Thursday, February 02, 2012

Reading the Year-Round Vegetable Gardener and enjoying the sun

I am on the Big Island of Hawaii. I brought Niki Jabbour's book The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener on vacation with me. I was reading it on the flight from San Fransisco to Hawaii and the hours flew by. Nothing like gardening to occupy my mind so totally I completely forgot to be counting the hours grind by slowly. Whoosh, and we are here. The book is amazing. I have seen the odd mention of Mâché but never really knew anything about it. I certainly did not realize that it is a reliable and perfect salad green for the winter months. Thank you Niki. I can tell already that there is no reason at all, with all this information, that I couldn't grow vegetables all year round. Especially living in zone 9a. I have no excuse. Although, a little excuse could be the vegetable clear cutting techniques of the west coast slug. They are a total pain.

9 comments:

Mark Willis said...

Aloha! I hope you enjoy the odd Mai Tai or two during your stay... I remember visiting the Dole plantation (and sampling thier fabulous pineapple)

Erin said...

The first thing I did when we got here was pick up a huge pineapple. It is sitting on the counter. We've already had some Hawaiian papayas. OMG I love them. The fruit here is to live for!!!

Erin said...

I've had a couple piña coladas. Allan had a Mai tai last night.

Gardeningbren said...

You are there!! yah...have a fantastic time. So glad you got Niki's book before you left...am almost finished it..have my seed orders lined up referenced from Niki's Piks...

Cheers ma dear.
Bren

Year Round Vegetable Gardener said...

Thank you so much! I'm thrilled that you like the book.. and jealous at your mild climate!! :) And jealous that you're in Hawaii! Enjoy and I'll look forward to following your gardening adventures!
Niki

Year Round Vegetable Gardener said...

Thanks so much! I'm thrilled that you're enjoying The Year Round Vegetable Gardener! I think one of the highlights over the years for me, has been discovering all these wonderful veggies that I'd never grown before! Tatsoi, mizuna, claytonia, etc.. so good! :)

I'm pretty darn jealous of your mild climate and even more jealous of Hawaii! :) Enjoy!
Niki

Erin said...

Hi Brenda and Niki. I would love to know what new seeds you are going to try Brenda. I have definately added mâché to my must have for winter veg list. I am really excited at the thought of winter gardening. As you know the climate is really mild on the coast so I have spending much time in the yard pulling teeny little weeds and trying to putter. So I know I would really love to be able to pick greens in the winter. I can't wait to try some of the greens you talk about in the book Niki. I haven't heard of a lot of them.

Barbarapc said...

One of my favourites is an old lettuce called Black Seeded Simpson - reliable and tasty - gorgeous chartreuse colour - and really quick. I planted it in my first vegetable garden, and now I let one plant go to seed so I can enjoy it the following year.

Erin said...

Thanks for the tip. I will see if I can locate the seeds!!