Winter Greens

Simple strategies for extending your growing season by Lisa Wolff It’s a Saturday afternoon in July and Eliot Coleman is sitting atop his picnic table under a grape arbor on the terrace of his Harborside, Maine farm. He is sipping port wine, wearing felted slipper boots adorned with bright orange carrots, made for him by his neighbor. The…

Farmers’ markets available all year

Most farmers’ markets in Maine operate from May to October, although a growing number of winter markets are giving us access to locally grown foods direct from the producer year-round. Markets provide an opportunity to meet the farmers, mingle with your neighbors, and select from the freshest local foods available. This list is current as…

Guide to pesticides in produce

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a national non-profit dedicated to using public information and education efforts to protect public health and the environment. Each year, EWG analyzes the test results of pesticide residue on the most commonly available fruits and vegetables to determine which are the most and least contaminated. Almost all of the…

Learn the art & science of growing food in Maine: Four resources to help get you started and expand your skills

By Heather Foran Perhaps you’re a green-thumbed veteran looking to expand productivity, creativity, and diversity. Maybe you’ve had a difficult time keeping a cactus plant alive, but have a yearning to try for vegetables. Or maybe you’re an urban dweller using window boxes and 5 gallon buckets. Regardless, there are resources throughout Maine to support…

Incredible edibles

Go beyond apples and pears in the fruited landscape By Lynn Ascrizzi People go to great lengths to beautify the landscape around their homes. But why not introduce plants that look beautiful and provide healthy, nutritious food? This is the credo of Tom Vigue of Kiwi Hill Farm in Sidney, Maine, an edible landscaper who…

DIY: Quick Pickles

By Andrew Lindberg, Fermentation enthusiast Quick pickles are a fun and easy way to brighten up your favorite sandwiches, salads, sides, or main dishes.  Quick pickles only take 10 minutes to make, and can be enjoyed for several days, with an ever evolving flavor. Try adding sweet cucumbers and pickled carrots to a cold-cut sandwich…