Author Archives: Christy

New Seed Favorites for 2015

Posted on February 4, 2015 by Christy

Now that we’ve finished combing through the pile of seed catalogs that came in the mail over the holidays, we’ve made our list of new seeds we’ll be planting this spring. It’s a Gardenerd tradition to share our new seed … Continue reading →

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When to Harvest Broccoli?

Posted on February 3, 2015 by Christy

I get this question all the time: how do you know when broccoli is ready to harvest? The answer is in your fingertips. You can tell when to harvest broccoli by touching the head, or bud (that’s what broccoli is, … Continue reading →

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Growing White Sonora Wheat

Posted on January 28, 2015 by Christy

Every year we experiment with growing a new grain, not only to enjoy it in the kitchen, but to generate biomass for the compost bin. This year we chose White Sonora Wheat, and heirloom wheat. According to Slow Food USA, … Continue reading →

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Field Trip: Honey Tasting Competition

Posted on January 27, 2015 by Christy

You would never know how different honey can taste from hive to hive until you’ve tasted a few samples side by side. It’s astounding, really. The flavor profiles range from grassy to floral to fruity, just like a good wine … Continue reading →

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Gardens of Pompeii

Posted on January 14, 2015 by Christy

I had the privilege of visiting the California Science Center to see the Pompeii exhibit over the holidays, where I saw ancient ruins preserved in ash from the massive eruption of the Vesuvius in AD 79. Having been to Pompeii … Continue reading →

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Chill Hours: Choosing the Right Fruit Tree

Posted on January 13, 2015 by Christy

A question came in to Ask Gardenerd this week about fruit trees: “What peaches grow best and are most flavorful in Mar Vista? Also what types of plums/pluots? I live in west Mar Vista, CA. Thanks for your help and … Continue reading →

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Recipe: Crisp Fried Eggplant with Parsley Sauce

Posted on January 7, 2015 by Christy

If you’re been reading this blog for awhile, you’ll have noticed by now that Rose Elliot is one of my favorite cookbook authors. She excels at combining minimal ingredients for maximum flavor. With its promise of “30 minutes or less,” … Continue reading →

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New Year’s Garden Resolutions 2015

Posted on January 6, 2015 by Christy

Happy New Year, fellow Gardenerds! 2015 is here, the days are growing longer each day, and seed catalogs have arrived. We’ve been poring over them during breakfast, marking off new heirloom discoveries to try this year. This exploration leads to … Continue reading →

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Giveaway: Sprouting Seeds for Greens All Winter

Posted on December 10, 2014 by Christy

It’s holiday time, which means thoughtful gifts and good cheer with loved ones. It also means, for many people, a winter without fresh greens in the garden. Thankfully, we can sprout seeds indoors for snipping into salads, soups and more … Continue reading →

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Scoring Big with the Rain Barrel Rebate

Posted on December 9, 2014 by Christy

We try to write blog posts with a nationwide focus, but every once in a while, something with a local flare is in order. This is one of those times: Los Angeles is finally seeing some rain, and our rain … Continue reading →

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