Gardening Question of the Day for Thursday, May 8, 2008
(Via Gardening Question of the Day (from The Old Farmer's Almanac))
How can I get rid of slugs in my garden? (answer).![]()
How can I get rid of slugs in my garden? (answer).
From The Old Farmer's Almanac.
Growing herbs for cooking
(Via Gardening Tips 'n' Ideas)
Culinary herbs, those used for cooking, are one of the most essential ingredients one could grow in their garden. If you're already growing your own veggies then planting and nurturing some natural flavourings is the next logical project.
But the question I get asked most when people discover that Iam was a chef and that I love to garden is, "Which herbs should I use for [insert main ingredient here]?" Most people either worry that they're going to get it wrong and therefore don't use anything or they don't care and use herbs inappropriately. If you've ever tried carrot soup with chocolate mint, you know what I'm talking about.
As a guide I suggest to most people to taste the herb and get a feel for the sensations that are derived from it. Is it strong and robust or is it a more delicate flavour? Is it bitter or sweet? And then think about the main ingredient you're trying to cook with. What flavours does that have and are they strong or mild, bitter or sweet? Then it's just a case of marrying the two and producing your mind-blowing meal.
One other consideration is what you plan to do with the main ingredient. Will it be casseroled, stewed, steamed, grilled, barbecued, roasted etc? Obviously the cooking time will also determine which herbs to use.
If you plan to grow herbs for cooking in your garden then try locating them as close as possible to the kitchen. Our herb garden is a mere 5m from the back door so harvesting some herbs for the evening meal is never a chore.
And while it may seem logical to plant all your herbs according to how you may use them (as in herbs for chicken dishes in one spot, herbs for beef in another) it doesn't actually work well this way. You're better off planting them according to their size, shape, texture and growing habit.
Happy cooking with herbs.
Culinary herbs, those used for cooking, are one of the most essential ingredients one could grow in their garden. If you're already growing your own veggies then planting and nurturing some natural flavourings is the next logical project. But the question I get asked most when people discover that I
As a guide I suggest to most people to taste the herb and get a feel for the sensations that are derived from it. Is it strong and robust or is it a more delicate flavour? Is it bitter or sweet? And then think about the main ingredient you're trying to cook with. What flavours does that have and are they strong or mild, bitter or sweet? Then it's just a case of marrying the two and producing your mind-blowing meal.
One other consideration is what you plan to do with the main ingredient. Will it be casseroled, stewed, steamed, grilled, barbecued, roasted etc? Obviously the cooking time will also determine which herbs to use.
- Beef - a fairly strong tasting meat requires some herbs that are going to complement its texture and richness. If you want to be different with these meat then always experiment with more robust flavours than the delicate ones.
- Oregano
- Marjoram
- Bay
- Thyme
- Curry Leaves
- Lamb and Veal - a little more subdued than beef, these ingredients require flavours that can still stand up when needed but won't override the meat. Use them sparingly depending on your chosen cooking process.
- Sage
- Rosemary
- Parsley
- Chervil
- Hyssop
- Chicken and Pork - pork could easily fit into using the same herbs as chicken just as well as it could with the Veal and Lamb. However, chicken is a little less amiable and needs some more delicate flavours so that you can still enjoy the taste of the meat.
- Sage
- Tarragon
- Coriander
- Basil
- Lemon Thyme
- Fish and Seafood - obvious delicate flavours needed here especially if you're paying mega-bucks to purchase the seafood in the first place. You don't want to mask these delicious tastes.
- Lemon Grass
- Lemon Thyme
- Chives
- Fennel
- Dill
- Chives
- Vegetables - basically the herb garden is at your disposal. Veggies are mostly a blank canvas when it comes to using herbs much like painting your house beige. Apart from some of the stronger flavoured vegetables such as turnips and swedes, most can be enhanced with your own choices. A word of warning though; try and stick with herb choices that you used with your main ingredient so that the flavours don't clash.
- Salads - lots of flowers and simple herb structures are required for salads. The burnet and tansy will give some body to your salad while the rest will give some colour, shape and texture.
- Nasturtiums
- Tansy
- Burnet
- Borage
- Marigolds
- Chamomile
- Desserts - soft and subtle.
- Mint
- Fennel
- Lemon Thyme
If you plan to grow herbs for cooking in your garden then try locating them as close as possible to the kitchen. Our herb garden is a mere 5m from the back door so harvesting some herbs for the evening meal is never a chore.
And while it may seem logical to plant all your herbs according to how you may use them (as in herbs for chicken dishes in one spot, herbs for beef in another) it doesn't actually work well this way. You're better off planting them according to their size, shape, texture and growing habit.
Happy cooking with herbs.
Best Plant for a Butterfly Garden
(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)
Is there one plant that will almost guarantee to attract butterflies to your garden? The answer is yes... and it is a native plant found in most U.S. states and Southern Canada.
Is there one plant that will almost guarantee to attract butterflies to your garden? The answer is yes... and it is a native plant found in most U.S. states and Southern Canada.
Using Horticulture Carbon Filters
(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)
Activated carbon filters represent one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways to purify air as well as water. Air purification is important in hydroponics as well as good, clean water in maintaining hydroponic systems. You'll find many different types of systems available at stores and websites that sell hydroponic supplies, but you'll want a good supply, as activated carbon filters require periodic changing.
Activated carbon filters represent one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways to purify air as well as water. Air purification is important in hydroponics as well as good, clean water in maintaining hydroponic systems. You'll find many different types of systems available at stores and websites that sell hydroponic supplies, but you'll want a good supply, as activated carbon filters require periodic changing.
Design Your Own Garden
(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)
They are called mushroom lamps, and they are very easy to install - they just push in to the earth. Cable can be hidden by running it under the gravel pathways, as long as you remember this in your design.
They are called mushroom lamps, and they are very easy to install - they just push in to the earth. Cable can be hidden by running it under the gravel pathways, as long as you remember this in your design.
3 Tips In Landscaping Your Garden
(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)
Landscaping a garden is quite an ominous task which takes a lot of time and energy. However, before you rush off to hire a professional and pay him thousands of dollars, you should take a look at these three tips which will save you both time and money.
Landscaping a garden is quite an ominous task which takes a lot of time and energy. However, before you rush off to hire a professional and pay him thousands of dollars, you should take a look at these three tips which will save you both time and money.
Climbing Plants for Your Garden
(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)
Nothing will add more instant beauty to a garden than climbing vines. Climbing vine plants tend to grow pretty much carefree while adding a point of beauty and interest to a trellis, wall, fence or tree trunk. Climbing vines can make a bland garden picturesque during its first growing season.
Nothing will add more instant beauty to a garden than climbing vines. Climbing vine plants tend to grow pretty much carefree while adding a point of beauty and interest to a trellis, wall, fence or tree trunk. Climbing vines can make a bland garden picturesque during its first growing season.
Artificial Bonsai Tree
(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)
Japanese Bonsai Trees are a beautiful, enchanting, and magical addition to every place, be it indoors or outdoors. But such beauty requires regular and proper care, which often demands much of our attention and time. This can be quite daunting for most individuals.
Japanese Bonsai Trees are a beautiful, enchanting, and magical addition to every place, be it indoors or outdoors. But such beauty requires regular and proper care, which often demands much of our attention and time. This can be quite daunting for most individuals.
