Comments for The Gardener's Pantry

Comment on Growing Saffron Crocus by DW

DW — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:23:53 +0000

I finally tried growing saffron crocus this year. I was a little hesitant to get my hopes up because I read all these warnings about watering and how your bulbs wouldn’t flower the first year, etc….

BUT the little guys, even with all my neglect, sent up two flowers per bulb already! It is SO satisfying to walk out on the deck and harvest the saffron.

(However, it is a bit less satisfying to come into the kitchen and find DH using the paper towel you were drying your saffron on to blow his nose. We’ve decided all saffron-drying towels should be appropriately labeled with a warning: Your DW will probably freak out if you move this paper towel even an inch. She can’t be held accountable for anything that happens to you if you blow your nose on it.)

Comment on Gardenpalooza by Jo Ann Hattner MPH, RD

Jo Ann Hattner MPH, RD — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:02:29 +0000

I am excited to read about your yacon plants and the featured recipe. We included yacon as a source of prebiotics in our book Gut Insight probiotics and prebiotics for digestive health and well-being. Check our web site, select: inside the book, we have a photo and links for yacon.
http://www.gutinsight.com

Comment on Easy “Holy Mole” Sauce by Rose Marie Nichols McGee

Rose Marie Nichols McGee — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:46:58 +0000

Thanks for your comment. Mole sauces have become a family favorite with their rich flavor but not high in fat. any surplus can be frozen which I always like.

Comment on Easy “Holy Mole” Sauce by mtnjak

mtnjak — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:52:20 +0000

Holy Mole! Our first year growing these type of peppers and our plant had an abundance. Will try this recipe and experience Mole Sauce for the first time. Thanks

Comment on Easy “Holy Mole” Sauce by dianne

dianne — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 15:56:35 +0000

Thanks for posting this. I’ve been looking for something to do with our prolific batch of mole peppers!

Comment on Growing Saffron Crocus by B. Santucci

B. Santucci — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 08:15:33 +0000

Thanks for the prompt reply. Risotto Milanese sounds wonderful. I plan to try that dish soon.
Are you aware of any saffron farms in operation in California? Still dreaming of of retiring to a life of strenuous labor. But with the name Santucci it might make for some interesting marketing possibilities.
Can you tell me of the issues of quality when purchasing bulbs.
Thanks for your time.

Comment on Straw Bale Gardening by Rose Marie Nichols McGee

Rose Marie Nichols McGee — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 05:15:23 +0000

I do continue to do straw bale gardening and am frequently asked for updates. Our potatoes from three year old very porous bales have done very well and I think we’ve made maximum use of our bales. I strongly recommend growing peas and beans in bales as long as you use inoculant. My biggest concern now is keeping my bales from becoming a salad bar for the neighborhood deer. I’ve used Plantskydd, a blood based product that doesn’t wash off in the rain…ok for young tomatoes and peppers not for my salad greens. Those I cover with polyspun fabric or bird netting and peg these covers into place. As I explained in an earlier post fertilizing is important and I have tendency to under fertilize. Greens and pretty forgiving of this and peas and beans with inoculated roots don’t need additional fertilizing. It’s a great way to plant a crop and imprive your garden soil at the same time.

Comment on Growing Saffron Crocus by Rose Marie Nichols McGee

Rose Marie Nichols McGee — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 04:35:46 +0000

You should be successful in growing saffron in So. California. That’s an interesting story about the Dominican friar Santucci and the possibility you share a common lineage. I did a little web search and found quite a few references to him in regard to saffron. The next question is this in any way related to the great Italian saffron seasoned dish, Risotto Milanese?

Comment on Straw Bale Gardening by Chewychews

Chewychews — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 23:25:37 +0000

Anyone interested in straw bale gardening should check this site out for good info on the subject. Make sure to put youself on the strawbalegardeners map!

Comment on Straw Bale Gardening Question by Chewychews

Chewychews — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 23:22:02 +0000

Try this site for great straw bale garden ideas (if I do say so myself) lol