By Mindy McIntosh-Shetter

Horseradish is one of my favorite herbs.

It works wonderfully with beef, seafood, and even in a cranberry relish.

Once you start your first horseradish plant, you will always have a fresh supply of horseradish.

This perennial herb takes a lot of room.

It can grow 24-inches in height and 18-inches wide. It thrives in full sun but can tolerate some shade. For best results, make sure the soil pH is 5.5 to 7.0.

Horseradish can be started from plant and/or root during the spring, summer or fall. When dealing with plants, dig the hole Read the rest of this entry »

By Mindy McIntosh-Shetter

The other day I heard an announcement on TV about a company that was supporting the “Home Farming Movement.”

How I thought this had already been done since the beginning of time.

The company had announced that the Home Farming day was April 12, 2011.

While I was happy that at last the farming movement was being recognized I wondered how long this would last.

When we, as foreigners, entered the New World we brought with us the “Home Farming Movement.” We brought our own bees, plants, and even livestock across a sea to the unknown.

The native inhabitants and the newcomers shared Read the rest of this entry »

By Mindy McIntosh-Shetter

On April 12, 2011, a well-known cracker company celebrated the home farming movement with its own day.

While this date is not found on any calendar nor was it set aside by a presidential decree, it still is a very important day for all of us that garden.

In the past, especially during war or through challenging economic times, individuals have gardened and shared their wares with those in need.

Today, the gardening movement has been brought on by food security worries and economic distress.

The definition of gardening has changed as times have changed. Today, you no longer need land but can garden on a windowsill, containers, and really in anything that has drainage and will hold soil. Read the rest of this entry »

By Mindy McIntosh-Shetter

I will admit, as a gardener, that I am obsessed with lavender.

I love how the plant looks in the garden and in my containers.

I love fresh lavender lemonade and cookies infused with lavender.

I love drying it and replenishing my linen closet every fall with fresh lavender sachets. All I can say is I love lavender.

Lavender can be a challenging plant for some gardeners. This herb does best in Read the rest of this entry »

Mindy McIntosh-Shetter

Watercress is an herb that my daughter and I became very familiar with when she was younger.

We always welcomed spring with a tea party that included our Sunday best clothes, dishes, and food.

She would invite her friends over for this “formal” tea party.

Several types of tea would be made along with finger food. This food included sandwiches made with different ingredients such as cucumbers, tuna, peanut butter, and watercress. All the kids sat like little kings and queens around the special tea party table and ate their tea party snacks.

When my Read the rest of this entry »