Celeste in the Garden
April 19, 2015
It’s incredibly easy to make crème fraiche, a cultured or fermented milk product that tastes a bit like sour cream but has more health benefits and is delicious in countless recipes.
What is Crème Fraiche?
Crème fraiche is a fermented milk item that provides us with many beneficial bacteria and lactic acid. This is delivered right to the digestive tract. These friendly bacteria help to keep pathogens at bay as well as aid in the fullest digestion possible of the foods that we eat. The vitamin B... more
April 9, 2015
Bees and butterflies have been experiencing drastic declines in the past few years.
Many believe that it is because of the neonicotinoids (a pesticide) that were introduced in 2006. These creatures are actually essential to our survival so it behooves us to pay attention to our purchase choices and give them a little support in the garden. Stay away from toxic chemicals; we don’t actually need them. Even some flea collars contain these dangerous compounds. Try something different. For decades,... more
September 16, 2014
The Harvest Moon is named such for a reason. Now is the time to stock up on all sorts of veggies and fruits for the winter.
Farmers everywhere in the Northern Hemisphere are chock-a-block full of the bounty of their efforts. There are deals to be had!
Find out where the nearest Farmer’s Market is to you and make a point to visit it. See the Almanac Farmers' Market Directory.
Bring a large basket. Or, call your local farmer and ask what’s available and if you can come by and pick up some ... more
May 23, 2014
I love gladioli. I like to have them to put into bouquets during much of the summer so I plant them sporadically.
I start in early or mid-May (once the frost is done). Ten go into the ground a couple of inches down.
Since they are going to need stakes eventually, the stakes get placed next to them. This way, their spots are marked and they will merely need to be tied when the flowers begin to sprout out of the leaves.
After another ten to twelve days, I plant them again. I repeat this process... more
April 15, 2014
Many folks like to start their own transplants in pots indoors before the cold weather has completely lifted.
Others, like apartment dwellers or folks with a minimal back yard, enjoy growing produce in pots all summer long. Now, spring, is the ideal time to start.
Make sure that the pots you are going to use are clean and disease and pest-free as well as possessing some drainage holes. If you are going to reuse one, rinse it with bleach; a 10% bleach solution on an old rag works wonders. Just... more
March 24, 2014
In my last gardening post, I had decided to bring in a stem of forsythia and another of magnolia to force a little spring my way.
Well, we now have an answer concerning forcing the magnolia. It did bloom and in quite a beautiful way. First, it sent out a lovely bud.
Then, it opened to a sweet flower.
However, the flower lasted only a few days.
The forsythia was a bust. Even though I have forced them before, this time it didn’t blossom. In years past, the flowers bloomed and lasted quite a ... more
March 16, 2014
This has been a tough winter. I, for one, am looking forward to spring! To force it a little, I decided to bring in a stem of forsythia and another of magnolia.
I’ve done this before with the forsythia so I know that it will bloom. The magnolia is a bit of an experiment. It should do the same, right? Stay tuned.
I went out through the heavy snow (it was almost up to my hip) and cut a stem of forsythia and two of the magnolia.
Then I scraped the bark from the bottom of the stems and pounded them... more
November 25, 2013
Mache is a small green that is very high in carotenoids, essential fatty acids and minerals. I grow it in my garden window during the late fall and winter months.
It likes cold weather; it won’t even germinate if the temperatures get above 70 degrees F. So, once it gets cold (usually late October here), I sow it outside in a couple of window boxes. I take some of my home-made potting soil (compost that has been heated by the soil sterilizer) and mostly fill the window boxes. Then, I broadcast... more
October 19, 2013
Winter squash is a premier vegetable for easy storage for the colder months.
Our ancestors grew many of these beauties for just this reason. They are also quite prolific; once established in the spring, they continue to put out blossoms and fruit into the early fall.
Now is the time to purchase some winter squashes and pumpkins from your local farmers. They are usually not too expensive as you are buying them in season. Our local organic farm is selling squashes for $2 apiece and pumpkins for $... more
September 26, 2013
Kale is a super-hardy brassica (relative of broccoli, cabbage & Brussels sprouts).
It is extremely nutritious even rivaling wild greens in its overall values.
It should be planted like its relatives; in good, loamy soil with lots of sunshine and a few marigolds tucked in.
As it grows, the leaves can be harvested and used—they will be replaced by others.
When preparing kale, the ribs need to be discarded. They are too tough to eat but you can give them to your chickens if you have them. The... more
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Celeste Longacre has been growing virtually all of her family’s vegetables for the entire year for over 30 years. She cans, she freezes, she dries, she ferments & she root cellars. She also has chickens. Celeste has also enjoyed a longtime relationship with The Old Farmer’s Almanac as their astrologer and gardens by the Moon. Her new book, “Celeste’s Garden Delights,” is now available! Celeste Longacre does a lot of teaching out of her home and garden in the summer. Visit her web site at www.celestelongacre.com for details.
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