gardening

Edible Schoolyard NYC Brings Gardens To Low-Income Schools

July 20, 2019 by chris

Greenhouse at Brooklyn school garden

Imagine a school where inner-city kids spend part of their day in a garden learning to grow and cook organic foods. Sounds pretty amazing, right? Edible Schoolyard is an organization that makes that happen. In Brooklyn, they transformed this elementary school parking lot into a thriving half-acre organic farm. The students here grow, harvest, and cook nearly 160 different vegetables, fruits, herbs, and grains.

Image: Edible Schoolyard NYC – inner-city lot transformed into an organic garden

Edible Schoolyard was founded in 1995 by restaurateur and food activist Alice Waters, who initiated the project in Berkeley, California. She understood that integrating such a program into school curriculums was the best way to teach children the connections between food, health, and the environment.

In 2010, the nonprofit brought Waters’ vision to New York City and opened its first demonstration school in Brooklyn. The programs at the Brooklyn school and the one that followed in Manhattan have proven to be successful and valuable additions to these schools’ curriculums.

Urban school garden — Image: Edible Schoolyard NYC – school garden in Brooklyn

“Edible Schoolyard NYC’s mission is to support edible education for every child in New York City. All children are educated and empowered to make healthy food choices for themselves, their communities, and their environment, actively achieving a just and sustainable food system for all.” – Edible Schoolyard NYC

Chickens at Edible Schoolyard NYC — Edible Schoolyard NYC – Brooklyn organic garden

The demonstration schools in the program offer hands-on daytime activities for students, and they also work with local communities to provide access to fresh produce and encourage healthy eating.

In an area where student obesity rates and poverty rates are disproportionately high, programs like this have a remarkable impact on a community and, ideally, on the futures of the children involved.

Edible Schoolyard NYC teaching kitchen — Teaching kitchen at Edible Schoolyard NYC Brooklyn

The community programs include evening cooking workshops, weekend community days when gardens and kitchens are open to the public, a low-cost farmstand where produce is sold, and student-organized tastings of recipes that are cooked with foods they grow. All workshops are free and are accessible to the communities the schools serve.

Edible Schoolyard NYC greenhouse — Greenhouse at Brooklyn school garden

“The goal of all of our programs is to change the preferences, attitudes, and eating behaviors of young New Yorkers in favor of healthier foods. We do this through hands-on, experiential classes that are integrated into the daily school curriculum. In our gardens and kitchens, in homerooms and cafeterias, we’re working to ensure that all children have access to the joyful, transformative power of enjoying fresh and healthy food.” – Edible Schoolyard NYC

Is the program making a difference in these communities? According to Edible Schoolyard NYC’s impact page, it is!

Over the last two years, they have grown over 97 crop varieties weighing 1,534 pounds in the two teaching gardens
95% of children tried the food in the kitchen classes last year, and 89% said they enjoyed it
19% of students took food from the salad bar in 2015 compared to less than 1% in 2013
Parents surveyed reported that their kids ask for healthier foods at home and show interest in cooking

Becoming active participants in growing, harvesting, and cooking food is a wonderful way for kids to make healthy and sustainable choices. Going “off grid” with food and gaining independence from the commercial food system is one of the most powerful steps one can take toward a sustainable lifestyle. I love that these kids are learning this so young, and in a Brooklyn parking lot, of all places. If they can do it, just about anyone can!

Visit Edible Schoolyard NYC to read more about this incredible organization. Throughout the site, you’ll find heartwarming quotes from students, some of whom had never previously stepped foot into a garden. Some report that being involved in the garden is the best part of their day. If you want to help Edible Schoolyard’s mission, you can get involved by volunteering, donating, or simply by sharing the information.

Like this article? Subscribe to our newsletter to get more great content and updates sent to your inbox!

This article first appeared on offgridworld.com Check it out here

10 Natural Fly Repellents To Help Rid Your Home Of Flies

July 20, 2019 by chris

Using natural fly repellents can be effective to rid your home of flies.

