleaves,andtreatingpestinfestationsordiseasesrightaway.

HARVESTINGCELERYSinceyou’regrowingyourowncelery,you’llhaveplentyof leaves toclipoffanduseinsaladsorsoups.Oncetheystarttodevelop,youcanharvestindividualcelery spears by cutting themoff close to the base and leaving the rest of theplantinthegardentocontinuegrowing.Youcanalsolettheceleryplantgrowtoits fullestand thenharvest thewholeplantbypulling itoutof thegroundandcuttingofftheroots.

SAVINGTHESEEDS&MAKINGCELERYSALTToharvestceleryseeds,allowoneortwoplantstogrow,flower,andgotoseed.

Tomakecelerysalt,fillasaltorpeppermillwithahalf-and-halfmixtureofseasaltandceleryseeds.Youcanthenusethemillforfresh-groundcelerysaltwheneveryouwantit.

SPINACH

Ilovebabyspinachinsalads,soIhadtoincludeitinthisgardenbed.Notonlycanyoumakeentire saladsbasedon spinach,youcanalsoaddahandful to amixedgreenssaladorcreateasautéedspinachsidedish.

Justsowtheseedsrightintotheraisedbed.Theymaytakealittlelongerto

germinatethanothergreens,butjustbepatient—you’llbepickingbabyspinachinnotime.Contrarytopopularbelief,spinachisnothighiniron,butitishighinvitaminA,calcium,andprotein.

Spinach is a quick-growing, cool-weather crop and for maximum successshouldbestartedfromseedrightinthegarden—notindoors.Seedtotable45–50daysSpacingforseeds9persquarefootSpacingfortransplantsOne4-to6-inchpotpersquarefootNativetoCentralandsouthwestAsia

Patti’sPicksAmericaSpinach (Spinaciaoleracea)This smaller-leafAmericanheirloom—so compact it is perfect for growing in small spaces—is absolutely deliciouswheneatenfresh.

Bloomsdale Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) A classic crinkled-leaf variety, thisspinachisgreatforcooking.

BlackbirdSpinach(Spinaciaoleracea)Thispopularspinachvariety isgrowninItaly.Height9–12inches

PESTS&DISEASESYoucankeepcommonpestsanddiseasesatbaybyweedingandremovinganyyellowordeadleaves,andtreatingpestinfestationsordiseasesrightaway.

HARVESTINGSPINACHYoucanstartclippingoffbabyspinachleaveswhentheyare2or3incheslong,andtheplantwilltocontinuetogrow.Spinachbolts(startstoflowerandgotoseed)inhotweather.Whenaspinachplantstartstogrowaflowerstalk,it’stimetoharvestit;lettheplantliefallowuntilyoustartyourfallspinachcrop.

Forafallharvest,sowspinachseedstenweeksbeforetheaveragefirstfrostdateinyourarea(seethechart),andforastaggeredharvest,sowmoreseedstwoweeks later. To extend your harvest intowinter, place a hoop house over thegardenoncenighttimetempsreachanaverageof50degrees.

SWISSCHARD

SWISSCHARD

Thiscolorfulveggiehashaditsupsanddownsinpopularity.It’ssoeasytogrowthatit’sreadilyavailableatfarmersmarkets,asiskale.Bothleafygreensshowup in community supported agriculture (CSA) boxes across the country withsuchfrequencythatithascreatedabacklash,inmyopinion.

I’vevowedtobringSwisschardbackintotheconversationbecauseitissohealthyforyou(eatingchardisknowntohelppromotehealthyvision)andlooksbeautifulontheplate.Ifyou’reaveganoravegetarian,lotsofcolorandvaryingtextures are important, because they are ways to know you are getting acompletemeal and not a lot of just one or two components of a healthy diet.Becauseitthrivesintheheatofsummer,chardisasuperbsubstituteforgreenswithlessheatresistance,suchaslettuce.

Arelativeoftheredbeet,thisveggie’sleavesareeatenraworcooked.Theseedsareeasytostartinthegarden.Justsowthemwhereyouwantthechardtogrow,startingsixweeksbeforetheaveragelastspringfrostdate,andallowthemtogerminateunderahoophouse.SeedtotableBabyleaves:30days;full-sizeleaves:50daysSpacingforseedsandtransplants4persquarefootNativetoSicily

Patti’sPickRainbowChard(Betavulgariscicla)This rainbowvarietywillgiveyou red,white,yellow,andorangechard.Height12–32inches

PESTS&DISEASESYoucankeepcommonpestsanddiseasesatbaybyweedingandremovinganyyellowordeadleaves,andtreatingpestinfestationsordiseasesrightaway.

HARVESTINGSWISSCHARDAbout sevenweeks after planting you can start harvesting the colorful leavesfrom the outside of the chard plant—in spring, summer, and fall, and evenbeyond the first frost.ToharvestSwisschard, simply remove theouter leavesandleavethesmallerinnerleavesintactforfuturegrowth.Youcanremovetheouterleavesbyhandorwithapairofpruningshears.

KALE

Youmay not remember eating kale or buying it at the grocery store, but youhavedefinitely seen it used as a garnish at buffets.Kale is a highlynutritiousvegetable that needs to be part of your diet. I love eating it raw in salads, inheartyautumnsoups,orpreparedasasidedish,asanalternativetospinach.Youcanstarteatingkaleaboutonemonthafterplantingit.SeedtotableBaby:25days;full-size:40daysSpacingforseedsandtransplants4persquarefootNativetoMediterraneanandsouthAsia

Patti’sPicksLacinato Kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) This prehistoric-looking,large-leafedkalecomesfromItalyandhasadelicious,strongtaste.

RedWinter Kale (Brassica oleracea var. fimbriata) A cold-hardy, red-andgreen-leafedkale,itlooksasbeautifulontheplateasitdoesinthegarden.Height9–12inches

PESTS&DISEASES

Keeppests and diseases at bay byweeding and removing any yellowor deadleaves,andtreatingpestinfestationsordiseasesrightaway.

HARVESTINGKALEHarvest kale in the earlymorning by cutting off the largest leaves.Allow theplant to stay in thegroundandcontinue togrow. In the summeryoumay seekaleplantswilt in the sun. If theydon’t bounceback around sunset, youmayneedtowaterthem.Kaleiscold-hardy,soyoucanplantmoreinthefall.Iftheplantsareprotected inahoophouse,youcancontinue theharvest through thewinter.

MESCLUNMIX

ThishealthysaladmixcomesfromthesouthofFrance,whereitistraditionallycomprisedof chervil, arugula, endive, and lettuce.Nowmesclun is simply thegenericnameforanymixtureofbabylettuces.Thegreaterthevarietyofgreensontheplate,themoreenticingandhealthieritis.Mesclunisthekeyingredientintheveganrawgardenandwilltakeupalmosthalfofthebeds.SeedtotableBabyleaves:25days;full-sizeleaves:40daysSpacingforseeds16persquarefootSpacingfortransplantsOne4-to6-inchcontainerpersquarefoot.NativetoEurope

Patti’sPickEuropean Mesclun Mix This colorful, fast-growing mixture of Europeanlettuces includes romaine, radicchio,arugula,endive,andothers.Thebeautifulreds,purples,yellows,andbrightgreensinthishealthy,tastymixmakethemthe

perfect addition to any green salad. Many seed companies have their ownversion,oryoucangettheindividualseedsforthelettucesyoulikeandcreateyourownmix.Sowhalfofyourmesclun seeds in thegarden first; then, for astaggeredharvest,sowtherestfourweekslater.Height9–12inches

HOWMUCHSHOULDIHARVEST?

Mixedgreensorkale1cupwillfeedoneperson

Celery1largespearisenoughfortwo

Swisschard1cup,chopped,isoneportion

Cucumber1isenoughforfourpeople

Spinachahandfulwillfeedoneperson

PESTS&DISEASESYoucankeepcommonpestsanddiseasesatbaybyharvestinggreensregularly,weeding,andremovinganyyellowordeadleaves,andtreatingpestinfestationsordiseasesrightaway.

HARVESTINGMESCLUNMIXESMesclungreens canbeharvested and eaten in about onemonth,when they’re

about 2 inches long. Cut off the baby lettuce leaves with a pair of scissorswithoutremovingthewholeplant.Moreleaveswillcontinuetogrow,providingyouwithsaladsoveraperiodofweeks.

What could bemore convenient? All you need to do is harvest what youwanttoeat,whenyouwanttoeatit.There’snoneedtostoreyourlettuceinthefridge—MotherNaturetakescareofthat.Yourveggieaisleisrightoutsideyourdoor.

EXTENDINGTHEHARVESTIfyoushadetheareawhereyouaregrowingamesclunmixinthesummertime,you’llgetmoreoutoftheharvest.Insteadofplastic,coverahoophousewithashadeclothandpositionitovertheplantsinordertokeepthemcoolandoutofdirectsunlight.

Summer weather will give you a break from eating mesclun, since hotconditions are not conducive to growing lettuce. Instead, sow seeds for newplantsinlatesummertostartupthesaladfactoryagaininthefall.

Cover the garden with the hoop house (covered with plastic) when theaveragenighttimetempsareinthe50s,andkeepharvestinghealthygreensintowinter.

RAWFOODRECIPES

CoolWeatherMixedGreensSaladwithCucumber&RedCeleryServes6

Thismakesadelicioussidesaladinthespring.Addchicken,meat,orfishtothegreens,andhaveagreatmeal.

1 cucumber,cubed,withpeelon2 redceleryspears4 handfulsofspinach4 cupsmixedgreens1 cupcrumbledfetacheese(omitforveganordairy-freediets)

1-2 cupsofanyothervegetablesavailableinthegarden.

Place greens and vegetables in a large bowl and toss.Add the feta cheese, if

you’re using it. Mix the greens with the dressing of your choice and serveimmediately.

ChampagneVinaigretteMakes1cup

You can double the recipe for this versatile dressing and store it for up to amonthinthefridge.

¼ cupchampagnevinegar1 shallotorbunchingonion½ cupoliveoil1 tbsp.aioligarlicmustard2 tbsp.chives1 garlicclove Whitepeppertotaste

Pureetheingredientsinablenderandstoreinajar.Mixbeforeusing.

CucumberSaladServes4

WhenIwasgrowingup,thissaladwasafavoriteofmine,anditisverysimpletomake.Itistheperfect,crispsummersidedish,especiallyforanythingthat’sbarbequed.

2 largeMarketmorecucumbers¼ cupwhitevinegar1 handfulchoppedfreshdill Saltandpeppertotaste

Peelthecucumbersandslicethemdownthemiddle.Usingaspoon,scoopouttheseeds.Sliceinto¼-inch-thickpiecesandplaceinabowl.Addtheremainingingredientsandstir.Serverightawayorstoreinrefrigeratorfornomorethan24hoursbeforeserving.

CucumberCurrySaladwithCelery&Cilantro

Serves4

This isaspicy,freshsidedish thateventhepickiesteaters inyourfamilywilllove.It’salsoagreatwaytoshowoffsomeoftheveggiesyou’vegrown.

½ cupoliveoil⅓ cuprawagavenectar2 tbsp.currypowder Dashofcayennepepper Juiceof1lime¼ cupchoppedcilantro¼ cupfinelychoppedbunchingonions⅓ cupfinelychoppedceleryleaves2 unpeeledcucumbers,cubed

Ina largebowl combineandwhisk theoliveoil, agavenectar, currypowder,cayenne pepper, and lime. Add the herbs and veggies andmix. Keeps in thefridgefortwodays.

QuinoaSaladwithCelery,Walnuts&CapersServes6Youcanmakethisquinoasaladasasidedishoraddmeatandmakeitintoanentrée. It can also be use as filling,wrapped in large Swiss chard leaves, andservedasanappetizer.

Forthedressing

¼ cupoliveoil Juiceofonelemon¼ cupwhitebalsamicvinegar2 clovesgarlic1 one-in.pieceoffreshgingerroot,peeledandminced3 tbsp.agavenectarorhoney3 tbsp.goat-milkyogurtorsoyyogurt(forvegans)1 tbsp.capers

Mixingredientsforthedressinginablenderandstoreinajarinthefridge.Mixbeforeuse.Dressingwilllastoneweekinthefridge.

½ cupredquinoa½ cupwhitequinoa1½ cupsvegetableorchickenstock½ cupchoppedwalnuts4 celerystalks,thinlysliced¼ cupchoppedceleryleaves¼ cupchoppedparsley3 largefreshsageleaves,minced1 scallion,minced¼ cupcapers Groundpeppertotaste

Make the quinoa according to the package instructions, using vegetable orchickenstock.Combinealltheremainingingredientsinalargebowl,thentossanddresstotaste.Serveimmediatelyorkeepinthefridgeforafewhours.

HomegrownDetoxDrinkMakesabout16ounces

Thisdeliciousvegetablejuicewillhelpflushtoxinsoutofyoursystemandgiveyoumore than your daily amount of fruits and vegetables. All you need is ajuicer.

1 lemon,peeled2 mediumGrannySmithapples1 two-in.pieceoffreshgingerroot,peeled8 celerystalksandleaves20 kaleleaves20 swisschardleaves

Washtheveggiesthroughly.Startingwiththelemon,juicetheingredientsintheordergivenabove.Onceeverythingisjuiced,skimoffthefoam,stir,anddrinkimmediately.

MorningCucumberGreenJuiceMakes about 16 ounces, depending on the size and water content of thevegetablesTheonlyequipmentyouneedforthishealthysummertimedrink

isajuicer.It’sgreatforyourdigestionandgivesyouajoltofnutrientstostartthedayoffright.

1 lemon,peeled4 mediumGrannySmithapples1 two-in.pieceoffreshgingerroot,peeled1 cucumber,withskinon1 tsp.rawagavenectar

Washveggies thoroughly.Startingwith the lemon, juice the ingredients in theordergivenabove.Onceeverything is juiced, skim the foamfromthesurface,thenstirintherawagavenectar,anddrinkimmediately.Ahhh…

CHAPTERNINE

MEDITERRANEANVEGETABLEGARDEN

Mediterraneancuisineisallaboutfresh,seasonalcooking.Everyregionintheareahasitsowntraditionaldishes,sotherearecountlessrecipestoexplore.

The Mediterranean diet is considered one of the healthiest in the worldbecause of its focus on fresh ingredients—vegetables, olive oil, healthy fats,seafood,lamb,andgoat.DoctorsandnutritionistsrecommendtheMediterraneandiet totheirpatients tohelppreventchronicailmentssuchasheartdiseaseandcertain cancers. Recent studies have found that the Mediterranean diet alsoreducestheriskofdevelopingType2diabetes.

THESUMMERTIMEVEGETABLEGARDEN

Summer wouldn’t be the same for my family without fresh, homegrownvegetables, and that’s what this cuisine garden is all about. There are somefinicky eaters in my household—namely, my husband andmy daughter, whoseemstofollowhislead.Forthelifeofme,Icouldnevergeteitherofthemtoeat eggplant (I believe they called it “super nasty”)… until, that is, I startedgrowingmy own.Now they happily eat eggplant raw, in salads, and in otherrecipes.

ThelistofcommonMediterraneanvegetablesislong,toolongtogrowalloftheminonegarden, sowearegoing toconcentrateon traditional summertimevegetables from theMediterranean that canbe included in thewidest rangeofmealsandalsoserveasbaseingredientsforaplethoraofothers.

Ifyou’resurprisednottoseetomatoesinthisgarden,don’tworry!Ihaven’tforgotten them. I feel so passionately about tomatoes that I’vemade them the

centerpiece of Chapter Thirteen (MAMA MIA BEST-EVER MARINARASAUCEGARDEN–SpicyBloodyMary),whereyou’lldiscovereverythingyouneed toknowaboutgrowingand,bestofall,enjoying tomatoes—whetheryoueatthemfreshoffthevine(nothingisbetter)orinthemostdeliciousmarinarasauceyou’veevertasted.

PLANTSYOUNEED

Eggplantseedorseedling1per2sq.ft.

Dillseedorseedling1per1sq.ft.

Basilseed4per1sq.ft.

PoleBeansseedorseedling4per1sq.ft.

Zucchiniseedorseedling1per4sq.ft.

WhattoPlantIn this garden you’ll plant Eggplant, Dill, Basil, Pole beans, ZucchiniDifficultylevelIntermediateZonesAllSunlightFullsunEarliest planting date Four weeks after the average last spring frost dateHarvestStartingin50days

GardenAdd-onsHoophouseIfyouliveinzones3–8,protectyourgardenwithahoophouse(seeMAKING A HOOP HOUSE FOR A 4' X 8' BED and MAKING A HOOPHOUSEFORA4'X4'RAISEDBED)untilaveragenighttimetemperaturesareinthe50s.BeanpoleThisisaneasy-to-makesupportforstakingupbeans.

CONTAINER&RAISED-BEDGARDENPLANS

WHATYOUNEED

•Largeterra-cottaorothercontainer

•Gravelorfillerfordrainage

•Organiccompost

•Plants

ContainerGardenPlanAny large container will work well for this garden. To give your patio aMediterraneanfeel,useterra-cottaclaypotstogrowyourvegetables.

PREPARING&PLANTINGTHECONTAINERGARDENAdda2-inch-thicklayerofgravelinthebottomoftheterra-cottapot,thenfillitwith soil that is rich in organic compost. Plant the container according todiagram,thenwaterthesoilthoroughly.

MAINTAININGYOURCONTAINERGARDENYou’regoing toneed towater thecontaineralmosteveryday,exceptonrainydays.Checkitregularlytoseeifthesoilhasdriedout.Thebestwaytomaintainthe right amount ofmoisture in the soil is to use a drip irrigation system (seeHowtoMakeaRainGauge).Usealiquidfertilizerweekly,andaddageneroushandfulofcompostmonthlyasamulch.

TIPSFORUSINGTERRA-COTTAPOTS•Terra-cottapotstendtodryoutratherquickly,souseorganiccompostbecauseitretainsmoistureandispackedwithnutrients.You’llstillneedtopayspecialattentiontothesecontainersandmakesuretheyarewellwatered.•Terra-cottapotsarenotweatherproof,likeplasticpotsormetalcontainers.Thepotsaremadefromclayandcaneasilycrackonceitgetsbelowfreezingoutside.Tosafeguardyour terra-cottaclaypotsfor thenextgrowingseason,emptyoutallthesoilinthefallandstorethepotsinabasementorgarage,shelteredfromthewintercold.

Raised-BedGardenPlansIfyouhavethespaceforit,araisedbedisthebestwaytogrowawidervarietyofMediterraneanveggies,whilegivingeachplantenoughroomtodeveloptoitsfullest potential. You can follow these diagrams or replace some plants withyourownpersonalfavorites.

GROWINGTHEMEDITERRANEANVEGETABLEGARDEN

1.Youcanplantbeans,dill,basil,andzucchinifromseedrightinthebed.

Eggplantseedlingsshouldbeplantedinthebedatthesametime.Ifaveragenighttimetemperaturesareinthe50s,coverthiscuisinegardenwithahoophouseuntilnighttimetempsareinthe60s.

2.Oncethehoophousecomesoff,putinplantsupportsforyourbeansandeggplants.Whentheplantsareatleast4inchestall,water,weed,andapplya1-inch-thicklayerofmulcharoundtheplantsandwaterthemagain.

3.Waterdeeplytwoorthreetimesperweek,beingcarefulnottowatertheleavesinordertopreventdiseasesandconservewater.

4.Weed thegarden regularly.Pruneanddiscardallbrownoryellowanddead branches and leaves to prevent diseases. If you harvest vegetablesregularlywhentheyareripe,yourplantswillcontinuetogiveyoumoretoharvest.

EGGPLANT

Eggplant,anativeofIndia,wasintroducedtotheMediterraneanbytheMoorsintheearlyMiddleAges.ThomasJeffersongreweggplants inhiskitchengardenin1809andoftensharedthemwithneighbors.

Eggplant is a member of the nightshade family and is closely related totomatoes,potatoes,andpeppers.Eggplantleavesarenotedible,buttheskinofthefruitis.

Anutritious,versatile,summertimevegetable,eggplantcanbepreparedandeaten in myriad ways—raw, grilled, baked, or fried. Each plant will yieldbetweenfiveand teneggplants throughout thegrowingseason,so tryasmany

recipesasyoucan.Eggplantisthoughttohaveheart-healthyattributesandcanreducecholesterol.It’salsoagreatsourceoffolicacidandpotassium.

Eggplantisanannualinzones3to9,butit’saperennialintropicalclimates(zone10),whereaplantcanbefruitfulfortwoormoreyears.

STARTINGEGGPLANTSFROMSEEDSIfyouliveinthetropics(zone10),youcanstarteggplantseedsdirectlyinyourgardenbed.Thegrowingseasonislongenoughfortheseedstogerminateandgrowtomaturity.

Inallotherclimatezones,however,you’llneed tostartyourseeds indoorssix toeightweeksbefore theaverage lastspringfrostdate.Eggplantscan takeup to21days togerminate, andneed at least fourweeksmore togrow into astrong,healthyplant thatyoucantransplant intoyourMediterraneanvegetablegarden.Youcanalsobuyorganicseedlingsonlineoratyourlocalgardencenter.

I find that I don’t need many eggplants in my garden. For me growingmultiple varieties is more important, so I often purchase organic heirloomeggplantseedlingsinsteadofstartingthemindoors,wheretheytakeuptoomuchroom inmyseed-startingarea. I like togrowbetween fiveandsevenvarietiesperyearandnomorethansevenplants.

PLANTINGEGGPLANT1. Dig a hole in the center of the planting square and add a handful of soilacidifier.Eggplantslikeacidicsoil.

2.Placetheplantintheholewithoutdisturbingtheroots.

3.Filltheholewithsoil,water,andmulch,thenwaterthesoilagain.

4.Water frequently for the first four to six weekswhile the plant establishesitself.Graduallyallowthegardentodryoutbetweenwaterings.

5.Theplantscangrow toover4 feet tall.As the fruitsdevelop, they’llweighdowntheplant,soitwilleventuallyneedsupport;6-footwirecagesworkwell.Placethemovertheplantswhenyoufirstplantthem.Seedtotable70–85daysSpacingforseedsandtransplants1per2squarefeetNativetoIndia

Patti’sPicks

Patti’sPicksRosa Bianca Italian Heirloom Eggplant (Solanum melongena var.esculentum)Thismid-sizeItalianvarietyisroundandhasvariegatedpink,red,andwhiteskin.

Black Beauty Eggplant (Solanum melongena var. esculentum) A classicItalian variety, Black Beauties are great in eggplant Parmesan, caponata, andratatouille.

Italian White Eggplant (Solanum melongena var. esculentum) This whitevarietyislessbitterandtastescreamierthantheBlackBeautyandcanbeusedinallofyourfavoriteeggplantdishes.Height36–48inches

HARVESTINGEGGPLANTYoucanstartharvestingeggplantwhenthefruitisatleast4incheslong.Ifyouwanttosavetheseeds,allowtheeggplanttoslightlyoverripenbeforeharvestingit.

SAVINGEGGPLANTSEEDSTosaveseedsfromeggplants,removetheseedsfromtheslightlyoverripefruitand spread themout in aneven layeronapaperplate.Cover theplatewith apapertowelandstoreitinacooldarkplaceuntiltheseedsarethoroughlydry(inoneortwoweeks).Storethedryseedsinpaperenvelopesorinaglassjarinacooldarkplaceuntilit’stimetostartyourgardenagainnextyear.

PESTS&DISEASESYoucankeepcommonpestsanddiseasesatbaybyweedingandremovinganyyellowordeadleaves,andtreatingpestinfestationsordiseasesrightaway.

DILL

Dillisaneasy-to-growculinaryherbthatisusedfreshinmanydishes.Harvestthegreenfeatheryleavesbeforetheplantflowersinmidsummer.

Dillisself-sowingandcanbeveryinvasive.Oncedillstartsflowering(thebloomsareedibletoo)pruneofftheflowersbeforetheygotoseed.Ifyouwanttosavetheseeds,waitfortheflowerstogotoseedanddryout.Cutofftheseedheads,separatetheseeds,andstoretheminajar.Dillseedsareedibleaswell.They’re delicious eaten with cucumbers or used as a seasoning for makingpickles.

Salmonorcucumbers,pairedwithfreshdill,areclassiccombos.DillisalsousedinGreekandScandinaviancuisine,amongothers.

STARTINGDILLSEEDSThere’s no need to start dill indoors. Once the danger of frost is past, sow apinchofatleast10seedsinthemiddleofeachsquarefootonthesurfaceofthesoil.Patthemgentlyintothesoilandwaterwithawateringcan.Keeptheseedsmoist until theygerminate.Once the dill plant reaches 4 inches tall,weed thearea,andmulch.

Keeptheareaweed-freeandwaterregularly.Sincedillisanherbyouwon’tneedtoworryaboutpestordiseases.Seedtotable70daysSpacingforseeds1persquarefootSpacing for transplants One 4-to 6-inch pot per square foot Native toSoutheastAsia,India

Patti’sPickMammothDill(Anethumgraveolens)Yes,it’sbig,andithasaboldflavor—perfect for vinaigrettes. This variety also adds fresh herb flavor and a nicetexturetoagardensalad.Height24–30inches

PESTS&DISEASESPestsanddiseasesdonotaffectherbs.Dill, forone,actuallyhelpskeep insectpestsawaybyattractingpredatorywaspsandflies.

BASIL

TheMediterraneangardenwouldn’tbethesamewithoutthesweetscentofbasiland its largegreen leaves.Basil is awonderful companion forothervegetableplants,it’sdeliciousinfreshMediterraneanmeals,anditwardsoffgardenpestslike aphids. In cooler climates, through zone 8, basil grows as an annual andneedstobeplantedinthegardeneveryyear.Inzones9and10,itisaperennial;inthosezones,continuetoharvestbasilanditwillkeepgrowingforyears.

PLANTINGBASILPlantfourtinypinchesofbasilseedsevenlyspacedoutpersquarefoot.Moistureandwarmth are crucial for basil to germinate, so if the seeds don’t germinaterightaway,don’tworry.Climateconditionsjustaren’tthereyet.Basilcantakeuptoonemonthtogerminate.

Onceyourbasil seedshave sprouted,weed,water,mulch, andwater againaroundtheplants.Startharvestingbasilbycuttingoffthetopleaveswhentheyreachbetween8 and10 inches tall, andkeepharvesting.Aswithother herbs,basiltastesbestbeforeitflowers.Seedtotable75–80daysSpacingforseeds4persquarefootSpacing for transplants One 4-to 6-inch pot per square foot Native toSoutheastAsia,India

Patti’sPick

Patti’sPickLargeLeafItalianBasil (Ocimumbasilicum)Thisdelicious, traditionalbasilhaslarge,crumpled-lookingleaves.Useitinanything—andeverything!Height18–24inches

PESTS&DISEASESPestsanddiseasesdonotaffectherbs.

SAVINGBASILSEEDSTosavebasilseeds,allowatleasttwooftheplantstogrowwithoutharvestingsotheycanflowerandgotoseed.Oncethey’vegonetoseedanddried,clipoffthespentflowerheadandseparatetheseeds.Storetheseedsinasmalljaruntilnextyear.

