Author: Henry Homeyer

by Henry Homeyer CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – When I was a young man my mailbox was often blessed with seed

by Henry Homeyer CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – This is a good time for all of us to stop and reflect

CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – I’m a lucky guy: for one thing, I have no Japanese knotweed. Many is the gardener who has e-mailed me asking, “What can I do to get rid of Japanese knotweed?” My usual answer? “Sell the house.”

CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – Here in New England winter is long, especially for gardeners. We want to be outside in the garden but most days we can’t really do much. I compensate by learning about gardening from books. I recently finished a good one, “Hummelo: A Journey Through a Plantsman’s Life” by Piet Oudolf and Noel Kingsbury.

Winter is upon us and it may seem there is little for a gardener to do.

As winter drags along, I long for warm sun and green plants surrounding me outdoors. It’s much too early to start spring seeds (even indoors), but I can plant some flowers bulbs now.

Like Rodney Dangerfield, kale doesn’t get enough respect. I’ve been told that it only became a commonly grown vegetable in the 1970s, when salad bars ordered it to use as the bed upon which other edibles, like tomatoes, carrots and cukes, slept on in nearly ordered arrangements.

This is the darkest time of the year: not only are the days short, clouds obscure the sun much of the time. Many of us find the gloom oppressive, especially when there is neither enough snow to ski, nor ice to skate on. And for gardeners, there is little we can (or wish to) do outside. So, what do I do?

CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – Ready to shop! Every time I turn on the radio or open a newspaper, there are articles about supply chain issues. Even the reliable old US Postal Service is saying deliveries may well be delayed. So, share some garden produce this year or shop at a local, family-owned business when you can.

One of the reasons I garden is that I love to cook and to create wonderful, flavorful dishes that I might not get elsewhere. I think many gardeners share that inclination. One of the techniques I have not used much is roasting vegetables, but I recently did some roasting, and will do some more. I find it sweetens and intensifies flavors.

If you have cleaned up the vegetable garden and cut back your perennials, you might be feeling just a little smug – especially since this gardening guy admits he is behind you in completing those tasks.