Rose Cottage

 Winter is prime time for garden planning, and savoring the bounty in seed catalogs with a warm cuppa is a cozy way to cheer up cold grey days! In a recent post, a favorite gardener and chef in Wales, Gaz Oakley, remin ds us to consider flavor, and include heritage varieties!  Black cap raspberries   In my garden journal (Poteger Devotional) from 2006, I added this quote,  "For too long vegetable gardening has been obsessed with shape and SIZE.  Better that care be lavished from tilth to table on growing tasty food whose beauty is a bi-product to be relished." Montague Don, the Sensuous gardener. In a later chapter, he comments that there was a shift to growing for size and quantity when men took on a larger role, as there's  'an inbuilt relationship between Horticulture and gastronomy when the person(s) cooking/ preparing the food is involved!' Field peas, pansy,  chickweed, broad beans still fresh and green after the freeze In traditional cultures ar...

 I grew up in a family that appreciated local food - but in Central Oregon with its short growing season, that was harder in winter! Moving to the valley when I went off to college, then marrying into a family of biologists, I quickly appreciated the abundance of year round local fare!  Mid winter weeks are often referred to as 'the hunger gap,' as even in our year round climate, growth slows and choices are more limited. Fortunately, we have a year round Farmers market, and our groceries offer local produce and.  I've eaten mostly local OG veggies & fruit, & try to keep the rest of my food as close to home as possible, for most of my adult life. Squash, kale and chard, potatoes, root veggies are abundant, and Winter salads can include chicory, winter greens, herbs, grated root veggies, celery, Kim chi  and sprouts (so easy to grow your own using filtered water and organic seed)  Bean and broccoli sprouts Our little family (daughter, her family & mys...

 A new house includes gardening in a new spot!  My daughter and son-in law moved here 13 years ago, and have gardened off and on throughout that time.  It's a double lot, with the garden area fenced. Small fruit include a row of blueberries, raspberries, a couple of grape vines on arbors, and a rhubarb.  There's an artichoke patch, a lovely Rosemary and several other herbs. The border the veggie area, which has had several configurations.  Artichoke patch My younger grandson and I began a no dig bed last summer, and planted greens and tomatoes. They learned about food security and planted seeds each day at VBS (vacation bible school), so we gave the marigolds, beans and sunflowers a home. Plant station At my old house, I potted up perennial veggies and herbs, and kept new plants in pots - my dear son-in law brought them over on his truck - several loads! Some will remain in pots, and others planted out as the garden expands. I brought tender perennials into the ...