Before we get started with the list of natural fly remedies, it’s important to note that you must identify the exact species of fly you’re dealing with before you can get rid of it. You have to know your enemy, right?

The house fly is the most common type of fly. It’s attracted to animal waste, garbage and any kind of decaying matter. You’ll likely see these throughout the year, but most commonly in the warm summer months. Fruit flies, like house flies, are also attracted to garbage, but more commonly like to linger near partially decayed, sweet-smelling fruit (hence the name).

Another common type of fly—that may be rearing its ugly head around this time of the year—is the cluster fly. Cluster flies are lethargic, slow-moving flies that are attracted to warm, sunny places. You’ll likely see them if you have a large, productive garden, as they are parasitic to earthworms. Cluster flies, unlike house flies, do not carry or transmit disease, but are a nuisance to have around.

Other possible—but less common—types of flies include blow flies, flesh flies, drain flies and stable flies. You likely have no need to worry about these species invading your domesticity.

1. Homemade fly strips

Fly strips (or fly tapes) are a great way to get rid of flies, but come with many ugly side effects. The unsightly and messy yellow “goop” that attracts and eventually kills unwanted flies contains chemicals and leaves a disgusting, slimy residue around your house.

All natural way to rid your home of pesky insects

A more natural—and less gross—solution is to create your own fly paper. It is much more attractive and uses non-toxic materials that can be found around the house. To create, cut a brown paper bag into 2-3-inch-wide strips. Dip the strips into a mixture of sugar, honey and water. Then, hang the strips using twine wherever flies like to congregate. If they happen to dry out before they’ve annihilated your fly population, simply spritz them with water.

Less mess, less stress.

2. Apple cider vinegar traps

Apple cider vinegar traps are another way of ridding yourself of unwanted flies. Flies can often be found even in the most spotless of kitchens. Simply place an open bowl of apple cider vinegar, water and dish soap near a trashcan or sink. Within a day or two you will find the bowl swimming with the dead buggers, without endangering food safety or the health of your curious pets.

3. Plants

Besides the obvious Venus fly traps, there are numerous plants that can be grown to naturally lower your fly population. Herbs such as basil, bay laurel, rosemary, lavender, mint and even citronella help to repel flies. Because they have strong scents, flies generally stay away from these multipurpose plants.

Most fly-repelling plants can be grown outside or potted indoors, and several are even perennial. This low-maintenance option will help you season your tomato sauce and maintain a pest-free homestead.

4. Essential oils

If fresh or live herbs don’t work as well as you’d like in your fly-combatting efforts, you can also extract the oils from these plants. Harvest them in the morning after the dew has dried but before the sun has burned off any oils. Place the oils in diffusers or open jars around the house.

Other helpful essential oils include tea tree, eucalyptus and cedar.

5. Plastic water bags

This is probably the easiest and one of the most effective fly remedies. A bag of water serves as a lens and reflects movement. Flies are naturally skittish, and will fly away from the bag out of fear.

Fill a plastic bag with water, and hang wherever you tend to find flies (such as near outdoor trash cans). It should repel the flies before they get a chance to invade your domesticity.

6. Place cloves in citrus

Try using citrus as a natural fly repellent.

While we tend to like the smell and flavor of cloves, flies absolutely abhor them. Cloves are the most effective against houseflies. As a result, flies will stay away from areas where they are present.

They also hate the fresh smell of citrus, so what you will need to do is take an orange or lemon and cut it in half. Poke about a dozen individual cloves into each half of the citrus. Place the slices on a countertop or other open surface. You will find that your fly population drops dramatically.

7. DIY fly killer spray

If you’re like most people, you hate using chemical-ridden sprays around the house—especially in places where you eat. An easy fly killer alternative is to combine dish soap, Windex, vinegar, and water in a large spray bottle.

This method requires vigilance, as you’ll need to spray the flies as they appear, but after several applications you should find that the amount of flies decreases.

8. Red wine traps

Flies love the sweet smell of red wine. If you place red wine in a bowl with some dish soap or vinegar, they’ll be drawn to the scent of the wine and drown in the liquid.