POLEBEANS

Polebeansplayanessentialroleinthegardenbyprovidingnitrogenfixation—anaturalprocessthathelpskeepyoursoilwellfertilizedandyourplantshealthy.Pole beans should be planted from seed and sown right in the garden, 1 inchdeep,aftertheaveragelastspringfrostdate.

Growingpolebeansalsomaximizesgrowingspaceinyourgarden.Allyouneedisabeanpole(seePLANTINGZUCCHINItolearnhowtobuildatepee-style beanpole).Be sure to get your beanpole into thegarden right away aftersowingtheseeds.Oncetheygerminate, theplant’svineswillquicklyattachtothepoleandcontinuetogrowonit.Oncethebeanseedsgerminateandreach4inches tall,weed theareaandmulch.Whenwatering,becarefulnot toget theleaveswet. If any leaves turn yellowor brownpick themoff and throw themawaytopreventpestsanddiseases.

Everywhereyouseea flower, there’spotential forabeanpod to form. It’samazingtoseehowlargethepodscangrow—theycanbeaslongas12inches.Pickpodswhentheyareyoungandthebeansinsidehaven’tquiteformed,andusetheminsalads.Pickmedium-sizepodsforagreatsidedish.Tosaveseeds,growthepods tomaturityandallowthemtodryontheplant.Thenpickthemoff,savesomeofpodsforseeds,andusetherestinyourcooking.

Alow-caloriedelight,beanscontainvitaminsAandC.Eatbabybeansraw,or cook more mature bean pods before you eat them. Never overcook them.Beanstastebetterandretainmorenutrientswhenthey’restillcrunchy.Seedtotable65–70daysSpacingforseedsandtransplants4persquarefootNativetoSouthernMexico,CentralAmerica

HOWTOBUILDATEPEE-STYLEBEANPOLE

Polebeansareviningplantsthatneedsupportfromastructure,suchasatrellisorpole,togrowproperlyandproducelotsofhealthybeans.Atepee-stylebeanpoleiseasytomakeanddoesthejobbeautifully.

Allyouneedare10thickbamboostakes,atleast6to8feetlong,andsomejutetwine.

Usingthetwine,wrapthetopofthebamboostakestocreateatepee-likeeffect.Pushthebottomsofthestakesintothesoilasfarasyoucan.

Makesurethey’refirmlyanchoredinthesoil—directlyoverthebeans.Thevineswillclimbupthebamboostakesastheygrow.

Patti’sPickFrench Pole Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). This is a gourmet variety. Plantpurpleandgreenpodsforadelicious-lookingsidedishorsalad.Pick thepodswhen theyareyoungand thebeanshaven’t fully formed insideHeight:Vinesgrowupto12feetlongSpacing5persquarefoot

PESTS&DISEASESUsingdisease-resistantseeds is thebestwaytopreventcommonbeandiseases

likebeanmosaicdiseaseorbacterialbeanblight.

HARVESTINGPOLEBEANS&SAVINGTHESEEDSBeansharvestsedwhenthey’reyoungandsmallmakeatendertreatservedrawin salads; once the beans have started forming in the pod, harvest them forcooking.

Harvestingofteniskeytokeepingtheplantfloweringandproducingbeansfor the whole growing season. For a staggered harvest, first plant half of thebeans;thenplanttheotherhalffourweekslater.Tosavebeanseeds,allowsomeofthepodstocontinuetogrowanddryontheplant.Harvestthepods,removethedriedbeansfromthepod,andstoretheminajarinacool,darkplaceuntilnextspring.Polebeansareself-pollinating,butifmultiplevarietiesareplantednext to eachother theymaycross-pollinate, so saving seedswon’t ensure thattheseedsare thesamevarietyoragoodseed toplantnextyear. In thatevent,justeatthemandbuymoreseednextseason.

ZUCCHINI

Zucchiniisastunnerinthegarden.Ittakesupalotofroom,butitisworthit.Although thisvarietyof squash is native to theAmericas, it has actuallybeencultivated for centuries by Italians; once it was introduced in Europe in the1500s,thezucchinibecameastapleinMediterraneancooking.

You can find zucchini in both vine and bush varieties.There’s no need toplantmultiplevarieties,sincenocross-pollinationisrequired.Thezucchiniplantgrowsbothmaleandfemaleflowers,asmostvegetablesdo.Thefemaleflowerhasasmall fruit that formsbelowtheflower; themaleflowerdoesnothaveafruit.

The female flower iswhere thezucchini fruit eventuallygrows;makesureyoudon’tpicktoomanyofthemsothattherewillbeplentyofflowerslateronto make one of my favorite recipes, Stuffed Squash Blossoms. You may seeblossomsfallofftheplantregularly,butthat’snormal.

Oncemaleflowersopenandreleasepollen,theycloseandfallofftheplant.Retrievetheblossomsandplacetheminyourcompost.

PLANTINGZUCCHINIStartingzucchiniplants fromseed indoors isprettyeasy,andyoushouldhavesuccessstartingthemevenifyou’veneverstartedyourownseeds.Startthemtheweekbeforetheaveragelastfrostdate.Keepseedsmoistuntil theygerminate,whichshouldbeinfivetosevendays.Youcanstarttransplantingthemoutsidestartingfourweeksafterthelastfrost.You’llneedtostartsquashseedsindoorsifyouhaveashortgrowingseason.

Aneasytime-saverinwarmerclimesistostarttheseedsrightinyourraisedbedfourweeksafterthelastfrost.Starttwoseedsina4-square-footarea.Ifbothgerminate,removeoneoftheplants.Seedtotable50–55daysSpacingforseedsandtransplants1per4squarefeetNativetoItaly

Patti’sPickStria di Italia (Cucurbita pepo) This is a bush variety that grows to anenormoussizeandneedsalotofroomtogrow.Height3feet

PESTS&DISEASESMostzucchinipestsanddiseasescanbecontrolledbyregularuseofinsecticidalsoap. It’s best to start a control programearly,whenplants are still young, toavoidanyproblems.

HARVESTINGZUCCHINIZucchini are best when picked early, starting at around 8 inches long. Isometimes pick a zucchini and startmunching on it away right in the garden.Theskinisthinandedible,andthefleshissoftandfullofnutrients.Aszucchinigrow,theskinchangescolorandbecomesthickerandharderandinedible.

Oncezucchinistartflowering,theywillcontinuetoflowerandproducefruit

untiltheplantdies.Ifyouwant to save the seeds fornextyear, allowonezucchini togrow to

maturityandbecomeoverripe.Thefruitcouldbeupto3feetlonginsomecasesand will lose its vibrant color. Harvest the fruit and cut it down the middle.Scoopouttheseeds,rinsethem,andletthemdryinadarkcoolarea.Placetheseedsinajarandstorethemuntilnextspring.

RECIPESFORAMEDITERRANEANGARDEN

BabaganoushServeseight

Thisdeliciousrecipe issoeasy tomakeyourkidswillstartmaking iton theirown.

2 largeeggplants Juiceof1lemon½ cuptahini(sesamepaste)4 tbsp.roastedsesameseeds4 tbsp.crushedgarlic3 tbsp.oliveoil½ cupchoppedparsley¼ cupchoppedgarlicchives Freshlygroundseasaltandgroundpeppertotaste

Preheattheovento400°F.Pokeholesintheeggplantswithaforkandroastonagreasedcookiesheetorbakingpanintheovenuntiltheeggplantissoftandtheskinisblackened,around45minutes.Allowtheeggplanttocoolandpeelofftheskin.Placetheeggplantfleshandtherestoftheingredientsinabowlandmixbyhandorpureeinablender.ServeatroomtemperaturewithKalamatablackolivesandtoastedpitatrianglesbrushedwitholiveoilandsprinkledwithgroundseasalt.Babaganoushcanbestoredovernightinthefridge.

PastaPrimaveraServessixtoeight

Pastaandveggiesmakeahealthy,fresh-from-thegardenmeal.ThisisoneI’malwaysproud to serve.With somuchcoloron theplate, I knowmy family isgettingahealthy,balancedmeal,andsecondsareneveraproblem.

2 mediumzucchini,cutintothinstrips2 RosaBiancaeggplants,cutintothinstrips1 yellowbellpepper,cutintothinstrips1 redbellpepper,cutintothinstrips20 polebeans,10purpleand10green¼ cupoliveoil Seasaltandfreshlygroundblackpepper1 lb.farfalle(bowtiepasta) Mincedfreshdill Choppedfreshbasil½ cupchoppedscallions½ cupgratedParmesancheese

Preheat the oven to 450°F. Toss all vegetableswith oil to coat, and salt andpeppertotaste.Placevegetablesonabakingsheetandplaceintheovenfor10minutes.Givethevegetablesastirandcontinuetoroastthemintheovenfor10moreminutes, then stir again and continue roasting until they start to brown.While the vegetables are in the oven, make the pasta. Don’t overcook it—aldenteisalwaysbest.Reserve2cupsofthecookingliquid.Inalargebowl,tosstogetheralltheingredients,whilethey’rehot,withthedill,basil,andscallions.AddfreshlygratedParmesancheese.Tosstheveggiesandherbs,andaddthehotliquidlittlebylittletomoistenandcombinewiththecheeseandoliveoil.ServewithfreshParmesanontheside.

ZucchiniBreadServessixgenerously;makes24muffins

Thisfunlate-summerandfallfavoriteisagreatwaytousesomeofthezucchinithatcangrowingreatquantitiesinyourgarden.It’saneasyrecipetomakewiththekidsforasnackorfamilybreakfast.

2 cupsgratedzucchini(4-6smallzucchini)3 eggs1 cupoliveoilorvegetableoil

1 cupoliveoilorvegetableoil2 cupsorganicturbinadosugar1 tsp.vanilla2 cupswhiteflour1 cupwheatflour1 tsp.salt1 tbsp.bakingsoda1 tbsp.cinnamon1 tsp.bakingpowder

Preheattheoven to350°F.Lightlygrease twobreadpanswitholiveoil.Youcanalsomake24muffinsfromthismixture.Mixthegratedzucchini,eggs,oil,sugar,andvanillatogether.Addtherestoftheingredients,startingwiththeflourand stir well. Pour the batter into the bread or muffin pans, and bake 50–60minutesforbreador25–30minutesformuffins.Checkfordonenessbystickingatoothpickintothebread.Ifitcomesoutclean,thebreadisdone.Ifanybatterstickstothetoothpick,continuetobakethebread.Whenitisdone,theoutsideofthebreadwillbedarkbrown.Removefromtheovenandcoverwithacleancloth to cool. Remove from the pans, slice, and serve while still warm withbutterorasprinkleofsugar.

StuffedSquashBlossomsServesfive

Onceyoumakethesedeliciouscheesybites—thebestmozzarellasticksever—you’ll be clamoring formore squash-flower recipes, but don’t use all of yourblossomsoryouwon’thaveanyzucchinileft!

20 squashflowers1 cupshreddedmozzarellaorfat-freericottacheese2 tbsp.mincedfreshdill3 eggs Pepper,totaste1 cupmilk2 cupsflour

In the early morning, harvest the largest squash flowers from your garden,enoughfor4perperson.Washthemwell.Drythesquashflowersandkeeptheminthefridgeuntilyou’rereadytostuff them.Tomakethefilling,combinethe

cheese,dill,twooftheeggs,andpepperinabowl.Tomakethebatter,mixthemilk,theremainingegg,andflour.Removetheflowerfromthestemandstuffwith thecheeseandherbmixture.Twist theopeningof the flowerclosed.Dipthestuffedblossominthebatterandfryuntilgoldenbrown.Serveimmediatelywithanherbpestosauceorawarmedtomatomarinara.

ItalianPastaSaladwithDillVinaigretteServeseight

Thisrawdishisservedcold—afavoriteforfamilycookoutsandbeachpicnics.

Forthedillvinaigrette

½ cupbunchingonions¼ cupchoppedfreshdill4 tbsp.whitewinevinegar2 tbsp.aioligarlicmustard½ cupoliveoil Juiceof½lemon

Place ingredients in a blender and mix. Store vinaigrette in a jar and shakebeforeusing.

Forthepastasalad

12 oz.pennepasta,cooked6 oz.freshmozzarellacheese4 tbsp.capers1 redpepper,diced1 yellowpepper,diced1 smallzucchini,diced¼ cupgreenonion,finelychopped

Placepastaand fresh ingredients ina largebowlandmix.Adddillvinaigrettelittlebylittleandmixsothateverythingiscoated.Chillinfridgeuntilit’stimetoserve.

FrenchPoleBeanswithGarlic&FetaCheeseServessix

Thisclassicsidedishisafavoriteonmydinnertable.

½ lb.babypurpleFrenchpolebeans½ lb.babygreenFrenchpolebeans4 tbsp.oliveoil4 clovesgarlic,minced Groundseasaltandgroundpepper,totaste Juiceof½lemon1 cupfetacheese

Trim the ends off the beans, coverwith about¼ cup ofwater, and cook in amedium-sizepanfor5minutes.Drainthebeansandreturnthemtothepan.Addtheoliveoilandmincedgarlictothebeansandcookovermediumheat,stirringoften,forabout2minutes.Removebeansfromheat,addsaltandpeppertotaste,tosswithlemonjuiceandfetacheese,andserve.

CHAPTERTEN

ONEPOTATO,TWOPOTATO,THREEPOTATOGARDEN

Potatoeshavehadtheirshareofupsanddownsthroughouttheirlonghistory.Onthepositiveside,formillenniapotatoesfedthevastIncaEmpirehighintheAndesmountains, where they are native. On the negative side, in themiddleyearsof thenineteenthcentury theywere themajorcauseof famine inIreland(touchedoffbypotatorot)andmassmigrationsfromthatcountry.

AccordingtotheCambridgeWorldHistoryofFood,potatoesarethefourthmost important foodon theplanet.Thisversatile, tuberousplant,amemberofthe nightshade family, has spread and adapted to every continent, and eachcultureandcuisinehasgivenitauniquespin.

There are few more popular homegrown vegetables in America than thepotato,andifyoufollowthegardenplansinthischapter,you’llbeeatingyourown homegrown mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving dinner. Remember, whilepotatoesarehighlynutritiousandgreatforprovidingenergy,theyarealsohighinstarchesthatbreakdownquicklyintosugars,whichturnintofatifthey’renotusedbythebody.Forpeoplewhohavediabetes,thequicksugarrushprovidedbypotatoescanbedangerous.

The way potatoes are processed to make French fries and potato chipsdoesn’thelpthesituationmuch,butyoudon’thavetogiveupthesetastyfoodsaltogether.Therearehealthyways toprepare thesemainstaysof theAmericandiet.You can start by growing your own potatoes.Most commercially grownpotato crops have been sprayed with chemicals to keep them from sprouting,thusgivingpotatoesalongershelflife.Youcankeeptheseharmfulchemicalsatbay—andoutofyourbody—bygrowingyourown.Ofcourse,they’lltastemoredelicious,too.

HOMEGROWNPOTATOES

Hardy and versatile, potato plants produce a lot of food in a small amount ofspace, and growing them is easy and fun. Potatoes are part of the nightshadefamily,liketomatoesandeggplants,buttheygrowinaverydifferentway.Theyarestartedfromseedsthatlookexactlylikeapotatoandareplanted3–6inchesinto the soil.All the potatoes you’ll harvest from this garden grow above theseedpotato.

Toensureaplentifulharvest,you’llneedtostart“hilling”soilaroundyourpotatoplantswhenthey’reabout6inchestall.Potatoeswillforminthehillsofsoil, and it’s important to keep them covered. Growing Potatoes for all thedetails.

PLANTSYOUNEED

RedPotatoesseedpotato1per1sq.ft.

WhitePotatoesseedpotato1per1sq.ft.

BluePotatoesseedpotato1per1sq.ft.

GoldPotatoesseedpotato1per1sq.ft.

WhattoPlantInthisgarden,you’llplantred,white,blue,andgoldorganicpotatoes.DifficultylevelEasyZonesAll

SunlightFullsunEarliestplantingdateFourweeksbeforetheaveragelastspringfrost

GardenAdd-onsHoopHouseIfyouliveinzones3–8,protectyourplantswithahoophouse(seeMAKING A HOOP HOUSE FOR A 4' X 8' BED and MAKING A HOOPHOUSEFORA4'X4'RAISEDBED)untilaveragenighttimetemperaturesareinthe50s(seethe“HardinessZones”chart).

MAINTAININGYOURPOTATOGARDEN•Weedandwateryourpotatogardenregularly.•It’seasiesttopullweedsafterwatering;that’sagoodtimetopulloutanyyoucansee,rootsandall,sothattheywon’tgrowback.•Onceyourpotatoplantsare8inchestall,youcanremovethehoophouseandstart hilling—mounding compost or straw—around the plants, leaving 2 or 3inches of the plant above themound.Keep hilling around the plants until themoundisabout18inchestall.•Continuewateringastheplantsgrow.Weedsshouldn’tbeaproblem.• Tender “new potatoes” can be harvested six to eight weeks after planting.Maturepotatoeswillneedafullgrowingseason—betweentwoandfourmonths—togrow,dependingonthevariety.

CONTAINER&RAISED-BEDGARDENPLANS

GrowingPotatoesinContainersIfyoudon’twanttodevoteawholeraisedbedtopotatoes,therearelotsofotherwaystogrowpotatoesinsmallspaces.Forexample,youcantryusingvariouskinds of growbags,meshwire, and even old tires and garbage cans.Nothingbeatsacontainergardenforhighyieldinasmallspace.

GROWBAGSPotatoesdon’tneedtobeplantedintheground.Theycanbeplantedandgrowninabag!Youcanmakeyourowngrowbagoutofburlaporweedcloth (alsoknownas landscape fabric)oryoucanpurchasean inexpensiveplasticpotato-

growingbagatyourlocalgardeningsupplystore.Usingagrowbagiseasy.

1.Fillthebottomofthebagwith4inchesofsoil.

2.Place3–5seedpotatoesinthesoil(seediagram,opposite).

3.Covertheseedpotatoeswithatleast4inchesofsoil.

4.Waterthesoilregularly.

5.Oncethepotatoplantshavegrownabout8inchestall,addmoresoilorstraw,upto4inches,buryingtheplants,andwaterthesoilthoroughly.

6.Continueaddingsoiluntiltheentirebag(orcontainer;theseinstructionsapplyalsotothecontainersdescribedbelow)isfull,upto2inchesbelowthelipofthebagorcontainer.

7.Inabouttwomonths,seeifyoucanpulloutbabypotatoes.Afterfourmonthsyoushouldhavefull-sizepotatoestoeat.

MESHWIRE1.Youcanalsogrowpotatoesinawire-meshcylinder(justlikethecompostbinIshowedyouhowtomakeinChapterOne(seeWHATYOUCAN&CANNOTCOMPOST–HowtoMakeaWormBinforinstructions).

2.Place thecylinder inasunnyspot, fill thebottomwith4 inchesofsoil,andplaceseedpotatoesontopofthesoil.

3.Covertheseedpotatoeswithanadditional4inchesofsoilandwaterthesoilthoroughly,butnotsomuchthatyoulosesoilthoughthemeshholes.

4.Followthegrowingandharvestinginstructionsabove,under“GrowBags.”

TIRESUsingrecycledtiresisavariationonthegrowbag.

1.Fillonetirewithsoilandplantpotatoesasdescribedaboveforgrowbags.

2.Oncetheplantshavegrownenoughtostickoutofthetopofthetire(byabout

4inches)addanothertireandfillitwithsoilorstraw.

3.Continueaddingtiresandfillingthemwithsoilorstrawuntilthetirepileisaboutthreetofivetireshigh,dependingontiresize.

4.Don’tforgettowaterthesoilregularly,aswellaseverytimeyouaddanothertire.

5.Startharvestingbabypotatoesaftertwoorthreemonths.Potatoplantscangrowjustaboutanywheredark.Thisdiagramcanapplytocontainers,tires,evengarbagebags.

GARBAGECANSAnothercontainerIlikeforplantingpotatoesisagarbagecan.

1. Use at least a 10-to 30-gallon garbage canmade out of rubber ormetal togrowbetweenthreeandfivepotatoplants.

2.Make drainage holes in the bottom of the garbage can and keep it slightlyraisedofftheground,usingafewbricksorconcreteblocks.

3.Followthepotatoplantinginstructionsabove,under“GrowBags.”

Raised-BedGardenPlansOther than container gardens, raised beds are hands-down the easiest way togrow potatoes. For one, there’s no digging, unlikewith conventional gardens,and because they’re so compact and easy tomanage, raised beds consistentlyyield largepotatoharvests.Youcanalsocontrol thequalityof soil ina raisedbed—aswellasmoisture,whichpotatoeslove—morethanyoucaninatypicalhomegarden.Allyouneedtoknowaboutspacingpotatoesisthis:plantnomorethanonepotatoplantpersquarefoot.Mixandmatchcolorsandvaritieshoweveryoulike.

GROWINGPOTATOES

Themostpopularmethodofplantingpotatoesinsmallspacesisinraisedbeds. Growing a garden in a raised bed gives us control over soilconditions.Potatoes inparticularneedreally loose, fluffy,well-tilledsoil.

TheyalsolikethesoilpHtobeslightlyacidic.

1.Sinceyou’llbehillingthepotatoes,youwanttobeginwithnomorethan9 inches of soil in a raised bed, then deeply plant one seed potato everysquarefoot,soyourpotatocropwillhaveplentyofspacetogrow.

2.Youcanamendtherichorganicsoilinyourpotatogardenbyaddingasoilacidifier.PotatoesgrowbestwhenthesoilpHlevel isbetween5and5.5.Startingoutwithasoilmixtureof50:50or25:75 topsoil tocompostshouldgiveyoursoilaneutralpHlevel.Tomakethesoilmoreacidic(orlowerthepH),add1poundofelementalsulfurtoa4’×4’raisedbedand2poundsof elemental sulfur to a 4’×8’ raisedbed. (For container gardens,useahandfulofsulfurperseedpotato.)Mix thesulfur into thesoilwell,andputahoophouseoveryourraisedbedtostartwarmingthesoil.Letitsit for onemonthbefore planting the seedpotatoes.Each raisedbedwillproducepoundsofpotatoes,sobecreativeandplantavarietyofpotatoestokeepyourgarden-to-tablemealsinteresting.

3. Start planting four weeks before the average last spring frost. Smalltubers can be planted whole, and large tubers can be cut in half beforeplanting. Justmake sure there are at least two eyes per piece. Plant onetuberper square foot,6 inchesdeep.Water the soil andcover thegardenwith a hoop house. In less than a month potato plant sprouts will startcroppingup.

PICKINGTHERIGHTSEEDPOTATO

Ofcourseyoucanbuypotatoesat thegrocerystoreandplant them—allofusdid that experiment in grammar school—but to be a successful organic potatofarmer,youwanttostartwithanactualseedpotatofromadisease-freeorganicplant. One pound of seed potatoes usually contains between five and eighttubers.Everypoundofseedyouplantmayyieldupto10poundsofpotatoes—quiteanimpressiveratio.

Buy and plant at least three different kinds of potatoes. It’s great to trydifferentvarietiesandseewhichonesproduce themost inyourgarden.Whenthepotatoesarrive,keeptheminacool,darkplace.Twoweeksbeforeplantingthem,you’llnoticethatthey’vestartedtosprout,soplacethembyawindowinthelighttohelpthesproutscontinuetogrow.

Patti’sPicksCranberryRedPotatoes (Solanum tuberosum)The red skin and flesh and finemoisttextureoftheseearlypotatoesmakesthemparticularlygoodwhenboiledforpotatosaladorsautéing.

BUYITONLINE

Organicseedcompaniesthatsupplyseedpotatoes:

SeedSaversExchangewww.seedsavers.org

SeedsofChangewww.seedsofchange.com

AbundantLifeSeedswww.abundantlifeseeds.com

HighMowingOrganicSeedswww.highmowingseeds.com

WoodPrairieFarmwww.woodprairie.com

PotatoGarden

www.PotatoGarden.com

Elbas (Solanum tuberosum)Versatile and disease resistant, thesewhite, late-yieldingpotatoeshaveexcellentflavor—boiledorbaked.

AllBluePotatoes(Solanumtuberosum)Thisisthemostpopularbluepotato.Alate-yielding, moderately disease-resistant variety, All Blues have deep-purpleskin and flesh. Their rich, earthy taste adds an extra dimension to mashedpotatoes;they’rejustasgoodroasted,steamed,orboiled.AllBluepotatoesarehighinantioxidantsandminerals.

Yukon Gold Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) These big, classic Americanyellowpotatoes areperfect forbakingand for fries andchips.Theyalso storewell.Seedto tableYukonGoldPotatoes andCranberryRedPotatoes:70–90days;AllBluePotatoesandElbas:110–135daysSpacingforseedpotatoes1persquarefootHeightUpto4feetNativetoPeru

PESTS&DISEASESGarden pests that can greatly reduce yield and even kill your potato plantsincludetheColoradopotatobeetle(whichcanalsocausesignificantdamagetotomatoesandeggplants)andslugs. Ifyouhaveonlyonebedoracontainerofpotatoplants,youmaybeabletoeasilypickthemoffandsquashthem,butforlarger infestations or a less bloody assault, try using organic sprays. The bestdefenseagainstdiseasesisplantingdisease-resistantpotatovarieties.

HARVESTINGYOURHOMEGROWNPOTATOESHarvestnewpotatoestenweeksfromplantingandmaturepotatoes12–16weeksfromplanting.Harvestnewpotatoesearly in theseasonbycarefullysearchingthe soil with your hands as far down as you can and remove the small babypotatoeswithoutdisturbingthewholeplant.Don’tharvestthemall.Leavemostofthepotatoesinthegroundfortheentiregrowingseason.

Once the vines start to die back, the full-size potatoes are ready to beharvestedandeaten.Inthefall, justreachintothegroundandtakeasmanyasyou need, when you need them. Be sure to remove all the potatoes by the

averagefirstfallfrostdate.Storetheminacool,dark,dryplacetopreventthemfrom spoiling.Remember, aswith tomatoes, the leavesof thepotatoplant aretoxicandshouldnotbeeaten.Makesureyou tellsmallchildrennot toeat theleaves.

RECIPESFORANORGANICPOTATOGARDEN

Tonarrowdowntheenormouslistofmyfavoritepotatorecipes,I’vechosenafewthatincludelotsofingredientsfromothercuisinegardensinthisbook,suchasAsiangreens,redwinterkale,lemongrass,garlicchives,thyme,parsley,sage,andsomuchmore.

PotatoSaladwithEdamame&RawWalnutsServessix

Here’sapotatosaladwithanAsiantwist.Newpotatoes,likeCranberryRed,areparticularlygoodinthissalad.Takeittofamilyeventsandbeastar.

