aromas, colors, and texture, but these very attributes announce the presence of
the truly remarkable combination of nutrients needed for our vibrant health.
Oh yes, you need to know that I’ve rounded off many of the numbers, since
they seem less bothersome when, say, protein is shown as 1 or 2 grams rather than
1.36 or 1.95 grams.
My kitchen has taken on a whole new feeling, as the garden provided such
unrivaled freshness, seasonal variety, and the adventure that can come only
through observing the miracle of growth at the speed of life.
Each plant, therefore, goes from seed to harvest and then to the kitchen with
a selection of recipes, both simple and more complex yet always seeking to pro-
vide the most enjoyable nourishment possible.Glossary
The following list of gardening/growing terms includes explanations and notes
on terms used throughout the book. Here, too, are those terms used as shorthand
in the captions to the illustrations that accompany each plant listing.Annual: a plant whose entire life cycle occurs within 1 year.
Biennial: a plant with a 2-year life cycle that seeds in the second year.
Blanch: sheltering the plant (usually the stem) from sunlight by heaping earth or
mulch up to the leaves (used for celery and leeks, for example).
Blight: leaves suddenly wither; begins with yellow spots that go gray and then
black. Remove the plant ASAP.
Bloodmeal: dried blood; comes from meat-processing plants (abattoirs) and is
usually mixed with water. It is a very high-nitrogen fertilizer.
Bolting: a plant’s response to too little water, too much heat, and/or poor soil;
going into flower or seed.
Cloche: glass or plastic cover to protect plants in the beginning of a growing
season; plastic milk jugs can be used.58 • GROWING AT THE SPEED OF LIFE