Organic Living in Plaza Midwood

“Putting a lot of chemicals in your body through the food you eat just can’t be that healthy,” Diana explains as we walk through her garden. “Seeing the number of chemicals that are used on farms to increase productivity, control weeds, control pests, avoid illness in animals, etc. made us realize how entrenched chemicals are in the commercial food-chain,” she continues, pausing to examine a broccoli floret. “So, we decided to try to limit the number of chemicals that we, and more importantly our children, are exposed to.”

Click to read more ...

Growing with a Cold Frame

The basic concept of a cold frame structure has been used in agriculture for centuries.  Whatever the design and specific application, the function is the same : to allow the grower to create a microclimate around plants, and control the temperature, amount of sunlight, moisture, and  wind exposure.

Click to read more ...

Buying Local at The Atherton Market

So you’re finally on board with buying local. You’ve read enough to know that produce trucked in from far flung corners of the globe is loaded with artificial preservatives, and churns out an unfortunate swath of black smoke on its way here. And while exotic produce may make cash registers ring in other currencies, it does little to help our local economy. You’re pretty sure that meat and dairy products laden with estrogen and antibiotics aren’t a good choice for your family, and you’re unimpressed with the bland tasting produce at the grocery store ; those genetically modified hybrid varieties that would earn a nod of approval from Dr. Frankenstein himself -  produce grown on corporate farms using an arsenal of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in order to sell ‘ideal’ looking fruits and vegetables, whatever the season.

Click to read more ...

Liven Up Your Leafy Greens

Kale and Swiss Chard have become popular, even trendy cool season leafy greens.  Blue Curled Scotch Kale and Rainbow Chard were our biggest heirloom seedling sellers at the Atherton Market this fall, and I always see fresh bunches both peering out of shopping bags leaving the market.  Their popularity is well deserved as these greens are loaded with nutrients and health benefits that can fill up pages in a medical journal.  

But have you burned out your favorite kale and chard recipes like an overplayed song? Try these fresh takes on preparing two of today’s hottest super foods.

Click to read more ...

Guerilla Gardening In Uptown Charlotte

There’s something immediately refreshing about the COOP the second I walk up onto the concrete slab. Maybe it’s because right away I can tell this place isn’t the quest for aesthetic perfection that most of my garden design projects are.

Click to read more ...