3 lbs.potatoes6 stripsofbacon

1½ cupsmincedbunchingonions2 cupschoppedAsiangreens½ cupmincedfreshcilantro Saltandpepper,totaste

FortheDressing

¼ cupfinelymincedlemongrass2 cupsmayonnaisemadewitholiveoil2 tbsp.agavenectar3 tbsp.soysauce2 tsp.roastedsesameoil½ tsp.hotmustard Saltandpepper,totaste

Boilpotatoeswholewith the skins on.Allow them to cool, then cut potatoesintowedges.Mixthedressinginabowl.Addthedressingtothepotatoes.Addtheotheringredientslittlebylittleuntilalltheingredientsarecoated.

CrispyBakedHerbParmesanPatrioticPotatoChipsServessix

Once you get the hang ofmaking these delicious potato chips, you’llwant tomakealotofthem.They’remyfavoritesnackforSundayfootball.

1 lb.YukonGoldpotatoes1 lb.CranberryRedpotatoes1 lb.AllBluepotatoes1 cupoliveoil2 tbsp.finelychoppedfreshparsleyorgarlicchives½ finelygratedcupParmesancheese Saltandpepper,totaste

Preheatoven to450°F.Washpotatoeswellandslice theminto1/8-inch-thickpieces,usingamandolin.Asyouslicethepotatoes,puttheminapotorbowlofwater(tokeepthemfromoxidizingandturningbrown)untilallaresliced.Drainthewateranddrythepotatoslices.Brushthesliceswitholiveoilandplacethemon a greased cookie sheet in one layer. Put the slices in the oven for about 9minutes,turningthemoverhalfwaythroughthebakingtime.Wheneachsideisgolden brown, remove the potato slices from the oven. In a bowl, toss thepotatoes with fresh herbs, Parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper. Serveimmediately.

MANCHEGOCHEESE

Manchegocheese(QuesoManchego)ismadeintheLaMancharegionofSpainfromthemilkofManchegasheep.Itisasemi-firmwhitecheese

withanutty,sweetflavor(withhintsofcaramel),similartoamildcheddarcheese.

CreamyGarlicChiveMashedPotatoeswithManchegoCheeseServessix

This isa tasty twist toa traditionaldishyou’llwant tomakeandeatoverandoveragain.

3 lbs.Yukongoldpotatoes,washed, peeled,andquartered3 tbsp.EarthBalanceButterySpread (or3tablespoonsunsaltedbutter)1 cupgratedManchegocheese3 tbsp.milk¼ cupvegetablebroth Groundseasaltandgroundblackpepper,totaste.1 cupfinelychoppedgarlicchives

Cover the potatoes with water in a pot and boil for about 15 minutes untiltender.Strainthepotatoesandputthembackinthepotoverlowheat.Mashthepotatoesandaddtherestoftheingredientsexceptthegarlicchives.Useahandmixertocreamthepotatoes,addingmoremilkandbutterasneeded.Mixinthechiveswithawoodenspoonandservewithagenerouspadofbutter.Addalittlemoremilkifyou’dlikeacreamiertexture.

RoastedHerbPotatoesServeseight

This is an easy side dish with a garden-fresh taste. Make these potatoes fordinnerandusetheleftoversforbreakfast.

1 lb.YukonGoldpotatoes1 lb.CranberryRedpotatoes1 lb.AllBluepotatoes3 tbsp.oliveoil Saltandcrushedblackpepper,totastel½ cupparsley½ cupchives

Preheatovento425°F.Cutthepotatoesinto1-inch-thickwedges,placeinlargebowl,andmixwitholiveoiluntil thepotatoesare lightlycoated.Addsaltandpepper andmix thoroughly.Make an even layer of potato slices on a lightlyoiledbakingsheet.Roastthepotatoesforabout30minutesuntiltheyaregolden

brownontheoutsideandtenderontheinside.Flippotatoesonceortwicewhiletheyareintheoven.Placetheroastedpotatoesinaservingbowlandtosswitholiveoilandherbs.

TripleHerbPotatoSoupwithRedWinterKale&ManchegoCheeseServessix

Aclassic combination,kale andpotatoespairdeliciously in this recipe.AddafewgenerousgratingsofManchegocheeseandyouhavearobust,freshharvestsoupthatdefinitelyhitsthespot.It’llkeepyouhealthytoo.Kaleisexceptionallyrich in nutrients and health benefits, including cancer protection and loweredcholesterol.

3 tbsp.oliveoil1 cupchoppedbunchingonions1 largeelephantgarlicclove,minced10 leavesredwinterkale,chopped2 tender-crispcelerystalksandleaves,finelychopped4 cupslow-sodiumvegetableorchickenstock10 mediumpotatoes,peeledandcutinto2-in.pieces1+ tbsp.EarthBalanceButterySpread (or1+tbsp.unsaltedbutter)6 stripslow-sodiumbacon,crumbled1 tsp.driedthymeor2tsp.finelychoppedfreshthyme½ cupfinelychoppedfreshparsley,plussomeforgarnish5 sageleaves,finelychopped Juiceof1lemon Saltandpepper,totaste Manchegocheese,grated,totaste

Inalargesouppot,sautéonionsandgarlicfor2minutesinoliveoil.Addkaleandceleryandsautéfor3minutes.Addthevegetablestockandbringtoaboil.Addpotatoesandcookfor30minutesuntilpotatoesaretender.Takethepotoffthestoveandmashwithbutteryspread(orbutter).Letcool.Whilethemixtureiscooling, fry 6 strips of low-sodiumbacon and crumble it into smallish pieces.Thencombinetheherbs,lemonjuice,andsaltandpepperinablender.Whenthesoupiswarm(nothot),addtheherbandlemonmixturetothesoupandpureein

ablender.ReheatsoupandservewithgratedManchegocheese.Garnishwithasprinkleoffinelychoppedparsley.

PotatoLatkesMakes24latkes

Latkesarecrunchyandcomforting,justwhatyouwantinyourtummyonacold,rainySundaymorning.

2 lbs.potatoes1 egg,beaten3 bunchingonions,finelychopped¼ cupmatzomeal Saltandpepper,totaste

Preheat oven to 250°F. Wash the potatoes well and grate them with a finecheese grater.As you grate the potatoes, place them inwater to prevent themfrom turning brown.Drain the potatoes and squeeze out any remainingwaterwith a clean dishcloth. Combine the grated potatoes with the rest of theingredients inabowl.Adda littlemorematzomeal if thepotatomixture isn’tbindingtogetherenough.Inaskillet,frythelatkesinthevegetableoil,using2tablespoonsofthepotatomixtureperlatke,untiltheyarebrownonbothsides,about1minuteperside.Keepthelatkeswarmintheovenuntilit’stimetoservethem.Garnishwith finely chopped onion and servewith applesauce and sourcreamontheside.

CHAPTERELEVEN

BERRY,BERRYGOODGARDEN

IlovegrowingedibleperennialsbecauseIhavetoplantthemonlyonce—andthen enjoy the fruits ofmy labor for years. In this cuisine garden bed, we’regrowingberries.

When growing edibles, especially fruit, variety makes it all worth-while.Growing your own helps save money over the long run because your list ofthings tobuyshrinkswithevery trip to thegrocerystore.Store-boughtberriescan be pricey, especially when they’re out of season, because they’ve oftentraveledalongwaytogettothemarket,andthecostoftransportationispassedalong to you. Even locally grown organic berries that you buy at a farmersmarketorsupermarketcanbeexpensive—anothergreatreasonforgrowingyourown.

Blackberries,raspberries,andblueberriesarenativetoNorthAmerica,wherethey thrive. Luckily, few pests or diseases affect them. Maine is the largestproducer of blueberries in the country, and the Pacific Northwest boasts ahealthyblackberryandraspberryindustry.Theseberriesareahealthytreattoo,especiallybecause theyare low incalories,high inantioxidantsand fiber,andpackedwithvitamins.Consumingantioxidants is thought to reduce the riskofcertain typesof cancer, qualifyingberries such asblueberries, raspberries, andblackberriesas“superfruits,”sofeelgoodabouteatingasmanyasyouwant.

Iloveeatingfreshberriesinafruitsaladoroncereal,butyoucanalsojuicethem, cook them, or preserve them by freezing or canning for later use insmoothies,jams,andjellies.

This garden wouldn’t be complete without grapes. Fresh grapes make ahealthy snack and are a great addition to a fruit salad. You can also makedeliciousgrapejamsandjelliestoenjoyallwinter.Grapesarevines,sothey’llgrowupatrellisandnottakeuptoomuchroomintheraisedbed.

THEBERRIES&GRAPESGARDEN

Withthisversatileandeasy-to-growberrygarden,you’llbedoingyourpart tohelpsavetheplanet,andyou’llsavelotsofmoneyaswell,becauseyourplantswillcontinuetoproducefruitformanyyearstocome.Remember,though,thatthisisaperennialgarden.Youwon’tgetmuchofaharvest(ifany)thefirstyear—itwilltakeseveralyearsbeforeyouhaveasignificantharvest.

PLANTSYOUNEED

Strawberriesseedorseedling1per1sq.ft.

Blueberriesseedling1per2sq.ft.

Blackberriesseedling1per2sq.ft.

Raspberriesseedling1per2sq.ft.

Grapesseedling1per2sq.ft.

WhattoPlantInthisgardenyou’llplantAlpinestrawberries,Wildblueberries,BlackberriesandRaspberries,GrapesDifficultylevelEasyHardinessAllzonesSunlightFullsun

EarliestplantingdateAfteraveragelastspringfrost

GardenAdd-onsHoop House Cover the garden with a hoop house starting about four weeksbeforetheaveragefirstfrostdate.Trellis You’ll need a trellis to support your grape vines. For instructions onbuildingasimpletrellis.

MAINTAININGYOURBERRYGARDEN•Afterplantingand for the firstmonth,waterdaily,directlyon the soil at thebaseoftheplants,wheretherootsare,astheplantsestablishthemselves.•Water the soil deeply two or three times perweek in the earlymorning, asneeded.Becarefulnottowettheleavesoftheplants.• To extend the growing season, cover the gardenwith a hoop house startingaboutfourweeksbeforetheaveragefirstfrostdate.Removetheplasticcoveronthehoophousefourweeksafteryouraveragefirstfrostdateandleaveitoffuntilthespring. In thespring, fourweeksbeforeyouraveragespringfrostdate,putthe plastic back on the hoop house over the garden to jump-start your berryfactoryandprovidefruitearlier.

CONTAINER&RAISED-BEDGARDENPLANS

WHATYOUNEED

•½oakbarrel

•Gravelorfillerforproperdrainage

•Organicpottingsoil

•Berryplants

ContainerGardenPlanTogrowberryplants inacontaineryou’regoingtoneedalargeone.Someofthesecanbepricy,butaninexpensiveandsustainableoptionisarecycledoakbarrel, previously used to storewine or spirits.Cut in half, these long-lasting,

watertight wooden barrels make great containers for shrubs, vegetables, andflowers. Most large garden centers and nurseries carry these handy, great-lookingcontainers.

PREPARINGTHECONTAINER1. Position the barrel at the spotwhere itwill be permanently located (itwillbecomeheavyonceit’sfilledwithpottingsoilandplants).

2.Drill10to20¼-inchholesthroughthebottomoftheoakbarrel.

3.Adda1-inch-thicklayeroffiller—afewhandfulsofsmallstones,pebbles,orgravel—tothebottomofthebarrelforproperdrainage.

4. Fill the container with organic potting soil and plant according to theinstructions;waterthoroughlyafterplanting.WhattoPlantinYourBerryGarden

ContainerA4alpinestrawberryplants,2blueberryplants,1blackberryor1raspberryplant

ContainerB1grapevine,2blackberryor2raspberryplants

MAINTAININGTHECONTAINERGARDENContainerscandryoutquickly,soyou’llneedtowaterthesoildeeplyandoften.If the surface is dry, use the finger test to see if the container is stillmoist 2inches below the surface. If it is dry, it’s time towater thoroughly.Water thesurfaceofthesoiluntilthewaterrunsoutofthebottomofthecontainer,donotwatertheleaves.

RaisedBedGardenPlansI’vepackedthemostpopularberriesaswellasgrapesintothiscuisinegarden.Don’tfeelobligatedtogroweverythingI’vesuggestedhere;ifyoulike,increasethenumberofthoseplantsthatareyourfamily’sfavorites.

STRAWBERRIES

There are two varieties of strawberry plants, ever-bearing and June-bearing.Ever-bearing strawberries bear fruit starting in the spring and don’t stop allsummer; in some cases, they continue until early winter. Dime-size, the fruitfrom ever-bearing plants ismuch smaller than the strawberries you’re used tobuyingat thegrocery store.Themuch larger June-bearing strawberries,whichbearfruitonlyinJune,areliketheonesavailableatthegrocerystore.

Theever-bearingberriesyou’llbeplantinginyourcontainergarden—alpinestrawberries(alsoknownasfraisesdesbois)—havebeencultivatedforcenturiesinFranceaswellasintheUnitedStates.

The strawberry is a mounding plant, and can grow both horizontally andvertically—as high as 12–18 inches tall—making strawberries perfect for araised-bed gardens and containers. I love planting alpine strawberries in mygarden.Notonlyaretheydelicious,theyalsohavebeautiful,richgreenfoliagewithprettywhite flowers.Red,yellow,andevenwhitealpine strawberriesareavailable.

Strawberriesareagreathealthysnack,fullofvitaminCandiron.Theyhavebeen used to treat anemia and improve circulation, and they contain pectin,which has been known to lower cholesterol. Strawberries are also an anti-inflammatory—andagorgeousfruitthat’seasytogrow,funtopick,andsweettoeat.Seedtotable1yearTransplantstotable6weeksfromplantingSpacingforseedsandtransplants1persquarefootNativetoAlpinemountainregionofItaly

STARTINGALPINESTRAWBERRIESFROMSEEDIt’scosteffectivetostartalpinestrawberriesfromseed(I’vehadalotofsuccesswiththem),buttheplantswon’tproducefruitthefirstyear.Youcanorderseedsonline from e-retailers, such as The Strawberry Store

(www.thestrawberrystore.com),whichoffera largevarietyofseedsandlotsofinformationongrowingalpinestrawberries fromseed.Alpinescanbedifficultto find at garden centers, so order seeds early before they are sold out in thespring.

Onceyouget the seeds,place them in the freezer inawatertightcontainerforthreeorfourweeks.Whenyoutakethemoutofthefreezer,bepreparedtostarttheseedsindoorswithaheatmatandagrowlight(see“MakeYourOwnHothouse”). Alpines germinate when the temperature is between 60 and 70degrees.Keep themmoist and be patient.Theywill start sprouting in about aweek,butitmaytakeupto30daysforabout60percentofthesownstrawberryseedstogerminate.

Becauseof that relatively lowgermination rate, start all of your seeds anddon’t store any. Every year of storagewill reduce the germination rate of theseeds. Once your seedlings have at least three leaves, transplant them into alargercontainer.Whentheplantsare3–4inchestall,starthardeningthembeforeplantingtheminthegarden(forinformationabouthardening,seeUsingToilet-PaperRollsforSeedlings).

TRANSPLANTINGALPINESTRAWBERRIESWhen you transplant strawberry plants that you’ve started from seed, all theirenergy the first year will go into becoming established plants; they won’tproduce flowers.Transplants soldat thenurseryorgardencenterhavealreadybeen growing for a year, so you’ll be able to start harvesting berries about 6weeksafterplantingtheminyourgarden.

Theplantsarediseaseresistantandverycold-hardy;onceestablished,they’llremain green through the winter, even after they stop flowering. Pop a hoophouseovertheplantsinearlyspringastheycomebacktolifesothatthey’llfillout,bloomearly,andsetfruit.

Alpineslovefullsunbutpreferpartialshadeinhotclimates.Duringtimesofhightemperatures—inthe90sto100degrees—thebloomsmaydryout,evenifyou’vewatered themwell.Don’tworry,alpinestrawberriesareresilientplantsandwillreboundinnotime.

Patti’sPicksRuegen Improved Alpine Strawberries (Fragaria vesca) This popular redalpinevarietyishardyandgrowsupto18inchestall.

Baron Solemacher Alpine Strawberries (Fragaria vesca) Both the red andwhitevarietiesofthisstrawberryareeasytostartfromseed.Theredvarietyissweeterthanthewhite.

YellowWonderAlpineStrawberries (Fragaria vesca)This highly aromatic,tasty variety is safe from birds—for some reason they don’t bother with theberries,whichstartoffwhiteandturnyellowwhenthey’reripe.Height12–18inches;spread18inches

HARVESTINGSTRAWBERRIESAlpine strawberry plants are ever-bearing, which means they produce fruitthroughout the growing season, not just once a year like June-bearingstrawberries.Ifyou’vestartedyourownstrawberryplantsfromseedandplantedthe seedlings inyour raised-bedgarden,youwon’t seeany fruit the firstyear.Alpine strawberry plants purchased from a nursery, especially ones that arealready flowering, should begin giving you fruit the first year.You can beginharvesting fruit from mid-to late spring through the first frost. You can alsoextendtheharvestintomid-winterbyusingahoophouseafterthefirstfrost.

If you give a berry a tug and it doesn’t pop off, it’s not quite ripe.Whenyou’renot eating thesedeliciousberries asquicklyasyoupick them,youcanfreezethestrawberriesforlateruseormakepreserves.

BLUEBERRIES

Mymouthwatersjustthinkingaboutallthedeliciousthingsyoucanmakewithblueberries—andthey’reallgoodforyou,too.Highinfiber,blueberriesaretheperfectfruittohelpkeepyourcholesterollow.

Wild blueberries are smaller by nature than cultivated, store-bought

blueberries, but they have more antioxidants and more intense flavor, andthey’regreat for freezing, preserving, andbaking.Themost popular blueberryplantvarietiesarehighbushJerseyandPatriotblueberries,whichcangrowupto10feetandhigherinoptimumconditions,makingthemtootalltobeplantedinraisedbeds.Highbushvarietiesaregreatforplantinginyourlandscapeandaregood substitutes for a tall hedge. Ifyouwantblueberryplants thatdon’tgrowmuchhigherthan3feet,lookformorecompactvarieties.

GROWINGBLUEBERRIESHardinesszones3–7arethebestclimatesforgrowingblueberries;caseinpoint:thestateofMaineisthenumber-oneproducerofcommercialblueberriesintheUnitedStates(thelowbushblueberryisthestatefruitofMaine).

Althoughyoucanplantblueberrybushesinthespring,they’realsoexcellentto plant in the fall, when they’re usually on sale. Plant different lowbush orcompact varieties so they can cross-pollinate to produce a better-tasting fruit.Plantyourblueberrybushesinfreshlyturnedsoil.Digaholeatleastthesizeofthe container your blueberry bush is planted in. Water the blueberry bushthoroughlybeforetakingitoutofthecontainer,thenknockoffsomeofthesoilfromtherootballandloosentheroots.It’sOKifyoubreakoffsomeoftherootswhile you’re transplanting the shrub—in fact, it’s good for the plant. Put theplantintothesoil,andmulchandwateritwell.

Keeptheplantwellwateredforafewweeksafterplantingsotherootscanestablish themselves.Clip dead or diseased branches, stems, and stalks at anytime,butdonotprunelivebranchesuntilyou’veexhaustedyourblueberrycropfor theyear.Allow theberries to ripenbeforeharvesting them.Pick ripedarkblueberries in midsummer. Once your plants have been established for a fewyears,you’llgetadecentblueberrycrop.Spacingfortransplants1plantper2squarefeetNativetoNorthAmerica

Patti’sPickNorthcountryBlueberry(Vacciniumangustifolium)Althoughtheseplantsareself-pollinating, they yield larger crops if they’re grown alongside and arepollinated by Northblue blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium ‘Northblue’).Northcountry isoneof themostadaptableandprolificvarieties.Matureplantsyieldup tosevenpoundsof fruit.Thecompactbushesaregreat forcontainersandraisedbeds,andthedarkgreensummerfoliageturnsredinthefall.

Height1½-2½feetNativetoNorthAmerica

HARVESTINGBLUEBERRIESBeginning one year after planting, you will harvest medium-size dark purpleberriesinmid-tolatesummer.Allowtheberriestoripenontheplantfromgreentopurpletodarkpurple.Youcantelliftheberriesareripeiftheycaneasilybepluckedofftheshrub(itdoesn’thurttotasteafewtobesurethey’reperfectlyripe).Thesearethesweetestberriesandshouldbeeatenwithinadayortwo.

BLACKBERRIES&RASPBERRIES

Blackberriesandraspberriesarenative to theUnitedStatesandcangrowwithlittle maintenance or water. They are also perennials, so they’ll provideincreasingamountsfruitastheyearsprogress.

Blackberry and raspberry plants grow long canes that flower and producefruit.Infact,theycanproducemultipleharveststhroughoutthegrowingseasonbecausetheyarebiennial.Thismeansthatthecanesonlygrowfortwoyearsandthendie.

Newcanes,knownasprimocanes,willgroweveryyearandbearfruitinthefall through the first frost. The next year, these same canes, now calledfloricanes,willbearfruitinlatespringtoearlysummer,andthendie.Toprotectthis staggeredharvest,pruneonlydiseasedordead,grayish-lookingcanes thatbore fruit in the last year. In late winter, top-dress (fertilize) the plants bymulching around the plants with compost. This will insulate the plants fromwintertimecoldandgivethemaboostoffoodinearlyspring.

GROWINGBLACKBERRIES&RASPBERRIESTherearelotsofvarietiesofblackberriesandraspberriestochoosefrom.Yourlocalnurseriesandgardencenterswillcarrythevarietiesthatgrowwellinyourarea.Buyplantsinsmallcontainersfromthenursery(they’realsolessexpensivethanplantspurchasedin1-galloncontainersorlarger)andallowthemtobecomeestablishedinyourgardenforanentiregrowingseason.Alloftheplantsinthisbedareplantedonceandgrowyearafteryear,providingagreaterharvestwitheachpassingseason.

1.Plantblackberriesandraspberriesinfertile,well-drainedsoil.

2.Water the plants for the first month to help get them established. The soilshouldbemoistbutnotwet.

3.Duringtimesofdrought,waterasdeeplyasneeded.

4.Blackberryandraspberryplantstoleratesomeshade,buttheythriveandyieldmorefruitinsunnyareas,especiallyincoolerclimates.

5.Sincetheycangrowastallas6feet,theseplantsmayneedaverticalsupportlikeatrellis.

PRUNING&PROPAGATINGTIPS• “Tip prune” new canes in the spring. This encourages branching and thegrowthofthickercanestosupportbigger,juicierberries.•Oncenewcanesreachabout24inches,cut6–12inchesoffthetip.•Tip-pruningwilldelayfruitingsignificantly,sodon’ttip-pruneallofyournewcanesanddonotpruneifflowershaveformedonthetip.•Everyspring,newcaneshootswillstartgrowingjustabouteverywhereinthebed, including areas where you’ve put in other plants. Remove rogue shootsregularly so they don’t crowd out the other plants in your raised bed. Startanotherbedifyouhaveroom,letnewshootsgrowinacontaineronthepatio,orplantthemrightintoyourlandscape.Youcanalsosharethewealthwithfriendsandneighbors.

Patti’sPicksNovaRaspberry(Rubusstrigosus)Thissweet,thornless,cold-hardyraspberry

cultivatedinNovaScotiatastesjustlikearaspberryshould.HardinessZones3–8Height4–5feetSpacingfortransplants1plantper2squarefeet

Fall Gold Yellow Raspberry (Rubus idaeus) Sweet and juicy, this goldenvarietyisgreatforeatingfreshandforcanningandpreserving.HardinessZones3–9Height3–5feet

ApacheThornlessBlackberry (Rubus fruticosus)This jumbo,high-yielding,disease-resistantberryalsodelivershugeflavor.HardinessZones5–9Height3–6feetTriple-CrownThornlessBlackberry (Rubus fruticosus) Productivity, flavor,andhardinessare thisprolificvariety’s triplecrown.A late-summer ripener, ityieldsfirmandglossyfruit.HardinessZones5–9Height3–5feet

HARVESTINGRASPBERRIES&BLACKBERRIESIn colder climates (zone 7 or colder), you’ll have edible raspberries andblackberries throughout the spring, summer, and fall, starting one year afterplanting. In warmer climates (zones 8–10) you’ll have a great harvest in latesummerandearlyfall.

GRAPES

If you’re surprised to see grapes in a “berry” garden, you’re not alone.Manypeople don’t think of grapes as berries, but in fact they are. Grapes arewonderfullycompanionablewithberries,asyou’llsee inmyrecipeforGrape-BerryJuice,andtheleavesprovidetheperfectwrapforadelicioussavoryfilling(seemyDolmadesrecipe).Andwhatcouldbemorepleasantthanashadygrapearborinyoursummergarden?

Homegrowngrapesaresuchatreattoeat,andtheyareincrediblyversatileasafruity,late-summersnackeatenstraightoffthevine,asjuice,orasjelly,jam,or even raisins. It takes a few years, however, before grape plants begin toproduce,anduptofiveyearsbeforeyougetagoodharvest,buttheyareworththewait.

Grapes are low in calories, high in vitamin C, and have regenerativepropertiesthatworkonthecellularlevel.Feelfreetoaddthemtoyourdietandreapthehealthbenefits.

Grapes are thought to be one of the oldest cultivated fruits, going backthousandsofyears to theworld’soldesthumancultures.GrapesfromsouthernEurope are known as Old World grapes, but various species of New WorldgrapesgrewinthewildandwereapartofthedietofmanyNativeAmericans.Concordgrapes,oneofthemostpopulargrapescultivatedandeateninAmericatoday(andafavoriteformakinggrapejelly)areactuallyacrossbetweenanOldWorld grape variety that doesn’twinterwell and aNewWorld variety that iscold-hardy.

GROWINGGRAPESWhen you choose grapes to plant in your garden, consider planting just onevariety—there’s no need to have multiple varieties, especially if you have asmallgarden.Somegrapesareself-pollinating,soyoucanhavegrapesevenifyou have only a single vine. For example, some varieties of muscadines (aNativeAmericangrape),donot require anotherplant for cross-pollinationandproducegrapesthatcanbeeatenstraightoffthevineormadeintowine,jam,orpreserves.Ifyouchoosetoplantmultiplevarieties,plantdisease-resistantgrapesthatripenatdifferenttimesforastaggeredharvest.

Since grapevines can become very large plants, they need a structure thatwillprovideverticalsupport,likeatrellis.(Youcanpurchaseagrapevinetrellisormakeoneyourself.Verylittleconstructionisrequired,andthematerialsaresimpletofind.Forinformationaboutbuildingatrellis.

Inthefirstyearofthegrowthofagrapevine,allyou’llseeisabig,beautiful

vine,which can growup to 20 feet per year. To support the vine and get themost out of it, don’t attach it to the trellis going straight up. Instead, train thevinetogrowhorizontally.Overtime,newbrancheswillgrowvertically.Inthesecondyear,startinginearlyspring,pruneyourgrapevinessothateachcaneorbranch has about five buds. Every year afterward, cut the canes back andcontinueincreasingthenumberofbudsonthecane.Fertilizewithatopdressingofcompost.Spacingfortransplantedvines1per2squarefeet

Patti’sPicksSweetLaceGrapes(Vitisvinifera)Thisdelicioustableandwinegrapeisoneofmyfavorites;itgrowswellinraisedbedsandisperfectasapatiocontainerplant.Theintricatelacepatternoftheleavesalsoprovidesaneleganttextureinthegarden.Harvestinlatesummer.HardinessZones6–9NativetoFrance

ConcordGrapes (Vitis labrusca)This is theclassicAmericanvarietyused tomake grape juice and jelly, but the grapes taste even better fresh. Harvest inearlyfall.HardinessZones5–9NativetoNorthAmerica

HARVESTINGGRAPESAs temperatureswarm up, you’ll see tiny bunches of flowers growing on thevines, and very quickly they’ll start forming into grapes. The tiny grapeswillstartoffgreenandchangecolorwhenthey’reripe,dependingonthevariety.

