Date: August 14th 2008

August 13, 2008

Dear Folks,

These are random notes, either responding to questions or related to any
of the usual and unusual cooking herbs or edible flowers and other
edibles, many found at Farmers Markets.* References to growing
conditions are for Sunset Zone 13, USDA 9b. All other information on
use is applicable anywhere you wish to enjoy herbs!

*Please support your local farmers at these markets (locally owned,
locally grown, locally produced). To locate farmers markets in your area
the USDA maintains a site - click on the state and a pdf file comes up
with markets listed by city.

http://www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/map.htm

For Arizona only Farmers Markets here is a special link:

http://www.foodconnect.org/farmers_markets/locator.asp

. . .

Locavore -- see near the end for locally owned shopping.

An On-Line Class -- see below - Enrollment now open!

AND Catch my blog - see below.

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Dear Folks,

WEATHER
"Normal" temp range for August: Temperature Range Low 74 to 108+
range. Last year we had higher than 'norm' ranges in August and it looks
like we could see some of that this month. Also this month we are
already having an excellent amount of rain, following some really good
showers in July. It is all adding up for a possible 'end' to our very long
drought. The weather professionals are expected to issue statements
later this year or early next year about whether we have actually seen an
end to this drought cycle.

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BUNNY DAYS OF SUMMER

I'm sure you are all familiar with exactly what "dog days of summer"
means -- you just hang out, with as little exertion as possible.

We have a bunny visiting our yard (among other critters), which is a
perfect example of just how draining the mid-summer heat can be.
Bunny comes to a certain spot in the garden we can see from our kitchen
window, beside the lawn and just under the canopy of the apricot tree.
There he lounges in the soil, after digging and re-arranging a trough for
perfect comfort. When he plops down, we call him 'flat bunny' because
he so perfectly relaxes and fits into his trough for snoozing. Deane has
observed that our fruit budget is going up without our consuming same,
because I can't resist taking out a grape or fig to leave for Bunny beside
his favorite resting place.

What does this have to do with working in our gardens in the desert?
Well bunny comes out early in the morning to nibble grass or tree leaves
and then plops down in his trough when the sun hits the open areas. He
comes out again, when the afternoon shadows cover the open areas. He
does all of his 'work' in the cool morning and late afternoon shade, much
as we do. For all of our love and enjoyment of gardening only the most
pressing need gets us out working in the summer sun. It is not good for
either us or the plants to be 'working' the garden in the heat of the day.

We take advantage of the ebb and flow of sun, shade and moisture to
assist in gardening chores, sowing and harvesting.

Sowing is best done after the area has been watered, and then you
always re-water the sown area to 'seat' the seeds in. For your benefit
and the seeds, do the sowing in the evening, when the water will have
an opportunity to sink in rather than evaporate. Also, sowing in the
twilight, fools the birds -- they are not as apt to notice you just put in
appetizers for them.

Weeding is also best done after a watering as it is a lot easier to pull all
the weed plant root out when the resistance is minimized by water-
loosened soil.

Harvest herbs in the morning after the sun has been on them for a little
while (15 to 60 minutes) -- they will be their most flavorful.

Harvest vegetables at any time, but for your comfort, do it when the
plant is shaded so you are too.

Avoid overhead watering of plants, particularly tomatoes.

If your garden goes without rain for 30 days, rinse trees in the twilight
hours to remove dust and debris which can harbor pests (this is not a
substitute for regular watering).

This time of year the aphids can be dramatically evident on squash plants
-- be diligent and use the soap/oil sprays in the evening so the plant will
not burn. Remember to spray 5 days apart for a total of 3 times. Bad
infestations may require you to continue the soap spraying longer. You
can also take some dishwater and pour it directly down in the growing
crown of the squash plants to further discourage the little demons.

Timing your work in the summer garden, can make it a lot more
comfortable and successful.

SNOWSUITS IN JULY

I have re-started my blog. In some ways a blog is easier to maintain than
a website (I'm doing both), but it allows me to post information and
thoughts faster. You can subscribe to the blog at this link, and it is
delivered to your screen name whenever I post something new. You can
always unsubscribe.

http://www.edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com

In my blog post of July 22nd, I discuss the need to plan, much like the
retail buyers have to do for having seasonally appropriate clothing etc.
You need to think snowsuits in July to have fall and winter harvestable
herbs and other edibles.

