Introducing My Bountiful Best

Monday, February 20th, 2012 by P. Allen Smith, 11 comments

This year I teamed up with Ferry-Morse Seed Company to offer my top 10 seed varieties that I'm calling my "Bountiful Best." You can find these seeds at any garden center. Just look for the display with my picture. I selected these based on their easy care nature and abundant production. Many are suited to small spaces and even containers.

Give these varieties a try and you'll be in fine fettle for serving dishes made with homegrown ingredients.

1. Basil 'Genovese' – If you only grow one herb, make it basil. This variety has large leaves that are full of flavor. Summer garden.

2. Cucumber 'Lemon' – Unusual round, yellow cucumbers. Their sweet flavor makes them good raw, but you can pickle them too. Good for small spaces. Summer garden.

3. Cucumber 'Spacemaster' – Large 7 to 8 inch fruits are borne on compact plants. All you need is a 12-inch pot to grow 'Spacemaster'. Summer garden.

4. Peas 'Cascadia Sugar Snap' – This pea has multiple personalities. Harvest early to use as a snow pea or matured pods are delicious snap peas. Spring garden.

5. Radish 'French Breakfast' – A scarlet and white radish that is as beautiful as it is flavorful. Spring garden.

6. Arugula 'Roquette' – One of my favorite salad greens and so, so easy to grow. Spring and fall garden.

7. Squash (Zucchini) 'Black Beauty' – Every garden needs at least one zucchini plant! Dark green fruits are tasty sautéed or used in baked goods. Summer garden.

8. Swiss Chard 'Bright Lights' – The vegetable garden isn't always the most colorful spot, unless you grow 'Bright Lights.' Neon pink, orange and red stems. Spring and fall garden.

9. Tomato 'Jelly Bean Hybrid' – This indeterminate, grape tomato produces abundant fruits with delicious flavor. Summer garden.

10. Tomato 'Roma VF' – These are meaty tomatoes with few seeds. Perfect for sauces, salads and salsa. I selected this variety because it is resistant to both verticilium and fusarium wilt. Summer garden.

Wordless Wednesday: Sunshine for a Rainy Day

Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 by P. Allen Smith, 1 comment

Three Ways to Prolong Valentine’s Day Roses

Tuesday, February 14th, 2012 by P. Allen Smith, 0 comments

Did you receive roses for Valentine's Day? Lucky you! Prolong the love with these three ideas.

When Your Roses Arrive
If your roses came prearranged, simply place the vase in a spot out of direct sun and away from heat sources.

For unarranged roses fill a vase with lukewarm water and add a floral preservative along with one teaspoon of bleach to keep the water clean. Remove any leaves from the stems below water line. Under running water, re-cut the ends of the stems at a slight angle. Place the flowers immediately into the vase.

Every few days replace with water and recut the ends of the stems.

Giving Your Roses a Second Life
Pull the freshest flowers from the bouquet and reuse them in a new arrangement. Buy flowers from a local florist or market to complement the colors of your roses. For red roses try purple, orange, and golden yellow flowers. If you receive salmon roses, add chartreuse, blue, and cream. Pink roses look great with burgundy, lavender, and cream blooms.

Cut the rose and flower stems to about 8 inches long. Grab the entire bouquet as close to the base of the blooms as possible. Wrap a rubber band around the stems to hold the arrangement together tightly. Place the bouquet in a low vase filled with fresh water, floral preservative and a few drops of bleach.

Preserve your Memory
As your roses fade, remove the petals and place them in an open weave basket to dry. Purchase other ingredients from hobby or craft stores to create your own personalized potpourri. I start with a base of pre-packaged dried flowers or potpourri to create a colorful mixture. With an eyedropper add some rose oil to the potpourri and toss gently to refresh the fragrance of the flowers. Place the mixture a bowl or basket where the aroma can be enjoyed.

Season XI P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home

Saturday, February 11th, 2012 by P. Allen Smith, 29 comments

It wasn't too long ago that Garden Home was just an idea kicking around in my head. It's amazing what can happen in 11 years. The concept has since blossomed into 6 books, a half hour show on public television and the Moss Mountain Farm Garden Home. Going from concept to reality seemed pretty slow going while I was in the thick of it, but when I look back now I wonder how it all went by so quickly.

So here we are a decade and countless cups of coffee later ready to kick off Season XI of the P. Allen Smith's Garden Home television series. While I'm puzzled over the speed of passing time, I am thrilled that we are celebrating the second decade of the show.

