Newsletter: March 2012 Gardening Tips

March 2012 Edition

” It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold:  when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.  ”
 
 ~ Charles Dickens

Hello Subscriber!

Welcome to the March Gardening Tips! March announced itself in its traditional manner, with a cold sharp wind on the very first day of the month here in North Central Arizona. The March full moon is traditionally known as the Full Worm Moon, as it heralds the softening and warming of the ground, bringing worms to the surface and soon after the return of the Spring Robin. This winter has been mild with very little moisture for us with cold nights and warm days. Since the first of the year we have received only 0.23 inches of moisture, so it might be a dry year.

Two more late arriving varieties of seed are now available. One is a completely new variety, the other is an old favorite that was delayed in getting to us. The Corno di Toro Rosso is a sweet Italian frying pepper with thin skin, thick flesh that is addictive. We have added it due to your requests, as many of you have asked for it saying that it simply must be tasted! The Chile de Arbol, on the other hand, is quite spicy and resembles a Cayenne in shape with a bold heat tied to a complex, somewhat smoky flavor. It is a key ingredient in salsas and soups for the heat and flavor it adds.

A very warm welcome to our new subscribers and welcome back to those of you that have been reading our Newsletter for some time. We always appreciate meeting and getting to know our subscribers and customers, no matter if it is on the phone, through an email, on Facebook or in person!

We have enjoyed meeting and sharing with those of you that have joined us on Facebook, and look forward to meeting more of you!

Let’s see what’s new!

Membership Program-
Who You’ve Helped Us Support In 2012

We continue to see significant growth in our Membership Program thanks to your support. We publish a list of what programs we are able to support through the Membership Program, and the 2012 list is up! Please see Organizations and Programs Supported in 2012 for the complete list. If you know a worthy program, please let us know.

For the full explanation of the Membership benefits to you and to the programs supported, please read how our Membership Program works.

Ancient Sicilian Farmhouse
Wheat and Lentil Soup

We found this easy to make yet substantial and deeply satisfying soup from Catania, Sicily that is ancient but enjoying a revival in the chic restaurants around the waterfront. Originally a farmhouse soup that nourished the farm families and workers during colder weather, it now is in demand year-round downtown.

The ingredient list is deceptively simple but results in a soup that is much heartier and flavorful than expected. We share some secrets that bring the soup upscale to impress family and friends. Thanks to reader’s requests, the recipe is now available in a printer-friendly format to make it easier to save in a recipe collection. Enjoy the Catanian Wheat and Lentil Soup!

Spring Garden Soil Elixer

Are you interested in a Spring garden soil elixir that is easy to mix, completely non-toxic and hugely beneficial to jump-starting your garden’s soil in getting it ready for planting?

Many of you know that we advocate building the health and vitality of the soil in a natural, biologically safe manner. Soil becomes healthier, more productive, disease, weed and pest resistant. It results in an upward spiral where the garden gets better year after year.

One of the bonuses of biological and non-toxic gardening is you don’t worry about what you are putting in your garden, or if it is safe for the pets or kids. You also don’t have to think about the possible consequences of applying a harsh chemical to your garden, either to the garden or yourself! Read Spring Garden Soil Elixer for the complete details of how to grow your best garden this year.

We will have more recipes for planting and feeding of your garden in upcoming Newsletters.

Heirloom Seed Starting Made Easy

For most everyone it is approaching that most anticipated time of Spring – seed starting. We’ll show you how it can be easy and successful year after year. There are many things that we’ve learned throughout the years of starting seeds for our own gardens.

You get to learn from our “experience”- you do know what experience is, right? It’s what you get when you don’t get what you want! Otherwise known as “mistakes”. While we don’t promise to entertain you with a gag reel of our mishaps, we do show you what we’ve learned works well and why.

Heirloom Seed Starting Made Easy is the continuation of our Seed Starting series that started with Successful Heirloom Seed Starting for the Home Gardener showing equipment and space needs for the home gardener and continued with Seed Starting Media for the Home Gardener that introduces the different soils and soil media that go into a great seed starting mix and why each are important. Stay tuned and let us know if you have tips or approaches that have made your efforts easier or better!

Our customers are friends that we have not yet met, as you share our interest and passion for growing incredibly delicious foods, preserving heirloom seed traditions and biological diversity for the future through our own home gardens. Sharing this is possibly the most important work, as it helps all of us make a definite, positive impact in our lives and in those that we share.

Thanks for your time this edition, we hope you have enjoyed it. Please let us know your thoughts and suggestions, as we are always working to improve.

Stephen and Cindy Scott
Terroir Seeds | Underwood Gardens