Let me start off by saying I really like this book. Although the info sheet that accompanies The Vegetable Garden Pest Bookby Susan Mulvihill talks about climate change and newly invasive pests that attack edibles, most of what’s inside are the same pests and the same problems I’ve been dealing with in my Mid-Atlantic vegetable garden for decades. But that’s a quibble with the info sheet rather than the book itself, which is a terrific tool for almost anyone who works to produce food from their little bit of earth.
Category Archives: Our World
Planting Garlic in Faith
Two days ago, I planted half of the hardneck garlic I intend to put in this year. I had chosen a bed that hadn’t held any last season and yanked out the desiccated tomato plants (we picked our last green ones, which are turning red on the porch as I write, about five days ago)Continue reading “Planting Garlic in Faith”
A Buzzing Retirement Plan
My latest essay in The Christian Science Monitor’s Home Forum: My husband is outside our office, splitting wood. In between the rhythmic thwack! of the splitting maul, he’s singing Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy.” Except, he’s not singing words. He’s buzzing the melody. Buzz buzz buzz buzz (whack) buzz buzz buzz buzz (whack) buzz buzz buzz buzz buuuuzzzz bzContinue reading “A Buzzing Retirement Plan”
Do Real Men Get Flowers for Valentine’s Day?*
For a long time, REAL MEN not only didn’t eat quiche, they didn’t get flowers. Imagine John Wayne on the receiving end of a dozen long-stemmed red roses. Enter bright-eyed delivery boy with the bouquet. Wayne, scowling: “Wal, whuddaya got THERE?” Delivery boy, wilting slightly: “Roses, Sir.” Wayne, leaning forward menacingly: “Wal, whoContinue reading “Do Real Men Get Flowers for Valentine’s Day?*”
Food Court Flash Mob for Christmas
There are several things that bring the Christmas spirit. One of the biggies is Handel’s Messiah. I often miss all the programs that float around, but the flash mobs of the Hallelujah chorus are a terrific compensation. Here’s one that I wish I had experienced firsthand. But the magic of Youtube brought it right intoContinue reading “Food Court Flash Mob for Christmas”
Building Soils Naturally
I’m not an agronomist, and I have a feeling you’d really need to be one to properly assess this book. But I’m totally on board with the notion that you need to feed the soil and all its critters before it can feed the plants that grow in it. That’s the premise of the just-publishedContinue reading “Building Soils Naturally”
Slow Money: Like Buy Local But Invested
“Slow Money” is the name for a movement started by socially conscious investing pioneer and author, Woody Tasch. …Slow Money is dedicated to connecting investors to their local economies by marshaling financial resources to invest in small food enterprises and local food systems. Tasch’s vision for Slow Money, now not just a concept but alsoContinue reading “Slow Money: Like Buy Local But Invested”
Sunday Cooking Returns!
Since leaving the Chestertown Spy only last week, I’ve decided I still need to write about cooking, food, gardening, and environment — to say nothing of the wider world and the art of living. So, I’m starting up Sunday Cooking again. It will begin next week — this week is temporary retirement — and I’llContinue reading “Sunday Cooking Returns!”
Nancy Taylor Robson 