It just might be that the trip from the farm to our shelves was shorter than your drive home. When we buy fresh fruits and veggies locally, we're all supporting the communities we live and work in with fresher produce, lower prices, and a smaller carbon...
Interesting cactus, winter hardy in Ontario. May be eaten raw or dried, first discarding thick skins and seeds. Difficult to germinate; may take two years. Prefers sandy soil. Bears edible fruits (pears) having pleasant, sweet, somewhat acid taste.
Infusion of leaves makes a pleasant cordial tea. Has a faint thyme-like aroma. New research shows it is a good skin and wound remedy. Helps overcome stomach weakness.
These teardrop-shaped peppers from Brazil are the cutest little things, less than an inch in size. The name translates as "little beak" in reference to the small pointy ends at the bottom of the fruits.
(Bishopsweed) Known to the ancient Egyptians as a treatment for skin diseases this humble wild plant of the Nile valley was recently catapulted to the forefront of modern cancer research.
(Spilanthes; Australian cress) Leaves have a mild numbing effect and are useful for toothaches. The fresh leaves are edible and are eaten like cress. Also used as an antibiotic against candida.
Cilantro is considered a superfood, add it to salads, pastas, soups, wraps, smoothies, stir-fry, guacamole, or even create a smoothing massage oil by adding it to your favorite carrier oil.
The leaves and flowers have a hot watercress flavour and are great in salads; and the young seed pods are hotter and can be pickled and used like capers. Here is a flower-herb-veggie that cuts across the genres, with its white-flecked leaves and showy...
Duration: Annual
Ease of Germination: Easy
Botanical Name: Tropaeolum minus 'Tip Top Alaska Red Shades'
The name says it all – the Snowball Y Improved cauliflower is pristine white. An heirloom variety, the Snowball Y cauliflower is a favorite of both home vegetable gardeners and professional growers.
(Chinese spinach; Hinn choy) Young leaves are eaten either cooked or raw like spinach, but contain more calcium and iron. Stems can be cooked like asparagus. Very tender with distinctive bittersweet flavour.
Traditional European panacea for many complaints including lack of appetite, sluggish digestion and stomach disturbances. Highly useful during convalescence.
Beautiful hallucinogenic plants from South America where they have a history of shamanic ritual use for divination, prophecy and sorcery. Angels trumpets are popular in containers for the patio, balcony or deck.
(Friar's hat; Joker's hat) Originally from Barbados where they are known as "peri peri". Unique three or four-sided shape resembles a hat or a crown -- or maybe a flying spaceship.
Pretty rock garden plant with masses of purple flowers appearing early in spring. Slow to germinate. Valuable in correcting membrane disorders of the respiratory and digestive passages.
Handsome tree bearing sweet, juicy berries that make fine conserves and wine. Hardy in southwestern Ontario and B.C. coastal regions. Rootbark decoction is a traditional remedy for tapeworms.
Approximately 300 seeds per packet. Ready to harvest in 105 days. All-American Parsnip is a creamy, wedge-shaped root that grows 3 in. It has an extra-sweet flavor, fine texture and is uniform in size.
European delicacy. Artichokes are usually grown as annuals. Beautiful artichokes are ready in August/Sept. Start early indoors Feb/March and transplant out in April/May when frosts are past.
Botanical Name: Cynara scolymus 'Large Green Globe'
'Julia's Sweet Citrus' has bright green leaves, roundish and slightly crinkly. Great for teas and punch, and for any dish calling for mint. Flowers are white tinged with a touch of purple.
(Crimson bottlebrush) Showy shrub or small tree from Australia with very potent antibacterial properties. With antibiotic resistance on a sharp rise worldwide finding new antibiotics that work in new ways is an urgent priority.
Considered an excellent remedy for tapeworms since the time of the Greeks. Showy orange-red fuchsia-like flowers; miniature fruits. Needs occasional pruning. A red dye is produced from fruit skins and flowers.
Use this bold herb a.k.a. coriander or Chinese parsley raw or cooked in soups, salads, and stews. With its sweet, bright aroma, fresh cilantro is used in Latin American and Asian cooking.