9. Lure them out with light

Most bugs—including flies—are attracted to light. Darken the room in which you tend to find them by lowering blinds.

You can also place light traps in an attic or other enclosed space that humans typically don’t frequent. Light traps will keep flies out without the application of stinky, toxic chemicals.

10. Get physical

It seems obvious, but if you don’t want flies in your house, don’t invite them in! Take out the trash on a regular basis, and keep trash bins far away from your house. Keep your kitchen tidy and make sure there aren’t any stray crumbs hiding in nooks and crannies. Cover pet food dishes and don’t leave food out on the counter.

Make sure your house is well sealed—cluster flies like to invade in the fall months when they are looking for a place to spend the cold winter months. These pests can find their way into the house through the smallest of spaces, so make sure any air gaps are sealed and holes in window screens are repaired before these buggers become a problem.

What tips would you add? Share your advice in the section below:

The post 10 Natural Fly Repellents To Help Rid Your Home Of Flies appeared first on Off The Grid News.

This article first appeared on offthegridnews.com See it here

16 DIY Salad Table Ideas to Get Fresh Salad With Little Garden Space

July 20, 2019 by chris

Do you live in a smaller area and assume you can’t grow much (if any) type of garden? You may not be able to grow large quantities or even larger vegetables, but you should be able to produce something.

Salad tables are becoming quite the rage. They allow people to have a little garden – on legs – in a small yet sunny area.

This would work well on a front porch, back porch, deck, or even on a sunny balcony. Not only does it have a very convenient height, but you can move it, and it produces just enough for a constant supply of salad when applying salad gardening techniques.

I’m going to share a few neat ideas to inspire you to create a salad table around your home.

Here are a few design ideas to inspire your future gardening adventure:

1. The Lettuce Table

This is a DIY option which is perfect for growing lettuce and other shallow-rooted crops. It’s constructed from an old table.

From there, they built up the sides to be able to hold dirt. The dirt was added, leaf seeds were planted, and a lettuce garden was born.

2. The DIY Salad Table

If you’re interested in growing shallow-rooted vegetables, this DIY salad table could certainly work for you.

There’s a great visual to show you how the table can be easily built, and it includes a mesh bottom which will help keep the soil properly draining and the crops growing.

3. Strawberry Raised Grow Table

Are you interested in raising your own strawberry crop this year? You could raise them in a hanging basket or even a window box.

However, if you’d prefer having them on an easily accessible growing table, you could order this style or use it to inspire your own build.

4. The Double Decker Salad Bench

This salad bench is constructed from wood and has a mesh bottom. This allows the plants to drain properly.

The great thing about this design is you have more growing space because of the bottom layer – the lettuce grows in containers sitting on top of the bench.

5. DIY Salad Bench

I love the design of this salad bench. It’s a single layer raised bench which makes tending to your lettuce crop much easier.

From there, small drawers with mesh bottoms are built. Handles are attached to make maneuvering the drawers easier. This is where the lettuce will grow.

6. The Waist High Planter Box

Would you like to grow a little more than lettuce? This waist high planter box could be exactly what you need.

The height makes it simpler to care for your crops, and it’s a little deeper than some of the other salad tables mentioned above. The tutorial and pictures are detailed and should make for a smooth build.

7. The Built-In Salad Bar

This image is meant for inspiration purposes only as there is no tutorial to help you along. However, it’s a neat idea.

If you’d love to have a growing space and a dining space, the built-in salad bar dining table could be the right fit for you.

8. The Hydroponic Lettuce Table

This lettuce table, set at a manageable height where you don’t strain your back, take things a step further. You can skip having to water it because it also has a built-in hydroponic system.

9. Lettuce and Herb Table

Would you like to plant lettuce and herbs but there’s no room in your garden area? You could create a small growing table specifically for them.

This salad or growing table is an easy set-up. It’s basically a potting bench where you can grow a small container garden, perfect for lettuce or herbs.

