Cowlick Cottage Farm

P. Allen Smith’s Garden2Blog, Part II

Carolyn Binder — Sun, 13 May 2012 19:08:05 +0000

The next stop on our epic Garden2Blog adventure (see Part I) was P. Allen Smith’s original garden home, affectionately called Gaines, in downtown Little Rock. I fell in love with this charming place as soon as we walked through the front gate. Allen purchased the cottage for a dollar, rescued it from demolition, and moved it to its current location, a corner double lot that he acquired in trade for a garden design project. The cottage, a 1904 Colonial Revival, is surrounded by garden rooms that are connected by gates and pathways that draw you from one garden room to the next. This ...continue reading "P. Allen Smith’s Garden2Blog, Part II"

P. Allen Smith’s Garden2Blog 2012, Part I

Carolyn Binder — Wed, 09 May 2012 00:52:19 +0000

Last week I took part in a very special event, the second annual Garden2Blog. Hosted by garden and lifestyle expert P. Allen Smith, 24 garden bloggers from all over the country descended upon Little Rock, Arkansas to tour gardens, visit Allen’s spectacular garden homes, and spend time with each other. The event surpassed my expectations by far, not an easy achievement. For the next few weeks, I will be writing a series of posts to share this special journey with you.

Marlsgate Plantation. The columns are 40 feet tall.

Our first stop on our epic garden tour adventure ...continue reading "P. Allen Smith’s Garden2Blog 2012, Part I"

A Contest for Gardeners

Carolyn Binder — Sat, 05 May 2012 17:18:08 +0000

The Year Round Vegetable Gardener

One of the most enjoyable aspects of blogging for Proven Winners is getting to know my fellow bloggers–accomplished gardeners and writers from all around the country. Recently my friend and fellow Proven Winners Garden Guru, Niki Jabbour, released her first book, The Year Round Vegetable Gardener. As an avid veggie gardener myself, I love this book! It is packed with information about how to extend your harvest so that you can garden year round, whether you live in Nova Scotia like Niki or in Florida, like me. Beautifully photographed and well organized, Niki ...continue reading "A Contest for Gardeners"

Morning Miracles

Carolyn Binder — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 15:28:36 +0000

My garden astonishes me most during springtime. Vegetables seemingly appear overnight. Flowers dance in the breeze, and the bean vines scamper up their trellis so quickly you can almost watch them grow. Perfectly ripe strawberries are my breakfast, and the bees hum along with me. The scent of jasmine feels like a blessing. I realize that I really do not have much to do with creating my garden, other than to love it. Miracles do exist.

Cucumber Poona Keera

Cleome

Proven Winners Buddleia Lo & Behold

Celeste Fig

Native Hibiscus

Artichoke and Parsnips

...continue reading "Morning Miracles"

Cooking With Kids – Triple Berry Freezer Jam

Carolyn Binder — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 17:57:04 +0000

Strawberry Season

I have learned from many years of experience that children love to garden and cook right along with you, as long as you keep it short, simple and fun. Kids love to pick fruits and veggies that they like, they like to learn about measuring, they love to use fun tools, and they even like to learn about time by setting and watching the timer. There are so many simple lessons that can be learned in the kitchen, especially if the food you are preparing comes straight from the garden. But mostly kids love to spend ...continue reading "Cooking With Kids – Triple Berry Freezer Jam"

Minted Snow Peas

Carolyn Binder — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 00:52:03 +0000

Snow pea on the vine

Snow peas are abundant in the springtime garden. A family favorite, they are easy to grow from seed, and they are one of the earliest crops to make their appearance. Quickly clambering up and smothering our 8 foot tall tomato cages , their delicate white flowers glow amongst verdant leaves and curly tendrils. At Cowlick Cottage, the most dangerous predator to the snow peas is Lucy Liu, our Labradoodle. She owns the bottom two feet of the snow pea vines, and she patrols her area carefully each day, searching for the fresh pods and delicately plucking them ...continue reading "Minted Snow Peas"

Sunset Spring Garden Walk

Carolyn Binder — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 00:41:38 +0000

I am a little too tired to write much tonight, but I thought I would share a few photos from the garden this evening. Spring is definitely early, and I am enjoying every minute of it. Springtime is a lot of hard work … pruning, sowing and mulching. To me, it’s a better workout than spending time in the gym! From the looks of the garden today, the attention that we have paid towards building healthy soil is working. The snow peas and strawberries are just ripening, and the tomatoes, eggplants and peppers are nestled into their beds. Chinese longbeans ...continue reading "Sunset Spring Garden Walk"

Simple Steps to Starting a New Vegetable Garden

Carolyn Binder — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 23:04:47 +0000

Backyard Bounty

Starting a new garden is exciting, but it can also be intimidating. Just jump in and get growing! Whether you are starting a garden on a rooftop in the Big Apple, or a country garden in the backyard, many elements are the same. Here are a few simple steps to get your garden off on the right foot.

Start Small – The biggest mistake new gardeners make is that in their enthusiasm, they tend to start too big and then get discouraged and overwhelmed. Start small and then add new sections as you get comfortable with your garden. ...continue reading "Simple Steps to Starting a New Vegetable Garden"

Trees

Carolyn Binder — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 03:04:35 +0000

Pecan grove on Sunday morning

Trees are the kindest thing I know, They do no harm, they simply grow, And spread a shade for sleepy cows, And gather birds among their boughs,

Meyer lemon harvest

They give us fruit in leaves above, And wood to make our houses of, And leaves to burn on Halloween, And in the spring new buds of green.

New fig leaf

They are the first when day’s begun, To touch the morning sun, They are the last to hold the light, When evening changes ...continue reading "Trees"

Sunday Osso Bucco

Carolyn Binder — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:14:23 +0000

Osso Bucco with Cheese Grits

On a quick lunchtime trip to the supermarket for some seafood the other day, I passed right by the meat counter. Well, I meant to pass right by the meat counter, except there were some absolutely gorgeous veal shanks sitting in the case, with a hand-lettered sign over them proclaiming, “Osso Bucco!” Osso bucco? I have never made osso bucco. Actually, I’m not sure I had ever even tasted it, but that just made it more intriguing. I knew it would be good. I had a nice chat with the butcher, who also ...continue reading "Sunday Osso Bucco"