To mark the occasion I'd like to share a little photo montage I call "Where's Brent?" Our videographer Brent has been with the company for 7 of the 11 seasons. A quiet but constant presence, Brent is the man behind all the captivating imagery in the shows. As you can see by some of these photos, he'll do anything to get a good shot.

Wordless Wednesday: Spring Comes Early

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012 by P. Allen Smith, 1 comment

Barnheart

Monday, February 6th, 2012 by P. Allen Smith, 35 comments

Congratulations to Ellie! Girl, you've got a pretty bad case of Barnheart!We're sending you a copy of Jenna's book.

Thanks to everyone for commenting. You've all painted wonderful pictures of rural life.

Do you have Barnheart? According to author and homesteader Jenna Woginrich Barnheart is a "dreamer's disease" that attacks "those of us who wish to God we were outside with our flocks, feed bags, or harnesses instead of sitting in front of a computer screen." Symptoms include studying chicken coop plans, daydreaming about heritage livestock breeds and calling in sick to work in the garden.

I am no stranger to the Barnheart syndrome so it was with relish that I read Jenna's memoir Barnheart*. Her story of setting up her first homestead in Vermont is thoughtful and humorous and will definitely ease your longing for the farm life.

In between tales of caring for her expanding menagerie, and tending the garden she articulately describes that feeling of independence and satisfaction that comes from having homegrown food right outside the back door. It should be no surprise that my favorite chapter is about her turkey TD (Thanksgiving Dinner).

These days Jenna is living in New York. She is the author of three other books and a blog called Cold Antler Farm.

If you think Barnheart is just what the doctor ordered for your "dreamer's disease" here's your chance to win a copy. Tell me about your homesteading daydream in the comments section below.

I'll select a winner on Friday February 10, 2012, just in time for Valentine's Day.

*I received a review copy of Barnheart from my friends at Storey Publishing.

Weed or Wildflower?

Monday, January 30th, 2012 by P. Allen Smith, 244 comments

Congratulations Jim Wales, Julie N., Sandy Masingillo, Cindy Menn and Martha Wilson! Ya'll are the winners of the Weed or Wildflower Giveaway. Check you inbox for an email!

Thank you so much to everyone who submitted a comment. What a great response! We've got another giveaway coming in Monday's newsletter so be sure you're subscribed.

Grape Hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum) is a spring flowering bulb that will easily naturalize. In Arkansas the blooms pop up in lawns along with wild violets, henbit and spring starflower. It's said that a weed is just a plant growing in the wrong place. So what do you think about grape hyacinths? Weed or wildflower? Tell me your thoughts in the comments section below for a chance to win one of my Bulb Garden decks.

So tell me is this a weed or a wildflower?

*Winners are selected by P. Allen Smith and his staff based on the content of the comment.

We've got lots of giveaways coming this year. If you don't win today, check back for more opportunities! To give everyone a chance contest winners are limited to one win every 3 months.

Twigs, Barks and Berries

Monday, January 23rd, 2012 by P. Allen Smith, 11 comments

The Farmer's Almanac had it right when they predicted a mild winter for Arkansas. We've only had a handful of nights below freezing and just one dusting of snow. That's quite a difference from last year's numerous winter storms.

This year's more peaceful weather gives me more opportunities to be outdoors enjoying the quiet beauty in the garden.

Can you hear me?

Monday, January 16th, 2012 by P. Allen Smith, 3 comments

After several years of making guest appearances on radio shows around the country and LOVING it I finally have my own show! Even with the TV shows, books, website, blog and now the new YouTube channel -- there is still so much to talk about. What better place than radio to extend the conversation?

Each week I'll welcome guests, answer questions and chat about everything regarding today's lifestyle, from garden to the table and beyond!

So join me every Saturday 4 – 5 p.m. CST for an hour of home and garden tips and stories from the Garden Home Retreat and on the road.

Three Ways to Listen to The P. Allen Smith Show

On the Radio - KARN 102.9 FM 4 – 5 p.m. CST every Saturday

Online - http://www.karnnewsradio.com/ 4 – 5 p.m. CST every Saturday

Podcast – www.pallensmith.com/radio Latest broadcasts are posted every Tuesday following the show.

Wordless Wednesday: Violas

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 by P. Allen Smith, 2 comments