10. Patio Lettuce Table

I love this simple and sleek design for a lettuce table. It would fit in perfectly with most patio or porch settings.

If you’d like a basic wooden salad table with a flat edge and plenty of room for two rows of small veggies, this could be your growing table.

11. The Gutter Garden

If you’d like to grow lettuce but feel as though the grow table is rather boring, and you don’t want to take up space with an entire table consider the gutter garden.

This is a vertical option for growing lettuce in gutters. It can be pushed flat against a balcony wall and be a compact version of the salad table.

12. Self-Watering Veggie Table

Growing your own lettuce may sound like a great idea, but what if you have a demanding schedule and fear you won’t have time to care for it?

Consider this veggie table as a viable option as it allows you to grow your crops but includes a self-watering option for less maintenance.

13. Tabletop Salad Picnic Table

Many people don’t have much room to grow crops. In these situations, it’s wise to be able to combine growing space with living space.

Above is a great idea which allows you to do this. There’s no tutorial, but this idea can be used to inspire you. Create a picnic table with an area in the center to raise flowers, herbs, or lettuce.

14. The Divided Grow Table

Are you interested in having a wooden veggie table which will allow you to raise as many varieties of lettuce as your heart desires?

When growing different varieties, it’s nice to be able to divide them out. This table is divided into three different sections and allows for a nice layout when growing a variety of crops.

15 & 16. Purchasable Options

If DIY is not quite your thing, but you are eager to have your own raised table planter, have a look at this solid fir wood option from Amazon, as well as this quality plastic lettuce table, highly recommended from Amazon.

You now have 16 different options for awesome salad tables, which will make gardening convenient and a realistic possibility regardless of growing limitations or physical limitations you may be experiencing.

Again, most of these tables are meant for shallow-rooted crops such as lettuce. However, there are a few which can sustain larger crops.

It could make gardening a reality for those who feared it couldn’t be. Use these ideas to grow your own veggies and your dreams.

Was this article helpful?

Yes No ×

What went wrong?

This article contains incorrect information

This article does not have the information I am looking for

How can we improve it?

We appreciate your helpul feedback!

Your answer will be used to improve our content. The more feedback you give us, the better our pages can be.

Follow us on social media:

How To Prevent Common Sweet Corn Diseases

July 20, 2019 by chris

Know what to look for when it comes to corn diseases.

Sweet corn takes up more garden space than most crops and it’s also fairly demanding in terms of moisture and nutrients. The incomparable taste of freshly-picked corn, though, is enough to encourage gardeners to continue to grow it.

Native to Central America, sweet corn (Zea mays) has been cultivated in North America for thousands of years. This annual garden plant is generally disease and pest resistant, but if problems do take hold in your corn patch, the consequences can be devastating. Since corn grows so fast, it’s hard to control diseases and pests with chemicals.

Corn must be planted in rich, fertile soil and in full sun. Amend the soil with aged compost or manure several months before planting. Plant corn in blocks containing at least four rows so the wind can pollinate it efficiently.

Plant the seeds two or three weeks after the last expected frost. Corn won’t germinate in wet, cold soils and does best in soils that are 60 degrees or warmer.

Plant seeds 1 to 1 ½ inches deep and 3 inches apart. Thin the stalks to 18 inches apart when they stand 3 inches tall. Sidedress corn plants with a nitrogen-heavy fertilizer every six weeks during the growing season and keep the soil evenly moist. Use a soaker hose system rather than overhead sprinklers. If water splashes on the tassels at the time of pollination, the ears won’t pollinate well and will have fewer kernels.

This All Natural Fertilizer Will Help Your Crops Grow Like Crazy

Sweet Corn Diseases

Corn smut

Probably the most common corn disease. This fungal disease lives in the soil and causes unsightly gray or white growths, or growths, to form on the ears, leaves and stalks. In Central America, the galls are considered a culinary delicacy, but most gardeners find them unappealing at best. To control corn smut, remove the galls when they’re small and immature. Place them in a sealed plastic bag and discard. Work carefully so you don’t cause the spores to spread to other corn plants.

