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Asian Ginger Chicken

This is so easy (marinate overnight and then bake); and it tastes so good hot or cold (great for picnics), it’s nearly ridiculous. I love to make it ahead of time, and then relax as I serve it. If there’s any leftover (and that’s not probable), it’s great cut up on a salad the next day too.

1 cup honey

3/4 cup soy sauce

1/2 cup peeled and grated ginger root

2 skin-on chickens (3 1/2 – 4 lbs. each), quartered (backs removed)

Combine the honey, soy sauce, and ginger in a small pan and cook over low heat until the honey is dissoved.

Arrange the chicken in [...]

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Soil Blocks for Starting Transplants

Soil blocks were first developed in Holland as a more efficient method for starting seedlings or transplants; and extensive research in European countries has shown transplants grown in them are superior to transplants grown in containers. I’m for anything that’s more efficient and gets better results, so we’re starting seedlings this year using soil blocks.

Soil blocks are made from a growing medium (seed starting soil mix) that has been compressed into a block by using a forming tool. When the blocks are formed, a slight depression is left in the top of each soil block; and one seed is typically placed [...]

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Growing Stocky Garden Seedlings

Over the past few months, I’ve written several posts on growing healthy garden transplants, and I’ve combined them here (for convenience) into one “how-to” on growing seedlings indoors.

Getting Started

I’m always anxious to get a jump on the garden growing season, so I start most vegetable plants indoors instead of direct seeding in the garden; that way, I’ve got stocky transplants ready as soon as the last frost date has passed. Growing them indoors allows me to control temperature, light, and water while eliminating exposure to wind, diseases, insects, and pests. So each year, I consult my seed starting schedule (see Making a Seed Starting & Planting Schedule), and start [...]

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Garden Crop Rotation - A Simple System

Every year, I need to determine where our plants will go in the garden, and that means I have to think about crop rotation. Everyone should consider rotating their crops, because it helps maximize productivity while minimizing pests and disease.

What Is It

Farmers have been rotating crops since farming began, and there are many different strategies. In effect, you’re just making sure that when the bugs and diseases wake up in the bed you grew tomatoes in last year, there aren’t tomatoes there for them to conveniently feast on this year. Instead, perhaps they’ll find carrots which they don’t happen to like, [...]

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