By Mindy McIntosh-Shetter

Blueberries are great for urban gardens.

Their compact shape and texture can create visual interest in flowerbeds while being a perfect container plant if space or land is limited.

The trick to growing blueberries is one, keeping the soil acidic enough and two, planting at least 2 different varieties for fruit production.

To get started one must decide where you plant to plant your blueberries. This step is very important because the area or container will need to be supplemented with acid building materials 3 months before planting. The pH, lime index, nutrient status, and organic matter will Read the rest of this entry »

By Sonya Welter

Urban gardeners have some advantages over their rural counterparts, and one of them is that there are fewer mammalian pests in the city.

Urban gardeners will have to deal with fewer deer, who will trample their seedlings and mow their lilies and hostas down to the ground.

Urban gardeners are also less likely to encounter bears, who will tear down bird feeders and strip berry bushes and fruit trees.

But rabbits are an almost universal pest in all but the most urban of gardens. Sure, they’re cute when they’re merrily gamboling in the front yard, nibbling on dandelions and clover, but they’re less cute when it’s your lettuce or Read the rest of this entry »

By Mindy McIntosh-Shetter

A few years ago my husband worked for a man that was from Sicily who managed a pizza parlor.

Through this business he made American versions of calzones, ravioli, and pizza.

His dishes were always in demand but his craft never really showed through until we were invited to his home.

Sal was from a small village in Sicily where his grandfather taught him how to cook using local ingredients. Fresh mozzarella from the surrounding farms, basil, and tomatoes were the staples for Sal and his family. Sal’s grandfather taught him the art of Read the rest of this entry »