We planted three eggplants in May, but sadly they were overtaken by flea beetles, a really nasty little pest that devoured the plants. Unable to find an organic solution for getting rid of them, we had to remove the plants from the garden to prevent the pests from spreading. So we’ve been buying eggplants this […]
Main Content
Autumn Favorites
Grilled Chinese Eggplant with Garlic and Ginger Sauce
Stuffed Pizza with Spinach and Chanterelles
Around this time last year I received an email from Susan (Farmgirl Fare) telling me that I had won a box of fresh chanterelle mushrooms from Marx Foods in her giveaway. Once I recovered from the happy shock of winning two pounds of chanterelle mushroom I eagerly anticipated their arrival. When the box arrived at […]
Gardening
Weekend Gardening Photos
We put four rhubarb plants in the ground, but only two survived the garden floods we had in May. This one seems very healthy and has three good stalks. This one has one stalk with another one peeking out of the ground underneath. We’re looking forward to cooking with rhubarb next spring! This honeysuckle is […]
Weekend Gardening: Successes and Challenges
In spite of all the rain this year that has drowned parts of our garden, the tomatoes and peppers have continued grow. The tomatoes and peppers do well in their location on the south side of the house, the same spot we had them in last summer, and we already have lots of blossoms on […]
Children’s Books with Gardening Themes
“I want to help!” I was separating grape tomato plants, preparing them for planting, and Bob the Builder (5) and Top Gun (3) were reaching for plants as I worked. Our family plants an outdoor herb and vegetable garden every spring and we keep an indoor herb garden year-round. When I’m planting seeds I let […]
The Farm Project
Wegmeyer Farms: Autumn Pumpkins (Mini Spiced Pumpkin Bundt Cakes with Maple Glaze)
Wegmeyer Farms is off the beaten path, you might say. The last bit of road that goes out to the farm is definitely country with gravel, dirt, an old single lane bridge, and a number of deep ruts. But it’s a beautiful ride and well worth the trip to see their gorgeous hillside pumpkin field […]
Wegmeyer Farms: Spring Strawberries (Brown Sugar Strawberry Shortcakes)
The strawberry field at Wegmeyer Farms is blanketed with plants laden with blossoms and fruit. The field slopes down from the grass-covered parking area, and the rows are covered with black plastic to keep the weeds out and prevent erosion. During my visits, workers picked berries and put them in flats destined for nearby Whole […]
Chrysalis Vineyards: After Harvest (Sarah’s Patio Mulled Wine)
Chrysalis Vineyards is one of the easier vineyards to get to in Northern Virginia, just off Route 50 in Loudoun County. Set on 412 acres in the rolling hills of the Piedmont region, the vineyard specializes in unusual Spanish and French varietals and Norton, a native Virginia grape, as well as traditional grapes, a total […]