AUGUST PLANTING:

Seeds to Sow August 1st: Anise, Beans, Snap, Bok Choy, Broccoli,
Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Caraway, Carrots, Cauliflower, Chervil,
Cilantro, Corn, Cucumbers, Dill, Fennel, Onions-Green, Greens, Kale,
Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Marigold, Mustard, Nasturtium, Parsley, Pumpkin,
Winter Squash

Of those consider how much you want of a particular plant, like dill,
cilantro, kale or lettuce and sow those seeds every 2-4 weeks through
the end of November for a continuous crop.

AROUND THE GARDEN

THE HORSERADISH PROJECT
The plant has died back, so I will have to see what can be harvested in
late September or how my root pieces taken this spring and stored in the
crisper will do when planted then or early October.

My meadow garden is being taken over by the pineapple mint which
decided it liked it there, thank you very much! I'm going to try drying a
bunch of it for teas etc...all the mints are flowering now...the white
eggplant is huge -- probably a sprawling 3+ feet wide and 3 something
feet high as well, and is not slowing down one bit...the green eggplant is
trying to catch up to the white, while the Japanese purple eggplant is
doing fine, but much smaller...my dark opal basil decided to finally wake
up and is producing very well, as is my lime basil...my lime scented
geranium also decided it like its two locations and is growing like a wild
weed...my two small bay trees are doing well, with the one with morning
sun, a bit taller than the one with filtered afternoon sun...some of the
older black cherry tomatoes have died back, while others have been
doing well, and I have many new seedlings of them in several
locations...the two junior scented geraniums -- rose attar and chocolate
mint -- are getting bigger, now that we have cut back the hollyhocks --
dead heading hollyhock flower stalks, frequently gives us another
flowering from the same plants in the fall...we now have 3 ice cream
banana plants in one location, but so far no flowers, so I don't know if
we will get fruit this year -- keeping our fingers crossed...the bees love
the flowering Greek oregano and I have to keep an eye on the Mexican
tarragon -- as a marigold plant member the little white or yellow cabbage
butterflies lay their eggs on marigold - a preferred host plant - and the
resulting caterpillars can just ravage the plant if I don't catch them in
time--have fun sowing in the garden in August, just do it in the evening
so you enjoy the 'chore' more!

Get the beginners guide to growing in the desert:

"Edible Landscaping in the Desert Southwest: Wheelbarrow to Plate"

http://books.google.com/books?id=uDio8-sC2wMC

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RECIPES:

MORNING EGGS w/HERBS
This is a light, pretty and satisfying meal, anytime of day, but nice
as an option for Sunday Breakfast/Brunch.

4 cups of mixed lettuces
1 cup loose pack of mixed herb leaves (basil, rosemary, parsley, thyme,
etc.), finely chopped/shredded (see tip below)

4-8 eggs (1-2 each)
Half cantaloupe, peeled and sliced
Avocado, pitted, peeled and sliced
Optional: Breakfast meats, or shredded cheese

Rinse and mix together the lettuces and herbs and divide on 4 plates
building a nest. Arrange melon and avocado around the lettuce, creating
a border.

Cook eggs either by poaching or sunny side up.

Place eggs in lettuce nest, sprinkle with optional cheese or serve with
breakfast meats.

Lots of fiber, lots of flavor and tastes good too!

Tip: If you prepare your salad lettuces and cut herbs ahead of time by
rinsing and breaking into small pieces, you can store them in your salad
spinner in the refrigerator for several days, using as needed for these
kinds of dishes or a fast salad. The spinner keeps the greens from
wilting or rotting due to the raised bottom, and does not take up room in
the crisper (they always seem to not be large enough for me!).

EASY ICE CREAM

I used my freeze-the-tumbler type ice cream maker, but any will work.
The recipe creates a mixture which is more like ice milk because I wanted
to really control the ingredients.

2 1/2 cups of chilled milk
1/2 - 3/4 cup of fruit preserve (I used my own preserves but find some
that have no extra additives and are mostly fruit) any berry, peach, plum
or apricot preserve will work.
1/2 cup of milk
1 tablespoon of lavender flowers

Freeze the tumbler a day ahead of time.

The next morning, gently heat the 1/2 cup of milk, stir in lavender, let sit
for 20 minutes and then you can either strain or leave the lavender
flowers in the milk. Chill. Break up and chill the preserves, mix with
lavender milk and rest of milk, stir well and chill for 3 hours in the
refrigerator, and 1/2 hour in the freezer just before making the ice cream.
(Having the mixture as cold as possible assists the ice cream making
process.)