Whenyousmellastrongsweetgrapescentaroundyourvines,you’llknowthat it’s time toharvest thegrapes.Thebestway topick the rightbunch is totasteagrapeandseeifitisslightlysquishyandsweet.Ifitishardandtartthegrapesneedmoretimeonthevine.

BERRYRECIPES

HONEYSIMPLESYRUP

Makes2cups

Thissimplesyrupisgreatforsweeteningjuices,hotorcoldteas,lemonade,ordrizzledonafruitsalad.

1cupraworganichoneyorGoldenBlossomhoney

1cupwater

1cupmintorlemonbalmleaves

Bringingredientstoaboilinamediumsaucepanuntilallthehoneyisdissolved.Letthesyrupsitfor30minutestoonehour,strain,andstoreinaglassjar.Youcankeepthesyrupinthefridgeforuptotwoweeks.

Grape-BerryJuiceMakesfour8-oz.servings

Overtime,yourgrapeharvestwillincrease.Grapeshaveantibacterialproperties,somakinggrapejuiceisahealthywaytodrinkthemup.

2 lbs.grapes16 oz.blueberries,raspberries,strawberries, orblackberries,freshorfrozen1 cuphoneysimplesyrup(seerecipe,left)orrawagave

nectar,totaste16 oz.water1 trayicecubes4 12-inchsprigsmintorlemonbalm

Juiceorpureethegrapesuntilyouhave16ouncesofgrapejuice;placeitintherefrigerator.Puree8ounces,orhalf,oftheberries.Coarselychoptheremainingberries.Combine thegrape juicewith thepureedberries ina largepitcherandstirwithaspoon.Addtheremainingberriesandstir.Sweetenwithhoneysimple

syrup or raw agave nectar to taste.Dilutewithwater to taste.Chill pitcher infridge.Servejuicewithiceandasprigofmintasgarnish.Thejuicewilllastinthefridgeforabout5days.

MixedBerrySaladServesfourtosix

This colorful salad is great for casualmeals andpicnics, or dress it upwith ascoopofvanillaorcoconutmilkicecreamforaspecialdessert.

1 lb.seasonalberries(anymix)2 tbsp.mincedmintleaves Honeysimplesyrup,totaste Juiceof1lemonorlime

Mixingredients ina largebowl.Coverandchill forat leastanhourandservewithanextradrizzleofhoneysimplesyrup.

SeriouslySimpleJamMakesone16-ouncejar

Ifyoulikeyourjamsweetandchunky,trythisfastandeasy“nocook”recipe.

1 lb.berries(anymixture)1 cupormoreorganicturbinadorawsugar

Inalargebowl,mashberries,addingsugartotasteuntilthesugariscompletelydissolved.Thejamlastsforaboutaweekstoredinaglassjarinthefridgeandcanbeusedasatoppingonwaffles,pancakes,Frenchtoast,muffins,orscones.

BerryPreservesMakes16ounces

Thisquickrecipeisaneasywaytopreserveyourberryharvest.

1 lb.freshberries1 cuporganicturbinadorawsugar¼ cupwater½ lemon,thinlysliced

½ lemon,thinlysliced Juiceof½lemon

Put all ingredients in a large saucepan and simmer until thick, about 20minutes.Coolandstorethejaminacoveredjar.Itwillstayfreshforuptotwoweeksinthefridge.

HOWTOVACUUM-SEALMASONJARS

Tightlycovereachjarofwarm,newlycookedjamwithitslid.Placethejarsinalargepotandfillwithenoughwatertocoverthejarsbyabout2inches.Bringthewatertoaboilandleavethejarsinthe

boilingwaterfor20minutes.Usingtongs,carefullyremovethejarsandallowthemtocoolonadishtowelonthekitchencounter.Coolingthejarstoroomtemperaturewillcompletethevacuum-sealingprocess.

GrapeBlueberryJellyMakesthree16-ouncejars

Myfamily—particularlymyhusband,wholikesthebitsofblueberryinthisjelly—begsme tomake this recipe every year.There is noneed to add sugar; theintense sweetness of the grapes andblueberries—and the additionof pectin inthisjellytakesitoverthetop.

5 lbs.Concordgrapes2 lbs.blueberries1 packetBall®RealFruit™No-SugarPectin

Putgrapes througha foodmill to extract about 5or 6 cupsof juice and setaside.Thenputhalftheblueberriesthroughthefoodmillandputthejuiceaside.Puttheotherhalfoftheblueberriesinalargebowl,addthegrapeandblueberryjuice,andstir.Ifyoudon’twantchunksofblueberryfruitinthejelly,processallthe blueberries through the food mill. Place the grape and blueberry juicemixtureinalargesaucepanandmixinthepackageofpectin.Bringtoafullboil,stirringfrequentlyforabout2minutes,thenreducetheheattoasimmer.Totesttheconsistency,scoopupaspoonfulofjellywithanice-coldspoon.Allowthejelly to cool on the spoon. If it’s not thick enough for your taste, keep itsimmeringon the stove for 1or 2moreminutes and repeat the test.Once the

jellyhasthickenedtoyourliking,turnoffthestoveandletitcoolfor5minutes,thengiveitamix,andladleitintosterilizedglassMasonjars,leaving1inchofspace at the top of the jar.Vacuum-seal the jars according to the instructionsgivenat left, so that theycanbesafelystored inyourpantrywithout spoiling.Storeopenjarsintherefrigerator.

Raspberry&HerbVinaigretteMakesabout1cup

Once you’vemastered this recipe, alwaysmake an extra batch to store in thefridge, thenpour itonsomanydifferentdishes. It is theperfectdressingforafresh salad of spinach leaves, crumbled goat cheese, alpine strawberries, andcrushedwalnuts.

FortheAioliGarlicMustard

1 garlicclove¼ tsp.coarsekoshersalt1 cuppreparedmayonnaise(store-boughtisfine)2 tbsp.Dijonmustard1 tbsp.freshlemonjuice Pepper,freshground,totaste

In a small bowl mash garlic and salt into a paste. Mix in the remainingingredients and blend thoroughly. Season to taste with pepper and additionalsalt,ifdesired.

Forthevinaigrette

½ cupraspberries,freshorfrozen¼ cupapplecidervinegar¼ cupbalsamicvinegar2 tsp.rawsugar1 tbsp.aioligarlicmustard½ cupoliveoil10 mintorbasilleaves

10 mintorbasilleaves Pinchofgroundwhitepepper Juiceof½lemon1 tsp.mincedshallots½ cupoliveoil

Addall ingredients,exceptoil, toablenderorfoodprocessorandpureeuntilsmooth.Slowlyaddoil tomixtureinblenderorfoodprocessorandpulseuntilcombinedwell.Storeinaglassjarinthefridgeforuptotwoweeks.

Dolmades(StuffedGrapeLeaves)Makes30-40dolmades

Grapevines grow lots and lots of leaves.Luckily, they can be used tomake atruly special treat.The lamband spices in this recipemakea fillingappetizer,butyoucanalsoswapinacombinationofvegetablesortakethingstoasweeterlevelandstuffthegrapeleaveswithnutsandfruit.

¼ cupoliveoil(forcoatingthesautépan)½ cupchoppedgreenonions(scallions)½ cupcubedtomatoes1 lb.groundlamb½ cuprice zestof1lemon¼ cupcoarselychoppedpinenuts3 tbsp.allspice Saltandpepper,totaste½ cupchoppedfreshparsley½ cupfreshmint½ cupfreshdill½ cupraisinsorchoppeddriedfigs

30–40 medium-sizegrapeleaves Juiceof1lemon2 cupswater

TOMAKETHEFILLINGIna large,heavy-basedpan, sauté scallions inoil for5minutesoruntil softovermediumheat,thenaddcubedtomatoes.Mixandcookfor2minutes,then

add lamb,rice, lemonzest,pinenuts,allspice,andsaltandpepper.Sautéuntilthelambiscooked,thenadd1cupofwater.Mixandsimmeruntiltheliquidisabsorbedandriceisaldente,about10minutes.Takethepanoffthestoveandmixinthefreshherbsandraisins(orchoppeddriedfigs).Allowthestuffingtocoolinabowl.

STUFFINGTHEGRAPELEAVESWhilethestuffingiscooling,inalargepot,blanchmedium-sizegrapeleavesinsimmeringwaterfor5minutes,thendraintheleaves.Pourcoldwaterovertheleavestostopthecookingprocess.Pateachleafdrywithpaper towelsandsetaside.Layoutthegrapeleavesundersideup,onebyone,onaflatsurfaceandput1or2teaspoonsoffillinginthecenterofeachgrapeleaf.Foldthestemendofgrapeleafoverthefilling.Foldthesidesoverthemiddle,thenrollthestuffedleafintoacigarshape.Placeeachstuffedgrapeleafinalargedeepskilletseamside down. Repeat the process until you have one layer of dolmades in theskillet.

COOKINGTHEDOLMADESPourwater and lemon juice over the dolmades so that the rolls are coveredhalfwaywiththeliquid.Coverthepanandbringtoasimmeronthestoveovermedium heat until the water has evaporated, about 30 minutes or more. Thedolmades will be ready when you can easily pierce them with a fork. Meatdolmades should be eatenwarm.Vegetarian or sweet dolmades canbe servedeither hot or cold.Dolmades gowell with tomato sauce on the side or,moretraditionally,withGreekyogurt.

CHAPTERTWELVE

THREESISTERSNATIVEAMERICANGARDEN

When Europeans began exploring North America, they saw fields of cropstheyhadneverseenbefore.Amongthemwerecorn,beans,squash,sunflowers,andmanyotherfoodsthatwestilleat.Infact,threeoutoffourfoodsconsumedaround the world today were first cultivated by natives of the Americas.Wehavemuchtolearnfromtheirancientagriculturalpractices.

Today’s big agri-farms practicemonocropping—using chemical fertilizers,they plant a single crop year after year on the same land. Native Americanspracticed polyculture, planting multiple food crops, along with flowers andcotton, in the same field. In theMayanmilpa system,more than200differentcropsweregrownonwhatwerebasciallyvastgardenplots.

North American natives also practiced companion planting—cultivatingcropsthatgrowwelltogether,suchascorn,beans,andsquash.Becauseoftheirreliabilityassustainingcrops,thattriobecameknownastheThreeSisters.Eachsupports the other.Through a process called nitrogen fixation, pole beans andother legumesconvertnitrogen in the soil intoa form thatplants suchascornuse as they grow.Corn stalks provide a natural trellis for beans to climb andgrowon;thatstructuregivesthestalksenoughrigiditytowithstandhighwindsandheavyrains.Squash,thethird“sister,”shadesthesoilwithitslongvinesandlargeleaves,keepingitcoolandmoistandpreventingunwantedseedsinthesoilfromgerminating.

Thetwistinthiscuisinegardenisedibleflowers,whichwerealsogrownbyNative Americans. A great companion plant, the nasturtium helps ward offgarden pests, too. Sunflowers brighten up a garden, and their seeds are anutritioussnack.NativeAmericansfiguredthisalloutforus.Let’sgiveitatry.

GROWINGTHETHREESISTERSGARDEN

Theplantsinthisgardencanbestartedfromseedinaraisedbed,butgardenersinareaswithshortergrowingseasonsshouldstarttheircornandsquashindoorsasboth requirewarmsoil temperatures togerminateoutside.Theseed-startingkit I use (youcanbuyNativeAmerican seeds atwww.nativeseeds.org) comeswith a light and a heating pad so that the seeds can germinate in time to beplantedoutside.

1. Plant corn, sunflowers, and nasturtium seeds in your garden starting twoweeksafterthelastfrost.Sowseeds1½inchesdeeporusetransplants.

2.Coverthegardenbedwithahoophouseuntilseedshavegerminatedorplantsarewellestablished.

3.Oncetheplantsare4 inches tall,water,weed,andmulcharoundtheplants,and water them again. Then plant the beans and squash from seed. Keep thenewlysownareamoistuntil theseedsgerminate.Youcanalsoplantbeanandsquashseedlingsatthistime.

4. Water and weed the garden regularly, allowing the soil to dry betweenwaterings.

5.You’llbeabletoharvestsomecornwithin70days,dependingonthevariety.Sunflowerswillbeinbloomstarting70daysafterplanting.

PLANTSYOUNEED

Cornseedorseedling4per1sq.ft.

Sunflowersseedorseedling4per1sq.ft.

Nasturtiumsseedorseedling1ateachcornerofaraisedbedandat1-ft.intervalsarounditsperimeter

Beansseedorseedling5per1sq.ft.

Squashseedorseedling1per4sq.ft.

WhattoPlantInthisgardenyou’llplantCorn,Sunflowers,Nasturtiums,Beans,andSquash.DifficultylevelIntermediateZonesAllSunlightFullsunEarliestplantingdateTwoweeksaftertheaveragelastspringfrost

GardenAdd-onsHoopHouse If you live in zones3–8,protectyourgardenwith ahoophouseuntilaveragenighttimetemperaturesareinthe50s.

CONTAINER&RAISED-BEDGARDENPLANS

WHATYOUNEED

•Alargecontainer,atleast24in.indiameter,withdrainageholes

•Gravelorfillerforproperdrainage

•Organicpottingsoil

•Organicpottingsoil

•Seeds

•Wateringcan

•Plantmarkersandtags

ContainerGardenYes,aThreeSistersgardencanbegrowninacontainer…well,sortof.Whiletherearequitea fewvarietiesofcorn,beans,nasturtiums,andsunflowers thatgrowreallywell incontainers, there’s justnotenough roomfor squash in thisone.Besuretousealargecontainerthathasaminimumdiameterof24inchessothatyoucangrowalotofplantsinit.

PLANTING THE CONTAINER FROMSEED

1.Adda2-inch-thicklayerofgravelorfillerinthebottomofthecontainer,thenfillitwithpottingsoilupto2inchesfromthetopofthecontainer.

2.Waterthoroughly.

3.Plant1sunflowerseed1inchdeepinthecenterofthecontainer,thenplant4cornseedsaroundit—about6inchesawayfromthesunflowerseed.

4. It’s also time to plant the nasturtiums: Plant a total of 4 nasturtium seedsaround theperimeter of the container, leaving spacebetween eachone for thebeanseeds(seestep7).

5.Waterwithawateringcan.

6. Keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate. Then allow the soil to drybetweenwaterings.

7.Once thecorn is at least4 inches tall,water thecontainer andplant8beanseedsaroundtheperimeterofthecontainer(6inchesawayfromthecorn).Waterwithawateringcan.

8.Keepthecontainermoistuntilthebeanandnasturtiumseedshavegerminated.Thenwaterregularly,allowingthesoiltodrybetweenwaterings.

Raised-BedGardenPlansRaisedbedsarethebestwaytogetthemostoutofyourThreeSistersgarden,inwhicheachplanthasanimportantroletoplay.Givingthemeachthespacetheyneedtothrivewillhelptheentiregardenreachitsfullpotential.

Whether you choose the 4 × 4 or the 4 × 8 plan, it’s important to payattention to the arrangement of the plants so that they can all help each othergrow.Clumpingallyourcornorbeansatoneendwoulddefeatthepurpose.It’sallaboutbalance.In both theAversions of theThreeSisters garden plan shownhere and theBversions, nasturtiums areplantedat1-ft.intervalsaroundtheperimeterofthebeds.Squashareplantedinthecenterofeach4’×4’bedorhalfbed,amidcorn,beans,andsunflowers.

Onceyouget thehangofspacingyourseeds,perhaps inyoursecondgrowingseason,youcantrymorecreativespacingarrangements,as in theplansshownhere.Remember thateven inaThreeSistersNativeAmericangarden,with itsmultiple,mutuallysupportivecrops,croprotation is important forkeepingsoilhealthy, so feel free to rearrange the plants frombed to bed and fromyear toyear.

Inallof theThreeSistersgardenplans, thebeansareplantednext to corn for structural support as theygrow.Thesquashisinthemiddleforshade,andthenasturtiumsformaprotectivebarrieraroundthebordertowardoffgardenpests.

CORN

Maize is the name Central and South Americans use for corn, which wasoriginallycultivatedinMesoamericafromawildgrasscalledteosinte.Inthoseearlydays,cultivationproducedverysmallcorncobswithfewkernels,butoverthemillenniathecobsevolvedandgrewbiggerandbigger.Asearlygenerationsofcorntraveledtoothernations,suchastheAztecsandtheIncas,anewdiversebreedofediblemaize fedmillionsofpeople. In fact,80percentof theMayandiet consisted of corn—making it a truly important crop in the history of theAmericas.

The corn sold at the grocery store today is a far cry from the traditionalvarietiesthatwereoriginallycultivatedandthatrangedincolorfromyellowtoorange,andfromredtoblue—sometimesallonthesameear.NativeAmericanshavemadepainstakingeffortstopreserveandgrowthesevarieties,whichareahugepartoftheirheritage.Inmygarden,Igrowmanytypesofcorn,includingNativeAmericanvarietiesandnewerhybrids.

Onestalkoftraditionalcorncanproducemultipleears,unlikenewerhybridsandgeneticallymodifiedcorn,whicharebredtogrowonlyoneearsothatitcanbeeasilymachine-harvested.TheUnitedStatesisthelargestproducerofcornintheworld.Muchof theU.S. crop isusedas feed for livestockand toproduceethanol.

Cornhasalotofstarch,whichmeansit’shighinsugar,especiallywhenitisprocessed intohigh-fructosecornsyrup—aproduct that isused inmany foodsandthathasbeendemonizedforcontributingtoweightgainandhighlevelsofobesityintheUnitedStates.However,ifyoueatcorninmoderation,whenit’sinseason,it’sagoodsourceofantioxidants,fiber,andvitamins.

Youcanstartplantingcornseeds right inyourgarden twoweeksafter theaveragelastspringfrost.Waterthesoil,thenplantfourseedspersquarefoot,1½inches into the soil, andwateragainwithawateringcan.Keep the soilmoist,andwithin seven to ten days your seedswill germinate.Youmay have heardabout mounding soil and planting corn seeds in mounds. This is a Native

Americantechnique,butsincewe’reusingraisedbedswedon’tneedtomoundthesoil.Spacingforseedsandtransplants4persquarefootSeedtotable70–100daysNativetoCentralandSouthAmerica

Patti’sPicksDakotaBlackPopcorn(Zeamays)Thisisagreatcool-weathervarietypopularwiththeDakotanation.Thisoneisapersonalfavoritebecauseit’sidealfortheclimate in my area and delicious eaten fresh or grilled. The 8-inch ears arepurple-black.

GoldenBantamImproved(Zeamays)Thisistheultimatesweetcorn;theearsgrowupto12inchesandareidealforgrilling.HeightThetwovarietiesabove(tallcorn)growtoupto12feettall.

HopiBlueCorn(Zeamays)Wheneatenrawthisbluecornhasawonderfullymeatyquality.TheHopiletitdryonthestalkanduseittomakeflourforbluetortillas, and so can you (see Blue Corn Tortillas). The beautiful purple-bluekernelsgrowon9-inchears.

HopiSweetCorn(Zeamays)ThisyellowvarietygrowstallerthanHopiBlue.It’s the perfect, traditional sweet corn—delicious eaten fresh or in cornbread.Brightyellowkernelsgrowon9-inchears.HeightThetwovarietiesabove(medium-tallcorn)growtobetween5and7feettall.

BlueJadeCorn(Zeamays)Thisshorterstalkproducesmultiple8-inchearsofbluecorn.HeightAround3feet

Strawberry Popcorn (Zea mays) Multiple cobs with red kernels grow 2–3inches long.Allow thecobs todryon thestalkanduse themornamentally,ortake the dried red kernels off the cob and enjoy a unique popcorn on movienight.Height4feet

PESTS&DISEASESDiseasesaren’tmuchofaproblemforcorn,andinsectscaneasilybecontrolled.Birdsandothercritterscanalsobekeptawaywithlittleeffort.Yourplantswill

stay healthy—and they’ll withstand some nibbling from insects—if you plantyour corn inwell-drained soil that has the right balance of nutrients. To keepfuturecropsdisease-free,compostoldcornstalksordiscardthem.Thiswillkeepinsectsanddiseases from“overwintering”andcomingback thenext season topreyonyournewplants.

HARVESTINGCORNHarvestcornwhenthesilkoneachearhasturnedbrown.Tocheckifyourcornisripe,peelabitofthehuskoffanearandcheckthecobtoseeifthekernelsareplump.Popoffakernelandsqueezeittoseeifthejuiceismilky.Ifitis,you’regoodtogo.Trytastingittoo.Sometimesmycorndoesn’tmakeittothekitchen.It’sdeliciousfreshlypickedandeatenraw.

SAVINGSEEDSTosavecornseeds,letsomeoftheearsinyourgardendryoutcompletely,rightonthestalk.Makesureyoupickthecornbeforethefirstfrost.Popthekernelsoff the cob, place them in a paper bag, and allow them to dry out a little bitlonger inacooldarkplace.Once theyarecompletelydry, store thekernels inglassjarsinacoolplaceuntilspring.

SUNFLOWERS

Sunflowers come in a variety of colors and sizes. NativeAmericans used theseedsas snacksandate sunflowerseedcakesandbreads, justaswedo today.TheHopiusedpartsofthesunflowertomakevividred,purple,andbluedyes.EverytimeIseesunflowersinmygardentheyinstantlyputabigsmileonmy

face.Thereare threedifferentcategoriesof sunflowers:giant, regular, andmini.

FortheraisedbedsinourThreeSistersNativeAmericangarden,however,we’regoingtostickwithregularandminivarieties.Thebestwaytoplantsunflowersis to start them from seed right in the garden.Before planting,water the soil,thenplantthesunflowerseeds,4persquarefootandatleast1inchdeep.Watertheareaagainwithawateringcanafterplanting.Keep thesoilmoistuntil theseedsgerminate.

SunflowersaresomuchfunandsoeasytogrowthatIusuallyplantextrasrightinthegardenandtransplantthemelsewhereoncetheyareatleast4incheshigh.Spacingforseedsandtransplants4persquarefootFromseedtobloom70daysNativetoNorthAmerica

Patti’sPicksArikaraSunflower(Helianthusannuus)Thisnativesunflowergrowsmultipleheadswithedibleseeds.

Apache Brown Striped Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) Popular with theApache nation, this sunflower yields black-or brown-and white-stripedsunflowerseeds.

HopiBlackDyeSunflower(Helianthusannuus)Thistraditionalsunflowerhaslargeheadsandabundant,edibleblack-shelledseeds.TheHopisusedtheseedsformakingdye.HeightTheselargesunflowersgrowverytall—upto12feettall.

PESTS&DISEASESYouwill encounter somegardenpestswhenyougrow sunflowers, but there’snot toomuch you can do about that. Keeping your bird feeders well stockedthroughoutthegrowingseasoncanhelpkeepbirdsawayfromyoursunflowersandothertemptingtreatsthatgrowinyourgarden.

HARVESTINGSUNFLOWERS

Toharvestsunflowersfor theseeds,cut theflowerheadoff thestem.Youcan

telliftheseedsarereadytobeharvestedifthebackoftheflowerheadisdryandbrown.Donotharvestafterarain,andmakesuretheflowerheadisquitedry.Just ruborbrush theplumpseedsoutof theheadbyhand.Dry the seedsandstoretheminaglass jar,shellandall, for lateruse.Youcaneat thesunflowerseedsrawor roast thembeforeeating. In thespringyoucanuse themtoplantmoresunflowers.

NASTURTIUMS

This wonderful annual, which the Incas grew, produces edible flowers andspectacularroundleaves.(Thedelicateflowershaveapleasantpepperyflavor.)Agreatcompanionplant,nasturtiumsmaketheThreeSistersNativeAmericangardenamorebalancedecosystembyhelpingtowardoffpests.

Start the seeds in the garden, rightwhere youwant them to grow, startingtwoweeks after the average last spring frost date. The seeds of this plant arequite large and are not uniform in shape. To make sure the seeds germinatequickly, scar them by scraping them along a rough surface—like concrete orbrick. Just a little bit of filing is all that’s required; you want to the seed toremainintact.Keepthesoilmoistuntiltheseedsgerminateinseventotendays.For a while, you’ll just see the round leaves growing. Once the plant startsflowering,itwillcontinuetodosountilthefall.Spacingforseedsandtransplants1persquarefootFromseedtobloom70daysNativetoNorthAmerica

Patti’sPicksFiesta Blend (Tropaeolum majus) This native annual has yellow peach andbrightorangeedibleflowers.

Height10–12inches

DwarfNasturtium(Tropaeolumminus)Thisnasturtiumhasbeautifulyellowtoorangepetals.HeightVinetrailsupto10feet

PEST&DISEASESTopreventpestsanddiseasespruneoffanyyellowordeadleavesandbranchesthroughout thegrowingseasonandpop themintoyourcompostbin.Deerandrabbits will stay away from your nasturtiums because they just don’t like thetasteoftheseplants.

HARVESTINGNASTURTIUMSHarvesttheflowersbycuttingoffabitofthestem,alongwiththeflowers,andputthestemsinajarofwater.Placethejarinthefridgeuntilyou’rereadytousetheflowers.Theleavesarealsoedibleandcanbeaddedtoamixedgreensaladorusedasgarnish.

SAVINGSEEDS

Ifyouwanttosavenasturtiumseeds,don’tpickallofyourflowers—letsomegotoseed.You’llseeaclusterofgreenseedsoncetheflowerpetalshavewilted.Youcanpicktheseclustersanddrythemoutonatraylinedwithpapertowels.Placethetrayinacooldarkplaceforafewweeks.Youcanalsolet theseedsmatureon theplant andcollect themwhen they’ve fallenoff theplant—if thebirdsdon’tgettothemfirst.

BEANS

BeansareessentialtotheThreeSistersgardenbecauseoftheirnitrogen-fixatingprokaryotes (single-celled organisms on their roots), which convert nitrogenfrom the air into compounds used by plants. Beans are both delicious andnutritious;theyarehighindietaryfiber,vitaminC,andiron,importantnutrientsthat help prevent disease. Native Americans ate them throughout the winter;oncebeansaredriedandshelled,theycanbestoredforlongperiods.Afavoritetraditionaldish is succotash, a tastycomboofcorn,kidneyor limabeans, andsquash(seetherecipe).

Onceyourcornis4inchestall,it’stimetoplantbeans.(Cornneedstheheadstart because beans grow so quickly they can choke corn and keep it fromgrowing.)Water thesoilbeforeyouplantbeanseeds inyourgarden. I lay thelargeseedsonthesoilwhereIwanttoplantthem,thengentlypushthemintothesoil,about1½inchesdown.Covertheseedswell.

