Cinco De Mayo Celebration

Growing Ideas Blog

I love Cinco de Mayo because it's a celebration of culture and heritage. Plus, as with most holidays, devouring delicious food is a must. Fortunately, Mike and I have a close friend who is turning, as she terms it, a quarter of a century old, leading me to explore food options for a hipster vegan crowd. (My investigation wasn't necessarily an innate desire, more of a goal to bring THE dish that a diverse group enjoys.) I appreciate a dark, green, earthy drink from the juicer as much as anyone, but this occasion calls for something special as our friend, Leigh, moves away to greener pastures and increased opportunities while pursuing a degree in public health. She's a great person and I believe she has the potential to change the world.

When brainstorming to come up with the perfect dish, I remembered Julie, National Gardening Association's Education Director, giving me a Grow a Salsa Garden recipe and nutrition guide a few weeks back. Fashioning a generous serving of pico de gallo, literally translated as "rooster's beak" became my to-make party dish. While Vermont's northern latitude and my lack of preparation didn't allow me to actually grow a garden, I was able to pick up great ingredients to make the dish; all of the details can be found at the link listed in the final paragraph.

My animals always love it when I cook because it becomes a taste-testing experience. My St. Bernard rescue, Cerbie, loves vegetables, with an aptitude of taste and smell similar to a sommelier—just kidding. Still, he is my cooking buddy and thoroughly approves of the tomatoes, onions, cilantro, parsley, jalapenos, and lime—all of which mix together so well.

Side note: having extra bunches of cilantro and an inability to waste fresh herbs led me to use alternative methods for preservation. I froze them in grandma's tin muffin tins. (That way I can just individually pop them into other concoctions—soups, pesto, salsa, etc.) The pico de gallo has to chill too, undisturbed in the fridge for 4-6 hours.

The happy day arrived for Leigh's celebration. We brought our pico de gallo with a little twist: rather than just having chips to dip, we also had cucumber slices. The dish was delish and everyone enjoyed hanging out. Next time, you need a relatively quick and healthy meal for an upcoming get-together or a Cinco de Mayo celebration, try pico de gallo. For a free informational guide including a recipe and nutritional facts, check out the Grow a Salsa Garden Workbook

The Great Sheep Escape

Growing Ideas Blog

After five years of homework for school, plus a fulltime career, my husband graduates this spring with a MS in biomechanics. At a young age, I understood the importance of celebrating special occasions, so long before his actual graduation in May, I asked Mikey, “Do you want anything in particular for your big day?”

Unexpectedly, he matter-of-factly stated, “Lambs. I want lambs.”

All of the previous odd conversations at dinner parties over the past few months about sheep suddenly made sense. Admittedly, I tried to convince him otherwise. “What about a truck? A new computer?” It all came down to sheep.

My desire to live a greener lifestyle couldn‘t argue with the benefit of giving a home to cute, efficient grass mowers. We live out in the country and did our research, deciding on Navajo-Churro sheep. A local person unexpectedly acquired lambs recently (a story in itself). We brought them home last weekend. “How,” you ask? In the back of our Honda CRV of course!

Toro and Hera. Mike insisted on naming one after a lawn mowing company. We prepared for these adorable, snuggable livestock: barn, hay, mineral block, water, pasture, and a secure fence—the works. When placing them down in our yard, they appeared investigative yet comfortable inside the fence. So much so, that after the first half hour, we allowed them to explore our land unmonitored. Ten minutes after Mike and I retreated inside, we peeked outside from the kitchen window and noticed that they were nowhere to be found. Maybe they were under the deck? We looked in our yard to no avail.

Panic-stricken, we geared up quickly, searching our agriculturally zoned area. The worst-case-scenario crossed my mind: “What if we don‘t find the baby lambs?” We spread out. Mike went deeper and deeper into the manure fields behind our home. Knowing time was of the essence, I saw a farmer and ran 150 yards to his tractor.

My Midwestern polite came out while I was waving for him to stop, “Sorry to bother you. Did you by chance see two lambs running across your fields?”

“Ha-oh is that what that was? Yeah, I saw them a few minutes ago,” he said, pointing far off to the right.

“I see,” I replied and pointing said, “that is probably my husband way over there. Do you mind if I run across your fields to try and catch ‘em?”

“Of course not—good luck!” Replied the farmer among fields of manure.

I ran to Mike across the waves of cornstalks and piles of cow poop. Out of breath, I approached him within 20 yards of both sheep. Trying to predict the lambs‘ behavior, I yelled out, “Let‘s capture one and the other will come to us.” I have no experience in catching lambs.

Granted, even though I haven‘t really busted out my speed in years, I suggested, “Let‘s go for Hera.” At that point he was positioned between the two with Hera in the middle of us. We both ran for her. She darted absurdly fast. Mike missed her; trying to predict Hera‘s moves, I went for her. Veering left and focusing on footing, I dived into the manure. Scared, she paused and I covered her with my body. Mike looked shocked, but not enough to stop running for the next lamb.

He followed Toro, hoping the run-off stream two fields over would put a halt to Toro‘s escapade. It didn‘t. Boots filled with water, Mike pursued him. With Hera in my arms, I debated whether to wait or go back. I called out to him, “MI-KE!” No answer. Thinking that there was nothing else I could do carrying a 30lb plus lamb in my rapidly weakening arms, I began the long, long walk back.

After fifty yards of focusing on each footstep, I saw Mike far off in the distance. Not able to tell whether he had Toro, I yelled, “Do you have him?” Mike could not hear me. I waited.