Usually after assembling the ice cream maker you need to start it up
before pouring the milk mixture in slowing. Make sure to stir the
milk/preserve mixture well as you pour it slowing into the mixer. Mine
takes approximately 25-30 minutes to get to full mixed volume. I then
pour it into a quart or 1.5 quart container and freeze solid. Let set at
room temperature for 10-15 minutes before scooping and serving. Try
different milks (perfect if you own a dairy goat) and fruits. Add a bit of
honey for a stronger taste.


MORE RECIPES at:

http://www.azalmanac.com

And, my recipe book "101+ Recipes from The Herb Lady"

http://books.google.com/books?id=27dG_KCwjBAC

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FARMERS MARKET
I am at the Friday market on Center in Mesa.

AND for you folks in the far East Valley - my spices are now at the
Superstition Farm store on Hawes between Guadalupe and Elliott -- the
Superstition Farm Dairy has its own farm store. Call (480) 986-7781 for
store hours and other events at the farm.

http://www.superstitionfarmtours.com


***************************************
My newly re-packaged herb blends are available through the website.

Have fun in the garden and kitchen,

Catherine

http://www.herbs2u.net

Books available at:

http://www.lulu.com/herbs2u

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LOCAVORE
Are you a locavore? Simply put a locavore is someone who makes
the conscious decision to purchase goods and produce grown, made or
produced within 100 miles of their home.

More Information:

Edible Phoenix is a print magazine, produced quarterly and is part of the
edible communities organization.

Find the current issue at your local farmers market or go on line to:

http://www.ediblephoenix.com

. . .

BUY LOCAL

http://www.localfirstaz.com

Here is the place to start when looking for locally owned businesses.
Begun as "Arizona Chain Reaction" to focus on locally owned
businesses, this non-profit group encourages support of your neighbors
and friends who own businesses in Arizona. Check out their site.

. . .

Queen Creek Olive Mill is the only olive mill in Arizona, producing
traditional and flavored extra virgin olive oils -- the blood orange olive oil
mentioned above is created in a single cold press where they put the
oranges right in with olives for pressing (they also have a lemon EVOO
which is also excellent).

Super offerings and now they have a lovely little patio area with nice
snack/lunch options.

http://www.queencreekolivemill.com

. .

Personalized branding iron for grilling. 480-330-3619

http://www.tbonebrands.com

. .

San Dominique Winery, Arizona's oldest continuously operated family
winery, is also home to garlic paradise. 602/549-9787.

http://www.garlicparadise.com/

. . .

Another great locally owned Arizona farmer is Kathy Marshall and her
goats' milk lotions and soaps made with the milk of her dairy goat herd.
Fresh eggs too!

NEW: For those of you in the East Valley, Kathy has taken her skills as a
dog groomer and is now offering grooming at her home in Apache
Junction. Her fees are more than reasonable and she has a real
understanding of dogs and their fears.

http://www.dbgoatsmilk.com

. . .

A source for finding other local sources of food is Local Harvest. They
have teamed up with the Slow Foods folks.

http://www.localharvest.org

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CLASSES/EVENTS:

Enrollment is now open for my on-line class:

"Good Looks, Good Scents, Good Eats"

To see the information update on signing up for the class go to:

http://www.herbs2u.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/list/On_Line_Class/

The classroom version of the online class is being offered at two
locations this fall:

Desert Botanical Garden
www.dbg.org
Direct Link for info and registration is:

http://www.dbg.org/index.php/shop/gardenshop/adultworkshops/gardeni
ngforhealth/goodlooksscentseats

Chandler-Gilbert Community College
For more information call 480.732.7080 ext. 8001 or visit

www.cgc.maricopa.edu

. . .
Boyce Thompson Arborteum and Globe:

http://ag.arizona.edu/bta

TBA will be my 'offerings' at the BTA during the fall plant sale in
October.

GOOGLE BOOK SEARCH:
Copy whole link into your browser (or click on it) and then you can
search for words or phrases in box provided.

"101+ Recipes from The Herb Lady"

http://books.google.com/books?id=27dG_KCwjBAC

"Edible Landscaping in the Desert Southwest: Wheelbarrow to Plate"

http://books.google.com/books?id=uDio8-sC2wMC

My short booklet on choosing fruit trees like peach and apricot is now
available -- choose print or download:

"What a Chill Hour"?

http://www.lulu.com/content/2185385

View the last newsletter and see prior ones at:

http://www.herbs2u.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/archive/herbs%32unl/newe
st