Tag: backyard gardens

Old Farmer’s Almanac

- Lynn Leave a comment

Every fall since 1792, another edition of The Old Farmer’s Almanac comes out and every year it’s a bestseller.

According to the Washington Post, “The antique cover, still sporting mugs of Benjamin Franklin and Robert B. Thomas, reeks of great-great-grandma’s potpourri, and yet the 2024 edition of “The Old Farmer’s Almanac” is flying off the shelves like hotcakes, for which there’s a great recipe on page 65.”

According to publisher Sherin Pierce, “This year ‘The Almanac’ just shot right out of the gate.” Sales on Amazon, in particular, have never been so strong, and copies are also selling briskly at bookstore chains and indie bookstores. (Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos, owns The Washington Post.)

While every other publisher in the world is in a sweaty panic to reinvent itself and chase after those unicorns known as younger readers, “The Almanac” just clomps along selling about 2.5 million copies a year… She attributes the magazine’s continued popularity to two very current trends: weather anomalies and home gardening.

“People are more interested in the environment,” she says. “They want to be self-sustainable. They want to have a guide of how to do something yourself, right? …

And in a world of constant change and rising strife, it’s undeniably comforting to find a journal that’s “Useful, with a Pleasant Degree of Humor.”

Pierce says, “Trends come and go, fashions come and go, but ‘The Almanac’ remains.” ‘

There’s also an Old Farmer’s Almanac for Kids, an Old Farmer’s Almanac Everyday Cookbook, an Old Farmer’s Almanac Gardener’s Companion and the Best of the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

The Little Flower Recipe Book by Jill Rizzo

- Ann Leave a comment

I’ve always been a fan of small bouquets. I have a pretty large flower garden and have the luxury of growing a lot of flowers that become large, dramatic displays – tulips, peonies, dahlias, lilies. But I have a great appreciation and love for tiny bouquets. And now there is a book that shares my love of these small delights – The Little Flower Recipe Book by Jill Rizzo.

Filled with 148 tiny arrangements that range from small to tiny to micro-mini, this book takes you through the seasons with suggestions for combining and creating delightful little bouquets. Half the fun is finding tiny containers – not just traditional vases in miniature, but unexpected things you may have already like a tiny teacup or jar.

So why go to all the trouble of making these tiny bouquets? Lots of reasons! They bring attention to often overlooked flowers that, when brought inside and up-close, reveal to be just as complex and interesting as showier flowers. Subtle color shades, markings and fragrance are easier to see and enjoy.  Also, I can guarantee that you’re not likely to find bouquets of pansies or nasturtiums or any other of these small flowers at the local florist!

More reasons to create small bouquets is that they can fit into small nooks and crannies, on a bedside table or next to the bathroom sink making them an easy way to fill your home with flowers. And well, there’s just something about miniatures that simply delights!

It’s Here!

- Ann Leave a comment

It may not always feel like it yet, but spring officially arrives at 12:32pm on March 20th. Time to start planning your garden!

With all the emphasis on organic, local foods, back-yard gardens have become all the rage – even the White House has a vegetable garden! There’s a big crop of new titles, whether you’re new to gardening or would just like to pick up a few tips.

One Magic Square: the Easy, Organic Way to Grow Your Own Food on a 3-Foot Square by Lolo Houbein. This book specializes in getting the most out of the smallest plots – best varieties, space-saving tips and sustainable practices. Multiple examples of Magic Square plots are shown including the Antioxidants Plot, the Curry Plots, and the Summer Stir-Fry Plot. Completely organic.

Grow Great Grub: Organic Food from Small Spaces by Gayla Trail. This beautifully illustrated book gives you lots of basic information, presented in a friendly, no-nonsense style. In addition to the expected vegetables, herbs and edible flowers are also included. A chapter on preserving the harvest ranges from making a ristra and drying tomatoes in the oven to canning and freezing. Completely organic.

Grocery Gardening: Planting, Preparing and Preserving Fresh Food by Jean Ann Van Krevelen. Three things make this garden guide stand out – the inclusion of fruit, the varied and interesting recipes and the nutritional information.  While there is some brief information on planting your own garden, just having access to a Farmer’s Market is all you need. There are also tips on selecting quality produce.

The Small Budget Gardener by Maureen Gilmer. This book has one goal – saving you money – and they mean business. All aspects of gardening are covered, from how to plant trees to aid in energy savings, to recycling found objects into garden treasures. They also discuss the impact of technology on gardening,  listing useful (free) websites, blogs and online newsletters. Sometimes it’s important to spend money – quality tools for instance – and Gilmer shows you what and how to buy. Tightwad tips throughout. Completely organic.