Covered in water, manure, and exhausted, half-heartedly smiling, I saw Mike. Squinting, I sighed with relief when I noticed that he carried Toro in his arms. We slowly walked towards one another and after many steps, met. And after so many more steps and three rest breaks, made it back to our home. Even though our arms were painfully sore, we got up the gumption to survey our fencing and tiredly pounded more stakes anywhere the possibility allowed for escape.

Thus, our first day as sheep owners came to a close. Later that evening, we watched Toro and Hera blissfully munching away on the grass. I think we all hoped that the worst was over.

Seed Party

Growing Ideas Blog

Have you ever grown cosmic purple carrots? As spring weather approaches so does my excitement for planting my next garden. Last weekend began my seed starting escapade with a group of friends of all ages. In other words, party time! Sharing the fun also spreads out the cost as each seed pack usually includes more than I need. An added bonus: organizing a seed starting party gives people the chance to experiment with varieties they wouldn‘t normally pick out for themselves.

Seed packets of broccoli, chiles, and lettuce were happily introduced to watercress, chamomile, and even, purple carrots. For ease of use and to help with dividing up each person‘s plantings, I brought along our Basic Seed-Starting Kit which included a bunch of different sized pots, plant markers, seeds, and soil. Having a variety of pots was really helpful when it came to what each gardener envisioned for their specific planting goals whether that included containers or raised beds.

After planting the seeds according to each packet‘s instructions and labeling them, we sprayed every one with the magical worm compost tea (see blog post 2/22/13) and put the seed trays into large, clear, plastic, storage containers, which act like mini-greenhouses. The result? You‘ll have to wait for a future post, but I challenge you to try something new this year with seed starting whether that be planting an unusual seed variety, creating mini-greenhouses, or having a seed party! To help my seed-loving friends, use code SPRING13 and save 10% at our shop through 4/15/13.

My Favorite Underrated Vegetable: Bok Choy

Growing Ideas Blog

Since March is National Nutrition Month , it seems fitting to reflect on healthy eating. My latest craze? Out to dinner with friends at a local restaurant a few months ago, I received bok choy as a side to my southern fried chicken and immediately fell in love. In an effort to replicate the experience, I hunted it down at the local grocery store.

Excitedly lifting out of the bag, my hubby glanced at it and expressed a casual, only slightly curious response: “Bok choy? Mom put it in stir fry and told me it was a variety of celery.”

How did I cook this delicious vegetable, you ask? Easy peasy recipe! Rinse stalks, cut them into one inch pieces, add two tablespoons of minced garlic and two tablespoons of olive oil into a pan; fry to crispness-liking (usually five-eight minutes). Delectable when paired with fish!

The awesomeness of bok choy continues— packed with vitamin A and C, loaded with fiber, low in calories, and great served in a lot of different ways, especially in soups and on salads. What's your favorite underrated vegetable? Mine is listed on our Periodic Table of Vegetables. Go see if yours is listed also. To celebrate bok choy and other fabulous vegetables during National Nutrition Month, save 20% through the month of March using code: Veggie13

Start Composting

Growing Ideas Blog

After purchasing a black worm factory, Mike (my significant other) and I wanted a compost pail to go in our kitchen. We found that it was essential to nuke fruits and veggies prior to putting them into the bin as it decreased the chances of a fruit fly invasion and increased the amount of deliciousness (or so we thought) for our hundreds of slimy pets.

We ventured to the nearest box store in search of the perfect compost pail. I wanted something that would contain smells and hold a decent amount of scraps without being an eyesore. By the time we reached the second store, we found it: a white, porcelain jar with a cover that twisted on top featuring a see-through plastic hole. It was beautiful, and I was happy! A month went by and its brilliance remained. At the two-month mark, I noticed that the twisted portion of it seemed to not really seal the container, leading to fruit flies and goop gathering around the top making it exceedingly more difficult to close. And washing the jar destroyed the glue on the cover. Beauty does not last. The stunning white became dingy and the jar developed an unwelcome sour smell, discouraging any potential brave disposal volunteers. Granted, the jar was probably never meant for what we were using it for, anyway.

Still, we needed something to allow us to share foods with our hungry little ones. Thank goodness I started my new position at the National Gardening Association as it taught me about the proper products for composting. Seriously, the odor free compost pail ended up being a great investment and my kitchen thanked me. I nuked the food before putting it into the compost pail and even though we smashed it in, much like we do the garbage, so as to avoid changing it until right before Friday pick up, the pail did not smell and featured the greenness that we were embracing. So as a treat for all of my readers, enjoy $5 off this great product for the next two weeks! Code: NOTSTINKY12

Growing Ideas Blog

Thank you for visiting our first blog! My name is Nichole and I plan to bring you interesting news and features from the wonderful world of kids’ gardening. Growing up in the Midwest with outdoorsy parents led me to love cheese and nature (not necessarily in that order). With a background in both education and nonprofit development, my goal is to provide you with resources and ideas that speak to young minds, educators, community organizations, and the general gardening public.

From working with my students, I have come to believe that focusing on connections among disciplines and relating academics to life experiences is essential to create interest, instill knowledge, and celebrate each student’s individuality. Giving individuals opportunities for hands-on learning through gardening with great products such as Math in the Garden and our Root Vue Farm not only encourages them to make connections, but also fosters healthy eating, environmental stewardship, and relationship building. As we work together in this endeavor, I invite you to reach out to me with questions, stories, and pictures: nicholer@garden.org or (800) 538-7476 ext 101