Fresh From the "Garden"

We're coming up on that time of year when the harvests begin. Even though it is only August, the days are growing shorter and there is an ominous chill in the night air. Farmers and gardeners alike are starting to at least think about bringing in their bounty (for the gardeners this means whatever they haven't already enjoyed on their table!).

Living in an apartment does not mean you cannot enjoy the benefits of a garden. Certainly you cannot replace everything that the produce section of the grocery store supplies, but at the very least you can enjoy a couple meals with the freshest of fresh ingredients. Herbs are traditionally excellent for balcony gardens and we grew a few this year. I have Rosemary and Lavender sharing a container with some Petunias and Pansies. They are actually thriving rather well and there is a bud on the Rosemary plant that will bloom soon. We are also growing a couple of important Japanese herbs. One is called Shiso or the Beefsteak plant. It is a relative of Peppermint, though it tastes nothing like it. The flavour is light and refreshing--perhaps you have encountered it on a sushi plate at a Japanese restaurant. It is very slow growing and we are still waiting to harvest that one. The other herb is Mitsuba, which is sort of like a Japanese parsley, but should not be confused with Cilantro which is very different. Mitsuba has a bold, somewhat spicy taste which goes well with egg dishes and soups as an edible garnish. My husband is also growing Daikon Radish Sprouts which we use as a garnish on cold tofu with citrus soy sauce and Bonito fish flakes. They also compliment a salad well and taste similar to the small red radishes commonly grown here. As for vegetables, we have successfully grown Japanese turnips which are smaller, whiter and sweeter than the turnips grown in Canada. We grew this in a long rectangular container on our balcony. I must say that they turned out well and are delicious raw, pickled or added to soups. The greens are fabulous additions to soup as well and are full of nutrients. We did not grow a lot, but it is enough for a taste and the process is very rewarding. Caring for the little sprouts and helping them grow is a great lesson in life cycles--perfect project for small children! Radish sprouts in particular are great for kids, because they are nearly foolproof! Super easy!

So whether you have a farm, house or apartment, all it takes is some soil, a decent container and a little patience to enjoy a rewarding taste of nature.