Theseedswillgerminatebeforeyouknow it, sobe sure tohaveaverticalsupport in place before you plant them. Keep the soil moist until the seedsgerminate,andputmulcharoundtheplantswhenthey’reabout4inchestall.Asthevinesgrowthey’lltwistaroundthesupportandwillalsomigrateforsupporttoanycornstalksandsunflowersthataregrowingnearby.Seedtotable70daysSpacingforseeds5persquarefootNativetotheAmericas

HOWTODRYBEANS

Onceyou’veallowedalargenumberofbeanpodstomatureanddryinyourgarden,pullthemoff,taketheminside,andallowthemtocontinue

todryinacooldarkplace.

Thenremovethedriedbeansfromthepodsandstoretheminglassjarsforfutureuse.

forfutureuse.

Youcanusethedriedbeanswhenmakingsoupsbysoakingthebeansinwater(1cupdriedbeansto2½cupswater)foraminimumof1hour

beforecooking.Delicious.

Patti’sPicksBlueLakePoleBeans(Phaseolusvulgarisvar.vulgaris)Greateatenraworasasidedish,thisistheclassicAmericangreenbeanvariety.

TepehuanRedKidneyBean(Phaseolusvulgaris)ThisisatraditionalNativeAmericanredkidneybeanvariety.HeightVineswillgrowupto12feetlong

PESTS&DISEASESYou can protect your green beans by choosing varieties that are resistant todiseasesthatarecommoninyourareaandbypurchasingseedsfromareputableseedcompany.Makesurethesoilisadequatelyfertilized,androtatebeanswithotherplantsinyourgarden.Besuretoremoveoldplantsfromyourraisedbedsaftertheharvestsothatanydiseasesorinsectsthatmightbepresentwon’thaveaplacetostickaroundnextseason.Thesameadviceholdsforkidneybeans.Tohelpkeepinsectsatbay,plantaromaticherbsnearby,suchasrosemary,todeterbeanbeetles,andnasturtiums,whichkeepawayaphidsandwhiteflies.

HARVESTINGBEANS

It’s time to harvest your beanswhen you notice little flowers forming on theplantswhere thepodswill eventuallygrow. It’s amazing to seehow large thepodscanbecome—upto12 inches.Pick thepodswhenthey’reyoungandthebeans inside haven’t quite formed. At this point, you can eat them whole—they’re delicious in salads. Pickmedium-size pods if youwant to prepare thebeansinacookeddish.

SAVINGTHESEEDS

Ifyouwanttopreservesomebeanseedsforfutureuse,growthemtomaturityand allow the pods to dry. Pick the pods off the plants and remove the beansfromthepods.Storetheminaglassjaruntilthenextgrowingseason.

SQUASH

Squash is a delicious addition to everyday cooking, but somewhere along theline it lost its popularity inAmerican cuisine. Squash ismaking a comeback,though,becauseitissoeasytogrowandtherearesomanywaystoprepareit.Manymorestoresarenowcarrying it too.It’sagreatvegetableforaseasonaldiet.

Bushvarietiescanbegrownincontainers,butourNativeAmericangardencallsforsquashthatgrowsonvines.Pumpkinandsquashareactuallythesamething, but in various parts of the world, the terms are used differently. InAustralia,forexample,theterm“pumpkin”isusedforallkindsofsquashes.Inthe U.S., we differentiate winter squash, summer squash, and zucchini frompumpkins, but they are the same plants, botanically speaking, despite a lot ofvarietyinshape,color,size,andtaste.Youcangrowandcareforthemallinthesameway,buttheyhavedifferentusesinthekitchen.

It’sbest tostartsquashfromseedright in thegardenbecause it’seasyandeconomical. Plant the seed 1 inch deep and keep the soil moist until itgerminates. As the vine grows, flowers will form, and if bees and otherpollinatinginsectsdotheirjob,morethanonesquashwillformpervine.Seedtotable70daysSpacingforseeds1per4squarefeetNativetoNorthAmerica

Patti’sPicks

Fordhook Acorn Squash (Cucurbita pepo) This rare American heirloomsquashwithacream-topeach-coloredskinhasbeenaroundformore than100years.Itripensearly,aroundthesametimeasyourcorn.

HopiPumpkin(Cucurbitamaxima)Thisviningpumpkinhaslongbeengrownby theHopi nation. A variety of winter squash, Hopi pumpkin is an easy-to-grow,low-maintenanceplant.Dependingonthevariety, thesepumpkin-shapedsquashcanbegreenororangewhenthey’reripe.

PESTS&DISEASESRemove any brown, yellow, or dead leaves to prevent pest and diseases, andallowthesurfaceofthesoiltodrybetweenwaterings.

HARVESTINGSQUASHES&PUMPKINSDependingonthevarietyofsquash,thecoloroftheskinwilltellyouwhenit’stimetoharvestit.You’llalsoknowwhenyoursquashisreadytoharvestwhentheplantitselfbeginstodie.Removethesquashorpumpkinfromthevinewithapruningshearsatthestem.Itwillstorenicelyforaweekormoreinthekitchenuntilyou’rereadytouseit.

RECIPESFORANATIVEAMERICANGARDEN

I thinkyou’llenjoytheserecipes—they’realittledifferentandwillgiveyouataste of traditional Native American foods that you might not get every day.Afteryou’vemadeacoupleoftheseeasy,flavorfulrecipes,don’tbesurprisediftheymaketheirwayintoyourpermanentrepertoire.

ThreeSistersSuccotashServesfour

Not only do the Three Sisters growwell together, they also taste great whencombinedinthistraditionaldish.

½ cupchoppedgreenonions1 tbsp.oliveoil2 cupscubedsquash(anykind)2 cupsgreenbeans

2 cupsgreenbeans2 cupsfreshcorn1 hotpepper,deseededandminced2 cupsvegetablestock6 largesageleaves,minced4 tbsp.unsaltedorganicbutter Seasaltandfreshlygroundpepper,totaste

Sautégreenonionsinoliveoiluntilsoftinlargeskilletovermedium-highheatfor2minutesoruntilsoft.Addsquash,beans,corn,andhotpepperandsautéforabout1minute.Addvegetable stockandmix.Bring themixture toaboilandsimmer,uncovered,overlowheatuntilthevegetablesarecookedandthestockhas reduced,around10minutes.Stir in the remaining ingredientsandadd saltandpeppertotaste.Variation You can turn this succotash recipe into a hearty soup by adding 3morecupsofvegetablestock,1cupofshelledsunflowerseeds,and1½cupsofdiced potatoes. Garnish with nasturtium blossoms and finely chopped sage.ServewithSunflowerSeedCake.

HOWTOMAKECORNMEAL

Placedriedcornkernelsintoagraingrinderormill(availableforaround$40)andgrindatleastthreetimestoproducefinecornmeal.

BlueCornTortillasServesfour

IlovetheflavorandaromaofhomemadetortillaswhenI’mrustlingthemupinmy kitchen. These blue corn tortillas are fantastic stuffed with salad greens,meat, cheese, and veggies. You’ll love them sprinkled with sugar or drizzledwithhoneyormaplesyrup.They’realsofuntomakewithkids—andtheytastebetterthananytortillayoucanbuyatthestore.

2 cupswater1 tbsp.salt2 cupsbluecornmeal Vegetableoilforskillet

Boilthewaterandsalt.Inalargemixingbowl,addthecornmealandmixwithwater,littlebylittle,untiladoughisformed.Allowthedoughtocoolenoughsothat you can divide it with your hands into 2-inch balls. On a well-flouredsurface,usearollingpintoflatteneachballofdoughintoathinroundtortilla.Brownonbothsidesinalightlyoiledskilletorgriddleovermediumheat,about2minutesoneach side.Keep the tortillaswarm in a cleandishtoweluntil it’stimetoservethem.

HOWTODRYCORN

Youcanharvestfreshcornanddryitusingthismethod:

Boilcorncobsinwaterfor5minutes.Removethecobsandcooltheminicewatertostopthemfromcooking.

Removethecobsfromcoldwateranddrythemoff.

Placethecobsoncookiesheetsintheovenat150°Fforabout8hours,rotatingthecobsregularlysothatallofthekernelsdryevenly.

Removethecobsfromtheovenandstoretheminapaperbagforaweektoensuretheyarecompletelydry.

Popthekernelsoffthecobsandstoretheminglassjars.

Youcanusedriedcornkernelswhenmakingsoupsbysoakingthecorninwater(1cupdriedcornto2¼cupswater)foraminimumofahalfhourbeforecooking.Driedcorncanalsobegroundormilledintocorn

mealandusedtomakecornbreadortortillas.

NativeAmerican–StyleCornbreadServessix

Cornbreadisgreatservedhot,rightoutoftheoven,asawarmsnack.Itisalsotheperfectsopforstew,andjustthethingtohavewithabowlofsoup.

½ cupwhole-wheatflour¾ cupwhiteflour

¾ cupwhiteflour¾ cupcornmeal¼ cupsugar5 tsp.bakingpowder½ teaspoonsalt⅓ cupmaplesyruporhoney½ cuplowfatmilk½ cupwater1 tsp.vanillaextract

Mixallofthedryingredientstogetherinalargebowl.Mixthewetingredientsinaseparatebowl.Addthewetingredientstothedryingredientsandmixwell.Bakeat375°Finagreased8-inch×8-inchbakingpanforabout30minutes,oruntilgoldenbrown.Servewarmwithsoftenedbutterontheside.

RoastedSquashSoupwithGingerServesfour

Autumn weather and roasted squash soup just go together. As the days getshorterandcoolerawarmbowlofthiscreamysouphitsthespot.

1 butternutoracornsquash(1-2lbs.), seededandcutintopieces3 tbsp.oliveoil4 clovesgarlic,minced2 tsp.mincedfreshginger1 cupchoppedgreenonions3 celerystalks,thinlysliced4 cupsvegetablebroth3 tsp.finelychoppedsage½ cupheavycream Saltandpepper,totaste

4-8 nasturtiumflowersforgarnish

Preheat oven to 400°F.Coat the squashwith someof the olive oil, reservingabout 2 tablespoons. Place the squash on a baking sheet, cut side up, andsprinklewithafewpinchesofseasalt.Roastthesquashintheovenuntilsoft,about40–50minutes.Whilethesquashiscooling,sautéthegarlic,ginger,and

greenonionsinalargesouppot,usingthereservedoliveoilfor2minutesorso.Add the celery and sauté for another 2 minutes. Remove the peel from theroastedsquashwithaparingknife.Addsquashtothesouppotandstir.Addthevegetable broth and sage. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low.Cover and simmer for 10–15minutes, stirring often.Let the soup cool for 15minutesorso, thenblendit,usingahandmixer(orpureeit inablender)untilthesoupissmooth.Addthecreamandblendagain.Seasonwithsaltandpeppertotaste.Garnishwithnasturtiumflowersandserve.

SunflowerSeedCakeServessix

It doesn’t take any time at all tomake these delicious, grain-free cakes. Theymakeanutritioussnackandasatisfyingaccompanimenttoagoodbowlofhotsoup.

3 cupsraw,shelledsunflowerseeds3 cupswater3 tbsp.maplesyruporrawagavenectar½ cupfineorganicbluecornmeal½ cupvegetableoil

Simmer theseeds inwater forabout1hour.Drainandgrind theseeds intoapaste,usingamortarandpestle.Mixthesyrupandcornmealwiththeseeds,alittle at a time, inorder tomake thedough.Shape thedough into2-to3-inch-roundpancakes.Frythemforaboutaminuteoneachsideinvegetableoiluntilthecakesarebrownonbothsides.

NasturtiumFlowerWhiteVinegarMakes8ounces

This vinegar is a deliciousmarinade formeats, but it’s just as tasty used as adressingforsalads.

Nasturtiumflowers,enoughtoloosely fillan8-oz.glassjar1 cloveorganicelephantgarlic,thinlysliced, or1bunchgarlicchives,choppedfine

Whitebalsamicvinegar,enoughtofillan8-oz.jar

Whitebalsamicvinegar,enoughtofillan8-oz.jar

Put the flowers and the garlic or chives into the glass jar and cover withbalsamicvinegar.Letthejarsitfortwoweeksinadarkpantrybeforeusingasamarinadeordressing.

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

MAMAMIABEST-EVERMARINARASAUCEGARDEN

America’s most popular backyard crop, tomatoes are the centerpiece of thiscuisine garden. But, first, a little history of this versatile vegetable: Tomatoeswere first cultivated, by the Incas, in themountains of Peru andChile. In thefifteenth century theSpanish exported the seeds toEurope, but itwas another300yearsbeforetomatoestookcenterstageinItaliancuisine.Why?Theyhadabad rep. Experiments by European chefs determined that the leaves werepoisonous,soatfirsttomatoeswerepersonanongrata.Oncepeoplefiguredoutthat the delicious and robust round fruit was the edible part, the tomato’spopularitytookoff.

New varietiesmade theirway back to theAmericas in the late 1700s andwere quickly embraced by farmers.After large numbers of Italian immigrantsarrivedintheUnitedStatesattheturnofthetwentiethcentury,tomatoesenteredAmerica’s culinary mainstream—all of which resulted in our love affair withItalian-stylepastasauceandpizza.

A tomato is ripewhen it can easily be pulled from the vine. If it doesn’tcome off easily, it’s not quite ready for eating. Tomatoes at the peak of theirripeness should be consumed immediately. And don’t despair if a few getsquishyandoverripe—they’reperfectforsaucesandsoups.

The great thing about growing your own tomatoes is that you can harvestthem at the peak of their flavor, based on your own taste. I urge you toexperiment with picking tomatoes at different stages of their growth (greentomatoes, for example, canbeprepared inmyriaddeliciousways), but alwaysremember—don’teattomatoleaves.

GROWINGTHEMARINARASAUCEGARDEN

It’seasytogrowgreattomatoesandalltheotheringredientsyou’llneedtomakethebestmarinarasauceyou’veevertasted.

1.Plantawholetomatobedatthesametime,startingfourweeksafterthelastspringfrost.Tosavetimeandmoney,planttomatoandmarigoldseedlingsrightinthegardenbed;asfortherestoftheplantsinthischapter,startthemrightinthebedfromseed.

2. Cover the bed with a hoop house and keep the soil moist until the seedsgerminate.

3.Oncetheseedshavegerminated,removethehoophouseandinstallatrellis.

4.Mulchandwaterthebedasneeded.

5.Harvestherbsandveggiesinabout11weeks.

PLANTSYOUNEED

Tomatoesseedling1per1sq.ft.

Basilseedorseedling4seedsorone4–6-in.potper1sq.ft.

Oreganoseedorseedling1pinchofseedsorone4–6-in.potper4sq.ft.

Chives

seedorseedling16seedsorone4–6-in.potper1sq.ft.

Scallionsseed16per1sq.ft.

Marigoldsseedorseedling4per1sq.ft.

WhattoPlantInthisgarden,youwillgrowTomatoes,Basil,Oregano,Chives,Scallions,andMarigolds.DifficultylevelIntermediateZones4–10SunlightFullsunEarliestplantingdateFourweeksafterthelastspringfrostdateGardenAdd-onsHoopHouse If you live in zones4–8,protectyourgardenwith ahoophouseuntilaveragenighttimetemperaturesareinthe50s.TrellisTolearnhowtobuildasimpletrellis.

CONTAINER&RAISED-BEDGARDENPLANS

WHATYOUNEED

•Galvanizedmetalcontainerorhalfwoodedoakbarrel,minimum18gal.

•Gravelorfillerforproperdrainage

•Organicpottingsoil

•Oneheirloomtomatoplant,fourmarigoldplants,fourbasilplants

•Compost,enoughfora1-in.-thicklayertocoverthesoilinthecontainer

ContainerGardenThis is a fun container to grow on a patio or balcony, and it’s perfect forbeginners. You’ll need a large container—at least 18 gallons. You can buy agalvanizedmetal container or a half oak barrel at your local garden center orbuilding supplies store for between $20 and $40. For best results, plant yourcontainergardenwithseedlings,notseeds.

HOWTOPREPARETHECONTAINER

•Makeatleast20drainageholesinthebottomofthegalvanizedcontainerusingalargenail(¼inch)andhammer.•Fillthebottomwitha2-inchlayerof¾-inchgraveloralightersubstitute.•Addorganicpottingsoil, leaving2 inches from the topof thecontainer,andwaterthoroughly.Eveninsmallspaceslikethiscontainergarden,it’simportanttoincludeallofthedesignatedplants,aseachhas an important role to play in companionplanting. Inmanyofmy cuisine gardens, you can swapoutfavorites,butwhenitcomestotomatoes,nothingprotectsthembetterthanbasilandmarigolds.

PLANTINGYOURCONTAINERGARDEN•Startingfourweeksafterthelastspringfrost,plantseedlingsinthecontaineraccording to the garden plan on the facing page.Water all seedlings in theircontainers before transplanting. Start by planting your tomato seedling in thecenter of the container, as deeply as you can, leaving at least 4 inches of thetomatoseedlingabovethesoilandpruningoffanyleavesthatbranchoutbelowthesoil.•Plantthebasilandmarigoldsinaringaroundthetomatoplant,makingsuretospacethemevenlyaroundtheedgeofthecontainer.•Waterthesoil thoroughlyafterplanting,makingsurethatwaterdrainsoutofthebottomofthecontainer.•Mulchthesurfaceofthesoilwithaninchofcompost.• Install a tomato support and tie the tomato plants to itwith string or jute (astrongnaturalfiber)astheygrow.

HOWTOMAINTAINYOURCONTAINERGARDEN•Containersdryoutquicklyandneedtobewateredalmostdaily.•Onceaweekfertilizethesoilwithliquidfertilizerorcomposttea.•Add a thin layer of compost orworm castings (seeHow toMake a SimpleCompostBin)asmulchonceamonth.

HealthBenefitsTomatoesarehighinvitaminAandcontainvitaminC,potassium,andcalcium.

Tomatoesarealsorichinlycopene,abrightredpigmentfoundintomatoesandotherredfruitsthatscientificstudiessay

canaidinhearthealthandpreventprostatecancer.Canned,store-boughttomatoesareconvenient,buttheyoftencontainalargeamountofsalt,

sometimes100timesthetraceamountsfoundinfreshtomatoes.Itreallydoespaytocookfromscratch,

usingyourownfresh,homegrowntomatoes.

Raised-BedGardenPlansThe high-yielding, high-flavor marinara sauce garden is also a wonderfulexampleofapermacultureenvironment,inwhicheachoftheplants,inadditiontoyieldingfoodsthattastedelicioustogether,helpstheotherplantsthrive.Whicheverraised-bedplanyouuse,keepthetomatoesinthebacksotheycanclimbupthetrellis.Plantthesmallerherbsinfrontforbestsunexposure.

HEIRLOOMTOMATOES

Among the best heirlooms to grow, tomatoes come in a dazzling variety ofshapes, colors, and sizes. I experimentwithnewheirloomvarieties everyyearandreplantthemostsuccessfulones.Thevarietieslistedbelowaremyfavorites,basedonflavorandabundance.DuetotheshortergrowingseasoninBoston,Ihavechosensmallertomatovarieties(seedtotablein70days)thatripensoonerthansomebeefsteakvarieties.

Startyourownheirloomtomatoseedsindoors,sixtoeightweeksbeforetheaveragelastfrostdate,andtransplantthemoutsidefourweeksafterthelastfrost.Seedtotable70daysSpacingfortransplants1plantpersquarefootNativetoCentralandSouthAmerica

Patti’sPicksRoyal Chico Tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum) A high-yield Roma type,this vigorous plant yields bright red, pear-shaped tomatoes that are perfect formakingpasteorcanning.Itisalsoresistanttodisease,makingitallthebetterforhomegardens.

Cuor di Bue Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) Considered an heirloomcultivar, this dark-pink to red, heart-shaped Italian variety can weigh up 12ounces.Thesweet-tastingfruitisgreatforsauceandtastesdeliciousrightoffthevine..

Marmande(Solanumlycopersicum)Thisslightlyribbed,pear-shapedheirloomyields a large beefsteak-type fruit, and like ‘Royal Chico’, it makes a greatmarinarasauce.

GROWINGTOMATOESFROMSEEDS

Tomatoesarewarm-weathercrops;seedlingsshouldbeplantedfourweeksafterthe average last spring frost. Luckily, garden centers start stocking tomatoseedlingswhen it’s the right time to plant them outside. Start your own fromseedindoorssixtoeightweeksbeforetheaveragelastfrostdate.Thisgivestheseedsenoughtimetogerminateandgrowintoplantableseedlings.

PLANTINGTOMATOSEEDLINGSTomatoseedlingsthatareover4inchestallshouldbeplanteddeeply,leavingaminimumof4inches(oftheplant)stickingoutofthesoil.Allothervegetableplantsshouldbeplantednodeeperthanthesoillineinthecontainerfromwhichyou are transplanting the seedlings, keeping the stem and plant above the soilline.Tomatoplantsaretheexceptiontothisrule.Rootswillgrowfromthestemoftheplant,soplantingatomatoplantniceanddeepwillhelpitgrowalargerroot ball that can access more water for juicier tomatoes and make the plantsturdier.

1.Inthecenterof1squarefootofsoil,digaholedeepenoughsothatnearlytheentiremainstemofthetomatoseedlingisunderthesoilline,withonlythetopoftheplantabovethesoil.

2.Clipoffallleavesandsmallersidebranchesthatwillfallbelowthesoillineandputtheplantinthehole.

3.Filltheholewithsoil,andwaterthoroughlyuntilatleastthetop6inchesofsoilaresaturatedwithwater.

GETTINGBIGGERPLANTSINTOTHEGROUNDAsanalternativetothetraditionalholemethoddescribedabove,youcanuseasystemcalledtrenchingtogetplantsthataremorethan10incheshighintotheground.Thetrenchingmethodhastwoadvantages:Youdon’tneedtodigadeephole,andtheentirelengthoftheplant’srootsystemgrowsintheupper,nutrient-rich layer of soil. In the spring, the shallow layers of the soil warm quickly,promotingtheplant’sgrowth.

1.Diga5-inch-deephorizontaltrench—aslongastheplant’srootsandstem—diagonallyacross1squarefootinthegarden.

2.Removealltheleavesfromtheplantexceptthetopcluster.

3.Laythetomatoplantonitssideinthetrench.

4.Covertherootballandthebarestemwithsoiluptothetopclusterofleaves.

5.Whenyouhavefilledinthetrench,thepartoftheplantabovegroundwillbelyingonthesoil,butdon’tworry,itwillgrowupwardinaboutaweek.

6.Waterthenewlyplantedseedlingthoroughlyuntilthetop6inchesofsoilaresaturatedwithwater.

7.Thetipoftheplantwillgraduallypointupandgrow.

8.Supporttheplantwithatomatocage(youcanpurchasethesesimplesupportsforaslittleas$13atyourlocalgardenstore).

PRUNINGTOMATOESPruningisnecessarytomaximizetheproductionofmorefruit,butyouneedtoprune judiciously. Prune tomato plants throughout the growing season to helpward off pests and diseases. Pruning also improves airflow around your theplants, keeping them dry. Begin pruning tomato plants once the first set offlowersblossom.Pruneallbranchesbelowthelowestsetofflowers,andmakesure your plants are properly attached to a trellis or tomato support. As yourplantsgrow,pinchoffall thesuckers(stemsthatgrowintheVspacebetweenthemainstemandthebranchesoftheplants).However,iftomatoesareexposedtotoomuchsunlight,astheyareripening,sunscaldonthefruitcanoccur.Thebestwaytoavoidsunscaldistonotover-prunetheplants—thefruitneedstobeshadedbysomebranchesandleaves.

PESTS&DISEASESTomatoescandevelopbrownspots—calledblossomendrot—whenwateringisuneven and inconsistent. Fruit with blossom end rot is no longer viable andshould be taken off the vine and discarded. (See Chapter Two for moreinformation about preventing diseases, deterring pests, and treating infectedtomatoplants.)

HARVESTINGTOMATOES

Yourtomatoeswillstartoffgreenandeventuallybegintochangecolorastheyripen.Aripetomatothat’sreadytoeatwillbesofttothetouch,butnotsquishy,andthereshouldbelittletonogreenleftontheskin.Usingpruningshears,cuttheripetomatoatthestem.Harvestonlyasmanytomatoesasyouplantoeatatyournextmeal.Ifyouhavealotofripetomatoes—morethanyoucanconsume(goodjob,bytheway)—pickandsharethemwithothers,orusethemfortheirseeds,whichyou can save for next year.You can also preserve tomatoes thatyou’renotusingorgivingawaybycanningthemormakingthemintosauce.

WHATYOUNEED

•2or3wholeripetomatoes

•1-pintplasticcontainerorclearplasticcup

•Maskingtapeorpapertape

•Markers

•Paperplates

•Sandwichbagsorenvelopes

SAVINGTOMATOSEEDSThissavingmethodcanbeusedforanyvegetableseedthathasafleshyorgelcoatingaroundtheseed.Saveseedsfromthe tastiestvarietiesof tomatoes thathaveyieldedthemostprolificharvest.Theseseeds,whenproperlystored,canbekeptforatleastfivetosevenyears.(Olderseedswillhavelowgerminationratesbutmayproducesometomatoplants.)1.Selectafewhealthy,ripetomatoesthattastegreat.Ifyouhavemultipleplantsofthesametype,pickfruitfromeachofthem.

2.Usingtapeandamarker,labeleachcontainerwiththevarietyofseedyouaresaving.

3. Squeeze seeds from the tomatoes into the plastic containers, filling each

containernomorethanhalffull.

4.Placecontainerswithseedsandjuiceoutofthesun,inacoolplacesuchasashed or garage.Your containerswill emit odors and attract fruit flies. That isgood.

5. Check the containers daily, but don’t stir the contents.Within five days awhitefilm(fungus)willhavegrownonthesurfaceoftheliquid.

6.Skimoffthewhitefunguswithaspoon.Rinsetheseedsinthecontainerswithcoolwateruntilthewaterrunsclear,usingasmallmetalstrainer.Becarefulnottoloseanyseeds.

7. Drain the remaining clearwater, and lay out the seeds on a paper plate orpapertowel,arrangingtheminalayerone-seedthick.

8.Allowtheseedstodry,outofthesun,inashedorgarage.

9.Oncetheseedsaredry,storetheminsandwichbagsorenvelopeslabeledwiththevarietyanddate.

HEIRLOOMHERBS

You can start these herbs from seed orwith seedlings.They not only gowellwithtomatoesinanendlessnumberofrecipes,butalsogrowwelltogetherinthegarden. Fewpests or diseases affect these culinary herbs.As amatter of fact,aromatic herbs are used as companion plants to other vegetables, such aseggplantsandsweetpeppers,andareusedinmanyorganicinsecticidalspraystodetergardenpests.

