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October 9, 2009

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Ristras

At the Jean Talon Market in Montreal.

I started making ristras a few years back as a way to dry my overabundant hot pepper bounty in a small space. They seem confusing to make at first, but I assure you that once you’ve gone through the process once it all snaps into place and you will not need to go back to Guides as an adult to brush up on your knot-tying skills.

A pictorial how-to is included as a project in my new book. But I’ve been told not to talk about book content in detail so early, so you didn’t hear that from me.

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October 8, 2009

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Miscanthus sinensis ‘Berlin’

It’s the very best time of the year for grasses right now. Miscanthus is a ridiculously tall grass — this particular variety comes in at about 15′. I like the way light is caught by the plumes making them look a bit like a water fountain.

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October 6, 2009

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The First Plants to Come In

I’ve been bringing my plants inside recently. Some have come in and gone out to coincide with fluctuating temperatures, but the group you see here (photographed yesterday) are most likely in for good. By next week that windowsill will be stuffed with at least 2 more plants.

They are (left to right): ‘Variegata’ hot pepper, variegated Cuban oregano, a succulent whose name escapes me, Agave americana ‘Mediopicta Alba’, and Echeveria nodulosa (flowering!).

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October 2, 2009

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Blooming Lithops

I bought this one last week.

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September 17, 2009

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‘Chinese Ornamental’ Hot Pepper

I know it’s been a slow week around here. I’ve been fighting off the worst cold/flu/virus I can remember in recent history and have been in bed all week feeling like utter crap. Today is the first day I have felt confident about sitting up for more than an hour-long stretch or forming complete sentences (sort of). Poor me.

Not the best picture but I am very proud of my little ‘Chinese Ornamental’ hot pepper this year. I grew it from seed in spring 2008 and brought it inside over the winter. This is its second year producing lots of tiny peppers and it won’t be long before I bring it back indoors again.

I grow mine in a very small pot (about 5″ tall) as a test to see how well it will thrive and produce when pushed. Grow yours in a bigger pot and you’ll turn out a bigger plant and a lot more peppers.

Don’t let the word ‘ornamental’ fool you. These diminutive peppers are fiery, but definitely edible. My hot pepper days are long behind me; however, I like to put a few of these in my pickles to give to friends who like theirs spicy.

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