Coca-Cola Ribs-with Chives

This recipe is courtesy of Cola Ribs: I have a perennial Chives garden, and maintain seasonal herb gardens.  Here's your ticket to success:

1. Boil the ribs with a handful of chives for 60-90 minutes, until soft-not falling off the bone, but soft. 
2. Remove and douse with favorite barbecue sauce. 
3. Gas-grill closed-lid for 20 minutes.
4. Enjoy!

I tried this 5 days ago and it was fan-tastic!  Lemme know whatcha think!

Giuliano

 

Hi everyone! Our 3rd video installment is up on our Facebook page and on YouTube for all to view. This video is for kids and parents alike and highlights the fun, ease and low cost of sustainable gardening with a fairytale twist.

Sometimes it is easy to get busy and forget to include the little ones in our gardening efforts but it is one of the best teaching tools one can use to encourage community, family and environmental participation as well as fostering a sense of self efficacy.

I was amazed at how eager my own princess was to participate in this video, and as much as she loves to have her picture taken she was far more excited to be planting a vine that would "make pickles". I suppose a lesson in canning will be next!

Not enough time 2 garden, time is money

One of the main objections to behavior change from thinking about gardening to actually doing it, is time.  More so, the false assumption that there is simply not enough time to do the actual gardening.

Let's break down this time:

1. Decide what you want to grow: tomatoes.  Time: 5 seconds.
2. Find a store-you have seen them at Home Depot, Lowe's, or Bachman's.  Time:0.          
3. Buy the tomatoes and dirt on your way home from work.  Time: 30 mins.
4. Find a container: plastic milk jugs, containers from old plants, boxes, etc. Time: 20 mins.
5. Plant the tomatoes: make drainage holes, fill with dirt, insert the plant.  Time: 20 mins.

Total time including some watering: 90 mins, 1.5 hrs.

Time is money: let's say you want to pay yourself for this time:
1. One tomato plant average production: 10-15 lbs, per Arizona Master Gardener Manual.
2. Cost of 10-15 pounds: 30-45 dollars, assuming $3/lb.

It's a clean living, when you're making $20-30/hr and enjoying fresh tomatoes, at home!

For Immediate Release: First Minnesota-Grown Palm Tree Unveiled

Researchers create grafted palm tree for Zones 3 and 4

St. Paul, MN, June 9, 2013: The unveiling of the first truly Minnesota-grown palm tree will be held at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum on June 16, 2013 at 10 AM. Sprouts, a local gardening club, will host the event and presentation of the first frost-proof palm tree created by the University of Minnesota’s Horticulture department. The event will feature the team working on this genetic breakthrough, and will have a living palm tree vignette that will become a permanent feature at the Landscape Arboretum.
This amazing project came to bear fruit thanks to the dedicated researchers at the University of MN Horticulture department, in cooperation with Mala University of HI at Kauai. This seemingly impossible genetic feat started in the University’s Horticultural Lab presided by Dr. Andrew Green.  Together with his team, Green wanted to make his daughter’s 8 year birthday wish come true: to have a palm tree grow outside her bedroom window. There was enough retail interest for palm trees in MN to generate adequate funding for this project, 4 years in the making. The new patented frost-proof palm tree is grafted to grow year round in Minnesota’s Zones 3 and 4.

The first 50 ticket holder will receive a free seedling of the frost resistant grafted palm tree, valued at $45. The trees will become available for sale at select retailers starting June 16, 2013.
For more information regarding tickets and direction for this event visit the Sprouts Blog, call 763-545-0303, or visit the MN Landscape Arboretum.

I have a Cabbage Ball!

Check out our fun video here which shows how easy it is to garden, and demonstrates why I'm not a musician.  Enjoy!

This was one of my first experiences recording a voice-over; I liked the way it turned out and, some people think it's funny!

Most of the people like the part of "and you could be the hero, like BobbydeNiro!

Which part did you like?

I did another one after this-and everyone likes this, original one.  It shows the steps in gardening: gathering seeds, some soil, watering-and letting the sun do the real work.

The amazing part of gardening, as itself the miracle of life, is that organisms grow old without personal involvement; I don't know if that's thanks to God, nature, or ? but it is, nevertheless, fascinating.

Enjoy growing with us!

Hi SPROUTS Fans& Fanatics!

Just a quick note to let you know that our first video has been posted and our second installment will follow shortly. Our first video is primarily informational with a focus on four alternative garden options: container, square foot, hay bale and roof top. Each of these four have their benefits and specific appeal and work well in suburban or urban settings.

I had very high hopes to start my first hay bale garden this year but I will be hosting my first graduation party in my backyard in late June so I have opted for the container variety on my patio. Currently I have tomatoes and a variety of peppers and herbs growing as well as a large pot with pumpkin sprouts just beginning to peek out of the dirt. This is my second year with container pumpkins. I ended up with three successful vines last season and my kids had a blast choosing their jack-o-lanterns right from their own yard. (One note about growing pumpkins like this, the vines grow way outside the pot and like to take over a portion of the yard but fortunately they are quite easily redirected.)

Again, please take a moment to check out the video and think about starting your own personal gardening space by trying one, or even a combination of the four that are highlighted.

Take care & enjoy great gardening!

Good use of veggies from your garden: toppings to a main course

Step 1: Chop your tomatoes and onions.  Mix with baby spinach.

Step 2: Add over your favorite fish/pork chop/steak/veggie burger, or whatever.

Step 3: Garnish with lemon/lime/orange wedges.

Step 4: Snap a picture and, enjoy!

Which brings us to one of the main points regarding gardening: it's all about the food!  What would vegetables be without a way to eat them?  What would wheat grass be without a way to make a smoothie out of them?

You don't have to be a chef in order to cook a great meal!  Before you contradict me, tell me when you followed a recipe in detail, and yet your dish did not turn out!

All we have to do is, go from believing to doing-start digging!  (I'm sure they have a term for that!)

Cheap Thrills: Fresh Veggies from the Garden!

Do you…garden?  Would you like to? 

Why do people garden?  People garden because it’s simple, inexpensive, and rewarding at the same time!  All you need is seeds, dirt, water, and sunlight! 

Our blog aims to show you how easy it is to garden in any metro area.  Stay tuned!