The fungus that causes corn smut can live in the soil for two years, so rotate crops and avoid planting corn where you’ve previously had problems. Corn smut is more prevalent during periods of high heat and moisture. Plants grown too closely together are also more susceptible.

Rust

Although it rarely causes serious damage. Plants affected with rust might have orange or red spots on the leaves. The spots are usually temporary and disappear as the plants mature. Rust occurs most often in cool, moist weather.

Stewart’s Wilt

A viral disease spread by flea beetles. The main symptom is brownish streaks in the leaves that eventually spread to stunt or kill the entire plant. Once infected, corn plants almost always succumb to this disease. There are no chemical controls. To minimize problems, rotate crops because the flea beetles overwinter in the soil and spread the disease when they feed on young plants. Control the flea beetles with rotenone or spread agricultural lime or wood ash on the soil.

Seed Rot Disease

This corn disease is caused by soil-borne fungi. Seeds might not germinate and any emerging seedlings are stunted. Seed rot diseases are most common in cold, wet soils. Seeds germinate slowly in these soils, so they’re more at risk of exposure to the fungus. Plant high-quality corn seeds only after the soil has warmed in the spring. If you’ve had problems in the past, consider buying corn seeds that have been treated with a fungicide.

Root Rot

Like seed rot disease, this corn disease is most common in wet soils. As the roots rot, the corn stalks may also begin to rot, causing the entire stalks to fall over and die. To prevent root rot, plant corn seeds in well-draining soil that has been amended with compost. Space corn plants so air circulates freely and use soaker hoses instead of overhead sprinklers. If your soil is very heavy, consider using raised beds.

Southern corn leaf blight

Blight causes bleached or discolored spots on both the corn ears and the leaves. Pull up and discard infected corn plants. Rotate crops and clean up the garden immediately after harvest.

Insect Problems

Nematodes

These insects are microscopic roundworms that feed on the roots of plants in the garden. The first sign of nematodes is usually stunted growth and pale leaves. Pull up the plants and you’ll see nodules or growths on the roots. A soil test can confirm the presence of nematodes. If you’ve had a problem with nematodes, be sure to rotate crops and clean up the garden well. In some cases, you might have to solarize the soil. To solarize the soil, spread a clear sheet of plastic over it during the hottest months of summer. Secure the plastic so it sits tightly over the soil and leave it in place for six weeks. The heat generated by the plastic destroys any nematodes in the soil. Unfortunately, it also destroys beneficial microbes. Add compost and aged manure to the soil after solarizing to rebuild it.

Corn earworms

Unfortunately, these are a common pest in the corn patch. Adults lay their eggs on the corn silk. Once the larvae hatch, they crawl into the corn ears and begin feeding. You can handpick corn earworms and drop them in a bucket of soapy water or try putting a few drops of mineral oil on the tops of the ears. The mineral oil runs into the ears, covers the earworms and smothers them.

Corn borers

These insects are caterpillars that tunnel through the stalks and ears, causing extensive damage. Walk through the garden frequently and handpick any you see. Drop them in soapy water.

Raccoons

Along with squirrels, and crows are definitely on the most wanted list when it comes to pests in the corn patch. Raccoons and squirrels, in particular, can strip all the ears off the plants in just one or two nights. To thwart them, don’t plant corn near fences, trees, or buildings. Squirrels can jump from these surfaces directly on the corn plants and knock them down. Plant squash underneath the cornstalks. Raccoons and squirrels don’t like to walk across the prickly vines. Some gardeners spread crumpled aluminum foil on the garden soil. You can also use motion detecting lights and sprinkler systems, or a well-trained dog.

The post How To Prevent Common Sweet Corn Diseases appeared first on Off The Grid News.

This article first appeared on offthegridnews.com See it here

21 Lettuce Varieties to Try in Your Garden

July 20, 2019 by chris

Growing lettuce is one of my favorite gardening endeavors because the plants grow quickly and with a minimum of fuss, which is extremely rewarding. There are also a plethora of different lettuce varieties – you can find one for every season and climate zone. Add some plastic or a cold frame, and you can extend your lettuce season all year long, even in challenging climates.

