Well, howdy folks howdy! It’s a brand new year. 2023 has arrived. I once entered a song I wrote more than 25 years ago into an international song writing competition. It became one of 10 songs chosen that received “honourable mention” from among thousands of entries received. I still sing all verses of that song […] Read more
Lots of good reasons to grow carrots
Plus, Happy New Year greetings
An Alberta couple meets The Singing Gardener
Plus the traditional Dutch recipe Boerenkool or kale with potato and sausage
It was an outstanding occasion when I met two of my Grainews readers in early October. The rare event resulted from an earlier phone call to yours truly that eventually led to my face-to-face meeting with Jennie and Bill Van Straalen from Coaldale, Alta., east of Lethbridge. A story unfolds shortly including a recipe from Jennie. The bulk of communications from […] Read more
Commemorative red poppies honour lives lost and look great in the garden
Plus, who was Skookum Jim?
Thanks again to faithful readers for joining me on the Singing Gardener page and a golden hello and handshake to first-timers. Welcome to Ted’s world of words. At times my subject material can go beyond strictly gardening and may also include matters pertaining to health and wellness, recipes, music, folklore and even something historical. For […] Read more
Hippocratic medicine — much still applies today
Plus, a recipe for fried green tomatoes
The green medicine movement continues to advance. Have you ever given consideration to starting your own home green pharmacy medicine chest? “Your food shall be your medicine and your medicine shall be your food” is a time-honoured statement from the Greek founder of Western medicine, Hippocrates, which is as valid today as it was way […] Read more
Why every gardener should grow some thyme
Plus, a bit about cakes and country music and wild lettuce
So how’s everybody out there in Grainews country doing anyhow? Continuing research reminds us that home garden veggies, herbs and flowers, orchards and backyard-grown fruits along with field grains and wild forest plants all contain many powerful disease-inhibiting and healing nutrients. Reaping their protective benefits requires a lifetime of sensible eating and drinking habits while learning […] Read more
Sweet peas, snap peas and shelling peas
Plus, understanding acidity and alkalinity of soil
Let’s plant some edible snap peas and shelling peas. Plus — a bit of this and a bit o’ that. Gardeners phone, others write and I always appreciate face-to-face meetings. Here’s one gardener’s experience with Epsom salt. Tells me he sprays tomato and pepper plants at blossoming time with a weak solution of Epsom salt […] Read more
Information on planting carrot seeds and some varieties to try
Plus, how to make tomato dust and how to use it
As I write this, a massive winter blast is headed toward southern Manitoba. Despite late-season nasty weather I remind myself that, “No winter lasts forever — no spring skips its turn.” What say you that we plant carrot seeds this issue? It’s OK with me if it’s OK with you. After all, next to tomatoes […] Read more
Meet a Manitoba grape grower
Singing Gardener: Plus, the health benefits of carrots as well as their tops
This is the month for seasonal Christmas carols, lots of home baking, giving and receiving of gifts. Need I say more? This is also my final Grainews column for 2021 and more Singing Gardener wandering words to come in 2022. If you’re looking to buy a Christmas gift for someone you’ve not seen for a considerable […] Read more
A brownies recipe with a twist
Singing Gardener: Plus, remember our veterans on November 11
Have you ever known a fellow human being who bellyached a little or a lot? Well — there’s a plant known as “Bellyache Bush” (Jatropha gossypifolia). It’s a shrubby perennial originating from warmer parts of the world, bearing many flowered panicles of small reddish-purple blooms in season. As for its common name Bellyache Bush — […] Read more
Get to know sneezeweed and betony
Singing Gardener: Plus, some recipes and ideas to help get rid of moles
In this article for Grainews I’ll introduce an autumn-flowering Prairie-hardy perennial that’s commonly known as sneezeweed. You may wish to start some from seed next spring. Have you heard of betony (Stachys officinalis)? Got a boss or co-worker who gives you a headache? (Just kidding of course!) In case your headache is from some other source, […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
