Notes From the Garden
From Our Garden To Yours….
Harvest of the Month: February
Carrots are derived from a Middle Eastern crop called Queen Anne’s Lace. This wild ancestor is also a taproot crop but has a white root. For thousands of years, the carrot was not a popular vegetable because it had a woody texture and was difficult to eat. A subspecies of this plant has been selectively…
January Harvest of the Month
Beets! Beets are native to the shores of North Africa, Europe and the Middle East; they were first cultivated by the ancient Romans. In the 19th century, when it was found that beets could be converted into sugar, the crop’s commercial value significantly grew. Beets are a member of the Amaranthaceae family, along with chard,…
December Harvest of the Month: Winter Squash
Winter squash are a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, also known as the gourd family, along with cucumbers, summer squash (pattypan, zucchini), and watermelon. Originally, winter squash were cultivated for the consumption of their seeds only, as they had minimal, bitter-tasting flesh; over time, fleshier, fruitier varieties were developed. More info and recipes here: http://www.vermontharvestofthemonth.org/december-2022–winter-squash.html
November: Harvest of the Month
Native to Central America, the sweet potato is not related to potatoes but instead is in the same family as morning glory. Sweet potatoes are very popular in the southern United States, and have been grown in that region since the 16th century. Although often mistaken for the yam, sweet potatoes are more flavorful and less…
Seed Saving Workshop at Charlotte Library
Join us Saturday October 22, 10:30-12:00 to learn first hand the beautiful basics with Vermont’s seed saving expert Sylvia Davatz. This is a special free workshop organized through University of Vermont. Space is limited and registration required, so sign up now! Find full details and register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/seed-saving-workshop-tickets-387747562397 Charlotte Seed Library ( Seed@charlottepubliclibrary.org ) is pleased to host this workshop. You are invited…
October Harvest of the Month
Apples thrive in temperate climates because they need a period of cold and dormancy in order to prosper; therefore, they are not cultivated in tropical climates. Apples are in the Rosaceae (rose) family, along with almonds, cherries, peaches, pears, plums, raspberries, and strawberries. Find out where to find the best apples in Vermont: https://vermontapples.org/vermont-orchard-listing/
Garden Chat
Friday, September 9, 202211:30am -12:30pm Join Seed Library Coordinators Karen Tuininga and Linda Hamilton to talk about late season gardens! We’ll meet up on Zoom this Friday, September 9, to catch up after the busy summer season. Do you have success stories to share from your vegetable garden? Looking for tips on how to avoid…
September Harvest of the Month: Sweet Peppers
Peppers are native to Central and South America. They are among the first plants to be cultivated there. Pepper seeds dating back to 5000 B.C. havebeen discovered in Mexico. After explorers from Portugal & Spain made their way to the Americas, they helped spread peppers to other parts of the globe. Because the pepper plant…
August Harvest of the Month: Berries
Blueberries, raspberries and strawberriesall grow in the wild and are cultivated inVermont.The blue pigment in blueberries comesfrom a group of antioxidants calledanthocyanins. The waxy coating on thesurface of blueberries is called the“bloom”.Raspberry bushes have thorns—be wary!Native Americans called strawberries“heartseed berries” and ground them intocornmeal bread. Inspired by this recipe,colonists created a similar version,referred to today…
Harvest of the Month July 2022: Cucumbers
Cucumbers are easy and delicious! Eat them raw as a snack or throw them on top of a salad, but you can also pickle, sautee, bake, or boil cucumbers. There are many varieties and most taste and look different- try them all! More info here: http://www.vermontharvestofthemonth.org/july-2022–cucumbers.html
June Harvest of the Month: Dairy
For such a small state, Vermont has around 900 dairy farms milking cows, sheep, and/or goats. While milk can be consumed raw, in the US it is mostly sold pasteurized (heated to kill bacteria) before sale. Milk is amazingly versatile can be made into a variety of products that include cheese, yogurt, kefir, and, of…
May: Harvest of the Month
Mixed Greens: There are a wide variety of salad greens available in Vermont, spanning across several plant families, each bearing a unique history and taste. The versatility of greens, in flavor, shape and application, is enormous! They can accompany any type of dish and, many varieties can be eaten raw or cooked. No matter what the season, fresh…
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Questions? Please contact us at seed@charlottepubliclibrary.org.
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