Lettuce isn't just about salads, although your fresh-picked lettuce varieties will make you swear off boring lettuce from the store. In the kitchen, the leafy green is great on sandwiches, wilted in soups, braised or grilled, and it's fabulous in smoothies.

Lettuce does well in raised beds or a traditional garden. Have you been looking into trying hydroponics? Lettuce is a great plant to start with. It's also a smart option if you want to teach kids about gardening.

Whatever your goals, climate, or cooking needs, there's a lettuce out there for you.

Lettuce Varieties

There are dozens of lettuce types, and they fall into five categories: Batavian, butterhead, iceberg, loose leaf, and romaine. Each type has varying growing needs and characteristics.

Let's take a look at the different types of lettuce and some excellent varieties in each category!

Batavian Lettuce Varieties

Also known as summer crisp or French crisp, Batavian lettuces are ideal for summer growing as they have a high tolerance for heat. Seeds need a cool temperature for germination, so start them early or indoors in a cold room and then transplant outdoors.

Concept

Concept is an excellent Batavian type with a beautiful flower petal shape. It has a high heat tolerance, making it ideal for the deep south. At the baby stage, the leaves are open, and they close as the plant matures. The taste is sweet and juicy. It has pretty green leaves and takes 51 days to mature.

Nevada

Nevada is a hot state and, unsurprisingly, its namesake lettuce can handle the heat. The ruffled green leaves have a subtle nutty flavor. You can harvest individual leaves or let it head up. This open-pollinated variety takes 48 days to mature.

Pablo

Pablo is a large Batavian lettuce that forms loose heads with large upright rosettes. The leaves have bronze outer edges, which makes a striking contrast when used as a base under other ingredients, such as a fruit salad. The taste is sweet, and it's slow to bolt. It's an heirloom that comes from Seed Savers Exchange. It matures in 62 days.

Butterhead Lettuce Varieties

There are two types of butterhead lettuces.

The first one, Boston lettuce, has loose, round shaped heads. If you take out the interior leaves, they make a perfect “cup” for grilled chicken, stir-fried veggies, or shrimp cocktail.

The second, bibb lettuce, is smaller with soft leaves. It tends to mature earlier than Boston and has dark leaves with red edges. Bibb lettuce's tiny round heads are sweet and tender. They're often grown as mini-heads.

Nancy

Nancy is a regular in my garden because it's so reliable. This large Boston type has thick, medium-sized green leaves that form a tight head. The taste is sweet and buttery. This one was popular with shoppers when I did regular farmer's markets. It holds well in the field and takes 52 days to mature.

Sylvesta

I like to plant Sylvesta for a fall garden. It loves cool weather and shorter days. This hardy Boston variety has an excellent flavor and produces big heads. The outer green leaves blanch the inner leaves giving it superb taste that chefs love. It's disease resistant and takes 52 days to mature.

Deer Tongue

My favorite Bibb lettuce is the heirloom type known as deer tongue. Deer tongue has a unique shape; it forms a loose head with slightly pointed leaves that resemble, as the name suggests, a tongue. This type also has an excellent flavor, and the baby heads are ready in only 28 days. It reaches full size in 46 days.

North Pole

I used to grow winter marvel exclusively as a hardy bibb greenhouse winter lettuce. Now, I am a big fan of North Pole. It's extremely cold hardy and has even survived Zone 4 Maine winter outdoors. It has a mild, sweet taste but will bolt and become bitter in warm weather.

Iceberg Lettuce Varieties

Iceberg is also known as crisphead lettuce. It has a reputation as the boring variety that often gives lettuce a bad name. That's undeserved, in my opinion. Homegrown varieties taste better than the stuff you know from the store, and the refreshing crunch is perfect in the right recipe. Overall, I admit it’s at the bottom of my list of favorite lettuce varieties, but it deserves a spot in any garden.

