patching...
Welcome back, Patch Blogger!

Cilantro

Friday, June 10, 2011

The Garden Club

The Garden Club: Answering Some Gardening Questions

You asked. We researched. We answered.

Over the past few weeks, I have had numerous emails with questions on garden related issues. I compiled the questions and searched out the answers, with most information coming from local nurseries or the Missouri Garden Extension. According to their website, The University of Missouri Extension provides a “one-stop source for practical education on almost anything.” The Master Gardener Extension Program is geared toward gardeners. The mission of the Master Gardener Extension Program is, “helping others learn to grow.”  It provides training for the gardener through 30 hours of in-depth classroom training. In return, the Master Gardener must give back 30 hours of volunteer time at Extension approved events. If you are more of a casual …

Thursday, May 26, 2011

The Garden Club

The Garden Club: Late Spring

The wet and humid weather may keep grass green, but some plants have struggled to get established. Garden centers still have some stock left to get your garden summer-ready.

The wet, cool spring has had a bit of an impact on most area vegetable gardens as well as flowers and lawns. After a quick chat with Kelli Morgan, owner of Koenig’s Nursery on Mexico Road, I was armed with the knowledge (and a few plants) I needed to get things back on track. Just like with any potted plants you will plant in the garden, giving an extra boost of nutrients will help the plant thrive in the months to come. Wiggle Worm Earthworm Castings, sold at Koenig’s, will give the soil a boost and is safe to put into the soil directly with the plants—it is non-toxic and completely organic. A small handful into the bottom of the hole will promote vigorous plant growth and a strong root system. Right now is the time to get a second …

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Great Eats With Patti

An Easy Cinco de Mayo Fiesta

Making a simple Mexican inspired meal is a great way to celebrate the day, without fighting restaurant crowds.

Thursday is Cinco de Mayo, the commemoration of the Mexican army’s victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla. Although the holiday is not widely celebrated in Mexico, it is certainly a great reason to whip up your own fiesta here. Restaurants are too crowded for me on Cinco de Mayo, so I turn to my own kitchen for dinner. Family-pleasing quesadillas, black beans and a cool glass of sangria fit the bill for a week night Cinco celebration. The humble quesadilla is easy for a quick dinner. Quesadillas do not need to be limited to the kid staple of melted cheese in a tortilla. You can use your imagination and fill the tortillas with just about anything. One trick when making a hearty quesadilla is to layer the goodies between the cheeses…

Stacey K.

9:50 pm on Monday, May 2, 2011

Looks delicious!! Is that what you're making me on Thursday? ;)   more ›

Thursday, April 28, 2011

The Garden Club

The Garden Club: The Herb Edition

Culinary herbs are easy to grow and give a new gardener a sense of accomplishment. Now is the time to get those herbs growing.

I have grown culinary herbs for more years than I care to admit. It started with a potted rosemary plant in a college apartment. I never cooked with the rosemary, but I loved the smell. It thrived in less than perfect conditions: little sun, less water and ambient temperatures for a college student with little money for the heating bill. Thus, began my love affair with growing culinary herbs. Herbs are easy to grow and give the beginning gardener a great sense of accomplishment. They can be grown in pots or in the ground. Herbs add a fresh touch to even the most boring dinner menu, which is my main reason for cultivating them. You do not need a dedicated garden to grow herbs. I have a friend who tucks her culinary herb plants seamlessly …

Carolyn

12:51 am on Tuesday, May 3, 2011

We planted mint in a large pot last year instead of the garden because of it's invasive growth habit. Like a dutiful perennial, it died off in very late fall. I thought wintering mint in an outside pot would be a bit much to expect even from that hardy plant. So we put the mint pot in the garage through the winter. It came back bushier than last year. Guess the mint always comes back in a planter…   more ›

Got a Hot Tip?