Culinary Garden

The transition from spring to summer is happening fast! Our rhubarb and greenhouse spinach are bolting, and although that signals an end to the spring harvest, we will prolong it a little longer because we haven't quite had our fill of rhubarb yet. Transplants that we carefully tended in the indoor growroom have been getting ready for the harsh spring environment, with a couple of casualties, and we talk about the hows and why's of a hardening off period. Finally, the weeds are growing faster in many cases than the crops we are trying to grow, and it can be frustrating. From annual weeds to invasive perennials, we talk about strategies for weeding as well as not getting discouraged (or worse, ignoring them). Listen this week as we embrace the hard parts, and look forward to a busy and delicious summer ahead. Watch or listen weekly as we work through the growing season in a kitchen garden: planning, planting, harvesting, processing, and problem-solving. Offering experienced advice as we go from the garden to the kitchen, you will be inspired to cultivate your plate no matter what your level of garden experience. Audio broadcast on CKDU-FM, CHMA-FM, and Apple Podcasts.

We spend the day at the Community Garden in Sackville New Brunswick, there is lots to do as the spring warms up! We use a Broadfork, look at different types of compost, plant peas, harvest fiddleheads and sochan greens, start a willow fence, and pull some weeds. Watch or listen weekly as we work through the growing season in a kitchen garden: planning, planting, harvesting, processing, and problem-solving. Offering experienced advice as we go from the garden to the kitchen, you will be inspired to cultivate your plate no matter what your level of garden experience. Audio broadcast on CKDU-FM, CHMA-FM, Spotify and Apple PodcastsVideo Podcast on YouTube.com/@culinarygarden

Sarah talks to Sackville New Brunswick gardener Laurel McIntyre about adding perennials plants to your garden. Laurel has many decades of experience and has some great tips for thinking long-term about your garden and the best types of plants to meet your garden goals. Watch or listen weekly as we work through the growing season in a kitchen garden: planning, planting, harvesting, processing, and problem-solving. Offering experienced advice as we go from the garden to the kitchen, you will be inspired to cultivate your plate no matter what your level of garden experience. Audio broadcast on CKDU-FM, CHMA-FM, and Apple Podcasts.

Perennial plants are an important part of your garden, whether it's a plant, shrub or tree. We talk about why and how to divide your perennials plants in spring, whether you're moving them around your garden or bringing them to a plant swap. Trees also can be moved and planted in spring, and we have some tips for the best ways to ensure healthy trees and shrubs in your garden as the season gets started. Watch or listen weekly as we work through the growing season in a kitchen garden: planning, planting, harvesting, processing, and problem-solving. Offering experienced advice as we go from the garden to the kitchen, you will be inspired to cultivate your plate no matter what your level of garden experience. Audio broadcast on CKDU-FM, CHMA-FM, and Apple Podcasts.

It's spring and we have been busy building garden beds. There are many different ways to do this, from sheet mulching, to building and filling raised beds. We discuss different approaches you can take based on your site, materials available, time, and budget. Watch or listen weekly as we work through the growing season in a kitchen garden: planning, planting, harvesting, processing, and problem-solving. Offering experienced advice as we go from the garden to the kitchen, you will be inspired to cultivate your plate no matter what your level of garden experience. Audio broadcast on CKDU-FM, CHMA-FM, and Apple Podcasts.

We are out and planting at last with the warm spring weather. Slowly all our indoor gardening projects are moving outdoors. Our hodge podge garden in planted, grown for an early-summer vegetable dish traditional to the Maritimes. Sarah is experimenting with growing transplants and direct seeding herbs and other cold-hardy crops. We have encountered cutworm damage in the garden for the first time, and mourning doves have built a nest in one of the patio hanging baskets.Watch or listen weekly as we work through the growing season in a kitchen garden: planning, planting, harvesting, processing, and problem-solving. Offering experienced advice as we go from the garden to the kitchen, you will be inspired to cultivate your plate no matter what your level of garden experience. Audio broadcast on CKDU-FM, CHMA-FM, and Apple Podcasts.

We are noticing so many signs of spring, with plants, animals and insects all coming out of their winter resting time. Bees are everywhere looking for nectar and pollen, and we talk about native trees that provide important nourishment to native bees. Many plants, including invasive plants, are coming back to life and with a list of ones that are edible, maybe we can put a small (very small) dent in their population and have some fun in the kitchen. Our grow room is overflowing, and plants are moving to sunny windows in the final few weeks before they go outdoors. Watch or listen weekly as we work through the growing season in a kitchen garden: planning, planting, harvesting, processing, and problem-solving. Offering experienced advice as we go from the garden to the kitchen, you will be inspired to cultivate your plate no matter what your level of garden experience. Audio broadcast on CKDU-FM, CHMA-FM, and Apple Podcasts.

Our greenhouse provides enough cover that herbs and greens are really growing, while outside we are still looking to those lovely little green shoots and foraged roots to keep us excited about the weather to come. With six weeks til last frost date, we are planting tomatoes, and talk about the varieties we chose and why, as well as information about the first GM tomato plant available to gardeners (no, not on our pick list). Watch or listen weekly as we work through the growing season in a kitchen garden: planning, planting, harvesting, processing, and problem-solving. Offering experienced advice as we go from the garden to the kitchen, you will be inspired to cultivate your plate no matter what your level of garden experience. Audio broadcast on CKDU-FM, CHMA-FM, and Apple Podcasts.