Webb’s Wonderful

If you are going to grow iceberg lettuce, I think Webb’s wonderful is the one. Coming from Seed Savers Exchange, it was introduced in 1890 by Clarence Webb in England. It has a buttery, mild flavor that will make you think it’s a butterhead, but with the crispness of an iceberg. It tolerates the heat well without getting bitter. Icebergs take a bit longer to grow in general, and this type matures in 72 days.

Jester

Jester doesn't look like the typical crisphead lettuce, with its compact-yet-frilly leaves that feature stunning maroon splotches. The flavor is well balanced, and it has a crunchy, juicy texture. It's also a heat tolerant variety that is slow to bolt. It matures in 60 days.

Lollo

Lollo lettuces are great for garnishes because of their deep frilly leaves. Chefs refer to it as coral lettuce. The leaves can be picked independently or allowed to form heads, which grow into a beautiful rosette shape. It matures in about 60 days.

Dark Red Lollo Rossa

Dark red lollo rossa is my favorite iceberg lettuce. The heavily frilled leaves are green around the stem. The tips are a vibrant, dark maroon color. It holds its color well even in cloudy weather. It can become bitter, so cut leaves frequently. This type looks impressive when plated. It's slower growing and takes 53 days to mature.

Ilema

Ilema is a full-sized green leafed lollo variety that has pretty, frilly leaves. The plant grows in a uniform shape, making it ideal for markets. This open pollinated variety has good disease resistance and takes 55 days to mature.

Revolution

Revolution has a beautiful deep red color with intensely frilly leaves. I love it because the thick, crunchy texture “beefs” up a salad. It prefers cool spring or fall weather and matures in 48 days.

Loose Leaf Lettuce Varieties

Leaf lettuce comes in red, green and oakleaf. The loose leaves grow from a single stalk rather than in a compact head like other types. They're best cut as individual leaves and are great for salads and making wilted lettuce.

Loose leaf lettuces are particularly easy and quick to grow. They come in a variety of colors and textures, so plant several varieties to make your salad pop.

Black-Seeded Simpson

My favorite loose leaf variety is black seeded Simpson, which is a prolific heirloom. It's a large plant that reaches 16 inches across when allowed to grow to full size. This type does best in early spring. The soft green leaves have slightly jagged edges, which are attractive in salads. It matures in 28 days for baby heads and 46 days for full size.

Red Salad Bowl

Red salad bowl has a beautiful vibrant red color that's an eye-catcher in any salad. The oak leaves are shaped in compact frilly rosettes and have a wonderful creamy flavor. Ideal for spring and fall production since this type doesn't like hot weather. It has excellent disease resistance and matures in 48 days.

Romaine Lettuce Varieties

Romaine lettuce grows in a column shape thanks to the long leaves that grow upwards to form a head. The midribs give it a crunchy texture. It has a slightly bitter taste and is fabulous for Caesar salads.

Monte Carlo

I love the mini lettuces, and Monte Carlo makes a great fully developed mini head. You can also let it grow to full size. It's a dark green lettuce with a cream colored center. Monte Carlo has a delicious flavor and matures in just 46 days. In addition, it's resistant to downy mildew.

Fusion

Are you looking for a romaine variety that will stand up to the summer heat? Fusion is your answer. It's slow bolting and doesn't lose its mild flavor in the heat. It is resistant to corky root and lettuce mosaic virus and matures in 55 days.

Jericho

Jericho is another of my favorites (I told you I liked to grow lettuce – right?). It was bred in Israel’s hot desert climate so can really take the heat. This is a large lettuce that can reach two feet tall and can weigh three pounds if given rich organic soil. The upright leaves are crispy and sweet. It has good disease resistance and matures in 60 days.

Rouge d’Hiver

Rouge d’hiver is a French heirloom that has definitely stood the test of time. It does well as a winter lettuce under some cover on my Kentucky farm, but it doesn't like the heat. It has an excellent flavor and is ready in 50 days.

