Date: April 9th 2009

April 9, 2009

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

***************************************
Dear Folks,

First, I will be participating at the 15th Annual Herb Festival at the Boyce
Thompson Arboretum, this coming Saturday, April 11th from 11 a.m. to
3 p.m.

I was not sure, due to my cousin's surgeries schedule, whether I would
be able to make it (more on my schedule below), however I'm happy to,
again, participate in this neat event.

The Arizona Herb Association, Jean Groen and Don Wells desert foods
experts, other herb-related vendors, and the lovely music of Celinda and
John Levno will fill the area near the BTA's herb garden.

The BTA is a dog friendly (on leash) park.

CONTACT INFO:

BOYCE THOMPSON ARBORETUM
http://ag.arizona.edu/BTA
Recorded event information line: 520.689.2811
Business office phone : 520.689.2723

Hope you can make it out.

. . .

It has been a while since I've been able to send out a newsletter.

My cousin has had two procedures leading up to the biggie - open heart
to repair 2 valves, and we now have a firm surgery date. As I will be her
primary care giver, I will be with her for 3-4 weeks give or take from
about the 18th of April on. Scary stuff, but all or family and extended
family look forward to her full recovery and better health.

I will have my laptop with me, so feel free to ask questions, and as I
have time I will post to my blog seasonal gardening and cooking related
topics.

I hope to be back at the farmers market by the end of May.


http://www.edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com

Subscribe to receive my blog each time I post something (usually about
1-3 times every two weeks) by clicking on the link below:

http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=2176965&a
mp;loc=en_US

Or there is a "subscribe" box on the blog.

***************************************
WEATHER

Don't you just love living in the desert during our seasonal transitions -- I
sometimes think of it as 'wait a minute' and it will change.

At least for now we will have no more frost in the desert valley areas -
although it is always possible for a rare hail storm to flatten tender
plants. When that happens - as it has happened to my gardens in the
past, it is remarkable what the warm soil and sun will do to the survivors
- bigger and better.

Normal temperature range for April is: Low 47 / High 100

Last year we didn't see 100 until May, in prior years we have had 100 as
early as first week in April.

Since we are doing the roller coaster ride again this spring, it looks like
the immediate weather will be cool, warm, less warm, then hot.

At the moment the long range forecast does not look like 100 before
May 1st, but we will see.
***************************************
Garden watering etc.

Watch your watering needs as we transition to the really hot weather.

Here is my "guide" (not a bible) for how much water a mature garden
needs.

Watering Guideline in the Desert
Here is my rule of thumb for watering mature gardens, everything but
the trees please remember this is only a guide, which is why I strongly
urge the use of a moisture meter:
70s water every 5-6 days
80s water every 4-5 days
90s water every 3-4 days
100s water every 2-3 days
Water the trees every 1 - 2 weeks, flooding or measuring a drip system
to ensure a deep watering cycle, where the trees dry out some between
watering.

Keep in mind my favorite heat fact: in the middle of our summer, in the
middle of the afternoon, the surface temperatures are about 180 degrees
F - that includes the top 3 inches of bare soil, asphalt, concrete, the
sides of containers etc.

Mature growth has root systems which take them deeper than the heat
zone therefore protecting them from the temperature extremes.
Conversely new plantings have not had enough time to get their roots
deep enough, so they may need more water - BUT...

check soil moisture not the look of the plant. Many plants 'wilt' or fold
their leaves in the middle of the day to conserve moisture.
. . .
Planting for April

HERBS:
SOW in Basil, Chive (Garlic or Onion), Epazote, Perilla, or Catnip -- make
use of the canopy of flowering or vegetable plants, and place the seeds
just under leaf growth.

PLANTS to put in as fast as you can: Basil, Chives (Garlic and Onion),
Greek (Sweet) Bay, Greek Oregano, Lavender, Lemon Grass, Lemon
Verbena, Marjoram, Mexican Oregano, Mexican Tarragon, Mints, Myrtle,
Rosemary, Sage, Savory, Stevia, Thyme. Use flowering plants as
"nurse" plants--plant 3-4 flowering plants close up against (2-4 inches)
the herbs for side and soil protection.

EDIBLE FLOWERS: Impatiens Wallerana, Marigolds, Portulaca, Purslane,
Scented Geranium, and Sunflower.

OTHER EDIBLES: Black Eyed Peas; Cantaloupe; Carrots; Cucumbers;
Green Onions; Jerusalem Artichoke; Jicama; Musk Melons; Okra;
Peanuts; Peas; Peppers; Radishes; Snap Beans.
. . .
In The Garden:

Here is what you can look forward to when you garden at the appropriate
time here in the desert.

We have been harvesting our asparagus and artichokes, the last of the
broccoli, along with onion and garlic chives, parsley and chervil.

The peaches, apricots and apples are coming along...the licorice mint and
other mints are refreshing, sunflowers are opening up...the garlic heads
are about 2 weeks or so away from scape harvest (later I will pull the
heads for drying out), the lemon verbena and mexican oregano are lush,
the greek oregano is flourishing, along with the sages, thymes and lemon
balm...strawberries are starting to bloom...the last of the nasturtiums
have come up and are flowering filling in between the abundant blooms
of the pansies, violets and calendulas...the arugula is in flower (the bees
and hummers love it)...and a farmers market customer favorite, my white
eggplant never died back and so is in full flower---fruit shortly!

I hope you all have a wonderful April, coasting into full bloom time in the
garden!

Catherine

catherine@herbs2u.net

***************************************
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

Superstition Farm 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


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

Home schoolers and other parents of young children...

Jodi Freeman is the author of children books. Her activity coloring book
on the some of native peoples of Arizona is a great learning and teaching
tool as well as a fun coloring book for your children. "My Coloring Book
on The Old Ones" is available as print or download, see more information
at this link:

http://www.lulu.com/content/2201352

***************************************
CLASSES/EVENTS:
Boyce Thompson Arboretum 15th Annual Herb Festival, April 11, 11
a.m. - 4 p.m. -- see info above.


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