BASIL

Theperfectcompaniontoyourtomatoes,basilisusedasaflavorfuladditiveinmanycuisines, especially in Italiandishes.Most folkswouldagree that Italianfoodjustwouldn’tbethesamewithoutbasil.DuringtheMiddleAges,basilwasusedfor itsvariousmedicinalproperties—tocureheadaches,eyediseases,andstomachache.Seedtotable75–80daysSpacingforseeds4persquarefootSpacingfortransplantsOne4-to6-inchpotpersquarefootNativetoSoutheastAsian,India

Patti’sPicksGenoveseBasil (Ocimumbasilicum ‘GenoveseGigante’)Acultivarofsweetbasil,Genovesebasilisoneofthemostpopularculinaryherbs,particularlyforitsuseinpestoandgarlic-flavoreddishes.

FineVerdeBasil(Ocimumbasilicum‘Piccolo’)Theverysmallleavesonthiscompactplantmake itagreatherb togrow insmall spacesandcontainers. ItsspicyflavorandsweetaromamakeadistinctcontributiontoItaliancuisine.

LemonBasil(Ocimumbasilicumvar.citriodorum)Thissmall-leavedplant isnotasbold-lookingasGenoveseor large-leafbasil,but itsaromaandtasteareoutstanding. Used in pesto half and half with Genovese basil, it provides adeliciouskickoflemoneveryfewbitesorso.Thisfragrantbasilisalsogreatinteaandpotpourris.Height12–18inches

Formoreinformationongrowingbasil.

OREGANO

This perennial culinary herb is amember of themint family.Although it hassimilargrowthhabits,oreganotastescompletelydifferentfrommintandisnotused in the sameway in the kitchen.Oregano has an earthy flavor and helpstamethefruitinessoftomatoesinmarinarasauce.Useitfreshordriedtoseasonsoupsandsauces.Seedtotable56–70daysSpacingforseeds1pinchofseedsper4squarefeetSpacingfortransplantsOne4-to6-inchpotper4squarefeetNativetoMediterranean

Patti’sPicksOregano(Origanumvulgare)OreganoisastapleofItalian-Americancuisine.ItspopularityintheUnitedStatesdatesbacktoWorldWarII,whenAmericansoldiers,whohad grown fond of the “pizza herb,” brought it back homewiththemfromItaly.Oreganocanalsobeusedmedicinally,particularlyforstomachailments—andit’shighinantioxidants.

CHIVES

Chivesareaperennialplantandpartoftheonionfamily—infact, theyarethesmallestoftheedibleonionspecies,butbecausetheypackinalotofflavor,theyare used as a seasoning. Chives also have insect-repelling properties, whichmakethemwelcomeadditionstothegarden.Seedtotable77–80daysSpacingforseeds16persquarefootSpacingfortransplantsOne4-to6-inchpotpersquarefootNativetoEuropeandAsia

Patti’sPickGarlicChives(Alliumtuberosum)Thiscold-hardyvarietyoftheonionfamilyhasastronggarlicflavor.Theflowersarescentedandtastelikegarlictoo.

CommonChives(Alliumschoenoprasum)Thesefast-growingchivesarecold-hardyandhaveasweet,subtleonionflavor.Theyareeasytogrowandcanbeharvestedyear-roundindoorsifyougrowtheminacontainer.

HARVESTINGHERBS

•Harvest herbs regularly by cutting off the tops of the plants. Thiswill keepherbs growing and prevent them from flowering too early. Herbs taste bestbeforetheystartflowering.•Usefreshherbsthroughoutthegrowingseasonorpreservethembydryingorfreezingthem.•Inthefall,onceyourherbsstartdyingandaveragenighttimetemperaturesareinthe50s,removetheherbsfromthegardenorcoverthemwithahoophousetoextendyourculinaryherbharvestintoearlywinter.•SeeGrowingTipsformoreinformationongrowing,harvesting,andpreservingculinaryherbs,aswellassavingherbseeds.

HEIRLOOMSCALLIONS

Growingtrueonionstakesalongtime—sometimesmorethan100days—beforethebulbisreadytoharvest,andonionscantakeuplotsofgardenspaceifyouwantaplentifulharvest.Butyoucanstillgrowonionsinsmallspacesfromseedandeatthemwhentheyaregreen.Theseimmatureonionsarecommonlycalledscallions.Sowonion seeds in thegarden about¼ inchdeep andkeep the soilmoistuntiltheygerminate,thenallowthesoiltodrybetweenwaterings.Seedtotable45daysSpacingforseeds16persquarefootNativetoAsia

Patti’sPickTropeana Lunga Onion (Allium cepa var. cepa) This red onion variety ispopularwithMediterraneanchefsandcanbepickedandusedlikeascallionbytrimmingthetoporbyharvestingwhenthebulbisthesizeofanickel.Itshouldbe consumed quickly since the sweet bulbs do not keep particularlywell. It’swidelygrownthroughouttheMediterranean.

HARVESTINGSCALLIONSStartharvestingscallionswhentheonionsarestillgreenbycuttingoffthetopsandleavingatleast2inchesofthespearstickingoutofthesoil.Whentheyarethesizeofapencil,pulltheentirescallionoutofthesoil,rootsandall.Washoffanysoilundercoolwaterandcutofftherootsbeforeeatingthescallion.Atthisstage,thesegreenonionstastesweetandcrunchywheneatenraw.

PESTS&DISEASESRootrotisoneofthediseasestolookoutforwhengrowingonions.Itcancomeabout if onions get toomuchwater after they’ve germinated. To prevent this,makesure to let thesoildryoutbetweenwaterings.Pests, suchasaphids,canstrike,butscallionsareaquick-growingcrop,and ifyouharvest regularly this

shouldn’tbeaproblem.

SAVINGSEEDSInordertosaveseedsyouwillneedtoletsomeofyouronionscontinuetogrow,flower,andset(goto)seed,whichmeansthatyoucan’teatallthatyougrow.Ifblackseedsfalleasilyfromtheflower,thentheseedsarereadytobeharvested.Storetheseedsinacool,darkplaceinaglassjaruntilearlyspring.Irecommendsavingseedsfromanythingyougrow,whetherit’sedibleornot,andusingtheminyourgarden thenextyear.You’llhavemore thanyoucanuse, soshare theseedswithfriendsandneighbors.

MARIGOLDS

Companion plantingmarigolds in a raised bed adds color to your garden andhelps keep garden pests away—the natural way. Marigolds have a naturalrepellantintheirrootsthatdetermicroscopicpeststhatcanfeedontherootsofvegetable plants, such as your tomatoes (killing the harvest). Marigolds cangrowtobequitelarge;Iliketoplantsmalldwarfvarietiesthatwon’ttakeovermy garden.Marigolds are easy-to-grow annuals. If you steadily pinch off oldflowersthroughoutthegrowingseasonanddiscardthem,they’llkeepbloominguntilthefirsthardfrost,whenthey’llstarttodieoff.Replantinthespringfromseed and regularly remove any yellow or brown leaves and stems to preventdisease.

SAVINGSEEDS

Inorder tosavemarigoldseeds,stoppruningspentflowerbudsfromtheplantandallowthemtosetseed.Pickoffspentblossoms,oncetheyhavesetseed,andseparatetheseedsfromthedriedflowerpetals.Storetheseedsinaglassjarinacooldarkplace.Don’t forget to label the jarwith they typeofseed itcontainsandalsoputthedateonthejar.Seedtotable60daysSpacingforseeds4persquarefootSpacingfortransplants4persquarefootNativetoTheAmericas

Patti’sPickPetiteMixed FrenchMarigold (Tagetes patula) Boasting a colorful mix oforange,yellow, red,andvariegated flowers, thiscompactdwarfmarigoldaddsvisualdelighttoyourgarden.

RECIPESFORANHEIRLOOMTOMATOGARDEN

Nowit’s time foryou tostepoutof thegardenand into thekitchen.Getyourapronson!Hereareafewofmyfavorite,easyrecipesthatuseingredientsfromthisversatilegarden.Besuretotrytherecipeforthemarinarasauce—itreallyisthe“bestever.”Buonappetito!

MamaMiaBest-EverMarinaraSauceMakesabout10cupsofsauce

The secret to this recipe is the freshness of the ingredients, especially lots ofRoyalChicopastetomatoesandawholebulbofgarlic!

10 lbs.ripetomatoes,suchasRoyalChicopastetomatoes¼ cupextra-virginoliveoil,ormore,dependingontaste3 cupsfinelychoppedonionsandoniontops

1 wholebulbgarlic,finelychopped4 tbsp.sugar,ortotaste1 cupmincedfreshoregano2 cupsmincedfreshbasil Saltandpepper,totaste

Roughlychopthetomatoesandrunthemthroughafoodmill(runthepulpandskinsmultipletimesthroughthemilluntilallthejuiceissqueezedout).Heat2tablespoons of the olive oil in a large saucepan and sauté the onions overmediumheat for 3minutes, then add the garlic and cook overmoderate heat,until soft and golden brown. Add the tomato pulp and juices and bring themixturetoaboil.Addtheremainderoftheoliveoil,ormore,accordingtoyourtaste, thenadd the sugarandoregano.Lower theheat tomediumandsimmer,uncovered,for30minutes,stirringoccasionally.Lowertheheat,stir,andallowthe sauce to thicken for 15moreminutes.Youmay need to cook the sauce alittle longer, depending on how thick you like it (the sauce should reduce toaboutonehalftoonequartertheamountofliquidyoustartedwith).Mixinthebasillast,acoupleminutesbeforeserving.Addsaltandpepper,totaste.

HeirloomTomatoSaladServesfourtosix

Nothingsays“summer”betterthanthisfreshsalad!

4-6 mediumripeheirloomtomatoes20 leavesofbasil2 tbsp.extra-virginoliveoil2 tbsp.balsamicvinegar Saltandpepper,totaste

Cutthetomatoesintobite-sizepiecesandplacetheminalargebowl.Tearthebasil leaves and add them to the bowl.Drizzle olive oil and vinegar over themixture.Addsaltandpepper.Mixthoroughlyandserve.

GreenTomatoSoupServesfourtosix

Thissummerysoupisdeliciousservedeitherhotorcold.

2 tbsp.extra-virginoliveoil1 bayleaf1 cupthinlyslicedscallions½ cupmincedgarlicchives2 lbs.green(unripe)tomatoes,chopped1 cuplow-sodiumchickenorvegetablebroth2 cupswater Saltandpepper,totaste

Heattheoliveoil ina large,heavysaucepanovermediumheatuntilhot.Addthebayleaf;then,stirringoccasionally,addandsautéscallionsandgarlicchivesuntil the scallions are tender and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Addtomatoes and sauté for one minute; then add broth and water, and simmer,partiallycovered,untilthetomatoesaretender,about15to20minutes.Seasonwithsaltandpepper.

BruschettawithTomatoes,Basil,&ChivesMakes24–30smallslices.Servessixtotenasanappetizerorthreeorfourforlunch.

Iuseplumtomatoesforbruschettabecausetherearefewerseedsandlessjuice.There’snothing likea savorymixof tomatoes,basil, garlic, andchiveson

thinslicesofgentlyoiled,toastedbread.

1½–2 lbs.RoyalChicotomatoes2 clovesgarlic,minced2 tbsp.plus¼cupextra-virginoliveoil1 tsp.whitebalsamicvinegar1 cupchoppedbasilleaves1 tbsp.finelychoppedgarlicchives Saltandpepper,totaste1 loafItalianwheatbread

Preheatyourovento450°F.Makesurethetoprackisinplace.Bringalargesaucepanofwatertoaboil.Removethepanfromtheheatandgentlysubmergeall the tomatoes in thehotwater for1minute.Drain the tomatoesandremovetheskinsundercoldrunningwater.Cut the tomatoes intoquartersandremoveall seeds and juice. Chop the tomatoes finely. In a large bowl, combine the

tomatoes,garlic,2tablespoonsoftheoliveoil,andthevinegar.Addthechoppedbasilandgarlicchives.Addsaltandpepper.Slicethebreadonadiagonalinto½-inch-thickslices.Withapastrybrush,coatonesideofeachslicewitholiveoil.Placethebreadslicesonacookingtray,oliveoilsidedown,thenplacethetrayonthetoprackoftheovenfor5or6minutesuntilthebreadbeginstoturngolden brown. Place the bread slices on a serving platter, olive oil side up.Spoonsometomatotoppingoneachsliceofbreadandserveimmediatelybeforethebreadgetssoggy.

Sun-DriedTomatoesMakesabout1pint

Forthisrecipe,you’llneedanelectricfooddehydrator.Thesemachinesaregreatfor drying vegetables and fruit, andwellworth the price of about $100. Sun-driedtomatoesareaconvenientstapletohaveonhand.Alittlebitgoesalongwaytoaddanintenseburstoftomato-yflavortoavarietyofrecipes.Sun-driedtomatoesareeasy tomakeandstore,and they tastesomuchbetter thanstore-boughtversions.

6 lbs.Romaorplumtomatoes Salt½ cupchoppedgarlicchives Oliveoil,enoughtofillhalfofapint-sizejar

Slice the tomatoes in half, lengthwise, and scoop out just the seeds with aspoon. Make another slit lengthwise on the skin side of each tomato slice.Sprinkle lightlywithsaltandplace the tomatohalvesondehydrator trays skinside down.The drying process can take 8 hours ormore.Check the tomatoesperiodicallyandremoveanythataredry.Thetomatoesaredonewhentheyarestillflexibleandnotcrunchy.Onceyou’vefinisheddryingallyourtomatoes,putthem in a large bowl andmix in the garlic chives. Fill a pint-size jar halfwaywitholiveoil.Addasmuchofthetomatoandgarlicchivesmixtureasyoucanto the jarofoliveoil.Youcan store themixture inyour refrigerator forup tothree months. You can also vacuum-seal and store the dried tomatoes in thefreezerforsixtoninemonths.

Genovese&LemonBasilPesto

Makes4cups

Mostrecipesforpestocallforsalt,butIdon’taddanytothislemonyvariationonthetraditionalpesto.Thesalt intheParmesancheeseisenoughforme.It’sremarkablyeasytoomitthesaltinthisandsomanyotherrecipes.Iurgeyoutocut back on salt, at least in your own cooking. You won’t miss it. Toss thisdeliciouspestowithyourfavoritepastaoracombinationofveggies,orspreaditlightlyovergrilledfishorchickenbreasts.

4 clovesorganicgarlic¼ cuppinenutsorwalnuts1 cupfreshGenovesebasilleaves1 cupfreshlemonbasilleaves

1½ cupsextra-virginoliveoil1 cupgratedParmesancheese (Parmigiano-Reggianoisespeciallygood)1 tsp.freshlemonjuiceor1tsp.lemonzest(optional) Groundpepper

Placethegarlicandpinenutsorwalnuts intoafoodprocessor. (Garlicfreakslikemecanaddasmuchgarlicastheywant—thisrecipeisatamerversionofwhatImakeformyfamily.)AddtheGenoveseandlemonbasilleavesandstartdrizzling some of the olive oil into the processor and press the pulse setting.Withthemachinestillrunning,addthecheeseandlemonjuiceorzest,ifyou’reusingit,andgraduallydrizzleinthelastoftheoil,untilthemixturereachestheconsistency you like.Add pepper to taste and sprinkle on a little extra gratedcheese,ifyoulike.

SpicyBloodyMaryMakes2drinks

Youcanstorethisdeliciousbeverageintherefrigeratorforuptoaweekifyoudon’t drink it right away. Leave out the vodka and you have a deliciouslyrefreshing summer drink. You can add any garnish you like, whether it’s alemonwedge,astalkoffreshcelery,oracrunchypickledgreenbeanfromoneofyourraisedbeds.

1 medium-largetomato,choppedJuiceof1lemon

Juiceof1lemon

2 cupsice-coldwater4 oz.vodka Seasalt Groundpepper1 pinchdriedoreganoor1tsp.freshlychoppedbasil Tabascosauce1 lemon,cutintowedges

Blendthetomatoesandthejuiceofonelemoninafoodmill,juicer,orblender.Empty the contents into a bowl. Add ice water and mix. Add vodka andseasoningtotaste.Serveovericewithalemonwedge.

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

LATIN-CARIBBEANSOFRITOGARDEN

I’vewritten this final chapter as a spicy valentine to PuertoRico,wheremyfamilycomes from,andasan invitation to trysomeof thewonderful, tropicaltastesIgrewupwithandenjoyedatmymother’s table.NativefoodsofSouthAmerica and the Caribbean Islands, from bananas and coconuts to seafood,dominate Latin-Caribbean cooking, which has also been influenced by thecuisines of Africa, Spain, India, and Asia. But most of all, Latin-Caribbeancuisine, includingPuertoRico’s, tastesbestwhen it ismade fromscratchwithfreshingredientsfromthegarden.

LivinginNewEngland,Ican’tgrowpassionfruitorcoconutsorsugarcane.I can, however, grow onions, peppers, and cilantro, the main ingredients insofrito—a marinade that is beloved in Latin-Caribbean cooking and used forseasoning fish, beef, pork, poultry, and even rice.EveryChristmasmy familyandmanyotherLatin-Caribbeanfamiliesfeastonpernil(roastedpork),whichismarinatedwithsofrito.Luckily,theingredientsforthistraditionalmarinadecanbegrownjustabouteverywhere.

A multitude of side dishes can be served along with the pernil, but myfavoriteisoneofthesimplest—riceandbeans—alsocalledarrozcongandules.Thisdelicioussidedishisessentialtomyfamily’sChristmasholidaytable.(Mymom’srecipe).Gandulesaregrownonatreeinthetropics,soIcan’tgrowthemin New England, let alone in a raised bed, but I can grow red kidney beansinstead. So after some experimenting, I’ve put together a Latin-Caribbeanculinarybedthatincludestheseessentialingredientsandmore.Forthoseofyouwhowanttospiceitupabitinthekitchen,thegardenplansinthischapterwilldeliverplentyof fireworks,not tomentionmemorable flavors, anddishes thatwill,hopefully,becometraditionalforyourcelebrationsaswell.Buenprovecho!

GROWINGTHELATIN-CARIBBEANGARDEN

I’vetestedtheveggiesandherbsrecommendedforthesofritogarden,andtheygrowwell in raised beds. They also have shorter growing seasons than othervarietiesthatareusedtomakesofrito.Buttherearelotsofotherthingsyoucanmakewiththevegetablesinthisbed,andI’llshowyouhow.You’velearnedalot aboutgrowing someof theseveggies inpreviouschapters, so someof thiswillbeoldhatforyoubynow.

Harvest timesstartat50days forhotpeppersandat60or70days for theotherveggiesinthisgarden.

PLANTSYOUNEED

Beansseed5per1sq.ft.

Tomatoesseedling1per1sq.ft.

BellPepperseedling1per2sq.ft.

HotPepperseedling1per2sq.ft.

Marigoldsseedorseedling4per1sq.ft.

Cilantroseedorseedling

9seedsorone4–6-in.potper1sq.ft.

BunchingOnionsseed16per1sq.ft.

WhattoPlantIn this garden, you will grow Beans, Tomatoes, Bell peppers, Hot peppers,Bunchingonions(scallions),Marigolds,andCilantro.DifficultylevelIntermediateZonesAllSunlightFullsunEarliest planting date from seed (for beans, bunching onions, cilantro, andmarigolds)Fourweeksbeforetheaveragelast(spring)frostdate.Earliest planting date from transplants (for tomatoes and peppers) Twoweeksaftertheaveragelast(spring)frostdate.

GardenAdd-onsHoopHouse If you live in zone7or colder, protectyourgardenwith ahoophouseuntilaveragenighttimetemperaturesareinthe50s.TrellisTolearnhowtobuildagardentrellis.

CONTAINER&RAISED-BEDGARDENPLANS

WHATYOUNEED

•Alargecontainer,atleast24in.indiameter,withdrainageholes.Agalvanizedmetalcontainerorhalfoakbarrelworksreallywell,butalmostanymaterialwilldo—clay,plastic,ormetallicpots;barrels;planterboxes,etc.

•Planterinsertorotherfiller,likegravel

•Enoughorganicpottingsoiltofillthecontainer

•Plants

•Aplantsupport,suchasatrellis

•Enoughcomposttomulcha1-in.layerontopofthesoil

Latin-CaribbeanSofritoContainerGardenTheveggiesinthisgardendowellincontainers,whetheryouuseaplanterbox,awoodbarrel,orclay,plastic,ormetallicpots.Useanailtohammerbetween10and20drainageholesinthebottomofthecontainer—enoughforgooddrainage,butnot somany that the integrityof thebottom isdamaged.Aplanter canbelargeandheavytomove,sobesuretoplaceitwhereyouwantit tobebeforefillingitup.It’sbesttouseafiller that’slightweightandairyinthebottomofyourcontainer.Forgooddrainage,tryusingaproductcalledBetterThanRocksorothertypesoffibrouscontainerfiller.Lightweightfillerslikethesewillhelpyousavemoneyonpottingsoil,too.Simplylayerthefillerinthebottomofyourcontainerandplaceacloth(suchaslandscapefabricorweedbarriercloth)overthefillertokeepsoilfromtricklingdownintothegaps.Ialsoliketouseplanterinserts from Ups-A-Daisy (www.ups-a-daisy.com) because they can fit intomany different kinds of containers and also eliminate the need for fillermaterials.

PLANTINGTHECONTAINERGARDEN1.Placethecontainerwhereyouwantittobeforthegrowingseason.

2.Fillthebottomofthecontainerwithatleast

2inchesofgravelorotherfiller.

3.Fillthecontainerwithorganicpottingsoil,leavingatleast2inchesfromthelipofthecontainer.

4.Waterthesoilthoroughlybeforeplanting.

5. Start by planting in the middle of the container, according to the diagramshownatleft,thenspreadoutfromthere.

6.Waterthesoilagainandadda1-inch-thicklayerofcompostasmulchontopofthesoilaroundtheplants.

7.Wateronemore time,andsetupdrip irrigation ifyou’reusing it. (Seedripirrigation.)8.Installaplantsupport(suchasatrellis)forthetomatoplant.

9.Waterthecontainerregularlyasneeded.Containersdryoutquickly,sowaterdaily,ifnecessary.

Raised-BedGardenPlansAs always when planting to one of my raised-bed garden plans, feel free tosubstitute family favorites for some of the vegetables in my plan. There aremultiplesquaresforeachplant,sotryexperimentingwithafewvarietiesofeachtofindoutwhichonestastebesttoyouandwhichgrowbestinyourgarden.

BEANS

Beansareincrediblyeasytogrow,theycanbeeatenmanydifferentways,andthey’rehealthyforyou.Immaturebeanpodscanbeharvestedandeatenraworcookedlikestringbeans.Youcanalsoallowthepodtogrowuntilthebeanontheinsideismatureandreadyforshelling.InLatin-Caribbeancuisine,thebeansaredriedandstoredandusedinricedishes,beansalads,andasasidedishtobeserved over rice. Formany vegetarians, beans are a satisfyingmeat substitutebecause they’re high in protein. In addition, the fiber in beans is great fordigestion,helpspreventheartdisease,andlowerscholesterol.

Bean plants are either bush varieties or vining varieties. Bean seeds aresimplythedriedversionoftheediblebean.Plantbeansfromseed,1inchdeep,twoweeksafterthelastfrost.Ifyou’regrowingaviningvariety,useatrellisorabeanpole to support it; install itwhenyou sowyourbean seeds.Keep the soilmoistonceyou’veplantedyourseeds.Ifoutdoorconditionsareright,yourbeanswillsproutinafewdays.Astheygrow,makesuretotrainthevinestoclimbonthe beanpole. Anywhere you see a flower there’s potential for a bean pod toform.Seedtotable70–100daysSpacingforseeds5persquarefootNativetotheAmericas

Patti’sPickRedKidneyBean(Phaseolusvulgaris)Thiskidney-shapedbeanissometimesreferred to as a redbeanor chili bean. Itmakesadelicious, classicCaribbeansidedishservedwithriceormixedwithriceinasalad.Heightupto12feet(vines)

PESTS&DISEASESPrevent pests and diseases by removing any yellow or brown leaves anddiscarding them.When you’re watering, make sure to water the soil, not the

leavesoftheplant.

HARVESTING&SAVINGBEANSOnce the bean pods begin drying out in late summer, stop watering the soilaroundtheplants.Whenmostof thepodsareatancolor,pickoffall thepodsandpullouttheplants.Separatethebeansfromthepodsandallowthemtodryinacool,darkplace.Oncethebeansaredry,storetheminaglassjaruntilyouwanttousethem.Beforeusingthebeans,soakthemincoolwaterforatleast5hours and boil them for 10minutes. NOTE: Red kidney beans should not beeatenrawbecausetheycontainthetoxinphytohaemagglutinin,whichcanmakeyousick.

TOMATOES

NativetoSouthAmerica,tomatoeswerespreadthroughouttheAmericasandtheCaribbean and eaten for centuries before Europeans landed in the Caribbean.Beforethattime,tomatoeswereeatenlikeafruit.WhenAfricansarrivedinthearea,theybroughtastewingculturewiththem,andtomatoeswereusedtoroundouttheflavorinsauces.

Startyourownheirloomtomatoseedsindoors,beginningsixtoeightweeksbeforethelastfrost,andtransplantoutsidefourweeksafterthelastfrost.Seedtotable70–85daysSpacingfortransplants1plantpersquarefootNativetoCentralandSouthAmerica

GROWINGTOMATOESFROMSEEDS

Ifyouwantachallenge,youcanstartyourownplantsfromseedindoors,sixtoeightweeksbeforetheaveragelastfrostdate.Thisgivestheseedsenoughtimetogerminateandgrowintoplantableseedlingsthatareatleast4inchestall.

PLANTINGTOMATOSEEDLINGSTomatoes like it warm, so seedlings should be planted four weeks after theaverage last spring frost.Once theclimateconditionsare right for tomatoes togrow,you’llfindthematyourlocalgardencenter.Ifyouorderseedlingsonline,theywillbedeliveredtoyouattheappropriategrowingtimeforyourarea.

Tomatoseedlingsthataremorethan4inchestallshouldbeplanteddeeply,leavingaminimumof4 inchesof theplantstickingoutof thesoil.Rootswillgrowfromthestemofa tomatoplant,soplanting itniceanddeepwillhelp itgrow a larger root ball that can accessmorewater for juicier tomatoes and asturdierplant.

1.Inthecenterof1squarefootofsoil,digaholedeepenoughsothatnearlytheentiremainstemofthetomatoseedlingisunderthesoilline,withonlythetop4inchesoftheplantabovethesoil.

2.Clipoffallleavesandsmallersidebranchesthatwillfallbelowthesoilline,andputtheplantinthehole.

3.Filltheholewithsoil,andwaterthoroughlyuntilatleastthetop6inchesofsoilaresaturatedwithwater.

Patti’sPickSanta Cruz Cada Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) This variety yields amidsizeredtomatowithfewseedsandsolid,sweetflesh.Itishighlyversatile—perfect for marinades, pastes, sauces, and canning as well as salads, or eatenrightofftheplant.Height6.10feet

PRUNINGTOMATOES

Pruningisnecessarytomaximizetheproductionofmorefruit,butyouneedtoprune judiciously. Prune tomato plants throughout the growing season to helpward off pests and diseases. Pruning also improves airflow around the plants,keeping them dry. Begin pruning tomato plants once the first set of flowersblossom.Pruneallbranchesbelowthelowestsetofflowers,andmakesureyourplantsareproperlyattachedtoatrellisortomatosupport.Asyourplantsgrow,pinchoffallthesuckers(stemsthatgrowintheVspacebetweenthemainstemandthebranchesoftheplants).