Salvius

Salvius will tolerate the heat better and has a more open habit than most romaine lettuces. It has a nice crisp texture and matures in 58 days.

Lettuce Seed Mixes

OK – I confess: lettuce mixes are addicting and I love them. In the early spring, I will plant several short rows in my greenhouse. In thirty days, I have an instant salad of delicious baby greens. The following varieties are my favorites.

Allstar Gourmet Mix

The Allstar Gourmet Lettuce Mix from Johnny’s Seeds is one of my favorites. It includes a mix of loose-leaf, oakleaf, romaine and lollo in green and red varieties.

Summer Lettuce Mix

Summer is a difficult time for lettuce connoisseurs. Fedco’s Summer Lettuce Mix is a great combination of heat tolerant lettuce.

The Bottom Line

Lettuce comes in a great variety of textures, colors, and hardiness. To figure out if a specific variety will work in your area, do your homework, read the descriptions, and don't be afraid to play around.

I grow lettuce throughout the year by planting every two or three weeks in the spring and again in the fall for a continuous harvest. That way I am never without fresh salads and sandwich fillers.

Was this article helpful?

Yes No ×

What went wrong?

This article contains incorrect information

This article does not have the information I am looking for

How can we improve it?

We appreciate your helpul feedback!

Your answer will be used to improve our content. The more feedback you give us, the better our pages can be.

Follow us on social media:

Moroccan Flatbread Easy Recipe

July 20, 2019 by chris

Across Africa, South America, and the East there are variations of a basic flour water mix used to make ‘bread’ in a dry pan to be eaten with traditional stews. In Ethiopia injera is the flatbread made from teff (a fine grain that varies in color from white to dark brown) and fIour and left to ferment until a yeast forms after around 4 days.

Injera becomes both a plate on which the stew is placed or can be served alongside the typically spicy chicken stew that is the national dish of Ethiopians. Lebanese Mountain bread, although a flat bread also uses yeast to get a more doughy texture.

Moroccan flatbread. Photo by Jeanie Beales

Moroccan flatbread is probably closest to the Indian chapatti, which is also made without yeast or fermentation, however, the Moroccan flatbread is slightly different in that there are some spices added.

As you cook your Moroccan flatbreads in a dry pan – no oil added – your kitchen will smell delightful as the aromas of the cinnamon, cumin, and coriander are released.

Flatbread ingredients: coriander, cumin and cinnamon with salt. Photo by Jeanie Beales

Moroccan Flatbread Recipe Yield: 6 large flatbreads Cook Time: 12 minutes Total Time: 12 minutes Print

Ingredients

3 cups flour
1 teaspoon dried cumin powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
1 teaspoon coriander (cilantro) powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups lukewarm water

Instructions

Mix the dried spices with the flour in a large bowl.
Make a well in the center and add the water a little at a time incorporating the flour, until you have a dough ball. I find that one and a third cups of water is usually sufficient.
Using floured hands knead the dough on a floured bread board until it is smooth and elastic – this should take about 5 minutes.
Return to the bowl to rest for about half an hour and cover the bowl with a clean cloth.
Divide the dough ball into around 6 pieces, pinching off lumps of dough with the fingers.
Roll each piece into a ball then roll out into a circle on a floured board.
Heat a skillet and fry one at a time for around 1 minute each side on a hot stove, turning once they start to puff up.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1 flatbread
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 228 © The Homesteading Hippy Cuisine: North African

Serve the Moroccan flatbreads warm with a lamb tagine, or any hearty stew, tearing off pieces to soak up all those last delicious bits of the gravy.
They can also be used to serve with eggs at breakfast time, mince, or can even serve as a wrap with chicken and various salad ingredients at lunchtime.

I must admit, when preparing the ones for today’s recipe I rolled one up like a pancake after spreading it with butter, some flaked almonds, and honey! It was delicious, warm and aromatic – those spices made all the difference.

The post Moroccan Flatbread Easy Recipe appeared first on The Homesteading Hippy.

the post first appeared on thehomesteadinghippy.com See it here