KALE

The kale is ready, mostly. I have three varieties, two which are ready. Some of you (uh, meg) might hold out for the third. Here's the rundown...

Red Russian:

Very tender; tasty raw or cooked. Also looks pretty in the garden with its green foliage and purple stems and veins.

Siberian
Salad, stir fry, kale chips, or just steamed and topped with a little chevre, this kale is a where it's at. Prolific producer that will keep going till next fall and beyond.


Nero Di Toscana
Ooh, la, la - this one's a beauty. This is the first year I've grown this one, but the results look promising. Also known a lacinto, dino, and black palm. A classic Italian kale; lovely to look at and to eat!
Two weeks out until mature, but I can send it home with you early to live in its pot.

So much basil to grow, so little time

I'll have a few different types of basil this season. Let me know what type and how many and I'll put your name on 'em. Then, when I lovingly feed them diluted fish guts (fyi, it's great stuff) I'll let them know how excited you are to grow them.

Basil Varietals:

Genovese Basil: Classic pesto basil.
Excellent aroma, strong basil flavor, and prolific producer. These babies will keep you in pesto all season, and there will be plenty to freeze for the winter! This is my personal favorite.




Sweet Basil:
Very similar to the Genovese, but a slightly sweeter flavor. Especially nice in caprese salad or bruscetta. Ahh, the taste of summer time - I drooled a little bit just thinking about it.


Dark Purple Opal Basil: heirloom, limited quantity
From Seed Saver Exchange web site:
"(Ocimum basilicum) Most likely the same basil Vilmorin referred to in 1885 as “Large Purple Sweet Basil.” Beautiful lilac flowers with dark red stems. Excellent contrast with green basil. Spectacular as a garnish, in salads, or for adding color to basil vinegars. Very uniform, all purple Italian strain."

Also, looks stunning in flower arrangements, especially after flowering!



Finissimo Verde A Palla:
This little lady is a real beauty! Great for culinary as well as ornamental uses, it forms a perfect globe, up to 10 inches across. Perfect for a window box or small herb garden. And it's cute, too! Grow more than one to get a truly spectacular orb. The seed is from one of Italy's oldest seed companies (via a domestic producer).





That's all for now, folks. I may start up some more, so let me know basil that you've loved before.

summer is coming...

The lights are up, the seeds are sprouting, and spring is (kinda) here!

Welcome to Little Monster Sprouts! Inspired by my own little monster and a super awesome song by Kimya Dawson, Little Monster Sprouts will soon be a one-stop-shop for organic veggie starts! Well, maybe not the only place you'll need to go, but definitely the first!

In the coming weeks, I'll be posting the starts I have available. Look forward to peppers, tomatoes and LOTS of basil, along with a smattering of other delicious vegetables.

If anyone is feeling really eager, I already have some heirloom tomatoes that are 6" and ready to go and some Jimmy Nardello Sweet Frying Peppers that are also mighty big. Neither of these can be put outside yet, but they'd love a cozy greenhouse, bright windowsill, or other strong light source. $3 each.