Spring Warren

A memoir, a garden book and a cookbook all in one. Great idea! The author challenged herself to feed and provide food from her garden for "herself" for one year. But, she ended up also feeding the majority of meals to her family as well, who were at first reluctant to even get involved.

I wouldn't consider this the most enjoyable memoir, but man oh man, she provides some excellent gardening tips here and there that I have never read anywhere else...and I've done a LOT of reading on how to garden.

Take for instance: potatoes. I learned a thing or two. They actually do better in cooler weather when day temps are 60° to 75° and night temps are 45° to 55°. So maybe start in early March or even in a fall garden around here in Southeast Texas (Zone 9).

(1) Cut potatoes into pieces with at least 2 eyes and set on windowsill in warm light and allow to heal and eyes to sprout. (2) Come February or early March, plant potato sprouts and cover with damp, not wet dirt, and DO NOT WATER for two weeks, or until you see the green tips pop up from underneath the dirt. This prevents rot. (3) Then, when the vegetation forms and, in certain varieties, it starts blooming, you will need to make sure the potatoes get plenty of water for the next month or two. (4) When vines turn yellow and lose their leaves, STOP WATERING and leave the potatoes in the ground for another two weeks for the skins of potatoes to toughen up. (p. 128-29)

There's specific detailed growing tips just like this for a few other vegetables in each chapter, then a recipe using that vegetable.

I've tried quite a few of the recipes as I finished reading each chapter. They are a good base to start with, but down here in Southeast Texas, we do require SOME seasonings.

I enjoyed this book and felt inspired to start planning for my spring garden and even felt inspired to cook up some new and "fresh" dishes.… (altro)

I enjoyed the stories and recipes. She cooks and gardens like me. I think we'd be friends if she were my neighbor. Plenty of tips and tricks to glean from. I've read enough how-to's and instructional books this winter; this is a lighter read. Then at the end, there is a practical chapter about how to get started in your own yard. Very motivating. We have three and a half acres but most are wooded and we want to keep it that way so we are planning on transforming the majority of our front yard into garden. I really found a lot in common though I live in a completely different climate. The story was more about the process and rewards of growing one's own food and not about the sourdough how-to's which would vary too much based on each person's location, land and needs.… (altro)