New Leaf Market Blog

P. Allen Smith’s Garden2Blog, Part II

Carolyn Binder — Sun, 13 May 2012 19:08:05 +0000

The next stop on our epic Garden2Blog adventure (see Part I) was P. Allen Smith’s original garden home, affectionately called Gaines, in downtown Little Rock. I fell in love with this charming place as soon as we walked through the front gate. Allen purchased the cottage for a dollar, rescued it from demolition, and moved it to its current location, a corner double lot that he acquired in trade for a garden design project. The cottage, a 1904 Colonial Revival, is surrounded by garden rooms that are connected by gates and pathways that draw you from one garden room to the next. This ...continue reading "P. Allen Smith’s Garden2Blog, Part II"

P. Allen Smith’s Garden2Blog 2012, Part I

Carolyn Binder — Wed, 09 May 2012 00:52:19 +0000

Last week I took part in a very special event, the second annual Garden2Blog. Hosted by garden and lifestyle expert P. Allen Smith, 24 garden bloggers from all over the country descended upon Little Rock, Arkansas to tour gardens, visit Allen’s spectacular garden homes, and spend time with each other. The event surpassed my expectations by far, not an easy achievement. For the next few weeks, I will be writing a series of posts to share this special journey with you.

Marlsgate Plantation. The columns are 40 feet tall.

Our first stop on our epic garden tour adventure ...continue reading "P. Allen Smith’s Garden2Blog 2012, Part I"

A Contest for Gardeners

Carolyn Binder — Sat, 05 May 2012 17:18:08 +0000

The Year Round Vegetable Gardener

One of the most enjoyable aspects of blogging for Proven Winners is getting to know my fellow bloggers–accomplished gardeners and writers from all around the country. Recently my friend and fellow Proven Winners Garden Guru, Niki Jabbour, released her first book, The Year Round Vegetable Gardener. As an avid veggie gardener myself, I love this book! It is packed with information about how to extend your harvest so that you can garden year round, whether you live in Nova Scotia like Niki or in Florida, like me. Beautifully photographed and well organized, Niki ...continue reading "A Contest for Gardeners"

Morning Miracles

Carolyn Binder — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 15:28:36 +0000

My garden astonishes me most during springtime. Vegetables seemingly appear overnight. Flowers dance in the breeze, and the bean vines scamper up their trellis so quickly you can almost watch them grow. Perfectly ripe strawberries are my breakfast, and the bees hum along with me. The scent of jasmine feels like a blessing. I realize that I really do not have much to do with creating my garden, other than to love it. Miracles do exist.

Cucumber Poona Keera

Cleome

Proven Winners Buddleia Lo & Behold

Celeste Fig

Native Hibiscus

Artichoke and Parsnips

...continue reading "Morning Miracles"

Cooking With Kids – Triple Berry Freezer Jam

Carolyn Binder — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 17:57:04 +0000

Strawberry Season

I have learned from many years of experience that children love to garden and cook right along with you, as long as you keep it short, simple and fun. Kids love to pick fruits and veggies that they like, they like to learn about measuring, they love to use fun tools, and they even like to learn about time by setting and watching the timer. There are so many simple lessons that can be learned in the kitchen, especially if the food you are preparing comes straight from the garden. But mostly kids love to spend ...continue reading "Cooking With Kids – Triple Berry Freezer Jam"