If tomatoesareexposedto toomuchsunlightas theyareripening, thefruitcan experience sunscald. The best way to avoid this is not to over-prune theplants—thefruitneedstobeshadedbysomebranchesandleaves.

PESTS&DISEASESTomatoescandevelopbrownspots—calledblossomendrot—whenwateringisuneven and inconsistent. Fruit with blossom end rot is no longer viable andshould be taken off the vine and discarded. Refer to Chapter Two for moreinformation on preventing diseases and deterring pests as well as treatinginfectedtomatoplants.

HARVESTINGTOMATOESYourtomatoeswillstartoffgreenandeventuallybeginchangingcoloruntiltheyare red.Thismeans theyare ripeandready tobeeaten.Aripe tomatowillbesofttothetouch,butnotsquishy,andshouldhavelittletonogreenleft.Usingpruningshears,cuttheripetomatoatthestem.Harvestthenumberoftomatoesyouplantouseforyournextmeal.Ifyouhavealotofripetomatoes,morethanyoucanuse,pickthemandsharethemwithothers.Alternatively,youcansavetheseedsfromthefruitforplantingnextyearorpreserveandcanthetomatoesforusethroughouttheyear.

SAVINGTOMATOSEEDSSeesavingtomatoseeds.

PEPPERS

PeppersareakeyingredientinLatin-Caribbeancuisinebecausetheyadddepthofflavor to justabouteverything.Growingpeppers iseasyandverysimilar togrowing eggplants. If you live in awarm climate, you can start pepper seedsrightinyourgardenbedbecausethere’snodangeroffrostandtheconditionsareperfect for the seeds to germinate in the soil. Just keep themmoist until theysprout—inabout10to20days.Ifyouliveinacoolclimate,you’llneedtostartseeds indoors six toeightweeksbefore theaverage last spring frostdate.Youcanalsobuyorganicseedlingsonlineoratyourlocalgardencenter.Seedtotable60–95daysSpacingfortransplants1plantper2squarefeetNativetoSouthAmerica

PLANTINGPEPPERS

1.Makesureyourseedlingiswellwateredbeforeplanting.

2.Digaholeinthecenteroftheplantingsquare.

3.Removetheplantfromthecontainerandplacetheplantintheholenodeeperthanitwasgrowninthecontainer.

4.Filltheholewithsoil,water,andmulch.Thenwaterthesoilagain.

5.Addaplantsupport(6-footwirecagesworkwell).

6.Water frequently for the first four to six weekswhile the plant establishesitself.Thenallowthesoiltodryoutbetweenwaterings.

Patti’sPick

California Wonder Green Pepper (Capsicum annuum) This is one of themost delicious and versatile homegrown green peppers. It tastes great wheneatenfreshinsaladsorinmysofritorecipe.Height3to4feettalland2feetwide

PESTS&DISEASESCompanionplantingthisgardenwithmarigoldsandcilantrowillbeoneofyourbest defenses against pests and diseases. Make sure that you water properly,being careful not to water the leaves of the plant, and don’t allow leaves tocollect around the bottom of the plant. The best thing to do if you notice aproblemistoremovetheaffectedplantbeforeitinfectsthewholegarden.

HARVESTINGPEPPERSPepperscanbeharvestedwheneveryouneedthem.Varietiesthatchangecoloras they mature—for example, to red, orange, or yellow—will be ready to bepickedonce they turn that color.Peppers are still delicious evenwhen they’regreen.Justclipoffthepepperatthestem,eatitraw,oruseitinmyriadcookedpreparations.

SAVINGPEPPERSEEDS

Saving pepper seeds is easy.Whenever you eat a pepper, put the seeds on apaperplateandletthemdryinacooldarkplace.Oncetheyaredry,storetheminaglassjarandusethemtostartyourpepperplantsindoorsinthewinter.Also,youcansharetheseedswithothers!

HOTPEPPERS

Hotpepperscanbegrownwithlotsofsuccessandwithlittlecare,althoughtheydobest inwarmclimates,where theheathelpsmakethemreallyhot. I’vehadgood luck growing different kinds of hot peppers in the Northeast, too. Nomatterwhereyougrowthem,theselittlepowerhousesprovideplentyofvitaminsyourbodyneeds,includingvitaminsA,C,K,B6,andfolates,aswellasvitaminC.Hotpeppersalsohelplowerbloodpressure.Seedtotable50days(withatransplant)Spacingfortransplants1per2squarefeetNativetoCentralandSouthAmerica

HOWHOTISHOT?

Hot peppers (chili peppers) are measured on the Scoville unit scale,named after Wilbur L. Scoville, a chemist who devised the scale tomeasure the heat factor—the amount of capsaicin—in hot peppers.Orangehabaneropeppersarerated150,000–325,000Scovilleunits.Thehottest pepper is the Trinidad Moruga scorpion, which is rated at900,000–1,463,700Scoville heat units. (Formore on peppers and theirhotness,seeushotstuff.com.)

Patti’sPickHabanero (Capiscum chinense) The traditional hot pepper of the CaribbeanislandsandLatinAmerica,habanero(alsoknownasScotchbonnet)canvaryincolorfromgreentoyellowtopink,andthoughtheyarerelativelysmall—at1–2½ inches in length and 1–2 inches in diameter—these peppers really pack apunch.Theymaynotbethehottestpepperknowntoman;still,they’reaboutallIcantake!TheScovillescale,aheatindexthatmeasuresthespicyheatofachilipepper, based on the amount of capsaicin it contains, ranges from 0 (no

“significant”heat;examplesarebellpeppersandajidulcepeppers)to1,500,000—2,000,000(acategory that includes the legendaryghostpepper).Theorangehabaneropepper’sheatratingof150,000to325,000putsitinthetop10ontheScovillescale.Usethesepepperstotasteinyourcooking,andyou’lldiscoveranexciting,newdimensionofspicinessandheat.Height3–4feet

HARVESTINGHOTPEPPERSUse gloves when harvesting habaneros or any hot pepper, because they canreallystingandburnifyourubyoureyeswithyourhands.Notfun.Hotpepperscanbeharvestedgreen,buttheirheatintensityincreasesastheyripenandturnbrightorange.Somevarieties turnred,yellow,andevenwhiteat theheightofripeness.

BUNCHINGONIONS/SCALLIONS

Bunchingonions(Alliumfistulosum),alsocalledscallions,aremildandcanbeused fresh, like any other green onion. (Scallions are simply onions that areharvestedbeforethey’vegrownabulb.)Bunchingonionsareeasytogrowandadaptwelltomanydifferentclimates.SeedtotableScalllions:60days;greenonions:120days.Spacingforseeds16persquarefootNativetoAsia

Patti’sPick

White Sweet SpanishValencia BunchingOnions (Allium fistulosum). Thisquick-growing, sweet, and flavorful variety does not form a bulb and isharvestedandeatengreen.Startthesebunchingonionsfromseedoutside,rightinthegarden,asearlyintheseasonaspossible.They’recold-hardybutcantakeup to21days togerminate, so ifyou’replantingbunchingonionsoutside inaraisedbed, ahoophouse is agoodoption.Keep the soilmoistuntil the seedsgerminate(in7–10days),thenwaterasneeded.Height12–18inches

HARVESTINGBUNCHINGONIONSToharvestbunchingonions,justclipoffthebrightgreentopswhentheyreachaheightof8–10 inches.Keep theonionsgrowing into late summerorearly fallandthenharvesttheentireonionroot.

COMPANIONPLANTS/MARIGOLDS&CILANTRO

Companionplantsplayaprotectiveroleinthegarden,helpingvegetableplantsstayhealthy throughagoodharvest. In theLatin-Caribbeangarden,marigoldsand cilantro are the companion plants. Wherever nightshade plants such astomatoes, eggplants, and peppers are grown, it’s always a great idea to plantmarigoldsandculinaryherbsalongsidethemtowardoffharmfulgardeninsects.I companion-plantdwarfmarigolds tohelp control insects, suchas aphids andtomatohornworms,andtokillharmfulnematodesthatliveinthesoil.

Aswithmost if not all typesof plants,marigolds come indifferent colors

and sizes.My favorites are the dwarf varieties because they stay small.Thesemini marigolds are easy to start from seed indoors, but I love starting themoutside inearlyspring, right in thebed,before Iplantanyedibles. Icover thebedwithahoophouseandinafewdaystheseedsgerminate.

Marigoldsarereadilyavailableatgardencentersinlotsofsolidcolorsandasmulticolored flowers in varying shades of red, orange, and yellow. For everytomato,pepper,oreggplantinthebed,Iplantatleastthreemarigolds.

Marigoldscanbeverylarge,soIdon’trecommendplantinganythingotherthanthedwarfvariety.Throughoutthegrowingseasonpinchoffspentblossomsfromtheplanttopromotemoreblooms.Youcanpreventdiseasesbyregularlyremovinganyyelloworbrownleavesandstems.Marigoldsareannuals,soonceitgetscoldtheplantswilldieoffandyou’llneedtoplant themagainthenextyear.

Asaculinaryherbandcompanionplant,cilantroisabighelpinthisgarden,butitplaysanevenmoreimportantroleinLatin-Caribbeancooking.Itsfragrant,stronglyflavoredleavesmakealastingimpressioninmanysalsasandsauces.

Patti’sPicksPetiteMixedFrenchMarigold (Tagetes patula) This is an elegant, compactdwarfmarigoldwith amixtureoforange, yellow, red, andvariegated flowers.Thesecheerfulannualsareeasy-to-grow,low-maintenanceplantsthataddvisualdelighttoanygarden.Seedtoflower60daysSpacingforseedsandtransplants4persquarefootHeight6inches

Cilantro (Coriandrumsativum)Essential inLatin-Caribbeancooking—and inmy special sofrito marinades (see recipes)—cilantro is an annual that can beused in thekitchen as a freshherb inmanyways.After theplant flowers anddevelops seeds, it’s referred to as coriander. Like many spices, coriandercontainsantioxidants,buttheleaves(cilantro)haveanevenstrongereffect.Seedtotable55daysSpacingforseeds9persquarefootSpacing for transplants One 4-to 6-inch pot per square foot Native toMediterraneanandSouthernAsia

SOFRITOGARDENRECIPES

Latin-Caribbeancuisineisacombinationofmanydifferentculturalinfluences—from Caribbean native peoples, Spain, and Africa, as well as East India andAsia. Ever heard of Cuban-Chinese cuisine? It’s delicious. To make Latin-Caribbeandishes,youdon’tneedanyfancycookingequipment,butifyouwantto prepare them the authentic way, you may want to purchase a caldero (acauldron),whichissimplyalargepotforcookingrice.However,aslongasyourpot is heavy and has a tight-fitting lid, you’ll be ready to go. The traditionalcalderoismadeofcastiron,butaDutchovenwithagood,tightlidwillservejustaswell.

SOFRITO

Thisversatile,aromaticpureeoftomatoes,peppers,onions,garlic,andcilantroisthebaseflavorofmanyLatin-CaribbeanandSpanish-influenceddishes,fromrice tobeans tomeatmarinades. I inviteyou to try twoofmyfamily’ssofritorecipes that have been modified to include veggies from the Latin-Caribbeangarden.

Sofrito1Makesabout2cups

There are so many variations of this recipe! You can use this simple, basicsofritotomarinateanymeat,whetheritischicken,beef,orpork.Ittakesnotimeatalltowhipthistogether—about15minutes—buttheflavorisamazing.

1 bunchscallions,chopped1 bunchcilantroleaveswithstems1 headorganicgarlic,peeled½ cupSpanisholiveoil¼ cupvinegar1 packetSazónGoya

In a food processor (or blender) combine the scallions, cilantro, and garlic.Then add olive oil, vinegar, and SazónGoya .Blend the ingredients until the

consistencyisjustslightlychunky.

Sofrito2Makesabout2cups

This sofrito is perfect to use in rice dishes, but you can also add it to sauces,soups,andstewsforaquick,strongkickofLatin-Caribbeanflavors. InPuertoRico,sofrito is traditionallypreparedwithmeat,suchasbacon,saltedpork,orcuredham,buthereitisdeliciouslygarden-freshandpacksawonderfulveggiewallop.

1 greenbellpepper,seededandchopped1 redbellpepper,seededandchopped2 mediumtomatoes,chopped1 largebunchscallions,chopped, or1cupchoppedwhiteonions1 headorganicgarlic,peeled1 tsp.driedoregano1 largebunchcilantro,leavesandstems1 tbsp.salt1 tbsp.blackpepper

In a food processor (or blender) combine peppers, tomatoes, scallions (oronion),garlic,oreganoandcilantro.Thenaddsaltandpepper,andblendintoaslightlychunkyconsistency.

SummerGazpachoServesfourThisclassic,cold-souprecipeisacinchtomakeandagreatwaytouse veggies from your Latin-Caribbean garden. If you have zucchini, redpeppers,andcucumbersgrowinginyourraisedbeds,youcandicethemupandaddthemtotherecipe.Anythinggoes!

6 mediumSantaCruzCadatomatoes,seeded½ cupwater2 tbsp.extra-virginoliveoil1 smallbellpepper,seededanddiced1 bunchscallions,finelychopped2 mediumgarliccloves,minced

2 mediumgarliccloves,minced1 smalljalapeñopepper,seededandminced2 tbsp.sherryvinegar2 tbsp.choppedfreshcilantro Saltandfreshlygroundblackpepper,totaste

Pureehalfofthetomatoeswiththewaterandoil.Inabowl,combinethepureewiththerestoftheingredients.Addsaltandpeppertotasteandmix.Coverandrefrigerateuntilit’stimetoserve.Storeforupto2days.

Pernil(PuertoRicanPorkShoulder)Servessix

Formy family, this roast pork is a beloved holiday tradition.Try adding it toyour Thanksgiving meal for a little Caribbean flare. This recipe for pernilincludesSofrito#1(seerecipe),whichismadewithSazónGoya,aseasonedsaltavailableinalmostanysupermarketthesedays.OtheringredientsinSazónGoyainclude cilantro, garlic, and annatto (a natural plant extract used as red foodcoloring).

5 lbs.porkshoulder8-10 garliccloves,peeled

1 cup(ormoretotaste)Sofrito#1

Preheattheovento400°F.Withaknife,stab8to10holesintheporkandrubsofritoalloveritandintotheholes;insertthegarlicclovesintotheholes.Placetheroast,skinsideup,inaroastingpanandcoveritwithaluminumfoil.After2hoursofroastingat400°F,lowerthetemperatureto350°F.Roastatotalof45minutesperpound.Theroast isdonewhenameatthermometerinsertedinthethickestpartofmeatreads160°F.Uncovertheroast,andbake30moreminutesso that the skin gets crispy. Let the meat rest for at least 15 minutes beforeslicing.Servewitharrozcongandules(seerecipebelow).

ArrozconGandules(Rice&PigeonPeas)Servesfourtosix

Youcanmakearrozcongandules,PuertoRico’snationaldish,withotherbeansor peas if you don’t have gandules—it’ll still taste great. This is my mom’s

recipe;itusesalittlebaconinsteadofdicedham(atraditionalingredient),whichgivesthegandulesawonderfulsmokytaste.

2 tbsp.oliveoil½ cupSofrito#22 slicesbacon(optional)1 packetlow-sodiumSazonGoya1 15-oz.canpigeonpeas/gandules, drainedandrinsed½ cupwholeredpepper-stuffedgreenolives1 8-oz.canGoyalow-sodiumtomatosauce4 cupsGoyarice4 cupswater

Heattheoliveoil ina6-quartpotoverhighheat.When theoil ishot, fry thebacon(optional), thensautéthesofritoandbaconfor1minute.AddtheSazónGoya,gandules,olives,andtomatosauce,andcookfor5minutes.Rinsethericeandaddittothepot.Mixtogetherandaddthewater.Bringtoaboil.Coverpotwithatight-fittinglid,andreduceheattomediumlow.Cookfor35–40minutes,untilthericeissoft.

HotPepper&BeanSalsawithHeirloomTomatoesServessixAllofthefreshingredientsinthissalsaareavailableinmygardenatthesametime. We have Mexican Monday at my house almost every week in thesummertime,andthisrecipefitsright in.Becarefulwhenyou’rechoppingthehotpeppers.Remembernottorubyoureyesorskin,andwearrubberglovesifpossible.

4 chilipeppers,deseededandcubed1 cupcubedtomatoes½ cupchoppedscallions½ cupmincedfreshcilantro2 cupscookedbeans(suchasredkidneybeans),chilled4 tbsp.Spanisholiveoil4 tbsp.vinegar Juiceofonelime Saltandpepper,totaste

Asyouchopupthepeppers,tomatoes,scallions,andcilantro,putthemandthebeansinalargebowlandmixtogetherwiththeoliveoil,vinegar,limejuice,andsaltandpepper.Chillthesalsainthefridge.Servewithtortillachipsasasnackorasaperfectsidedishorfillingfortacosorburritos.Thisishotstuff!

TomatoChutneyMakes3cups

I learned this traditional Jamaican recipe frommy friend chefNadineNelson,andI’msureitwillbecomeoneofyourfamilyfavoritestoo.Thischutneyisagreat way to put up your harvest instead of making tomato sauce. Serve thisdeliciousrelishwithroastedpotatoes,pork,ham,orchicken.Ifyoulike,replacethetomatoeswithothervegetablessuchaszucchinioreggplant.Youcanevensubstituteapplesorpearsforthetomatoes.It’sallgood!

2 tbsp.oliveoil1 yellowonion,chopped8 vine-ripenedtomatoes,chopped2 tsp.Dijonmustard½ cupmaltvinegar½ cupbrownsugar Seasaltandcrackedblackpepper,totaste

Placetheoilandonioninasaucepanovermediumheatandcookfor5minutesoruntiltheonionistender.Addthetomatoes,mustard,vinegar,sugar,saltandpepper, and cook for 10–15minutes or until themixture is slightly thickened.Spoonintosterilizedjarsorcleancontainersandstoreintherefrigerator.

Mouth-wateringCilantroLimeMartiniMakesonelargemartini

Youcan startmaking this deliciousgardenmartini theminuteyour cilantro isreadytobeharvested.It’ssorefreshing!

10 freshcilantroleaves(aboutahandful)2 oz.simplesyruporrawagavenectar2 oz.GreyGooseVodka Juiceof1lime1 sprigofcilantro(garnish)

1 sprigofcilantro(garnish)

Filla shakerwith thecilantro leavesandsimplesyrupandmuddlewell.Addthevodkaandlimejuice,andfilltheshakerwithcrushedice.Shakevigorouslyfor15–30seconds.Pourintoachilledmartiniglass,addasprigofcilantro,serveimmediately,andenjoy.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

TomyFamily,Friends,andFans,thanksforyourloveandsupport.

AhugethankyoutoallwhocontributedtothesuccessofGardenGirlTV.com.Itcouldn’thavehappenedwithoutyou:HughEaton,KimGreen,MelissaAllard,Alex LoCastro, Stephen Chang, Luke Donovan, Beecher Cotton, Phil Svitek,BradAllenWilde,SeanGardner,BruceBaker,ScottieWood,CameronBrown,Kyle Brown, Meg Cloud, Pilot Sizwe, Cynthia VanRenterghem, KerryVerMeulen, David Hoyt, Joe Lamp’l, Jere Gettle, John Anderes, David Vos,Carlene Hemple, Peter Koeppen, Michelle Ray, David Porter, MelBartholomew,Monica Dewart, Eric and Julie Harper, ScottWebster, NatashaandWilliamMoss,FredDunn,JohnPinkus,NikkiCrain,LeslieHalleck,ReneeBishop, Sam Jenness, Nadine Nelson, Sandra Casagrand, Mark DeAngelis,Brian Matt, Mark Highland, Edgar Milford, Rob Kelly, Christopher Hawker,Sharon Mulcahy, Lawrence Sampson, Scott Meyer, Miriam Goldberger, BillWarner,andallofmyneighborsintheFortHillHighlandParkneighborhoodinRoxbury,MA.

Andanotherbigthankyoutoeveryonewhocontributedandsharedtheirtalentsandexperience tomake thisbookpossible—myagent, JoanneWycoff;editorsJennifer Williams and Joseph Gonzalez; copyeditor Patricia Fogarty; and theartists and graphic designers who made this book sing: Sydney Janey, PerriDeFino,ChrisThompson,ChristineHeun,andElizabethMihaltse.

METRICCONVERSIONCHART

VOLUMEUS METRIC1teaspoon 5ml(milliter)1tablespoon 15ml¼cup 60ml⅓cup 80ml⅔cup 160ml¾cup 180ml1cup 240ml1pint 475ml1quart .95liter1quartplus¼cup 1liter1gallon 3.8liters

WEIGHTUS METRIC1ounce 28.3g(grams)4ounces 113g8ounces 227g12ounces 340.2g16ounces/1pound 454g2pounds .9kg(kilogram)3pounds 1.4kg5pounds 2.3kg10pounds 4.5kg

TEMPERATURE*32°F 0°C

32°F 0°C212°F 100°C250°F 121°C325°F 163°C350°F 176°C375°F 190°C400°F 205°C425°F 218°C450°F 232°C

LENGTHUS METRIC⅛inch 3.2mm(millimeter)¼inch 6.35mm½inch 12.7mm¾inch 19.05mm1inch 2.54cm(centimeter)2inches 5.1cm3inches 7.6cm4inches 10.2cm5inches 12.7cm6inches 15.2cm7inches 17.8cm8inches 20.3cm9inches 22.9cm10inches 25.4cm11inches 27.9cm12inches/1foot 30.5cm2feet 61cm3feet 91cm4feet 1.22m(meter)5feet 1.52m6feet 1.83m7feet 2.13m8feet 2.44m9feet 2.74m

9feet 2.74m10feet 3.05m50feet 15.24m100feet 30.48m

AREAUS METRIC1squareinch 6.45sq.cm(centimeter)1squarefoot 929sq.cm1squareyard .84sq.m(meter)1squaremile 2.59sq.km(kilometer)

*To convert fromFahrenheit toCelsius: subtract 32,multiply by 5, thendivideby9

INDEXNote:Pagenumbersinitalicsindicaterecipes.

A

Actionplan,48–49Animalbarriers,35Animalrepellents,35Aphids,33,34,146ArrozconGandules(Rice&PigeonPeas),241Arugulaabout:freezing,80;growingspecifications,78;Patti’spicks(varieties),78;

usesandcharacteristics,78MiniPizzaswithGoatCheese,HerbPesto,&FreshArugula,84OrganicHerb-InfusedIceWater,85SimpleFresh-HerbPesto,82Six-HerbPesto,82

Asianeggplants.SeeEggplants,AsianAsiangreensabout:growingspecifications,91;harvesting,91;healthbenefits,91;Patti’s

picks(varieties),91;pestsanddiseases,91;usesandcharacteristics,91AsianStir-Fry,106MixedAsianGreens&PeaShootswithSoy-GingerVinaigrette,101ThaiCabbageSalad,105

AsianStir-Fry,106Asianstir-fry&saladgarden,86–107about:overviewofgardenandrecipes,86–87containergardenplan,88gardenadd-ons,87

growingAsianplantsandherbs,90raised-bedplans,89whattoplant,87,91–99.SeealsospecificplantsAsianstir-fry&saladgarden

recipesAsianStir-Fry,106Cucumber&EggplantKimchi,104Cucumber&LemongrassIceWater,107MixedAsianGreens&PeaShootswithSoy-GingerVinaigrette,101ScallionPancakeswithGinger&LemongrassDippingSauce,103ThaiCabbageSalad,105ThaiCucumberSalad,102ThaiEggplantwithChiliPepper&ThaiBasil,100

BBabaganoush,150Bactericides,natural,38Balms,moisturizing,120Basilabout:ascompanionplant,215;growingspecifications,97,146,215;

harvesting,97,217;heirloom,215;Patti’spicks(varieties),97,146,215;pestsanddiseases,97,146;planting,146;savingseeds,97,146;Thai,97;usesandcharacteristics,97,146,215

BruschettawithTomatoes,Basil,&Chives,222Genovese&LemonBasilPesto,224HeirloomTomatoSalad,221MamaMiaBest-EverMarinaraSauce,220Raspberry&HerbVinaigrette,185ThaiEggplantwithChiliPepper&ThaiBasil,100

Beanpoles,147Beans.SeealsoPolebeansabout:drying,204;growingspecifications,198,230;harvesting,199,230;

Patti’spicks(varieties),198,230;pestsanddiseases,198–199,230;planting,198;saving,230–231;savingseeds,199;soakingbeforecooking,231;usesandcharacteristics,198,230

HotPepper&BeanSalsawithHeirloomTomatoes,242ThreeSistersSuccotash,201

Beef,inAsianStir-Fry,106Beetles,33Bergamot.SeeLavenderbergamotBerrygarden,170–187about,170;blackberriesandraspberries,178–179;blueberries,176–177;

grapes,180–181;growing,177,178,180–181;harvesting,176,177,179,181;Patti’spicks(varieties),175,177,179,181;pruningandpropagating,179;startingfromseeds,174–175;strawberries,174–176;transplanting,175

containergardenplan,172gardenadd-ons,171maintaining,171,173raised-bedplans,173whattoplant,171,174–181.SeealsospecificplantsBerrygardenrecipesBerryPreserves,183Dolmades/StuffedGrapeLeaves,186–187Grape-BerryJuice,182GrapeBlueberryJelly,184HoneySimpleSyrup,182MixedBerrySalad,182Raspberry&HerbVinaigrette,185SeriouslySimpleJam,183

Blackberries.SeeBerrygardenBlight,leaf,38Blight,stem,38BloodyMary,spicy,225BlueCornTortillas,202Blueberries.SeeBerrygardenBookoverview,9

BreadsBruschettawithTomatoes,Basil,&Chives,222NativeAmerican—StyleCornbread,203SunflowerSeedCake,205ZucchiniBread,152

BruschettawithTomatoes,Basil,&Chives,222Bt(Bacillusthuringiensis),36Buildinggardensigns,66hoophouses.SeeHoophousesplantgrids,57,62plantmarkers,67raisedbeds.SeeRaisedbedsreferencestepee-stylebeanpole,147trellises,64windowboxes,64

Bunchingonions.SeeOnionsandscallions

CCabbage,inThaiCabbageSalad,105Cabbageworms,34Caterpillarsandworms,34,35Celeryabout:amounttoharvest,133;growingspecifications,128;harvesting,129;

makingcelerysalt,129;Patti’spick(variety),128;pestsanddiseases,128;savingseeds,129;usesandcharacteristics,128

CoolWeatherMixedGreensSaladwithCucumber&RedCelery,134CucumberCurrySaladwithCelery&Cilantro,135HomegrownDetoxDrink,137QuinoaSaladwithCelery,Walnuts&Capers,136

