Category: Just For Fun

food, Gazette-Mail, history

Local gardeners grow cranberries “the size of quarters”

Cranberry salad … cranberry sauce … cranberry relish … cranberry juice … cranberry cocktails — aah, the holidays are upon us. There are many ways to enjoy this tart native fruit during the holidays and the whole year-round that don’t include cutting off a slice from a jiggling cylinder of cranberry goo. You can even grow your own cranberries at home, no bog required! Vaccinium … Continue reading Local gardeners grow cranberries “the size of quarters”

Unknown's avatarJohn PorterLeave a comment
DIY, Gazette-Mail, history, perennial vegetable

Onions deserve a little respect

Let’s face it: When it comes to crops for the vegetable garden, onions are one of the least sexy things you can grow. Garlic, it seems, is the most vivacious and interesting member of the allium family. Nobody gets excited about the lowly onion like they do their heirloom tomatoes or half-runner beans. There aren’t boards on Pinterest dedicated to favorite onion recipes or pretty … Continue reading Onions deserve a little respect

Unknown's avatarJohn PorterLeave a comment
Gazette-Mail, history

Fairs are about improving produce

Every August, thousands of visitors descend upon the small, yet cool, town of Lewisburg for the State Fair of West Virginia (OK, technically the fair is in Fairlea, but close enough). Aromas of fair foods, sounds (and smells) of livestock, lights from the carnival and crowds of fairgoers fill the atmosphere. This scene also plays out in many counties across our great state in the … Continue reading Fairs are about improving produce

Unknown's avatarJohn PorterLeave a comment
garden art, Gazette-Mail, history, public gardens

Plant palace is an easy visit

This time of year is always busy for me. During the middle of July, I find myself hopping around the country attending conferences. This year it just so happens that this past week I found myself hopping from one conference in Columbus, Ohio, to one in Mobile, Alabama, with less than a one-day turnaround. Since I’ve been traveling, I thought it would be good to … Continue reading Plant palace is an easy visit

Unknown's avatarJohn PorterLeave a comment
Gazette-Mail, history

Extension Service marks 100 years

Most people know that my day job is serving at the agriculture extension agent for WVU Extension Service in Kanawha County. Some people might even know what that means, while I bet a great many people have no idea what extension is or how it works. This week, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Smith-Lever Act by President Woodrow Wilson, which … Continue reading Extension Service marks 100 years

Unknown's avatarJohn PorterLeave a comment
Garden Myths, Genetic Engineering, genetics, vegetable gardening

Should I be planting hybrid seeds?

There seems to be a lot of confusion and misinformation these days concerning the origin and safety of everyday garden seeds. While I do appreciate many of our heirloom seeds, I also appreciate what hybrid seeds bring to the table. Unfortunately, misinformation has led to a great number of home gardeners believing that hybrid seeds are genetically modified and unsafe. It is amazing to see … Continue reading Should I be planting hybrid seeds?

Unknown's avatarJohn PorterLeave a comment