Crop planned last December Seed received in January Seed sown in June Transplanted in July Weed free and healthy in August Going to be harvested in October It’s nice to have a spreadsheet on hand that can keep track of the thinking in the time between making decisions and all the actions. After a quick … More Three rows of Radicchios
Chicory stamens are pretty stunning. I love that deep blue that contrasts with the lighter blue of the petals. We’ve taken to trellising chicory plants to keep them from flopping around while we wait for the seed to mature. My next free online workshop is on Thursday July 28 at 2pm Eastern …
Patience and hardiness. That’s what chicory is all about. Last fall we planted out a bed of Chicory and covered it with a mini-tunnel to see if that would be enough to get it through the winter. (We usually dig up our Chicories and put them in a cold room for the winter – but … More Chicory patience and hardiness
There are a lot of ways that lettuce can turn into jelly. A long list of fuzzy moldy slimy diseases. And they can strike seemingly overnight. One morning you have a bed of tall romaine lettuce looking perfect for harvest. And the next day … not so perfect ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? I’m going … More Keeping Your Lettuce From Turning Into Jelly
Escarole is the last Selfer we’re talking about for #seedsavingformarketgardeners Escarole might be bitter and beautiful and have many similarities to chicories. But Escaroles and chicories are not the same thing. Escaroles are selfers that barely cross.(Almost Superselfers like lettuce – I think) They tend to come in shades of green with not much of … More Escarole Seed – Selfer with a couple challenges
I was going to start it with a radicchio. But maybe leading into #bitterisbetter is not quite the tone that you’re looking to start the year on. … More Let’s start the year with a flower
Am I the only one who likes to start the day with a bowl of chopped sugarloaf? What we call “early breakfast” in our house. A little something to tide you you over until the whole family is up and we can fry up some eggs. (Sugarloaf is my favourite of all the Radicchio clan. … More Early Farmer Breakfast
The gulf between cilantro lovers and cilantro haters seems minuscule compared to the chasm between Radicchio lovers and haters. John Navazio told me the secret to bring folks over the chasm is to put a little sugar in your vinaigrette. He said the sweetness tricks folks into enjoying bitterness and over time they will see … More The Gulf Between Radicchio Lovers & Haters
Last year, I selected my favorite Italian Dandelion plants from our market planting. I chose them based on the level of leaf serration, the red stem and green leaf contrast, and vigour. In fact, I’d actually been eliminating whatever I didn’t like all season long. Whatever was too green, too round leafed, or too marked … More Planting Overwintered Dandelion