Celerysalt,129

ChampagneVinaigrette,134Chivesabout:freezing,80;growingspecifications,76,216;harvesting,217;

heirloom,216–217;Patti’spicks(varieties),76,216–217;usesandcharacteristics,76,216;varieties,76

BruschettawithTomatoes,Basil,&Chives,222CreamyGarlicChiveMashedPotatoeswithManchegoCheese,166GreenTomatoSoup,221HerbButterforBroiledFish,83OrganicHerb-InfusedIceWater,85SimpleFresh-HerbPesto,82Six-HerbPesto,82Sun-DriedTomatoes,223TaboulehSalad,83

Cilantroabout:ascompanionplant,236–237;growingspecifications,99,237;Patti’s

pick(variety),99,237;usesandcharacteristics,99,236–237ArrozconGandules(Rice&PigeonPeas),241CucumberCurrySaladwithCelery&Cilantro,135Mouth-wateringCilantroLimeMartini,243Pernil(PuertoRicanPorkShoulder),240–241Sofrito1,238Sofrito2,239SummerGazpacho,240ThaiCucumberSalad,102

Climate,24–27frostdates,25hardinesszonesandgrowingseasons,24–25,26–27

Cocofiber,23,42Companionplantingbenefits,30gardenpestremedies,34

herbs,215NativeAmericansand,188plants(marigoldsandcilantro),236–237

Companionvideos,9,245Compostmaking,19–20makingbinfor,20–21materialstouse/toavoid,20purchasing,19tea,recipeforfeedinggarden,24wormbinsfor,21–23

Containergardenbuildingwindowboxes,65–66dripirrigationand,18growingherbsin,74

ContainergardenplansAsianstir-fry&saladgarden,88Berrygarden,172–173Herbpestogarden(windowboxgarden),74Latin-Caribbeansofritogarden,228–229MamaMiaBest-EverMarinaraSaucegarden,208–209Mediterraneanvegetablegarden,140Potatogarden(growbags;meshwire;tires;garbagecans),158–159Shakermedicinalherbgarden,112–113ThreeSistersNativeAmericangarden,190Veganrawgarden,124–125

CoolWeatherMixedGreensSaladwithCucumber&RedCelery,134Cornabout:drying,203;growingspecifications,193;harvesting,195;historyof,

193;makingcornmeal,202;Patti’spicks(varieties),194;pestsanddiseases,194;savingseeds,195;usesandcharacteristics,193

BlueCornTortillas,202NativeAmerican—StyleCornbread,203

ThreeSistersSuccotash,201CreamyGarlicChiveMashedPotatoeswithManchegoCheese,166CrispyBakedHerbParmesanPatrioticPotatoChips,165Croprotation,29Cucumbersabout:amounttoharvest,133;fall-harvestcrop,127;growingspecifications,

96,127;harvesting,96,127;Patti’spicks(varieties),96,127;pestsanddiseases,96,127;savingseeds,128;usesandcharacteristics,96,127

CoolWeatherMixedGreensSaladwithCucumber&RedCelery,134Cucumber&EggplantKimchi,104Cucumber&LemongrassIceWater,107CucumberCurrySaladwithCelery&Cilantro,135CucumberSalad,135MorningCucumberGreenJuice,137ThaiCucumberSalad,102

Cuisinegardensabout:gardeningoverview,11actionplan,48–49benefitsof,11,51buildingstructuresfor.SeeRaisedbedsreferences;Windowboxesexpanding,

51family“buyin”for,51plans.SeeContainergardenplans;Raised-bedgardenplanssiteselection,52typesof.SeeAsianstir-fry&saladgarden;Berrygarden;Herbpestogarden;

Latin-Caribbeansofritogarden;MamaMiaBest-EverMarinaraSaucegarden;Mediterraneanvegetablegarden;Potatogarden;Shakermedicinalherbgarden;ThreeSistersNativeAmericangardenVeganrawgarden

DDetoxdrink,137

Diatomaceousearth(DE),36Dillabout:growingspecifications,145;Patti’spick(variety),145;pestsand

diseases,145;startingseeds,145;usesandcharacteristics,145DillVinaigrette,154

Disease-resistantseeds,30Diseasesandremedies,37–39.Seealsospecificdiseases;specificplants

Dolmades/StuffedGrapeLeaves,186–187Drinksabout:makingherbteas,115;simplesyrupfor,182Cucumber&LemongrassIceWater,107FluSeasonReliefTea,119GardenMojito,85Grape-BerryJuice,182HomegrownDetoxDrink,137MorningCucumberGreenJuice,137Mouth-wateringCilantroLimeMartini,243OrganicHerb-InfusedIceWater,85SpicyBloodyMary,225

Dripirrigation,16–18Dryingbeans,204corn,203herbs,80

EEarthworms.SeeWorm(s),beneficialEarwigs,34Echinaceaabout:growingspecifications,114;harvestingformedicinalteas,114–115;

makingtea,115;medicinaluses,118;usesandcharacteristics,114Edamame,potatosaladwith,164

Eggplants.SeealsoEggplants,Asianabout:growingspecifications,144;harvesting,144;Patti’spicks(varieties),

144;pestsanddiseases,144;planting,143–144;savingseeds,144;startingfromseeds,143;usesandcharacteristics,143

Babaganoush,150PastaPrimavera,151

Eggplants,Asianabout:growingspecifications,94;harvesting,95;Patti’spicks(varieties),94;

pestsanddiseases,95;usesandcharacteristics,94Cucumber&EggplantKimchi,104ThaiEggplantwithChiliPepper&ThaiBasil,100

FFall,sowingseedsin,46–47Feverfewgrowingspecifications,115makingtea,115medicinaluses,118usesandcharacteristics,115

Fish,broiled,herbbutterfor,83Fishsauce,102FluSeasonReliefTea,119FrenchPoleBeanswithGarlic&FetaCheese,155Frostdates,25Fruitrot,38Fungicides,natural,38

G

GardenMojito,85Gardening.SeealsoWaterabout:overviewof,12

climateconsiderations,24–27controllingpests.SeePestcontrolbycuisine,overview,11.SeealsoCuisinegardensdiseasesandremedies,37–39soilfor.SeeCompost;Soilsunlight,13–14

Gardens.SeeCuisinegardens;specificgardentypesGazpacho,240Genovese&LemonBasilPesto,224Gnats,34Grapes.SeeBerrygardenGreenbeans,inThreeSistersSuccotash,201GreenTomatoSoup,221

HHardinesszonesandgrowingseasons,24–25,26–27Harvestingplants,49.SeealsospecificplantsHealingSalves&Moisturizing

Balms,120HeirloomTomatoSalad,221HerbButterforBroiledFish,83Herbpestogarden,70–85about:overviewofherbusesandcharacteristics,70gardenadd-ons,71growingperennialherbs,72–75raised-bedplans,75whattoplant,71,74,76–79.Seealsospecificplantswindow-boxgarden

plan,74Herbpestogardenrecipes.SeealsoGenovese&LemonBasilPestoGarden

Mojito,85HerbButterforBroiledFish,83MiniPizzaswithGoatCheese,HerbPesto,&FreshArugula,84MintPestoMarinade,81

OrganicHerb-InfusedIceWater,85Seasoning&Marinades,81SimpleFresh-HerbPesto,82Six-HerbPesto,82SorrelPesto,83TaboulehSalad,83

Herbs.SeealsoHerbpestogarden;Shakermedicinalherbgarden;specificherbsdefined,73drying,80flowering,71freezing,80growing.SeeHerbs,growingharvesting,71,121,217infused,85,120,121optimaltaste,71preserving,80usesandcharacteristics,70,73

Herbs,growing.SeealsospecificherbsAsianherbs,90incontainergardens,74,208–209culinaryperennialherbs,72–75heirloomherbs,208–210,215–219medicinalherbs,110,111fromseed,72,111fromtransplants,72,111inwindowboxes,74

HomegrownDetoxDrink,137HoneySimpleSyrup,182Hoophousesanimalbarriersfor,35makingfor4’x4’raisedbeds,63makingfor4’x8’raisedbeds,58

Hotpeppers.SeePeppers,hotHothouse,startingseedsin,42–44Hyssopblueabout:growingspecifications,117;usesandcharacteristics,116–117MedicinalHerbPoultices,119

IInfusedHerbOil,121Infusedherbs,85,120,121Insecticidalsoap,37Insects.Seealsospecificinsectsbeneficial,31–32,34remediesbypesttype,34unwelcomepests,33–35.SeealsoPestcontrolIrrigation,drip,16–18

ItalianPastaSaladwithDillVinaigrette,154

J

Jamandpreserves,183Japanesebeetles,33,34Jelly,184Juices.SeeDrinks

K

Kaleabout:amounttoharvest,133;growingspecifications,131;harvesting,132;

Patti’spicks(varieties),132;pestsanddiseases,132;usesandcharacteristics,131

HomegrownDetoxDrink,137TripleHerbPotatoSoupwithRedWinterKale&ManchegoCheese,168

L

Latin-Caribbeansofritogarden,226–243about:overviewof,227containergardenplan,228–229gardenadd-ons,227growing,227raised-bedplans,229whattoplant,227,230–237.SeealsospecificplantsLatin-Caribbeansofrito

gardenrecipesabout:sofrito,238ArrozconGandules(Rice&PigeonPeas),241HotPepper&BeanSalsawithHeirloomTomatoes,242Mouth-wateringCilantroLimeMartini,243Pernil(PuertoRicanPorkShoulder),240–241Sofrito1,238Sofrito2,239SummerGazpacho,240TomatoChutney,242–243

Latkes,potato,169Lavenderbergamotabout:growingspecifications,118;medicinaluses,118;usesand

characteristics,118FluSeasonReliefTea,119

Leafblight,38Leafspot,38Lemonbalmabout:growingspecifications,116;medicinaluses,118;usesand

characteristics,116FluSeasonReliefTea,119MedicinalHerbPoultices,119

Lemongrass

about:growingspecifications,98;harvesting,98;Patti’spick(variety),98;usesandcharacteristics,98

Cucumber&LemongrassIceWater,107LemongrassDippingSauce,103

Locatinggardens,52

MMamaMiaBest-EverMarinaraSauce,220MamaMiaBest-EverMarinaraSaucegarden,206–225about:historyoftomatoes,206containergardenplan,208–209gardenadd-ons,207growing,207raised-bedplans,210whattoplant,207,215–219.SeealsospecificplantsMamaMiaBest-Ever

MarinaraSaucegardenrecipesBruschettawithTomatoes,Basil,&Chives,222Genovese&LemonBasilPesto,224GreenTomatoSoup,221HeirloomTomatoSalad,221MamaMiaBest-EverMarinaraSauce,220SpicyBloodyMary,225Sun-DriedTomatoes,223

Marigoldsascompanionplant,219,236–237growingspecifications,219,237keepingbloomsgoing,219Patti’spick(variety),219,237savingseeds,219usesandcharacteristics,219,236–237

Marinades,81

Markersandsigns,66–67Martini,cilantrolime,243Mealybugs,34MedicinalHerbPoultices,119Medicinalherbs.SeeShakermedicinalherbgardenMediterraneanvegetable

garden,138–155containergardenplan,140customizing,139gardenadd-ons,139maintaining,140Mediterraneandietand,138planting,143raised-bedplans,141whattoplant,139,143–149.SeealsospecificplantsMediterraneanvegetable

gardenrecipesBabaganoush,150FrenchPoleBeanswithGarlic&FetaCheese,155ItalianPastaSaladwithDillVinaigrette,154PastaPrimavera,151StuffedSquashBlossoms,153ZucchiniBread,152

Mesclunmixabout:amounttoharvest,133;extendingharvest,133;growingspecifications,

132;harvesting,133;Patti’spick(variety),132–133;pestsanddiseases,133;usesandcharacteristics,132

CoolWeatherMixedGreensSaladwithCucumber&RedCelery,134Metricconversionchart,247Mildew,powdery,38MiniPizzaswithGoatCheese,HerbPesto,&FreshArugula,84Mintabout:freezing,80;growingspecifications,77;Patti’spicks(varieties),77;

usesandcharacteristics,77GardenMojito,85

MintPestoMarinade,81OrganicHerb-InfusedIceWater,85Raspberry&HerbVinaigrette,185SimpleFresh-HerbPesto,82Six-HerbPesto,82TaboulehSalad,83

MixedAsianGreens&PeaShootswithSoy-GingerVinaigrette,101MixedBerrySalad,182Moisturizingbalms,120Mojito,garden,85MorningCucumberGreenJuice,137

NNasturtiumsabout:growingspecifications,197;harvesting,197;Patti’spicks(varieties),

197;pestsanddiseases,197;savingseeds,197;usesandcharacteristics,196–197

NasturtiumFlowerWhiteVinegar,205NativeAmerican—StyleCornbread,203Neemoil,37Newspaperpots,forseedlings,45

O

Onionsandscallionsabout:bunchingonions,92,236;growingspecifications,92,217,236;

harvesting,92,218,236;heirloomscallions,217–218;Patti’spicks(varieties),92,217,236;pestsanddiseases,92,218;savingseeds,218;scallions,217–218,236;usesandcharacteristics,92,217,236

ArrozconGandules(Rice&PigeonPeas),241GreenTomatoSoup,221

HotPepper&BeanSalsawithHeirloomTomatoes,242ItalianPastaSaladwithDillVinaigrette,154MamaMiaBest-EverMarinaraSauce,220PastaPrimavera,151Pernil(PuertoRicanPorkShoulder),240–241ScallionPancakeswithGinger&LemongrassDippingSauce,103Sofrito1,238Sofrito2,239SummerGazpacho,240TomatoChutney,242–243

Oreganoabout:drying,80;growingspecifications,77,216;harvesting,217;heirloom,

216;Patti’spick(variety),77,216;usesandcharacteristics,77,216MamaMiaBest-EverMarinaraSauce,220OrganicHerb-InfusedIceWater,85Seasoning&Marinades,81SimpleFresh-HerbPesto,82Six-HerbPesto,82

OrganicHerb-InfusedIceWater,85

PParsleyabout:freezing,80;growingspecifications,76;Patti’spick(variety),76;uses

andcharacteristics,76HerbButterforBroiledFish,83OrganicHerb-InfusedIceWater,85Seasoning&Marinades,81SimpleFresh-HerbPesto,82Six-HerbPesto,82TaboulehSalad,83TripleHerbPotatoSoupwithRedWinterKale&ManchegoCheese,168

Pasta

PastaItalianPastaSaladwithDillVinaigrette,154MamaMiaBest-EverMarinaraSauce,220PastaPrimavera,151

Peppers,bellabout:growingspecifications,233;harvesting,234;Patti’spick(variety),

234;planting,233–234;savingseeds,234;usesandcharacteristics,233ArrozconGandules(Rice&PigeonPeas),241ItalianPastaSaladwithDillVinaigrette,154PastaPrimavera,151Sofrito2,239SummerGazpacho,240

Peppers,hotabout:growingspecifications,95,235;harvesting,95,235;measuringheatof,

235;Patti’spicks(varieties),95,235;pestsanddiseases,95;usesandcharacteristics,95,235

HotPepper&BeanSalsawithHeirloomTomatoes,242ThaiEggplantwithChiliPepper&ThaiBasil,100

Pernil(PuertoRicanPorkShoulder),240–241Pestcontrol,28–39.SeealsoCompanionplanting;specificplantsabout:

overviewof,28animalbarriersfor,35animalrepellentsfor,35beneficialinsectsfor,31–32,34Btsprayfor,36checkingplantsregularly,30croprotationfor,29diatomaceousearthfor,36disease-resistantseedsfor,30eggshellsandbeerfor,36–37healthygardenfor,29–30insecticidalsoapfor,37neemoilfor,37

organicnaturalremedies,34,35–37remediesbypesttype,34soilqualityand,29unwelcomeinsects,33–35

Pesto.SeeGenovese&LemonBasilPesto;HerbpestogardenreferencesPigeonpeas,riceand,241

Pizzas,mini,84Plantmarkers,67Plantinggridsmakingfor4’x4’raisedbeds,62makingfor4’x8’raisedbeds,57

Plants.Seespecificgardentypes;specificplantsPolebeans.SeealsoBeansabout:buildingbeanpolefor,147;growingspecifications,147;harvesting,

148;Patti’spicks(varieties),147,198;pestsanddiseases,148;savingseeds,148;usesandcharacteristics,147

FrenchPoleBeanswithGarlic&FetaCheese,155Pork,inPernil(PuertoRicanPorkShoulder),240–241Potatobeetles,34,163Potatogardencontainergardenplans(growbags;meshwire;tires;garbagecans),158–159gardenadd-ons,157growing,157,161maintaining,157raised-bedplans,160whattoplant,157,162–163

Potatoes,156–169about:growing,156,157,161;growingspecifications,157,163;harvesting,

163;historicalperspective,156;importanceof,156;leaftoxicityprecaution,163;Patti’sseedpotatopicks(varieties),162–163;pestsanddiseases,163;seedpotatosources,162;usesandcharacteristics,156

CreamyGarlicChiveMashedPotatoeswithManchegoCheese,166CrispyBakedHerbParmesanPatrioticPotatoChips,165

PotatoLatkes,169PotatoSaladwithEdamame&RawWalnuts,164RoastedHerbPotatoes,167TripleHerbPotatoSoupwithRedWinterKale&ManchegoCheese,168

Poultices,medicinalherb,119Powderymildew,38Preserves,183Pumpkins.SeeSquash

QQuinoaSaladwithCelery,Walnuts&Capers,136

R

Rainbarreltocollect,14–15gauge,making,16measuring,15

Raised-bedgardenplansAsianstir-fry&saladgarden,89Berrygarden,173Herbpestogarden,75Latin-Caribbeansofritogarden,229MamaMiaBest-EverMarinaraSaucegarden,210Mediterraneanvegetablegarden,141Potatogarden,160Shakermedicinalherbgarden,113ThreeSistersNativeAmericangarden,191–192Veganrawgarden,125

Raisedbeds

benefitsof,51buildingvs.kits,51making,52–53.Seealsospecificsizesimmediatelybelowmakinghoophouse

for,58preparingsoilfor,52

Raisedbeds(4’x4’)addingsecondtier,60–61attachinghardwarecloth,59–60buildingframe,59–60fillingwithsoil,61makinghoophousefor,63makingplantinggridfor,62

Raisedbeds(4’x8’)addingsecondtier,55attachinghardwarecloth,54buildingframe,53–54fillingwithsoil,56makingplantinggridfor,57

Raspberries.SeeBerrygardenRawfoodgardenandrecipes.SeeVeganrawgardenRice&PigeonPeas(ArrozconGandules),241RoastedHerbPotatoes,167RoastedSquashSoupwithGinger,204

SSageabout:drying,80;growingspecifications,78;Patti’spick(variety),78;uses

andcharacteristics,78OrganicHerb-InfusedIceWater,85Seasoning&Marinades,81SimpleFresh-HerbPesto,82

Six-HerbPesto,82TripleHerbPotatoSoupwithRedWinterKale&ManchegoCheese,168

SaladsCoolWeatherMixedGreensSaladwithCucumber&RedCelery,134CucumberCurrySaladwithCelery&Cilantro,135CucumberSalad,135HeirloomTomatoSalad,221ItalianPastaSaladwithDillVinaigrette,154MixedAsianGreens&PeaShootswithSoy-GingerVinaigrette,101MixedBerrySalad,182PotatoSaladwithEdamame&RawWalnuts,164QuinoaSaladwithCelery,Walnuts&Capers,136TaboulehSalad,83ThaiCabbageSalad,105ThaiCucumberSalad,102vinaigrettesfor.SeeSauces

Salves,healing,120Sauces.SeealsoHerbpestogardenrecipesChampagneVinaigrette,134DillVinaigrette,154Genovese&LemonBasilPesto,224HotPepper&BeanSalsawithHeirloomTomatoes,242LemongrassDippingSauce,103MamaMiaBest-EverMarinaraSauce,220NasturtiumFlowerWhiteVinegar,205Raspberry&HerbVinaigrette,185Soy-GingerVinaigrette,101

Scallions.SeeOnionsandscallionsSeasoning&Marinades,81Seasons,growing,24–25,26–27Seed,startinggardenfrom,40–49benefitsof,40

choosingseeds,41cocofiberfor,23,42costsavings,40hothousefor,42–44inlatefall,46inlatewinter,46–47methods,42–49newspaperpotsforseedlings,45seedtapefor,47–48toilet-paperrollsforseedlings,44–45

Seedtape,47–48Seedschoosing,41disease-resistant,30sourcesfor,41

Seeds,savingbasil,97,146beans,146,199,230–231celery,129corn,195cucumbers,128eggplants,144generalguidelines,110marigolds,219nasturtiums,197peppers,234scallions,218sunflowers,196tomatoes,214

SeriouslySimpleJam,183Shakermedicinalherbgarden,108–121about:historyofShakers,108;overviewof,109

containergardenplan,112–113growingtips,110,111harvestingherbs,121maintaining,109,113raised-bedplans,113savingseeds,110usesformedicinalherbs,118whattoplant,109,114–118.SeealsospecificplantsShakermedicinalherb

gardenrecipesFluSeasonReliefTea,119HealingSalves&MoisturizingBalms,120InfusedHerbOil,121MedicinalHerbPoultices,119

Signsandmarkers,66–67Simplesyrup,182Siteselection,52Six-HerbPesto,82Slugsandsnails,33,34,36–37Snowpeas,93Soap,insecticidal,37Sofrito1,238Sofrito2,239Soil,19–24.SeealsoCompostearthwormsin,19fillingbedswith,56,61healthy,forpestcontrol,29healthy,indicators,19preparing,52texture,19wormbinsfor,21–23

Sorrelabout:freezing,80;growingspecifications,79;Patti’spick(variety),79;uses

andcharacteristics,79

OrganicHerb-InfusedIceWater,85SimpleFresh-HerbPesto,82SorrelPesto,83

SoupsGreenTomatoSoup,221RoastedSquashSoupwithGinger,204SummerGazpacho,240TripleHerbPotatoSoupwithRedWinterKale&ManchegoCheese,168

Soy-GingerVinaigrette,101Spearmint,77,85SpicyBloodyMary,225Spidermites,34,35Spinachabout:amounttoharvest,133;fall-harvestcrop,130;growingspecifications,

129;harvesting,130;Patti’spicks(varieties),129–130;pestsanddiseases,130;usesandcharacteristics,129

CoolWeatherMixedGreensSaladwithCucumber&RedCelery,134Squash.SeealsoZucchiniabout:growingspecifications,200;harvesting,200;Patti’spicks(varieties),

200;pestsanddiseases,200;planting,200;usesandcharacteristics,199–200

RoastedSquashSoupwithGinger,204ThreeSistersSuccotash,201

Startingseeds.SeeSeed,startinggardenfromStemblight,38Strawberries.SeeBerrygardenStuffedSquashBlossoms,153SummerGazpacho,240Sun-DriedTomatoes,223Sunflowersabout:categoriesof,195;growingspecifications,195;harvesting,196;Patti’s

picks(varieties),196;pestsanddiseases,196;savingseeds,196;usesandcharacteristics,195

SunflowerSeedCake,205Sunlight

exposureandhoursof,13importanceof,13testing,14

Sunstick®,14Swisschardabout:amounttoharvest,133;growingspecifications,131;harvesting,131;

Patti’spick(variety),131;pestsanddiseases,131;usesandcharacteristics,130–131

HomegrownDetoxDrink,137

TTaboulehSalad,83Tape,seed,47–48Teas.SeeDrinksTepee-stylebeanpole,147ThaiCabbageSalad,105ThaiCucumberSalad,102ThaiEggplantwithChiliPepper&ThaiBasil,100ThreeSistersNativeAmericangarden,188–205about:overviewof,188companionplanting,188containergardenplan(fromseed),190gardenadd-ons,189growing,189raised-bedplans,191–192whattoplant,189,193–200.SeealsospecificplantsThreeSistersNative

AmericangardenrecipesBlueCornTortillas,202NasturtiumFlowerWhiteVinegar,205NativeAmerican—StyleCornbread,203RoastedSquashSoupwithGinger,204SunflowerSeedCake,205ThreeSistersSuccotash,201

Thyme

Thymeabout:growingspecifications,79;Patti’spick(variety),79;usesand

characteristics,79OrganicHerb-InfusedIceWater,85Seasoning&Marinades,81SimpleFresh-HerbPesto,82TripleHerbPotatoSoupwithRedWinterKale&ManchegoCheese,168

Tiers,addingtoraisedbeds,55,60–61Toilet-paperrolls,forseedlings,44–45Tomatohornworms,34Tomatoesabout:containergardenplan,208;growingfromseeds,211,231;growing

specifications,211,231;harvesting,206,213,233;healthbenefits,209;heirloom,206,211–214;historyof,206,231;Patti’spicks(varieties),211,232;pestsanddiseases,213,232;plantingseedlings,212,231–232;pruning,213,232;savingseeds,214;transplantinglargerplants,212–213;usesandcharacteristics,211

ArrozconGandules(Rice&PigeonPeas),241BruschettawithTomatoes,Basil,&Chives,222GreenTomatoSoup,221HeirloomTomatoSalad,221HotPepper&BeanSalsawithHeirloomTomatoes,242MamaMiaBest-EverMarinaraSauce,220Sofrito2,239SpicyBloodyMary,225SummerGazpacho,240Sun-DriedTomatoes,223TomatoChutney,242–243

Tortillas,bluecorn,202Trellisberrieson,170,171building,64grapeson,180–181

TripleHerbPotatoSoupwithRedWinterKale&ManchegoCheese,168

VVeganrawgarden,122–137about,122–123;veganrawdiet,122containergardenplan,124–125gardenadd-ons,123growing,126raised-bedplans,125whattoplant,123,127–133.SeealsospecificplantsVeganrawgarden

recipesChampagneVinaigrette,134CoolWeatherMixedGreensSaladwithCucumber&RedCelery,134CucumberCurrySaladwithCelery&Cilantro,135CucumberSalad,135HomegrownDetoxDrink,137MorningCucumberGreenJuice,137QuinoaSaladwithCelery,Walnuts&Capers,136

Videos,companion,9,245Vinegar,nasturtiumflower,205

W

Water,14–18bestsource,14containergardensand,18dripirrigationfor,16–18flavoreddrinks.SeeDrinkshomemaderaingauge,16measuringrainfall,15rainbarrelfor,14–15

requirements(frequency,depth),14whentowaterplants,18

Whiteflies,34,199Wilt,38Windowboxesbuilding,65–66growingherbsin,74

Winter,sowingseedsin,46–47Wormbin,howtomake,21–23Worms,beneficial,19,21Worms,nuisance,34,35

YYarrowabout:growingspecifications,117;medicinaluses,118;usesand

characteristics,117MedicinalHerbPoultices,119

Z

Zucchiniabout:growingspecifications,149;harvesting,149;Patti’spick(variety),

149;pestsanddiseases,149;planting,149;usesandcharacteristics,148ItalianPastaSaladwithDillVinaigrette,154PastaPrimavera,151StuffedSquashBlossoms,153ZucchiniBread,152