Category Archives: Food/gardening
Apiaceae Family – Fennel and Parsnip
This time we’ll look at two less frequently grown plants in the Apiaceae family of vegetables – parsnip and bulb fennel. I’ve grown parsnips and I’ve tried to grow bulb fennel, with no success. Fennel I’ve planted what was identified … Continue reading
Apiaceae Family: The Carrots or Parsley Family
The Apiaceae family of plants and herbs is also called the Parsley or Carrot family. It contains some of the most commonly used vegetables – carrots, celery, celeriac, fennel and parsnip – and many of our favorite aromatic herbs – … Continue reading
Plant Families: Fabaceae (part 2)
Another post about those marvelous nitrogen-fixing legumes found in the Fabaceae family. This month we’ll look at peas, lentils and peanuts! Peas Peas are one of my absolute favorite vegetables for so many reasons: They are a cool weather crop … Continue reading
Plant Families: Fabaceae (part 1)
I’m going to start the plant family discussion with the most marvelous of all families – Fabaceae (legumes). Not only are beans a very healthy food choice for us, they’re a healthy choice for your soil. Legumes can, in a … Continue reading
A Year of Studying Plant Families
The goal of the plant families discussion was to help people learn about planting, growing, harvesting, cooking and storing different kinds of foods. Continue reading
Permaculture Principle 12: Creatively Use and Respond to Change
Where is change happening in your yard – and in your life? The sun has been a primary change agent. When an old apple tree was struck by lightening and came down, we gained a sunny back yard and a … Continue reading
Permaculture Principle 11: Use Edges and Value the Marginal
Edges can be hard places to work with, but they present a lot of interesting opportunity and natural diversity. Continue reading
Permaculture Principle 10: Use and Value Diversity
Diversity is an insurance policy buffering us against disaster, disease and failure. Continue reading
Permaculture Principle 9: Use Small and Slow Solutions
Small and slow solutions will be increasingly important in an energy-constrained future. Continue reading
Permaculture Principle 8: Integrate Rather than Segregate
The proverb that goes with this principle is “Many hands make light work.” Continue reading